It’s no denying that Michigan’s winters can get a bit dreary. With longer nights and colder days, it makes you wish for the warmth of springtime the longer it goes on. As the snow melts away and the sun returns, Michiganders are drawn back outside and into the sunshine. With the flowers blooming and springtime festivals returning, here are nine fun things to do in Michigan in the spring.
1. Tulip Time
With over 5 million tulips stretching over the gardens of Holland, the lovingly-titled “Tulip Time” is a time-honored tradition during the spring in Michigan. A cascading rainbow of tulips are only in bloom for a month-long window from mid-April to mid-May and it’s recommended to come back multiple times to see the flowers in full bloom. From self-guided tours through the mill to the Conservatory and more, patrons can enjoy all that Holland has to offer under the sunny sky.
If a festival is more your cup of tea, the Tulip Time festival runs for one week in early May every year. Traditional festivities that celebrate the area’s Dutch heritage include the parade, carnival, dance performances and delicious Dutch food.
When the tulips are not in bloom, the Windmill Island Gardens are still open seven days a week from late-April to early October. For more information about Holland, their tulips and Tulip Time, check out their website here.
2. Farmers Markets
One of the most agriculturally diverse states in the country, Michigan is famous for its locally-grown produce and, in turn, its bountiful farmers markets. Everything from apples and pears to asparagus and fresh herbs, you can restock your kitchen after a long winter with some fresh produce. As the weather begins to warm up and farmers markets begin to return, keep an eye out for in-season vegetables and fruits to help better plan your visit.
Outside of grown and made-in-Michigan snacks, farmers markets have a diverse selection of other products. Coffee, meat, flowers, handcrafted soaps and candles and other goods are up for grabs.
Unsure of what fruits and veggies may be in season? Don’t know where the nearest farmers market is? The Michigan Farmers Market Association has you covered! Check out their website for their seasonality guides and a map of farmers markets in your area.
3. Belle Isle Park
If you and your family are looking for a lovely springtime day trip, look no further than Belle Isle Park. Developed in the late 19th century, Belle Isle is rich with history and natural beauty. A Detroit landmark, the park is located on its namesake, Belle Isle, an island in the Detroit River. The park features three lakes, over 150 acres of woodlands and amazing views of both the Detroit and Windsor skylines. With the Belle Isle Conservancy and their mission to protect, preserve, restore and enhance the park’s natural environment and unique character, the natural beauty of the park will be here for generations to come.
There is plenty to do on the island. Home to the Belle Isle Aquarium, the Belle Isle Nature Center, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, soccer fields, nine baseball diamonds and more, there is a wide assortment of educational and recreational opportunities for everyone to enjoy.
4. Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
Boasting a blend of natural beauty and incredible sculptures, this is a beautiful place to explore for hours at a time. Located in Grand Rapids, the Frederik Meijer Gardens is an oasis of art and natural beauty. There is always something beautiful to look at on the 30+ acres of property. With over 200 permanent sculptures scattered around the park, you can let your mind wander as you walk through beautiful gardens and woodlands. The gardens also host three temporary exhibits each year, giving you something new to see time and time again.
With each spring teeming with new life, the gardens pay host to the Butterflies are Blooming exhibit every March and April. As the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibit in the nation, you can see over 6,000 butterflies to start your spring off right. From gorgeous indoor tropical gardens to a children’s garden and a plethora of seasonal events, the gardens make for a fun spring day trip. To plan your visit and to purchase tickets, visit their website.
5. Polk Penguin Conservation Center
Experience the stark and beautiful Antarctic icescapes right in the heart of Southeast Michigan! After several months of planning and construction, the renovations on the Polk Penguin Conservation Center are complete.The 33,000 square foot facility allows guests to get nose to beak with the Detroit Zoo’s penguins. As the largest penguin facility on earth, the conservation center is a 360-degree 4-D experience for the whole family to enjoy!
Spring is the perfect time to see the 3,000+ animals, as many are returning to their enclosures after a sleepy hibernation. Don’t miss out on the Detroit Zoo’s “egg-stravaganza” and check out Bunnyville in April! Search for the golden egg and channel your inner rabbit with your complimentary bunny ears as you explore the zoo. Check out the Detroit Zoo’s website for more events throughout the season!
6. Lake Michigan Cruises
Explore the Great Lakes in a new way this spring! Featuring beautiful shorelines, deep blue waters and stunning sunsets, sail into the past and witness the beauty of the lakes that border the Mitten State. Haul and heave away into the 19th century with the Traverse Tall Ship Company in Traverse City or pilot an actual tall ship from 1810 on the Friends Good Will Tall Ship in South Haven.
Want to relax and enjoy your evenings or have a perfect date night? Take a sunset boat cruise from Sunshine Charters in Charlevoix or have dinner with a show on the Port City Princess in Muskegon. If an all-day venture is your cup of tea, take the Manitou Island Transit on the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore for a day with panoramic views, historic farms and more. Don your sea legs, put on your pirate hat and get ready for a day on the high seas this spring.
7. Take the Trails
Ready to hit the trail? Michigan’s gorgeous hiking trails lead us into adventures unknown. From urban canyons to waterfalls, live your most fantastical adventures in the backwoods of the state. Take the Iron Belle Trail, the longest designated state trail in the nation. Over 220 miles long, this trail connects Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.
Michigan has more than 2,700 miles of bike path, ranging from smooth asphalt urban routes to hilly cycle paths and craggy mountain bike trails. Michigan is home to more rail trails than any other state. These former railroad tracks have been transformed into biking, hiking or walking trails to give everyone access to safe outdoor recreation. Whether a smooth recreational drive through a park or a mountain biking adventure, there is a perfect biking trail for everyone.
The state also has over 3,000 miles designated for kayaking or canoeing, over a thousand miles of equestrian trails, and over 3,000 miles of off-road vehicle trails for you to discover. It’s easy to see why Michigan is considered the #1 trail state in the nation. Need help finding a trail near you? Check out Pure Michigan’s trail finder on their website here.
8. Visit a State Park
Want to get away for the weekend? Visit a state park! From stargazing from a rustic campsite in the northern forests to sunbathing on the Great Lakes, you can be sure that there is a Michigan state park just for you. You will need a Recreation Passport on your vehicle to access the parks but for just $12, the price is well worth it. The pass helps fund state forest campgrounds and pathways, preserves historic and cultural sites and maintains a grant program for community recreation agencies in Michigan. Otherwise, you can purchase a day pass at any state park.
With over 109 state parks, there are plenty of unique adventures to go on. Visited by an average of 28 million people each year, each one is a breathtaking view. From Michigan’s first urban state park in Detroit to the large swaths of forests in Northern Michigan, Michiganders can learn about their state and the history of each park and help you fall in love with these treasured natural places. Interested in taking a trip and don’t know where to look? Check out Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources’ Recreation Search website here.
9. Birdwatching
As the spring thaws the snow, birds return to the forests of Michigan. Hungry from the cold winter, it is a prime time to watch them feed and, perhaps, even feed them yourself. Birdwatching- or birding, to some- is the second fastest-growing hobby in the United States after gardening. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, more than 2 million Michigan residents are birdwatchers. Over 400 species of birds exist in Michigan and you can flock to where they may be at these bird watching sanctuaries from Mallory King and Mike Norton. You can read the article on Pure Michigan here.
If you wish to hand feed these birds, look no further then in Milford. Along the nature trails at Kensington Metropark, flocks of birds learned that it was safe to take birdseed from the hands of patrons. From Black-capped Chickadees to Woodpeckers, you can feed a plethora of small birds at the park. Simply fill your hands with birdseed, hold your hand up and wait until one lands on you. It’s recommended to go early in the day so they aren’t too full and listen for nearby birds. Become a part of their flock (or a human bird feeder) this spring!
