Festivals
Cherry Capital Winter Wonderfest
The Cherry Capital Winter WonderFest is a four-day outdoor winter festival held in Traverse City in mid-February each year. There are a variety of family-friendly activities for the public to enjoy at three different venues: Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, downtown Traverse City and Mt. Holiday Ski & Recreation Area.
Ranch Rudolf's Winter Festival
Family Fun Day at the Ranch Sunday Feb. 7th from 12 noon - 5pm. There will be Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides, Dog Sled rides, Arts & Crafts, Face Painting, Family Snowman Building Competition and Food Specials.
Ice Skating
Centre Ice Arena
Skate rental available. Public skate times may vary, please contact their office for more information.
Grand Traverse Civic Center Howe Arena
The arena becomes an ice rink from September through March, which is managed by Centre I.C.E. Public ice skating and hockey available.
Outdoor Skating Rinks
There is no charge for use of these rinks. Weather permitting, the rinks will be open from early-January to early March. Warming house hours are Monday through Friday 3pm to 9pm, Saturday 12pm to 9pm, and Sunday 12pm to 8pm. Rink locations: 14th and Pine Streets (Thirlby Field); State Street between Railroad and Hope (F&M Park - no warming house); and Rose Street near Carver (Traverse Heights Elementary School).
Twin Bays Skating Club
The Club offers a wide range of skating options beginning with "Snowplow Sam" or "Pre-Hockey" for ages 3 and up and continuing through more advanced areas such as freestyle, moves, and ice dance. The Club also has 4 synchronized skating teams for youth, teens, juniors, and adults.
Indoor Fun
Dennos Museum
Northwestern Michigan College campus, rotating exhibits as well as a children's area. 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City, MI
Great Lakes Children's Museum
Hands on nature and science museum. Cafeteria area for brown bag lunches or birthday parties. 13240 S. West Bayshore Drive (M-22) Greilickville MI
Soul Step Urban Dance Studio
Warm up at one of their drop-in dance classes.
Traverse Symphony Orchestra
TSO offers Family Concerts at the City Opera House on select Sundays throughout the winter. Admission is FREE.
Wilderness Crossing
Offering bowling, mini golf, laser tag and an arcade. SMOKE FREE!
Reindeer Farms
Antler Ridge Farm
6259 M72 East Williamsburg MI 231-645-3647
Skiing ~ Snowboarding ~ Tubing
Hickory Hills
A smaller venue, this ski hill offers affordable skiing and snowboarding right in town.
2000 Randolph Street Traverse City (231) 922-4910
Shanty Creek Resorts
Tubing runs on the backside of the mountain, several lanes and a long run.
The Homestead Resort
Down hill skiing and snowboarding. Chair lifts and several runs to choose from. Located in Glen Arbor.
VASA
We Ski Program. Cross country skiing for all ages.
Sledding
Civic Center
Bowl-like hill next to large parking lot.
Off Garfield Rd, 1213 Civic Center Dr Traverse City MI
Observatory
Limited parking. One medium hill, one large, steep hill.
Birmley Rd Traverse City MI
Sleigh Rides
Ranch Rudolph
Horse drawn sleigh rides and hay rides, depending on the conditions. About 45 minutes long.
Shanty Creek Resorts
Horse drawn sleigh ride through the woods.
Snow Days or Holiday Break Options- NEW!
GT Civic Center- Easling Pool
Aqua Camp- Have fun with us over spring break! Our week long camp will offer a daily art project, 30 minute swim lesson, and open swim. Bring you towel and swim suit each day! Lifeguard Training- Course focuses on the job of a lifeguard in a swimming pool environment. Emphasis is on victim recognition, surveillance, equipment based rescues and first aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer.
Kidz Art- Winter Break Camp
Families staying in town for Spring Break can still treat their kids to a special "getaway". Registration is now open for the "Around the World" Camp at the KidzArt studio in the Cherryland Center. Send your artist to KidzArt for four half-days of creating drawings and projects representing a variety of countries and continents. This camp is for creative boys and girls who love to draw and do projects. Chinese lanterns, nesting dolls, mandalas, and limoge boxes are just a few of the fantastic things your artist will create on their spring break trip around the world. Ages 6 and up. As always all high quality art materials are included. 231-421-1222
YMCA- School's Out Fun Club
"On days when area schools are not in session for full, half, or snow days, we offer programming at the YMCA including: Arts & Humanities, Science & Technology, Character Development, Health & Fitness, Conflict Resolution, Sports, Service Learning, Archery, Low Ropes Course, Nature Hikes, and Outdoor Education on our very own 40-acre woods! Participants must bring a lunch & drink. An afternoon snack will be provided. Health/Info forms are required for children not currently enrolled in YMCA After School Adventure Camp." Dates/Times Full/half/snow days off - 6:45am-6:00pm
Snowshoeing
Brick Wheels
Brick Wheels rents snowshoes for the whole family by the day ($10) or by the week ($50).
Traverse City Convention and Visitors Bureau
Traverse City Convention and Visitors Bureau has listed several areas, along with descriptions, of great snowshoeing trails in the Traverse City area.
- Hodding Carter
