Relaxing winter trips just a short drive from Detroit
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A day or weekend trip away can help beat the winter blues, and we're here to assist you with finding some options.
Why it matters: The sad part of Michigan winter is approaching.
- Come late February and March, you'll have done all the outdoor snow activities that you can stomach and will be tired of being cooped up inside your home.
Between the lines: We know there are great skiing and winter sports destinations in Michigan. But with this list, we're aiming for low-effort, quiet relaxation.
- Here are some ideas, including approximately how far they are from downtown Detroit:
🧖 Chill overnight at a Canadian spa: Book an inn and spa weekend in Ontario for the ultimate relaxation experience, a whole international border away from your day to day.
- Try Idlewyld Inn & Spa, a historic spot with a restaurant near some neighborhoods you can explore in London. (2 hours, 10 minutes)
- Elm Hurst Inn & Spa, a similar spot, is in Ingersoll. (2 hours, 20 minutes)
- Brentwood Waterfront Retreat off of Lake Huron offers an indoor pool, sauna, private beach and wellness studio. (2 hours, 10 minutes)
📚 Book a secluded cabin on Airbnb: Sometimes you just need a home away from home where you can read and recharge. Four options:
- One-bedroom cedar log cabin in Weidman. (2 hours, 35 minutes)
- One-bedroom riverside cabin in Perrysburg, Ohio. (1 hour, 10 minutes)
- A "dream home" among the trees in Ann Arbor. (45 minutes)
- Three-bedroom cabin on 10 acres in Harrod, Ohio. (2 hours, 10 minutes)
🖼️ Wind your way through indoor museums: Book a room in one of these cities and take in some culture.
- Toledo: Toledo Museum of Art, National Museum of the Great Lakes, Glass Pavilion, Ritter Planetarium and Imagination Station. (1 hour)
- Cleveland: The Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (2 hours, 40 minutes)
- Toronto: Royal Ontario Museum and 10 history museums. (4 hours)
- Grand Rapids: Frederik Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids Public Museum and Grand Rapids Art Museum. (2 hours, 15 minutes)