25 actually cute winter date ideas in the Detroit area

Meadowbrook Holiday Walk

Friday, Nov. 29 - Dec. 23; 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.; $20
350 Estate Dr., Rochester; meadowbrookhall.org
Meadow Brook Hall’s annual Holiday Walk celebrates the holiday season through its dazzling display of trees and fun holiday activities. If you want to see Santa or want to visit some shops, the Holiday Walk has activities for holiday lovers of any age.

Photo via Meadowbrook Hall & Gardens / Facebook

Maybe It’s Cold Outside Comedy Show

Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from Nov. 21-Dec. 21; 8-9:30 p.m.; $20
261 E. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale (Go Comedy! Improv Theater); 248-327-0575; gocomedy.net
Anyone who is sick of feeling like the grinch and wants to get into the jolly spirit should consider attending Maybe It’s Cold Outside at Go Comedy!. The holiday sketch show may warm your frosted heart and have you letting out Santa-like belly laughs.

Photo via Go Comedy! Improv Theater / Facebook

Schvitz Health Club

8295 Oakland Ave, Detroit; 313-724-8489; schvitzdetroit.com
This health club is the sole historic bath house remaining in Detroit, offering communal bathing based on holistic therapeutic techniques. If you are looking to defrost during the frigid winter, these steamy baths will warm you up.

Photo via Schvitz Health Club / Facebook

Downtown Detroit Market & Cadillac Lodge

Nov. 13 to Jan 1; Wednesdays and Thursdays 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Free admission
2 Cadillac Sq., Detroit (at Campus Martius Park); downtowndetroitparks.com
In the heart of Downtown, visitors can ice skate, shop, eat, carriage-ride, see the lit-up city, and much more during the winter-long event.

Photo via Downtown Detroit Partnership / Facebook

Campus Martius

800 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Ice skating, holiday markets, and the famous 60-foot Norwegian Spruce covered in more than 19,000 multi-colored lights and ornaments makes Campus Martius your go to spot this holiday season. The lights, energy, and endless amounts of activities that downtown Detroit offers will put you in the holiday spirit.

Photo via Downtown Detroit Partnership / Facebook

Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village

Thursday, Dec. 5-8, Dec. 12-15, 17-23, 26-28; 6:30 p.m.-10 p.m.; $30
Greenfield Village, Dearborn, henryford.org
At Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village, there are numerous holiday attractions to put you in the festive mood. With decorated shops, fireworks, and live musical performances, Holiday Nights is a fantastic place to go for the holidays.

Photo via The Henry Ford / Facebook

Fowling Warehouse

3901 Christopher St., Hamtramck; 313-264-1288; fowlingwarehouse.com
Since 2014, Fowling Warehouse has been drawing visitors from local cities as well as around the country. Fowling, which was accidentally invented in 2001 at an Indy 500 tailgate, is a mixture of football, bowling, and horseshoes. The warehouse includes 30 lanes, a beer garden, live music, and food trucks.

Photo via Fowling Warehouse / Facebook

Oasis Hot Tub Gardens

2301 S State St, Ann Arbor; 743-663-9001; oasishottubs.com
Anyone needing an escape from the snowy scenery may want to visit Oasis Hot Tub Gardens, where hot tubs are surrounded by various garden landscapes. The water is kept to a high temperature during the colder months, giving the ultimate escape to those hoping to soak away the stress of winter.

Photo via Oasis Hot Tub Gardens / Facebook

Michigan Science Center

5020 John R Dr.; 313-577-8400; mi-sci.org
The Michigan Science Center is located in Detroit’s Midtown district, and its planetarium is an out-of-this-world experience.

   Photo via Michigan Science Center

Michigan Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Adventure Center

1801 Atwater St., Detroit; 844-622-6367; michigan.gov/oac
Located on Detroit’s riverfront, this hands-on museum offers a variety of interactive simulations and activities. Visitors can touch a waterfall, catch a fish, explore a bur oak tree, and hop on a bike or snowmobile. There are also exhibits about how the Department of Natural Resources manages and preserves Michigan’s parks and wildlife.

  Photo via DNR Outdoor Adventure Center / Facebook

The Big, Bright Light Show

Nov. 25 - Jan. 5, 5 p.m. - Midnight; Free admission
Downtown Rochester, downtownrochestermi.com
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Downtown Rochester with The Big Bright Lights Show. The gleaming display of lights covering buildings head to toe contributes to the overall cheerful and festive feeling of the holiday season.

Photo via The Big, Bright Light Show / Facebook

IMMERSE Spa

1777 3rd Ave., Detroit; 313-465-1656; mgmgranddetroit.mgmresorts.com/en/amenities/immerse-spa.html
Located in MGM Grand Detroit, IMMERSE Spa has something for everyone. If you have limited time in the day during the busy holiday season, IMMERSE Spa has an option for express treatments that only take 25 minutes.

Photo via Google Maps

Edsel & Eleanor Ford House

1100 Lake Shore Rd, Grosse Pointe Shores; 313-884-4222
This mansion on Gaukler Point was once home to the Fords. Edsel was the son of the founder of the Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford. Together with his wife Eleanor, he continued a legacy as leaders of industry. Visitors can take an intimate look into their home life and legacy.
Photo via Instagram user @eefordhouse

Mannheim Steamroller

Saturday, Dec. 21; 8 p.m.; $40+
2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit (Fox Theatre) foxtheatre.com
Celebrating its 35th anniversary of its Christmas tour, Mannheim Steamroller by Chip Davis will be visiting the Fox Theatre. The concert will be including Christmas music from the original Mannheim Steamroller.

Photo via Mannheim Steamroller / Facebook

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Dec. 28, 3 p.m.; $79+
2646 Woodward Ave., Detroit (Little Caesars Arena); 313presents.com
For rock music and Christmas lovers, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra may bring joy to their worlds. The successful rock group is presenting Christmas Eve and Other Stories at Little Caesars Arena.

Photo via Trans-Siberian Orchestra / Facebook

Drop-in Workshop: Winter Village

Thursday, Dec. 26 - 31, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Free admission
Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit; dia.org
At the DIA, the Drop-in Workshop: Winter Village allows you to participate in community based art making to design a hand crafted winter village. This experience not only will inspire creativity, however it may bring a heartwarming experience to the holidays.

Photo via Detroit Institute of Arts / Facebook

Detroit Zoo Wild Lights

Detroit Zoo / 8450 W 10 Mile Rd., Royal Oak
Walk through the 5 million LED lights that light up the Detroit Zoo. Open weekend and evenings until New Years.

Photo via Detroit Zoo / Facebook

Fire & Ice Festival

Jan. 17-19, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Free admission
Downtown Rochester, E. Third St. & Water St., Rochester; 248-656-0060; downtownrochestermi.com
The Fire & Ice Festival combines a multitude of fun activities for the holiday season. With activities ranging from dog sled rides to ice carving competitions, the winter festivities will not end at this festival.

Photo via Fire & Ice Festival / Facebook

Michigan Winter Dog Classic

Thursday, Jan. 16-19; 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Prices vary
Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave., Novi; 248-348-5600; suburbancollectionshowplace.com
Any dog lover may want to check out the Michigan Winter Dog Classic, Michigan’s largest dog show. At the event, there will be breed seminars, dog agility event training, health clinics, and more.

Photo via The Michigan Winter Dog Classic / Facebook

Plymouth Ice Festival

Jan. 10-12, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Downtown Plymouth; 248-817-8836; plymouthicefestival.com
You will freeze in awe if you attend the Plymouth Ice Festival. The ice festival will hold many remarkable ice sculptures showing the beauty of the winter.

Photo via Plymouth Ice Festival / Facebook