Ice skating happens all winter long at the outdoor rink, north lawn area, in the Campus Martius Park on Woodward Avenue, which is the main thoroughfare in downtown Detroit. The skating opportunities begin in early November each year and they continue for about five months. Other areas of the park, and other city parks as well are used for sledding, tubing and snowball making. It hosts an annual international ice sculpture event in January, when more than 150 international artists carve and display their winter masterpieces -- a winter spectator activity.
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Some who fish in the Detroit River and area lakes in warm weather also enjoy the challenge of ice-fishing in winter. Enthusiasts know that they are more protected in these inland waters than on the windy and open Great Lakes area. Traditionalists, those who ice-fish every year, prepare for freezing weather. Some groups even build little shanty towns on the shore. With patience and endurance, they can catch various assortments of fish. In fact, Destination 360 reports that Michigan winter fishing ranks superior because, "The fish seem to taste better coming out of the icy cold water."
Even though Detroit's weather is quite cold during the holiday season, the city and area businesses provide several winter activities for locals and guests. The fun begins with the annual Thanksgiving parade that marches down Woodward Avenue. At about the same time, Detroit has its own yearly version of New York's famous Radio City holiday presentation, complete with Rockettes, at a downtown theater.
Children can talk to Santa at the city zoo and everyone can tour the freshly-decorated 110-room mansion at Meadow Brook Hall. Detroit is well-known for its holiday lights and displays, a highly anticipated winter activity in America's cold, but busy, Detroit.
