Planning a winter getaway is a great way to give yourself a well-deserved break in what can feel like the longest season of all. Winter can leave people feeling a little stir crazy if they are trapped indoors all the time, so it’s a wonderful excuse to get out of your environment and experience new sights and activities. If you have decided on Michigan as your winter getaway destination and you want to make the most of your time, there are some tips you’ll want to be aware of.

Here is everything you need to know when planning a trip to Michigan this winter.

Choose Relaxing and Comfortable Accommodations

While it is great to have a bunch of plans and things you want to see/do while in Michigan, the fact is that the weather can throw a wrench in those plans at any time. This is why you want to pick relaxing and comfortable accommodations so that if you need to spend a few days indoors, you aren’t too upset. 

There are always things you can do in your hotel room to stay entertained. Some ideas include:

• Check out any amenities in the hotel such as an indoor pool, on-site restaurants, workout room, and so forth.
• Watch movies in your room and order room service.
• Bring a deck of cards with you so you can play some card games with your travel companion(s).
• Enjoy a little online gaming with your smartphone. Online casinos can provide you with hours’ worth of fun. These reviews of Michigan casino bonuses can help you find some great sites.
• Pamper yourself with a long and relaxing bubble bath.

The hope is that you won’t have to spend too much time in your accommodations, but if that ends up being the case, at least you will stay entertained.

Be Prepared for the Winter Weather

The first tip may seem obvious to some, but if you’ve never been to Michigan during the middle of winter, it can come as a surprise. Winter in this state tends to be very cold and windy with lots of snow and ice. Many days will hover below the freezing mark, and never get much warmer. This doesn’t mean it’s not enjoyable and that you can’t be outdoors; it just means you need to be prepared so you can pack accordingly.

Some of the items you’ll want to pack in terms of clothing include:

• Base layers to make layering your clothes easier and more comfortable
• Warm cozy sweaters 
• A winter parka or coat that is wind and water-resistant and has a hood (this will help when it’s windy)
• Gloves and/or mitts that are lined and built for below-freezing temperatures
• Waterproof winter boots with an excellent sole (good grip) so you can be outdoors 
• Snow pants
• A winter hat
• Warm pajamas
• Slippers (perfect while you’re relaxing in your hotel room in the evenings)

It is all about warm cozy layers and outerwear that is wind and water-resistant.

Make a Flexible Itinerary in Advance

If you’re the planning type, then you probably like the idea of having an itinerary that you can stick to while in Michigan. Again, it’s always wise to be flexible and realize that plans may need to change suddenly. If that’s the case, you need to be able to just roll with it.

Some of the outdoor activities you may want to add to your itinerary could include:

• Cross country skiing
• Downhill skiing
• Snowshoeing
• Snowmobiling
• Snowboarding
• Visiting frozen waterfalls (Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore)
• Ice golfing
• Sledding or snow tubing
• Dog sledding

But what if frolicking in the winter weather isn’t your thing? Not to worry, as there are lots of indoor attractions and activities as well. These can include:

• Visiting an indoor waterpark
• Visiting the many museums in the state
• Exploring the many shopping opportunities including malls, outlets, historic shops, specialty shops and a visit to Frankenmuth – the biggest Christmas store in the world
• Diving into Michigan’s dining scene

Your itinerary will also be dictated by your travel companions and what everyone classifies as fun. If you are traveling with kids, then you will want to pick activities that will keep them happy and entertained.

Take Advantage of the Low Season

This final tip works to your advantage because the winter months, December to February, are considered low season for tourism in Michigan. What this means is that line-ups won’t be as long at popular attractions and accommodations can be easier to find and potentially more affordable. It is a great time to visit as long as you are okay with the weather.

Now that you have these helpful pieces of advice, all that is left for you to do is get excited about your upcoming winter getaway to the state of Michigan.