10 BEST Things to Do in March in Michigan
Looking for the best things to do in March in Michigan? We’ve got you covered!
March in Michigan is often a seasonal signal that the worst of winter is over and spring weather isn’t too far off. However, it also means that many of the events that the wintry antics played by Jack Frost are about to melt into the warm embrace of Mother Nature.
Essentially, March is when events in Michigan explode and multiply. With everything going on, you can find plenty of things to do in Michigan, and this list makes planning your first steps into spring easier.
Keep your coats on, but keep your spring wardrobe on standby. Although Michigan is known to be chilly, during the winter months, the month of March might surprise you with a few springlike days.
Tantalize Your Taste Buds
After being cooped up during super cold weather, people want to venture out and try new things. So, it’s not unusual for early spring to coincide with food-related events and festivities.
Restaurant Week is one of them. This themed event happens all over the country and is a great way to shine a spotlight on local eateries and restaurants. Several Michigan towns host annual Restaurant Weeks during the month of March, including Grand Rapids and Detroit.
If you love food or are just interested in checking out something new to add to your palate, don’t be afraid to try something new and delicious.
Sample Fresh Maple Syrup in Michigan
One of the sweetest perks about March in Michigan is tapping into a Maple tree and reaping some tasty maple syrup. Throughout the month of March, guided tours and Maple syrup festivals take place across the state.
You can learn about how to determine which maple trees are ripe for tapping, the process for collecting maple syrup, and some interesting history about how ancient indigenous populations were vital to the American maple syrup trade. It’s a neat bit of U.S. history woven into tasty packages of maple yummies.
Accelerate Your Adrenaline & Cheer on the Underdogs
March is the perfect time to attend a winter sports competition in Michigan. Here are a few of our favorites to get your adrenaline pumping as you cheer on your favorite competitors.
Copper Dog 150 | Calumet
Are you planning to be in the Upper Peninsula in early March? Winter sports still reign during early March, particularly in this part of Michigan, and the Copper Dog 150 is a fantastic event to attend if you want to get a cold-season sport on your roster before the spring thaw.
Spectators will gather in downtown Calumet to watch this famous sled dog race. More than 350 canine athletes and their humans compete in the event. Racing their way through the Keweenaw Peninsula, one of these athletic pups will bring home the big prize before the event is over.
Be prepared to travel — you’ll be making your way to Copper Harbor and back to Calumet before it’s done. Gas up your vehicle, don some warm clothes, and get ready to watch one of the most exciting dog races in the lower 48.
Pine Mountain Continental Cup Ski Jumping Tournament | Iron Mountain
If your brand of winter sports fix is more about people, the Pine Mountain Continental Ski Cup Jumping Tournament might be more your flavor. You can show up before the event starts to watch ski jump competitors practice or wait until it starts to watch the competitive gameplay go down.
This ski jump has been a renowned event since the late 1930s and is still going strong. If you happen to live or be in the Upper Peninsula and would love to spectate at a true winter sports event, you may want to check out this one.
Michigan Cup Relays at XC Ski HQ | Roscommon
The end of winter also means getting the last of ski sports in before the warm weather sets in. The Michigan Cup Relays at XC Ski HQ on Higgins Lake happens to be one of those events.
Line up in the morning at the ski headquarters to watch the kick-off of this exciting relay competition. If you want to participate, you can register in mid-March. However, you can also be an engaged observer.
Live music and food will be available, and an awards ceremony will take place after the event. Yet, participants and spectators will gather beyond that. Come for the fast races, and stay for the fun festivities.
Get Inspired at Michigan Home & Garden Shows
One of the things that many people can look forward to in Michigan in March is knowing that spring is around the corner. That also means that home renovations and gardening are fresh activities for to-do lists.
So, when the Michigan Home and Garden Shows come around, it’s a great time to dive into these things. Here are several events that are worth attending:
- West Michigan Home & Garden Show | Grand Rapids
- Lansing Home & Garden Show | Lansing
- Detroit Spring Home & Garden Show | Detroit
- Kalamazoo Home & Garden Expo | Kalamazoo
- Home, Garden, & Lifestyle Show | Ann Arbor
- Northern Michigan Regional Home & Outdoor Living Show | Petoskey
- Home and Garden Expo | Dearborn
- RadioFirst Home, Sport, & Garden Show | Port Huron
Connect with other homeowners and gardeners who are looking to bring a fresh look to their spaces and exchange ideas. It’s also a nice opportunity to get a new outlook on innovative ideas for your home and gardens.
Attending these home and garden shows is a refreshing way to network with others who have the same outlook as you. So, break out of your winter cave, and start looking forward to spring projects.
Take a Spring Wine Tasting Tour
Although spring officially starts on March 20, the weather still tends to be chilly in Michigan. So if you haven’t taken a wine tour (or want to get one more in before it heats up), now is the time to do it.
One of the benefits of Michigan’s weather and geography is that it allows local vineyards to cultivate grapes that produce great regional wines throughout the state.
If you want to gather a dedicated group of wine appreciators for a tour, do it while the night air is still crisp and the moonlight is bright. There are dozens of amazing Michigan wineries to visit.
Experience Early Spring Camping
Michigan is truly one of the greatest states for recreation in the United States. So if you are thinking about an early spring camping trip, you have picked an awesome state for it. Whether you’re in the Upper or Lower Peninsula, there is no shortage of great camping spots.
Just remember that it is still going to be chilly, especially at night. So, be prepared to bundle up while you’re sleeping, but also be prepared for the gorgeous morning that will follow a night of roughing it.
Get Away Without Leaving the State
When the snow melts and the sun emerges, spring break in Michigan is approaching. If you’re looking for spring break destinations but don’t have the funds to head to warmer climates, a Michigan staycation might be a good option.
Don’t miss our list of some of the best Michigan spring break ideas — including day trips and overnight getaways close to home.
Whether you want to fish on a river, hike along a groomed trail, spend time checking out museum exhibits, or go for a scenic drive, Michigan provides opportunities to do all of that and so much more.
Stare at the Night Sky
Michigan covers a lot of land and water. So, various spots are far enough away from big cities to get a clear view of the night sky. One of the perks of these open skies is the spectacular stargazing opportunities in Michigan.
Early spring is one of the best times to take in the spectacular views of a starry night or catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. So, find a quiet spot, and grab a comfortable chair and blanket.
If you have a pair of binoculars or a telescope, then you’re already ahead of the stargazing game. Evening skies are clear and bright, waiting for you to take it all in.
Discover More Things to Do in March in Michigan
Early spring is a transitional time and happens to be one of the greatest times to experience various events in Michigan. Whether you’re engaging the last of the winter sports season, tasting wine, or planning your spring garden, there are countless spring things to do.
As the weather changes, you get to catch the last wave of chilly nights that open into beautiful mornings during March in Michigan. If you are planning or thinking about a Michigan trip during March, there’s time to do something amazing!