Winter in Michigan may be cold and snowy, but it also offers plenty of opportunities to see beautiful sights and enjoy a variety of fun activities with family and friends.

USA Today has compiled some of the best winter locations in western and northern Michigan for locals to explore. The road trip starts in the beautiful Upper Peninsula and weaves its way south — all the way down to southwest Michigan. 

Tahquamenon Falls State Park 

Address: 41382 W. M-123, Paradise 

Michigan’s second largest state park includes 46,179 acres of land in the eastern Upper Peninsula. The park has two falls — the upper falls are about 200 feet across with a drop of almost 50 feet. About four miles downstream, you’ll find a series of five smaller falls clustered around a small island. The park is accessible year-round and park workers provide a lantern-lit snowshoe path in the winter. 

Headlands International Dark Sky Park

Address: 15675 Headlands Road, Mackinaw City 

The grounds, trails and viewing areas of Headlands are accessible year-round. Visitors can stay throughout the night to view the stars, catch celestial events or glimpse the ever-elusive Northern Lights — but camping isn’t permitted. The park has a stargazing house available for overnight rent. Visitors are asked to use red-filtered flashlights during their visit. 

The stars aren’t the only reason to visit Headlands. The park contains 600 acres of old growth forest, plus five miles of trails for snowshoeing. The Dark Sky Discovery Trail — a mile-long paved trail — features “cultural docents” from various points in history, indigenous artwork and regional photography.

Skybridge Michigan

Address: 1 Boyne Mountain Road, Boyne Falls 

The world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge opened in October and is available to cross year-round. The 1,200-foot bridge is 118 feet up and suspended between the peaks of McLouth and Disciples Ridge. The walking surface is five feet wide and includes a stretch of glass platforms halfway across for pedestrians to see the ground and chairlift below them. 

Anyone who doesn’t want to cross the bridge on foot can see it from the ground. The bridge was constructed with LED lights that light up with various colors after dark. Learn more at boynemountain.com/skybridge-michigan.

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Address: 9922 Front Street, Empire

One of the most popular travel destinations in northern Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dunes offers plenty of land for winter activities. Snowshoeing…