Skip to content

Top Navigation

Midwest Living Midwest Living
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Home
  • Garden
  • Holidays
  • Videos
  • current issue
  • Sweepstakes
  • Road Rally
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Win Your Dream Getaway!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Magazine Issues
  • Destinations
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Midwest Living

Midwest Living Midwest Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 11 Extraordinary Outdoor Travel Experiences to Try This Year

      11 Extraordinary Outdoor Travel Experiences to Try This Year

      Have you ever slept in a treehouse? Paddled by moonlight? Seen the Milky Way? We challenge you to try one of these activities. Read More
    • Meet Five Midwest Cake Creators (and Try Their Recipes)

      Meet Five Midwest Cake Creators (and Try Their Recipes)

      One has conquered the world of plant-based baking. Another runs a microbakery from her home. Two own businesses with their spouses. And the fifth is a James Beard finalist chef. The common thread? Absolutely delicious cakes. Read More
    • The No-Fail Relish Tray Recipe is Here

      The No-Fail Relish Tray Recipe is Here

      For many Midwesterners, holiday feasting kicks off with a relish tray. We dare not mess with an icon—at least, not too much. Read More
  • Travel

    Travel

    See All Travel
    Des Moines' Hottest Food Neighborhoods You Need to Know About

    Des Moines' Hottest Food Neighborhoods You Need to Know About

    Korean egg sandwiches, Australian baked goods,Southeast Asian bing bing wraps—here’s an in-the-know guide to eating your way through this culinary capital.
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Family Travel
    • Around the Region
    • Beyond the Region
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Missouri
    • Nebraska
    • North Dakota
    • Ohio
    • South Dakota
    • Wisconsin
    • Free Travel Info
  • Food

    Food

    See All Food
    The Delicate, Spongy Basic Crepe Recipe You Can Master at Home—Plus 4 Ways to Upgrade It

    The Delicate, Spongy Basic Crepe Recipe You Can Master at Home—Plus 4 Ways to Upgrade It

    With encouragement from the owner of a Kansas City, Missouri, creperie, you’ll perfect these delicate pancakes in no time.
    • Comfort Foods
    • Desserts & Baking
    • Breakfast
    • Quick & Easy
    • Chicken
    • Soups & Stews
    • Midwest Favorites
    • Fruits & Vegetables
    • Fish
    • Grilling
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home
    Boost Your Home's Curb Appeal With These Ideas from a Minneapolis Makeover

    Boost Your Home's Curb Appeal With These Ideas from a Minneapolis Makeover

    With fresh paint and a terraced slope, a Minneapolis stucco goes from mousy to magnetic.
    • Quick Decorating
    • Featured Homes
    • Organizing & Storage
    • Outdoor Living
    • Seasonal Decorating
    • Room Decorating
  • Garden

    Garden

    See All Garden
    How to Plant a Rain Garden

    How to Plant a Rain Garden

    Turn a wet trouble spot into a lush and Earth-friendly oasis by capturing the rain.
    • Container Gardens
    • Flowers
    • Featured Gardens
    • Midwest Gardening Calendar
    • Garden Ideas & Inspiration
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See All Holidays
    Brighten Your Front Door with This Colorful Easter Egg Wreath

    Brighten Your Front Door with This Colorful Easter Egg Wreath

    For this do-it-yourself spring wreath, we bundled inexpensive paper-mache eggs in fuzzy, vibrant yarn.
    • Easter
    • July 4th
    • Thanksgiving
    • Halloween
    • Christmas
    • Valentine's Day
  • Videos

    Videos

    See All Videos
    Chef Jorge Guzmán's Step-by-Step Guide to Making Tamales

    Chef Jorge Guzmán's Step-by-Step Guide to Making Tamales

    Tamales are a project, but many hands—even tiny ones—make lighter work.
    • Brighten Your Front Door with This Colorful Easter Egg Wreath
    • These DIY Orange Beeswax Candles Will Make Your Home Smell Amazing
    • Ring in the New Year with This Glam Star Garland
    • How to Make a Modern Fruit Cake Box
    • An Eye-Catching Oval Treat Box You Can Make
    • Make a Colorful Paper Raffia Wreath to Welcome Fall
    • How to Make a Dried Floral Arrangement
    • How to Make an Easy Pina Colada
    • How to Make an Amazing Pavlova
    • How to Make Pumpkin-Spice Icebox Cake
    • How to Make an All-Butter Pie Crust
    • DIY Pistachio Wheat Stalks for Fall Decorating
  • current issue

    current issue

    See All current issue
    About Us

    About Us

    • March/April 2022 Issue
    • January/February 2022 Issue
    • November/December 2021 Issue
    • September/October 2021 Issue
    • July/August 2021 Issue
    • May/June 2021 Issue
    • Summer 2022 Issue
    • Fall 2022 Issue
    • Winter 2022 Issue
  • Sweepstakes
  • Road Rally
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Win Your Dream Getaway!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Magazine Issues
  • Destinations
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Midwest Living
  2. Travel
  3. Around the Region
  4. 15 Great Midwest Winter Weekend Escapes

15 Great Midwest Winter Weekend Escapes

By Midwest Living editors Updated October 11, 2022
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Thompsonville, Michigan: Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa

Don't let a snowy forecast stop you from setting aside time for a quick winter getaway. Head to the woods for a peaceful hike, curl up by the fire in a cozy cabin, or hit the town for some frosty window-shopping.

Start Slideshow

1 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Hocking Hills, Ohio

Hocking Hills winter
Credit: Randall L. Schieber

The Hocking Hills' rock formations and caves become even more dramatic in winter, when snow settles on the damp rocks and bare trees, and water freezes into huge icicles. 

At Glenlaurel Inn & Spa nearby, inventive food and plush cabins balance brisk hikes for a perfectly woodsy winter getaway. Guests retreat to nicely appointed, Scottish-theme cottages and rooms, some with hot tubs and some with two-person whirlpools. Meals are an occasion: Six- and seven-course dinners are served in the Manor House (where a bagpiper in full kilt dress pipes on the weekends).

1 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Parke County, Indiana

Parke County, Indiana

You won't find many other visitors in Indiana's covered bridge country when snow begins to fall—and that's the best reason of all to come here in winter. You'll have the picturesque historic bridges practically to yourself, making it easy to imagine you've stepped back in time. Pick up a map at the local visitors center, and make a special trip for the flaky biscuits at the Clabber Girl Museum and Bake Shop in Terre Haute.

Overnight at the Turkey Run State Park Inn, which has both a lodge and cabins set in 2,382 acres of woods and sandstone gorges. More info: Parke County Visitors Bureau, Montgomery County Visitors and Convention Bureau

2 of 15

3 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Chicago

people ice skating
Credit: Peter Ranvestel/Courtesy of Choose Chicago

Who needs Rockefeller Center when we have gorgeous Millennium Park (or the Skating Ribbon in Maggie Daley Park) right here in the Midwest? Ice-skating energizes both your mind and body. Bring skates or rent your own, and twirl around with the Chicago skyline as your backdrop. At Millennium Park, check out your reflection in "The Bean" sculpture, or catch the sales along Michigan Avenue. 

Related: Top Things to Do in Chicago

3 of 15

Advertisement

4 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Door County, Wisconsin

Things to Do in Door County--Cave Point County Park

Many people call Door County the Cape Cod of the Midwest, and that's no less true in winter, when snow covers the picturesque northeast Wisconsin peninsula. Bundle up for a wintry hike around Cave Point County Park. Shops, galleries and inns stay open for visitors who come for cozy shopping and peaceful walks along frozen Lake Michigan beaches. Sleigh rides, trolley tours and wine tastings round out a romantic weekend.

4 of 15

5 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Omaha, Nebraska

Lauritzen Gardens
Credit: Photo courtesy of Lauritzen Gardens.

The opening of the Lauritzen Gardens' $21 million conservatory provided just one more way to ward off winter's chill in Omaha. At the Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory, take in the Tropical House, Temperate House and seasonal displays. Then head to the Henry Doorly Zoo, where you can stay toasty in the Desert Dome, explore a rainforest at the indoor Lied Jungle or see colorful creatures at the aquarium. Omaha's excellent museums include the Durham Museum, with exhibits on history and science, and the Joslyn Art Museum, which wows with gorgeous Art Deco architecture and an 11,000-piece permanent collection. Shop and dine at downtown's charming Old Market area. 

5 of 15

6 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Black Hills, South Dakota

Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
Credit: Courtesy of blackhillsandbadlands.com

In the Black Hills, snowmobiles zip through landscapes so jaw-dropping you'd swear you were in one of the great western national parks. Head to the woods with a pair of rented cross-country skis, and swoosh through the snow-covered pines.One snowmobile magnet is the Spearfish Canyon Lodge, a classic log hideaway on the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, where guests dine on dishes like butternut squash ravioli but still park sleds outside their rooms. For skiing and snowboarding, Terry Peak, the Midwest's highest downhill ski area, is about 20 miles south of Spearfish and offers multiple runs and lifts. There are plenty of zippy hills for beginners, too. 

6 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Old Mission Peninsula and Traverse City, Michigan

Chateau Chantal

Even if you don't see the workers harvesting frozen Riesling grapes at Chateau Chantal, be sure to try the sweet ice wine the vintners will make from them. In winter, visitors duck in from the cold to sample wines at Old Mission Peninsula's wineries, sipping warm reds and dry whites while watching the sun set over frozen Lake Michigan.

Traverse City, at the base of the peninsula, offers a variety of accommodations, including the luxurious Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, as well as winter activities such as cross-country skiing at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. 

7 of 15

8 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Brainerd, Minnesota

Brainerd, Minnesota

No matter how you like to travel, Brainerd, Minnesota (about 2 hours north of Minneapolis), fills the bill. Go adventurous and try snowboarding at Mount Ski Gull, dog sledding at Cragun's Resort or cross-country skiing at Northland Arboretum or Boyd Lodge. Take it slower and stomp a path through new snow or ski on a frozen pond. Or, if you'd really rather just stay warm, browse the shops in Nisswa and Pequot Lakes. No matter what you do, also make sure to book a massage at the lovely Glacial Waters Spa. 

8 of 15

9 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Bayfield, Wisconsin

Bayfield, Wisconsin

Most people who trek north to tiny Bayfield, Wisconsin, in winter come for one thing: to see the magical Apostle Islands frozen in Lake Superior. Many years, the lake freezes hard enough for cars to drive out to Madeleine Island, or hikers and skiers can explore the islands' sea caves by foot. Back on the mainland, warm your toes by the wood-burning stoves at the elegant Old Rittenhouse Inn. 

Related: Top Things to Do in Bayfield and the Apostle Islands

9 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Branson, Missouri

Branson, Missouri

Even in southern Missouri, snow and ice sometimes blanket the woods around Table Rock Lake, making the luxe cabins at Big Cedar Lodge  perfect for those who prefer to sip hot chocolate and enjoy the winter landscape from the other side of a picture window.

If you care to venture outside your cozy lodging, Branson's entertainment still sparkles in December, when you can catch a show or spend a day at Silver Dollar City theme park. January and February are quieter, but the weather is often mild enough by Midwest standards (average highs in the 40s and 50s) to fish and golf; some of Branson's shows also continue through the winter. 

10 of 15

11 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

St. Croix River, Wisconsin and Minnesota

Things to Do on the St. Croix River

One of the prettiest rivers in the Midwest, the St. Croix becomes downright gorgeous in winter, when the forested cliffs that form its banks are covered in fresh, white snow. In little towns like Stillwater, shoppers bustle on historic streets, while hardy hikers of all ages strap on snowshoes or cross-country skis to explore Interstate State Park, which sprawls between Wisconsin and Minnesota.Special winter events in the area typically include a hot air balloon festival in early February and a "Chocolate March" tour of B&Bs and chocolate-tasting in March. Check the St. Croix Regional Tourism Alliance website for more information.

Related: A Romantic Winter Weekend Escape to Stillwater

11 of 15

12 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Southwest Lake Michigan Shore

Indiana Dunes
Credit: Bob Stefko

Every winter, lake-effect storms leave southwest Michigan's lighthouses and sand dunes cloaked in ice and snow. It's a stunning winter landscape, perfect for snowshoeing in Warren Woods State Park outside Three Oaks, Michigan; walking up Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore's famed dunes; and cross-country skiing in Love Creek County Park near Berrien Springs, Michigan.

Of course, the Lake Michigan shore in winter is also perfect for warming up over wine tasting at a vineyard. 

12 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Canoe Bay, Wisconsin

Snowy cabin in woods in Canoe Bay Wisconsin
Credit: Courtesy of Canoe Bay

Looking for a romantic getaway with your sweetie? No kids allowed at Canoe Bay in northwest Wisconsin (outside Chetek, about two hours east of Minneapolis, Minnesota). Instead, you'll find the plushest-of-plush cabins and rooms, a gourmet restaurant and picture-perfect horse-drawn sleigh rides. Few sounds break the hushed winter spell of this 280-acre retreat surrounded by North Woods. A splurge? Yes, but you won't regret it.

Related: Romantic Midwest Getaways to Book Now

13 of 15

14 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Upper Peninsula, Michigan

Upper Peninsula, Michigan

You don't need to go to Alaska to experience dog sledding. The owners of Nature's Kennel Sled Dog Racing and Adventures on Michigan's Upper Peninsula are Iditarod veterans. Visitors can help "train" their pups by going on day and overnight mushing trips. Participants learn to drive their own sled, so bonding with your canine crew is inevitable. The half-day, full-day or overnight treks start in McMillan, Michigan, about 90 miles east of Marquette.

Outdoor adventures also abound at nearby Tahquamenon Falls State Park, with miles of trails for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Check out Newberry Area Tourism Association for general information on the area.

14 of 15

15 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Crystal Mountain, Michigan

Thompsonville, Michigan: Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa

Founded in 1956 as a community ski area, Crystal Mountain (28 miles southwest of Traverse City) has become a destination for healthful, pampering getaways. Guests ski, sample the spa menu at the Thistle Pub and Grille, and hit the we've-thought-of-everything 11,000-square-foot Crystal Spa. Alpine village-style lodging ranges from basic hotel rooms to five-bedroom mountaintop townhomes, where guests can ski out their back doors. 

Related: The Best Places in the Midwest to Ski This Winter

15 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Midwest Living editors

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 15 Hocking Hills, Ohio
    2 of 15 Parke County, Indiana
    3 of 15 Chicago
    4 of 15 Door County, Wisconsin
    5 of 15 Omaha, Nebraska
    6 of 15 Black Hills, South Dakota
    7 of 15 Old Mission Peninsula and Traverse City, Michigan
    8 of 15 Brainerd, Minnesota
    9 of 15 Bayfield, Wisconsin
    10 of 15 Branson, Missouri
    11 of 15 St. Croix River, Wisconsin and Minnesota
    12 of 15 Southwest Lake Michigan Shore
    13 of 15 Canoe Bay, Wisconsin
    14 of 15 Upper Peninsula, Michigan
    15 of 15 Crystal Mountain, Michigan

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Midwest Living

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Help
    • Free Newsletters this link opens in a new tab
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
    • Renew this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
    • Affiliate Program
    • Free Travel Info this link opens in a new tab
    • Special Promotions this link opens in a new tab
    • Sweepstakes this link opens in a new tab
    • Video
    • Home Advisor this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMidwest Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Midwest Living. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.midwestliving.com

    Sign in

    View image

    15 Great Midwest Winter Weekend Escapes
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.