15 Enchanting Horse-Drawn Carriage & Wagon Rides Across Michigan This Winter
Come winter, Michigan does a pretty good job of keeping the roads clear, whatever the weather brings. But you don’t have to stick to a scenic drive to enjoy the season. Across the state, horse-drawn carriages and wagons take riders to choose a Christmas tree, roll past holiday lights, or head into the woods.
We rounded up 15 rides to try this winter, each with its own route and a little holiday magic along the way.
If you’re holding out for the full jingle-bells experience, gliding across fresh powder behind a team of horses, check out our guide to sleigh rides in Michigan. Many of those keep going well after the holidays, as long as there’s snow on the ground.
Loveberry’s Tree Farm
165 S Ray Quincy Rd, Quincy, MI 49082
Loveberry’s may be known for its Christmas trees, but visitors of all ages can take their visit here to another level by taking a free horse-drawn wagon out to the fields to select their perfect tree in South Central Michigan.
Christmas enthusiasts can warm up in front of a bonfire with a fresh cup of coffee or hot cocoa. All the elements — the sight and smell of Christmas trees, the fire, the sleigh, and the warm beverages — all add up to the perfect winter day.
Frankenmuth Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
Frankenmuth
A visit to Michigan’s Little Bavaria is special in the wintertime, and the unmistakable click-clack of hooves is hard to miss, as is the sight of horse-drawn carriages. Frankenmuth has a lot to see and do, and a comfortable carriage ride down the city streets only adds a touch of magic to the experience.
Tours run frequently during the holiday season, and carriages can most often be found in the parking lots of both Bavarian Inn and Zehnder’s. Make a reservation with H&H Acres and Carriage Service or make wait in line for one of the options from the Fantasy Carriage Company, which is walk-ups only.
Kensington Metropark Farm Center
4570 Huron River Parkway, Milford, MI 48380
Kensington Metropark is a popular Metro Detroit spot for a variety of fun outdoor activities in Milford, including hay rides or sleigh rides. Basically, the weather determines which ride will be available.
Visit the Farm Center and take a 20-minute ride through the woods and fields around the property. Tickets are $5 or less, and the rides don’t require reservations. We especially love that the rides are wheelchair- and walker-friendly, meaning it’s one of the most accessible winter wagon rides in Michigan.
Triple D Carriage Company
1086 N Everett Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653
Up North in Roscommon, it feels a little bit like the Wild West at Triple D Carriage Company. Longhorn steers and rodeo bulls graze quietly under frost-covered pines while the ranch’s draft horses wait to pull you on a private, old-fashioned carriage ride through peaceful wooded trails.
Rides last about 45 minutes along a lantern-lit path. Weather-dependent, you’ll ride in either a wagon, carriage, or sleigh. The driver tells the history of the ranch on the way to a barn tour. Warm up at the bonfire while toasting s’mores and sipping on hot cocoa.
Reservations are required, and prices are never more than $25 per person.
Crystal Mountain
12500 Crystal Mountain Dr, Thompsonville, MI 49683
Visitors of all ages can be whisked away into the Northern Michigan countryside by a team of Belgian horses on a short 25-minute ride that wraps up with cups of hot chocolate. Don’t be surprised if you’re whistling “Surrey with the fringe on top,” since these rides are in a horse-drawn surrey.
Visitors are asked to dress for the occasion and are allowed to bring their own blankets for the ride. Rides are available on select dates from November through March, and interested visitors are asked to make reservations to secure a spot. Tickets are $15.
Here are 9 things to know about Crystal Mountain Resort to prepare for the fun.
Common Gentry
FARM: 3665 15 Mile Rd, Kent City, MI, United States, 49330, but rides are in downtown Grand Rapids.
Climb aboard a horse-drawn carriage and take in downtown Grand Rapids at an easy clip. Common Gentry Carriage Company offers holiday rides Monday through Wednesday evenings, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Choose a half-hour ride for $75 or a full hour for $110, with an optional narrated tour of the city’s historic highlights. We’ve also gathered another dozen can’t-miss Christmas holiday events in Grand Rapids.
White Horse Inn
Line begins at: 4015 S. Oak St., Metamora, MI 48455
Metamora’s holiday carriage rides are back this December, and they’re free. On four evenings, a horse-drawn carriage will make a loop through historic downtown, where twinkling lights and small-town holiday cheer do most of the decorating.
Rides run from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 11, 12, 18 and 19, and they’re first come, first served, so bundle up and get there early. Afterward, make an evening of it with dinner or a drink at The White Horse Inn. Did you know it’s one of the places in Michigan where you can dine in an igloo?
Looking for more horses this holiday season? Metamora’s Wassailing Celebration means holiday fun and a parade just for horses.
Shain Park
270 W Merrill St, Birmingham, MI 48009
While we’ve said that Birmingham is the most walkable downtown in Metro Detroit, here’s a way to experience it with a free ride. Bundle up for a free horse-drawn carriage ride through Shain Park and downtown Birmingham. The short tour starts and ends in the park, with a route that takes you past the city’s holiday lights.
Rides run on select dates from Nov. 28 through Dec. 24, so you can pair one with a stroll around downtown or make it a quick festive outing with the family. Before or after the ride, go visit Santa’s House to get your wish list in.
Majestic Heart Carriage Rides
Port Huron, MI
In Port Huron, Majestic Heart Carriage Rides takes you through Sherman Woods, where homes and streets glow with Christmas lights. These private horse-drawn rides are offered on select nights in November and December, with departures from Lakeside Park.
There are three carriage sizes, so you can book a cozy ride for two to four people or bring a group of up to six or eight. Call after 5 p.m. to reserve your ride and confirm availability.
Greenfield Village
20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI 48124
At Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village, you can see the holiday lights from more than one kind of ride. Hop on a horse-drawn wagon for a musical tour through the village, take a spin in a historic Model T, or ride the carousel.
There’s also ice skating, with skate rental included. These activities are part of the Holiday Nights experience, but tickets are required. This event sells out quickly, so pick your night and get ready to explore this holiday haven. We also have a guide to Holiday Nights Dinner at Eagle Tavern to help you plan your trip.
City of Houghton
Downtown Houghton
Holiday festivities take over Houghton’s Waterfront Pier during the annual Houghton Winter Wonderland. Warm up with free hot cocoa, share your Christmas wish list with Santa, and enjoy holiday music, costumed characters, and horse-drawn carriage rides.
Downtown businesses and restaurants join in with seasonal deals and specials, so you can make an evening of exploring the waterfront and nearby shops.
Wahmhoff Farms Nursery
22330 M-40 Hwy, Gobles, MI 49055
At Wahmhoff Farms Nursery in Gobles, picking out a Christmas tree can turn into a full-on holiday outing. The 150-acre, family-run farm is open daily from the day after Thanksgiving until just before Christmas.
On weekends, visitors can warm up with free popcorn and take a tractor-drawn wagon ride. During the first two weekends after Thanksgiving, the extras include horse-drawn wagon rides, a petting zoo, and Santa, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Wahmhoff Farms has been growing trees in Southwest Michigan for more than 70 years, and generations of families have made the trip to choose their tree
Meister’s Farm
394 County Road 480, Marquette, MI 49855
At Meister’s Farm in Marquette, the visit with Santa starts with a tractor-drawn wagon ride into the woods. Children meet Santa and Mrs. Claus in their woodland warming cabin, where Santa takes time to visit with each child and give them a special treat. Families can grab hot cider before the ride, then warm up with cider and donuts available for purchase in the barn.
The farm limits each half-hour to 10 reserved spots so that children have plenty of time with Santa. Family and friends can buy tickets to ride along, and guests are welcome to take their own photos of ticketed children with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Rides begin the day after Thanksgiving and continue on Saturdays and Sundays for the next two weekends.
Is Marquette REALLY one of the worst U.S. cities to live in during winter? We’re pushing back and proving this study wrong.
Shanty Creek Resort
5780 Shanty Creek Rd, Bellaire, MI 49615
Skip the lift lines and take in Shanty Creek’s winter scenery from behind Big Blue, a double-track monster snowmobile that pulls a Snow Glide through Summit Village. The guided tour rolls past snow-covered landscapes and takes about 45 minutes, with room for up to nine passengers and seatbelts for the ride.
Snow Glides depart from the Lakeview Hotel’s front circle on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and select holidays. Seats cost $30 each, and availability is limited, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Alpenlights
275 Fairview Road, Gaylord, 49735
AlpenLights brings holiday cheer to Gaylord with a dazzling light show at the Otsego County Fairgrounds! Enjoy Wagon Ride Wednesday and take in the lights from a horse-drawn carriage. Wednesdays, November 18th & 25th and December 9th & 16th are horse-drawn wagon rides only, with no vehicles permitted.
This holiday season, the fairgrounds will sparkle with more than 60 unique light displays, some reaching up to 14 feet tall. It’s a fun way to enjoy the holiday season with family and friends in Northern Michigan!
One More Tip About Carriage, Wagon, and Sleigh Rides in Michigan This Winter
For most carriage and wagon rides, the driver’s tip isn’t included in the price. Even when a ride is free, tips are appreciated, never expected. Whether it’s a few dollars or a fresh $20, your driver will appreciate the gesture. Bring cash if you can.
Another great way to support the business is to leave a review on Google, Yelp, or Facebook.
Whether you choose a carriage ride, one of the many fun sleigh rides in Michigan, or go the distance with an elk touring ride to a five-course dinner, you’ll get to experience a bit of the Mitten State winter magic.