Have a three-day weekend coming up? Here are five indoor and outdoor activities from Traverse City to Petoskey for a winter weekend Northern Michigan vacation. Make sure to pack extra layers!
1. Sled the Dune Climb
The Dune Climb is the only place in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore where you can sled, and it’s a perfect spot to hit the slopes. With wide open areas and no trees in the middle of your path, this is a great hill to take your beginning sledders on, but it’s also for those who are a little more daring.
2. Walk to Wineries
Put on your cross-country skis or snowshoes and hike the trail that connects three Leelanau County wineries to each other when the snow falls. Pick up the 7.5-mile trail at Blustone or 45 North wineries in Lake Leelanau or Tandem Ciders in Suttons Bay.
3. Go for a Paddle
Find peace and fresh air in a canoe or kayak. With the cold H2O, extra safety is required here, so pick easy paddling stretches, like shallow, protected smaller lakes or sleepy rivers.
Stay close to shore and be sure to have a sturdy plastic bag with dry clothes tied to the cross-bar of the canoe or stashed into or on the deck of the kayak. Life vest, worn, is absolutely necessary. Don’t go alone and make sure you share your float plan.
But otherwise, expect to relish a quiet and nature-rich experience. Some recommended rivers: Crystal River (Glen Arbor), Platte River (Honor), Victoria Creek (Cedar), Bear River (Petoskey), Au Sable River (Grayling).
4. Get Crafty
Paint your own pottery at Handz on Art or build a one-of-a-kind DIY terrarium at Darling Botanical Co. These local boutiques are both located within Traverse City’s Warehouse MRKT.
Take a look inside with this MyNorth video.
5. Road Trip M22
You may know this road from the thousands of bumper stickers and t-shirts that grace its bold-font symbol, but it’s better to drive the blacktop to understand why this road is special to so many people. Along this iconic road, you’ll see beautiful farmland, miles of lakeshore, and a handful of quaint towns filled with boutique shops and restaurants.