Winter Activities in jackson county, Michigan
Outdoor Fun
It can be chilly in Michigan, but you’ll find a variety of indoor and outdoor activities throughout Jackson County to keep you active and entertained through the cold weather season.
Locals and visitors alike enjoy sledding hill at Sparks Foundation County Park – on the Cascades Hill (bring your own equipment and nature will provide the snow). Not only can you enjoy the hill, but a cool stroll along the trail to enjoy the beauty of the park and its surroundings.
For a more adventurous activity, try snowshoeing on the trails at the Dahlem Environmental Education Center. This is a great spot for winter snowshoeing, offering miles of trails for exploration, with snowshoe rentals available at their Nutshell Gift Shop.
Multiple outdoor trails at Ella Sharp Park for winter hiking and potential cross-country skiing with varied terrain. You can also enjoy both the MLK Equality trail (through the city) and the Falling Waters Trail (stretching for 10.5 miles one-way through various areas of the county).
Indoor Activities
Enjoy some shopping at Jackson Crossing Mall, with over 60 stores to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Apex Sports & Entertainment has four indoor golf simulator bays by TrackMan.
Skating at AllSkate Fun Center – featuring ongoing theme nights and special events, whether you’re a skater or roller blader, also featuring laser tag.
If you’d rather glide along the ice, Optimist Ice Arena offers both public open skate times and drop-in hockey opportunities.
Feeling competitive? Crossroads Pickleball offers an indoor pickleball space – Reserve one of their six professional courts through the CourtReserve app.
Axe Play is Jackson’s premiere axe throwing bar located in downtown Jackson. They offer a full-service experience with professionally trained coaches, leagues, and unique cocktails.
Rage FX, Jackson is located in the same building as the infamous Jackson’s Underworld haunted house. In this rage room, you can smash their stuff or bring your own to release your frustrations in a safe and controlled environment.
Epiq Escapes is a great competitive group option. Enter a locked room where you must find clues, solve a series of puzzles and riddles, and work together to escape in 60 minutes!
Game On Sports Bar offers a billiards room and competitions, alongside televisions for every televised sport and food.
Schupbach’s Sporting Goods is more than just a store. Their Indoor Archery Range features multiple shooting lanes, paper spot targets, adjustable and 3D targets, and top-notch safety equipment.
The newly renovated JAX60 Bowling Center 60 elite bowling lanes for open bowling or leagues. Their on-site bar Mavrix Sports Pub and Top Gun arcade – the largest in Jackson.
Jaxon’s Playhouse provides a safe and clean indoor play area for children to have an amazing time, allowing kids to climb, slide, and let their imagination run wild in our play village where they can be firefighters, police officers, veterinarians, or superheroes.
One of Jackson’s newest attractions is The Honky Tonk at Oak + Iron. This 3rd floor dancefloor bar offers live music, and karaoke in a night club setting.
(pictured: Log cabin at Ella Sharp Museum, located at Ella Sharp Park, photo by Thomas Steele)
Events & Food
Events at local staples like The Michigan Theatre of Jackson, the Potter Center at Jackson College and Weatherwax Hall fill the calendar throughout the year, along with some great restaurants and shops across the county.
Explore the events calendar.
Make your plans to enjoy your next visit to Jackson here.
