Michigan

Now that winter is here, adventure awaits in the form of downhill skiing, fat-tire biking or snowshoeing epic backcountry landscapes. If you are an enthusiast seeking a new adventure or a family looking for the perfect winter getaway, consider heading out to experience the season the way it’s supposed to be experienced. And the ski resorts are opening for the season! Michigan is tied with New York for having the most ski areas in the country and right now all 50 areas in the state are working in high gear to prepare for guests wanting an extended weekend getaway on the slopes. Michigan is home to more than 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, 3,000 miles of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails and the ski areas boast everything from family-friendly bunny hills to the tallest vertical drop in the Midwest at Mt. Bohemia.

Families seeking a fun getaway for their kids can easily find it in Detroit. The Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Historical Museum and The Henry Ford all have workshops and activities for kids that blend learning, art and history. Legoland Discovery Center Michigan and Sea Life Michigan Aquarium have your family covered in the ‘burbs. And what kid doesn’t enjoy a carousel? Hopefully yours, because the Cullen Family Carousel on the Detroit International RiverWalk offers amazing views of Canada and the Detroit skyline. And we’ve never met a kid who doesn’t love a ride on the People Mover. Take a lap or two around and orient yourself with downtown Detroit. Prefer an all-adult extended weekend getaway? MGM Grand Detroit has all the ingredients: The casino with nearly 2,800 slot and video poker machines, the greatest table games, and poker room, dining, live entertainment and nightlife and the AXIS Lounge. Luxury awaits at Detroit’s only hotel to receive both AAA Four-Diamond and Forbes Four-Star awards.  >MORE

Ann Arbor is many things, including a bustling university town, culinary hotspot, and a tech hub with a walkable downtown that includes world-class arts and culture. Located in southeast Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, Ann Arbor lies at the center of a greater collection of communities in Washtenaw County. With so many thriving communities nearby, Ann Arbor has become a cultural melting pot and urban oasis. If you’re looking to inspire creativity in the next generation, look no further than the renowned Hands-On Museum. Even for people who are a little too big for the child-sized exhibits, this is a fantastic place to explore all the senses. There are four floors of science, nature and social exhibits complete with interactive and splashy models. >MORE