Snowshoeing in Presque Isle Park
This park in Marquette juts out into Lake Superior and offers some of the best scenery in the area. During the winter, the roads through Presque Isle Park are closed, making it the perfect time to traverse the park on foot. Bring some snowshoes and start exploring. Breathtaking ice formations along the lake, rocky cliffs, wildlife and the crunch of snow beneath your feet make for a great winter adventure. Pro parenting tip: after you trek, stop in to Contrast Coffee, Babycakes or Donckers in Marquette for a cup of hot chocolate and a snack.
Nature’s Kennel Sled Dog Adventures
What could be more joyful than coasting on a sled behind a team of fluffy, frisky canines? Nature’s Kennel Sled Dog Adventures in McMillan offers a variety of dog sledding packages, including small group half-day trips perfect for kids ages 10+, so the whole family can learn to mush together.
Tubing at John & Melissa Besse Sports Park
Feed your child’s need for snowy speed with a tubing (or sledding) adventure at John & Melissa Besse Sports Park in Gladstone. Choose from several different tubing runs, each equipped with rope tows so kids (or weary parents) don’t have to lug tubes back up the hill after their ride. The park also offers downhill skiing and snowboarding lessons for more adventurous souls of all ages. Tubing at the park is available Friday through Sunday.
Exploring Fayette Historic State Park
Fayette Historic State Park is a former iron-smelting company that’s now open year-round, allowing families to explore more than 20 preserved buildings and imagine what daily life was like in a 19th-century industrial community. And in winter, Fayette is downright magical. Snowshoe, cross-country ski, or hike through the quiet townsite while taking in sweeping Lake Michigan views and dramatic limestone cliffs. Across the frozen harbor, the bluffs rise above the ice, where ancient cedar trees cling to the rock shelves, some estimated to be 800, 900 or even 1,400 years old.
Fat Tire Biking
Don’t let snowy roads keep your family grounded this winter! Fat tire bikes have made it possible to go on family bike rides year-round, and Marquette lays claim to being the fat tire biking mecca of the U.P. Explore the beautiful downtown and over 60 miles of maintained single-track snow bike trails and fuel up post-ride at one of Marquette’s many eateries.
Lucy Hill Naturbahn Luge
Get ready for a winter thrill the whole family can share at Lucy Hill Naturbahn Luge in Negaunee, home to the only full-length natural luge track in the United States. This icy ride twists and turns down a real hillside, built right into the snow and bordered by boards and snow banks. The Upper Peninsula Luge Club offers reservations for two-hour sessions that allow you to work your way up the public section of the hill as you learn to control the sled.
Eben Ice Caves
The Eben Ice Caves in Deerton offer a true U.P. adventure with an icy twist. A result of slow snowmelt runoff mixed with freezing temperatures creates a series of caves bedecked in frozen blues and greens, sure to capture the whole family’s imagination. The walk to the caves is nearly a mile long and can be slippery, so this hike is best for adventurous families. Ice cleats will help you navigate the packed-down snow and steep, slippery climbs.
Plan Your Trip
This is just a small sampling of family-friendly wintry fun: the U.P. offers endless cold-weather adventures. Explore the rest of the site to find locations, events and activities that will keep your kids entertained throughout your trip.
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