Detroit is a “vibey” destination if there ever was one. This is a city where gritty industrial neighborhoods rub shoulders with the faded glory of exquisite but crumbling theaters and a history of rock n’ roll excellence that dates back decades. Winter in this unusual and captivating city gets blisteringly cold. But instead of letting that hinder your weekend entertainment in Detroit, turn it into a plus with our winter weekend guide. We’ve got the details on things to do and see and the best places to stay while you’re in town.
What To See and Do
1. Escape The Cold
If you love winter but prefer to experience it from behind a frosted windowpane, Detroit offers lots of exciting and entertaining activities to keep you busy. These include:
- Visiting the botanical gardens: Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Taylor Conservatory and Botanical Gardens are waiting to welcome you to their hothouses, where it’s summer all year.
- Heading down to the MGM Grand Detroit: Enjoy slot machines, table games, and so much more. The BetMGM casino in Detroit is a hotel and casino complex that also offers a spa, nightclubs, dining, and a selection of luxury rooms and suites.
- Taking a restaurant tour of the city: Detroit attracts a huge number of inventive, exciting, and mouthwatering restaurant brands. There’s no time better than when it’s freezing outdoors to take yourself for breakfast, lunch, and dinner somewhere that looks delicious. Have breakfast at The Great Commoner, which has French influences and brown butter pancakes. Have lunch at Presley’s for classic American cuisine, and dine at Javier’s Downtown for dinner to enjoy Latin fusion cuisine.
- Playing indoor sports: Burn off a little excess energy at Cadieux Cafe or one of the Fowling Warehouses. At the latter, you can play a unique version of “feather” bowling, where you throw a football at bowling pins instead of a classic bowling ball.
2. Embrace The Snow
There’s so much to do in Detroit that involves embracing the winter wonderland-y outdoors, particularly as Christmas draws nearer. Here are a few notable attractions:
- Winter Blast at Royal Oak: The downtown ice rink is open all winter, but on Royal Blast Weekend, you and your nearest and dearest will get to skate for free. Winter Blast also offers the opportunity to be a daredevil on the zipline that takes you on a 300-foot journey while suspended 34 feet in the air. There’s live music for both adults and kids all weekend and a magical ice garden featuring beautifully carved, sparkling ice sculptures.
- Winter at Robert C Valade Park: Each winter weekend, families descend onto this snowy park for all kinds of winter fun. Go sledding or tubing to partake in scheduled activities like bonfires where marshmallow roasters wait to see if you’ve got a sweet tooth, winter games, hot seasonal drinks, and more. There are special weekends throughout the season, too, like the Motown Weekend and the Fire and Ice Festival.
- Stony Creek Metropark: Get active with more than 13 miles of pristine cross-country skiing. If you don’t own your own gear, ski rental is available. There’s also snowshoeing and even ice fishing if you’re looking for something meditative and rewarding.
- Lake St Clair Metropark: The outdoor sledding is particularly great in this beautiful, hilly park, as is the ice fishing for panfish and yellow perch in particular.
Where To Stay
1. The Siren Hotel
The hip, midcentury design of this boutique hotel is only one of the many draws for visitors of all ages, chiefly the millennial and Gen Z crowds. This gorgeous building sat empty for years before the Siren opened in 2018. There are funky bed-loft rooms, a gorgeous coffee bar called Populae, and a bright pink bar featuring an enormous chandelier and disco ball.
2. The El Moore Lodge
Of the 23 rooms in this warm and welcoming hotel, 13 are residential, and the place’s neighborhood-like feel is really enhanced by its permanent residents. Make new friends over the continental breakfast offered each morning and spend time appreciating the expert restoration of this 120-year-old building. The El Moore uses climate-friendly heating and cooling, so choose this stay if ecotourism appeals to you.
3. Aloft Detroit
The majestic Grand Dame is located in the David Whitney Building, so you can expect regal grandeur throughout your stay. The lobby is a century old: a four-story terracotta marble beauty with an enormous skylight that has withstood 100 years of foot traffic. All the guest rooms are clean and contemporary in design, echoing the lobby in their choice of calming, natural hues, brightened with jolts of color in the chairs and bedding.
Do Detroit This Winter
Detroit has so much to offer winter visitors. From snow day escapades to culinary delights and a date with Lady Luck, there’s something in this vibrant city for everyone.
