41 reasons to be thankful for winter in Detroit

1. Skate your heart out downtown at the Rink Park organizers the Detroit 300 Conservancy report record-breaking attendance at the Rink at Campus Martius Park, with the highest number of skaters during this year’s holiday period. It’s easy to see why — with a 60-foot tree, colorful lights, and amped-up dining and retail options downtown, Campus Martius is Detroit’s answer to New York’s Rockefeller Center. The rink is open through March 6 at 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit; campusmartiuspark.org.

4. Celebrate the snow and ice in Frankenmuth Tired of scraping ice and snow off your car? Why not watch others carve and sculpt those pesky ice blocks into beautiful pieces of art. This winter, Zehnder’s Snowfest is celebrating 25 years, and it promises to “bring winter fun for the whole family.” Besides ice sculpting competitions and exhibitions, Snowfest will also have a warming tent full of activities, a petting zoo, and fireworks. The ice flies from Jan. 27 to Feb. 1, at 730 S. Main St., Frankenmuth; 800-863-7999. See zehnders.com for full activity lists and prices.

5. Visit the 1980s with Offworld arcade Once a month, this community of old-school gamers hauls its machines into Detroit’s Checker Bar for a popular pop-up arcade. With a nominal cover fee, guests can play to their hearts’ content (all machines are switched to “freeplay” mode). The events are also known to feature guest DJs and vintage console and games raffles, and friendly competition — high scores are recorded on the arcade’s official website. Keep your eyes on the site for dates, as well as updates on what organizers are calling “something super secret and super awesome for you in 2016.” Next event is Saturday, Jan. 30 at Checker Bar & Grill is at 124 Cadillac Square; Detroit; 313-961-9249; see offworldarcade.com for info; $5.

6. Cheer on winter motor sports at Sno*Drift It’s definitely a day trip up to Montmorency County, but plenty of downstaters make it up there just for the Sno*Drift Rally, which takes over closed county roads, with speedy little production-line cars racing through small towns in timed stages. Crowds gather along the hairpin turns to cheer while watching the snow fly as these tricked-out Focuses, GTIs, and Jettas slide sideways and glide away, thanks to the drivers’ fancy footwork on the brakes, clutch, and gas. Race runs Jan. 29-30, in and around the town of Atlanta; See sno-drift.org for more info.

7. Do the next best thing to going up North at M-Brew When M-Brew opened in 2014, owner Dean Bach tried to re-create the ambiance of a northern Michigan cabin. The “Up North” vibes are enhanced with little touches, like a fireplace hearth, folk art, and menu items like the “brew-ski,” or a sampling of local beers presented on a ski-shaped plank. And adding more indoorsy wintertime appeal, M-Brew hosts a collection of vintage arcade games, pinball machines, and a retro Jukebox downstairs. At 177 Vester Ave., Ferndale; 248-542-2739; m-brew.net. (Photo via HipinDetroit.com)

9. Make a splash with the kids at Great Wolf Lodge Cheap and DIY it ain’t, but if you’re a tired pair of parents who can’t fly off to a sunny destination, this is the next best thing. You’ll pay a pretty penny for a weekend in the water park, spa, and hotel that is Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City. You can go splishing and splashing at a dozen attractions, dine at a sit-down restaurant, or chill in a commodious tub in your room. Those with children can watch the tykes wear themselves all day — and have another drink, because somebody’s gonna sleep tonight. See greatwolf.com.

11. Eat (and drink) with the season Say “seasonal dining” and most people think of tender spring vegetables, crunchy summer salads, and the bounty of the fall harvest. But winter is often overlooked, and that’s a shame, because it’s associated with some of the most comforting, richest food: bisques, stews, chili, fatty cuts of duck, rich steaks braised bone-in, veal cheeks, Kurobuta pork chops, or prosciutto’s fattier cousin Speck. There are even special drinks to break the chill of winter: At Detroit’s Sugar House Bar, you can still get the ancient favorite, hot buttered rum, with blackstrap rum, simple syrup, and butter, still hot in the mug. At the Oakland in Ferndale, they serve a Tom & Jerry — hot rum, cognac, milk, sugar, spice, and whipped egg — every time it snows.

12. Laugh about the Civil War with Butler The Detroit Repertory Theatre — lovingly referred to as “the Rep” by those in the know — is in the midst of its 59th season, the oldest professional nonprofit playhouse in the state. It has a plush bar, gives plays lush stagings, and doesn’t shy away from plays about race or class. This winter, you can enjoy the Michigan premiere of playwright Richard Strand’s Butler, billed as a “riveting evening of seriously funny Civil War history.” Showtimes are 8:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 3 and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sundays through March 13, at 13103 Woodrow Wilson St., Detroit; 313-868-1347; detroitreptheatre.com.

13. Wash down sweets with blackberry brandy in Hamtramck For metro Detroiters, there’s a place that is almost synonymous to “paczki,” and that is Hamtramck. It’s a common fact — on Fat Tuesday, head to Hamtramck to purchase dozens of those delicious, jelly-filled doughnut-like confections. With countless bakeries selling the calorie-laden pastries, Hamtramck is the place to eat, drink, and be merry on Feb. 9, with most of the city’s bars open early. To ease the guilt of indulging, Tour Detroit also hosts its annual Paczki Day Run, a 5K around the city on Saturday, Feb. 6; see tour-de-troit.org/paczkirun for registration information. Photo courtesy of Tour de'Troit Flickr

15. Learn how to conquer a sheer wall of ice at Michigan Ice Fest Winter sports tend to lay heavy on the extreme side, but nothing can compare to what happens at the Michigan Ice Festival in Munising, in the Upper Peninsula. Every year, ice climbers from around the world head to the U.P. for the most outrageous and extreme ice climbing that Michigan has to offer. Even if you’re new to the sport the five-day fest has workshops and clinics for new and experienced climbers. The festival takes place Feb. 10-14; see michiganicefest.com for details. (Photo via michiganicefest.com)

16. Get stuffed at Meridian Winter Blast Organizers expect 75,000 visitors to Winter Blast this year. It’s a family-friendly affair, with fun activities like the snow slide and zip lines for the kids. The “Taste of Detroit” tent will be a one-stop shop for Detroit’s burgeoning and well-documented food renaissance, with tasty bites from El Asador, El Barzón, La Dolce Vita, Slow’s to Go, Hudson Café, Detroit Seafood Market, and more. It’s a great reason to bundle up, get out, eat well, and defy the February chill in the heart of Detroit. Runs Friday-Sunday, Feb. 12-14; winterblast.com.

18. Throw a forward pass at bowling pins at the Hockeytown BrewHaHa Frozen Fowling Fest at Joe Louis Arena Fowling (pronounced “FOAL-ing”), the unholy marriage of football and bowling concocted by Detroiters, has been taking the world by storm. While you can play a game anytime at Detroit’s Fowling Warehouse, organizers have once again partnered with Olympia Entertainment to bring the sport to the Joe. Ticket-holders get to fowl on the arena floor, competing for Red Wings prizes — all while sipping on local suds and sampling seasonal cuisine from Olympia Entertainment executive chef John Borso. Takes place Friday, Feb. 19, at Joe Louis Arena, 19 Steve Yzerman Dr., Detroit; 313-471-3333; fowlingwarehouse.com; tickets are $47.50; 21 and over only. Photo by Andrew Potter

19. Drown the winter blues in boat drinks Sadly, not all of us can afford a sun-splashed getaway to some place where you can drink while sketching in the sand with your toes. Luckily, there’s a whole class of local businesses that specialize in making you think you’re already there. From Bahama Breeze to Parrot Cove, which both happen to be in Troy, you can find the drinks, dishes, and decor that will transport you to a sunnier place and clime.

20. Warm up your innards at Whiskey Business Warm up with some whiskey at Metro Times tasting event, but be careful, 15 samples of the world’s best whiskeys can put you in a very special place. If you can drink responsibly enough, you’ll be able to enjoy some rare spirits, as well as those that are locally made. In addition to a ton of brands to try, there’s also live music, drinking games, vendors, and food available for purchase. This thing regularly sells out, so we suggest buying tickets beforehand. Starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at the Royal Oak Farmers Market, 316 E. 11 Mile Rd., Royal Oak; whiskeybusinessmi.com; tickets are $50.

21. Go wild at an indoor playground Though some activities are outdoors (and out of reach), CJ Barrymore’s Family Entertainment Center in Clinton Township offers plenty of indoor activities for cabin fever-frenzied families. Practically an indoor street fair, CJ Barrymore’s has bumper cars, games, funnel cake fries, and plenty more. It also has bowling lanes and a laser tag room. While go-karting, batting cages, and a new roller coaster are closed for the winter, the golf dome is open every day for golfers wanting to perfect their swing before it gets warmer. At 21750 Hall Rd., Clinton Twp.; 586-469-2800; see cjbarrymores.com for hours and prices.

22. Ogle the sweet rides at Autorama Since 1953, Detroit’s “other car show” has celebrated the best of hot rods and custom cars. As in past years, custom builders will unveil their fanciful creations to compete for the coveted Don Ridler Memorial Trophy. Other happenings include a pin-up beauty contest, a “Dancing With the Cars” sock hop, live music, Toy-a-Rama, and more. Runs Friday-Sunday, Feb. 26-28, at Cobo Center, 1 Washington Blvd., Detroit; 248-373-1700; autorama.com; $19 general admission.

23. Drink Belgian beer and try your hand at feather bowling Roll a giant wooden cheese wheel down an alley toward a flimsy feather sticking out of the ground to earn points? Add a couple of beers and your most competitive friends and you’re about to have the time of your life. A mix of curling and bocce, the point is to knock the other team’s balls away from the feather while your team gets its balls closest to the feather. They do it in Mount Clemens at Bath City Bistro, and, most famously, at Detroit’s Cadieux Cafe, 4300 Cadieux Rd., Detroit; 313-882-8560; cadieuxcafe.com.

24. Blow out the winter blues with Hamtramck Music Fest Kerfuffle about its origins aside, this might be the best-run and most fun affordable music fest the Detroit area has to offer. The three-day event is smartly contained — it’s basically walkable. There are no big corporate sponsors to bum your trip. There are tremendous showcases each night, and daytime all-ages shows and other events. Plus, it is all for a good cause; festival proceeds go to Ben’s Encore, a nonprofit that provides instruments, music lessons, and scholarships to inspired young musicians and underserved school music programs. Fest runs Thursday-Sunday, March 3-6; for venue and show information see hamtramckmusicfestival.com.

25. Rip it up on the slopes Northern Michigan has some of the greatest hills in the Midwest, but just an hour or two north of Detroit are some great and inexpensive hills for skiing or snowboarding. Mount Holly has a fantastic ski school and all you need is a valid school ID. And if you’re looking to get into ski racing, hit up the slopes at Pine Knob. See skipineknob.com or skimtholly.com.

26. Feel the noise at Berserker Fest Berserkerfest is a three-day punk and metal fest held for the first time at the Masonic Temple. If you like your music as loud as a jet engine, your faces pierced, your jean jackets emblazoned with the most illegible of all possible band logos, then you’ve probably already bought a limited-edition advance pass, which comes with a free badge and silkscreen poster. The almighty Voivod headlines, along with Antiseen, Stnng, Child Bite, Cannibal Corpse, and more. This year’s lineup has really upped the ante; this is going to rule. See berserkerdetroit.com for the latest updates on ticket prices and show times. Runs Thursday-Satuday, March 3-5, at the Masonic Temple, 500 Temple St., Detroit; berserkerdetroit.com.