Winter in Kalamazoo, Michigan is beautiful! The winter season offers so many unique experiences for families and plenty of opportunities to be active. Each winter, we make a bucket list of things that we want to experience together as a family. We have a few favorites that top our list every year. Following are our family’s favorite winter activities around greater Kalamazoo.

–Millennium Park located at 280 Romence Road in Portage, offers ice skating during the winter. The rink season starts in mid-December and runs through March 1. For a modest fee, you can rent figure or hockey skates. They also offer skating “walkers” to help the young ones learn how to skate. It’s a wonderful outdoor skating venue whether you have been skating for 50 years or just learning how to skate. They also offer refreshments for purchase and a warming room. Tubing at Echo Valley –We love tubing at Echo Valley. Their tubing hill offers a good mixture of fun and excitement. Located at 8495 East “H” Avenue, Kalamazoo, Echo Valley is open from December 20 through the second week of March 2015. While you’re there, you can take a ride on the toboggan run or try ice skating. There is a lodge where you can get hot chocolate and other refreshments to warm up. Echo Valley is a great place to go for family fun.

The W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest at 7060 North 42nd Street in Augusta is one of our favorite places to hike. This hidden gem in our area is a place where you can cross-country ski, snowshoe, or hike. The Lemmien Loop is a mile and a half circular route and showcases nature at its best. It is also a good length for families that are hiking together or cross-country skiing.

Maple Sugar Festival is on March 14 & 15 at the Kalamazoo Nature Center. This is a family-friendly and educational event that we go to every year. This year is their 50th Annual Maple Sugar Festival. Start your day with delicious pancakes smothered in real Michigan maple syrup! Go back in time as you walk along a wooded trail with a Naturalist for a historical maple sugar tour. Or experience the amazing Birds of Prey up close! The whole family will enjoy the sweet experience.

Check out our Sledding Guide at KZOOkids.com for a listing of great sledding hills in the Kalamazoo area. Our favorite locations include Milham Park Golf Course and Kindleberger Park in Parchment.
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