Campus Martius Rink Named Top in U.S. by USA TODAY Readers

Michigan Shines in National Holiday and Winter Activities

Michigan has become a top destination for holiday and winter fun, with several metro Detroit and statewide locations ranking among the top 10 in the U.S. across various categories. These include the best ice skating rink, best holiday historic home tour, best zoo lights, and best holiday parade.

The USA TODAY's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards are determined through a process that includes expert nominations, editorial reviews, and public voting over four weeks. After a month of voting, here's how metro Detroit places fared in the competition.

Best Ice Skating Rink

Campus Martius Park in Detroit has once again claimed the title of the best ice skating rink in America, according to USA TODAY readers. The rink has hosted Olympic figure skaters for performances at the 2025 Detroit Tree Lighting and continues to welcome skaters of all levels throughout the season.

The rink is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday. A two-hour pass costs $9 for children 12 and under and seniors 59 and over, while adult tickets are priced at $12. Discounts are available for active military, first responders, and Bank of America cardholders. Skate rentals cost $6, or shoe checks for those with their own skates are $2.

Another notable mention is the Frankenmuth Ice Rink, which ranked No. 4. Located at Zehnder Park, 784 South Main St., the rink is open through Feb. 28, 2026. General day-long admission costs $10, with an additional $3 for skate rentals. Season passes are available for $50.

Other Midwest winners in the best ice skating rink category include Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon in Chicago at No. 3 and Riverside Crossing Park Ice Skating Rink in Dublin, Ohio, at No. 8.

Best Holiday Historic Home Tour

Michigan secured two spots on the list for holiday historic home tours. Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester, a 110-room Tudor-revival National Historic Landmark on Oakland University’s campus, was ranked No. 3. The Holiday Walk self-guided tour features more than 50 trees, flickering fireplaces, and lights.

The house is open for visits through Dec. 30. Youth admission for ages 3-12 costs $8.50, while tickets for people 13 and older are $21. Discounts are available for members and military and veterans, and Oakland University students can visit for free. The house also hosts a Winter Wonder Lights show, with ticket prices slightly higher.

Coming in at No. 4 is the Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores. This historic estate of Eleanor and Edsel Ford offers a tour of the home along with a one-mile outdoor walking tour featuring lighted gardens, historic architecture, and the elegantly decorated Main Residence.

Home for the Holidays at the Ford House runs until Dec. 21, with adult admission costing $22, $12 for children, and children under 3 admitted for free.

The No. 1 reader’s choice in the holiday historic home tour category is Graceland, Elvis Presley’s home, in Memphis.

Best Zoo Lights

Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak made it to the reader’s choice list at No. 10. The holiday light show displays millions of fun, wintery, LED lights.

Wild Lights is open from Dec. 11-23, Dec. 26-31, and Jan. 2-4 this season. The event opens at 5 p.m. and closes at 10:30 or 9 p.m. depending on the day. Ticket prices range from $17 to $27 based on date, time, and purchase location.

The No. 1 in the best zoo light category was the PNC Festival of Light at the Cincinnati Zoo, while the Toledo Zoo's Lights before Christmas ranked No. 3 on the Best10 list.

Best Holiday Parade

America's Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit ranked No. 2 for the best holiday parade, behind only the Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia Mummers Parade. The parade features Big Head Corp giant heads and floats like Captain Underpants and Elmo.

The parade will celebrate its 100th anniversary in November 2026.

Other Categories with Michigan Winners

The Upper Peninsula was voted the best destination for snow by readers. Ludington made it to No. 5 for Best New Year's Eve drop. Enlighten at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park ranked No. 3 for best botanical garden holiday lights.

For more information on the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, visit 10best.usatoday.com/awards.