The 10 Best Rainy Day Activities to Do Michigan!

What do you do in Michigan when it's raining? The good news is that a state that's adapted to snow also has developed plenty of worthwhile activities for when warm snow—I mean, rain—hits. So, grab your umbrellas and galoshes, because we're going to take a look at 10 great options for when it rains.

State Theatre, Traverse City, MI

For perhaps the optimum example of movie-going in Michigan, hit Traverse City's State Theatre, which is still showing first-run movies at some decent prices, including both Wednesday Classic and Saturday Kids Matinees at just a quarter. This is also where Traverse City hosts its annual film festival, so if you're in the area when it's showing, be prepared for some exciting films ahead.

Cottage Book Shop, Glen Arbor, MI

Bookstores abound in Michigan, from the last survivor of the great chain wars Barnes & Noble to the independent bookstore. Those wanting a unique bookstore experience will be able to get just that out of the Cottage Book Shop in Glen Arbor. Not too far from the Sleeping Bear Dunes, the Cottage Book Shop looks like it's indeed a cottage that's full of books. Though the shop has changed hands more than once since its opening in 1985, it's still around and providing an unusual book experience for its shoppers.

Zehnder’s Splash Village, Frankenmuth, MI

While a day at the water park sounds like a great option—so great that we talked about these in our article on family friendly activities—it would be easy to think that rain would spoil the fun. So an indoor water park might be the best option, because it doesn't matter what's going on outside. The fun is always indoors. Zehnder's Splash Village in Frankenmuth may be the best example of indoor water park. Featuring two separate parks in one, one park even includes a retractable roof, so the fun doesn't stop when the rain starts!

Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, MI

The notion of going to a museum might leave the kids a little rebellious, but we've already seen that there are plenty of exciting options when it comes to museum fare that are almost fun enough to make the kids forget they're learning. The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn is an excellent example of fun museum fare, with exhibits from Rosa Parks' bus seat to John F. Kennedy's limousine, as well as entertaining exhibits like Model T rides, there's plenty to see and do right here.

Sugar Hill Clay, Detroit, MI

One of the greatest places to craft some clay in Michigan is Detroit's Sugar Hill Clay. Featuring classes for beginners and intermediary potters, as well as sufficient material and equipment on hand for the advanced, Sugar Hill will allow users to practice the art of ceramics and pottery to the best of their skill level all under one roof.

GT Butterfly House & Bug Zoo, Williamsburg, MI

Bugs are fairly universal in Michigan, particularly in the warmer months and in rural areas. Spend enough time outside after dark long enough without bug spray and you'll get personally acquainted with a horde of mosquitoes. However, there's one great attraction that makes for an awesome rainy day: GT Butterfly House & Bug Zoo. Featuring beetles, frogs, honeybees and spiders—the spiders are contained in one particular area, so arachnophobes can easily bypass it and check out the rest of the displays—it's a great way to get acquainted with bugs without being in the midst of them...or in the rain.

Great Lakes Children’s Museum, Traverse City, MI

Traverse City is home to an incredible experience in the Great Lakes Children's Museum: An interactive, hands-on attraction called “Let's Go Sailing.” The attraction will introduce the physics of sailing to young sailors, striving for technical accuracy above all. When finished sailing, check out the rest of the exhibits on hand for a complete rainy day experience.

Superior Dome, Marquette, MI

Michigan is a state that enjoys its sports, and has thus made provisions to enjoy some even in the midst of bad weather. From indoor football stadiums, to domed driving ranges, sports in Michigan almost never get completely rained out. For a great example of sports any time of year, check out the Superior Dome in Marquette. It's not only the largest contiguous indoor space in town, but it's also the fifth largest dome in the world and home to field hockey, soccer, football and more.

Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory, Grand Rapids, MI

A wonderful activity in cold weather, and the kind of thing that reminds you that warm and sunny days aren't far away, hitting an indoor garden in Michigan is actually easier than you might think. Several such examples can be found all over, but for those near Grand Rapids, the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory will be more than sufficient. Hibiscus, palms, and banana trees abound along with the sound of small streams and waterfalls. It's no wonder that people are willing to get married here, and often do.

DK BeerCade, Harrison Township, MI

No, this isn't encouragement of casual drunkenness in the midst of terrible weather. The fact is that bars are not what they used to be. No longer dank and smoky holes, bars these days come equipped with multiple televisions, trivia games that compete nationwide, pool tables, arcade games and plenty more. While several such entities exist throughout Michigan, the DK BeerCade in Harrison Township offers all the great old-fashioned arcade games matched up with some of Michigan's finest alcoholic tastes and a complete restaurant all in one.

View more Michigan Rainy Day Activities.
Share your favorites!
Michigan Search
Best Things To Do Near You
Best Things To Do Near You
Mar
22

Open Studio

10:00 AM
Creative 360, Midland, MI
Learn More
Mar
23

Three Dog Night

8:00 PM
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, MI
Learn More
Mar
23

Three Dog Night

8:00 PM
Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant, MI
Learn More
Mar
29

Open Studio

10:00 AM
Creative 360, Midland, MI
Learn More
Mar
29

Warrant

8:00 PM
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, MI
Learn More
Mar
29

Warrant and Lita Ford

8:00 PM
Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant, MI
Learn More
Apr
05

Open Studio

10:00 AM
Creative 360, Midland, MI
Learn More
Apr
06

Jeffrey Osborne

8:00 PM
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, MI
Learn More
Apr
06

Jeffrey Osborne

8:00 PM
Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant, MI
Learn More
Apr
12

Open Studio

10:00 AM
Creative 360, Midland, MI
Learn More
Show More
Best Places To Go Near You
Best Places To Go Near You
Island Park, Mount Pleasant, MI
Hours of Operation: Dawn to Dusk, not outside the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. A special thanks to the following for their contributions t... Read More
1989 West Pine River Road, Breckenridge, MI
River Ridge Campgrounds is a modern family-operated campground, centrally located in the Tri-City area. There are beautiful shady sites along the s... Read More
8614 North US 127, Saint Johns, MI
Our founders John and Carolyn Beck purchased the “family farm” from John’s parents in the early 1970′s. Originally run as a... Read More
P.O. Box 1, Stanton, MI
Stanton Old Fashioned Days is Stanton's yearly city celebration. It takes place annually on the second weekend in August. The festival includes: a ... Read More
7573 Hayes Road, Fenwick, MI
About Us: Local dirt track located between Ionia and Crystal, we race every Friday night at 8m. Regular car classes are late models, modifieds, pr... Read More
3131 South Old U.S. 27, Saint Johns, MI
Andy Todosciuk has been serving the local mid-Michigan community for 39 years as a retailer. It all began with a roadside stand in 1978. Andy has ... Read More
1 Golfside Drive, Midland, MI
Inline Skates & Skateboards Located in Chippewassee Park, just over the Tridge in downtown Midland you can find Trilogy Skate Park. This 15,00... Read More
12633 Beaver Road, Saint Charles, MI
Mission:To educate, lead and serve youth and adults through a positive learning environment providing hands-on experiences in a natural setting. Read More
506 West Main Street, Dewitt, MI
Our Mission: Encourage preservation of our natural environment through ecological photography education. Our Vision: Offer year-round opportunitie... Read More
85 West Wheeler Road, Auburn, MI
Bring the family out for Friday night fun to the newly renovated Tri-City Motor Speedway for stock car racing. The 3/8 mile clay oval track provide... Read More
405 South Washington Street, Owosso, MI
Steam Railroading Institute History How we got here... The Steam Railroading Institute, dedicated to educating the public about steam-era railroad ... Read More
Select a Michigan town to find
the Best Things-To-Do and Places To Go around you
Crawford County