Motors and Motown may be the defining features of Detroit, but this storied city and its beautiful home state, Michigan, also offer staggering natural beauty and a spectacular vantage from which to witness the untamed north’s colder months.
Here, seasons put on a show. Autumn sets the landscape ablaze in a spectacle of fiery yellow, ochre and umber, before winter blankets the land in a hushed, cinematic layer of snow.
Autumnal activities
From the vibrant energy of downtown Detroit to the majestic, ice-rimmed Great Lake, Michigan’s colder months offer some of North America’s most memorable travel experiences.
In October, the M-119 highway offers one of Michigan’s most scenic drives, with brilliant autumn foliage creating a striking corridor of colour.
This 20-mile stretch hugging Lake Michigan takes you past quaint towns and breathtaking views that showcase the region at its best.
Joining the queue at the beloved Franklin Cider Mill is a seasonal must. Your reward: a divine duo of still-warm cinnamon doughnuts and fresh, tangy cider that tastes like the season itself.
On an autumn Saturday, Detroit’s Eastern Market bursts with colour and flavour; stalls piled high with pumpkins and squash, sizzling street food in the air, and the irresistible buzz of the harvest season.
Winter escapes
As autumn’s vivid colours fade, winter sweeps in with its own delights.
At Campus Martius Park, Detroit’s answer to the winter blues comes to life – the city’s main square is transformed into a festive wonderland, featuring an outdoor ice rink. Skating beneath the towering skyscrapers is urban magic at its finest.
Each winter, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore becomes a striking natural attraction, with frozen waterfalls, ice caves and glittering formations drawing visitors to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Frankenmuth, known as Michigan’s ‘Little Bavaria,’ offers a year-round Christmas experience. Each December, the town becomes a festive highlight for visitors, with Bronner’s – the world’s largest Christmas store – serving as a major draw.
