
Thanks so much to The Henry Ford for hosting this visit!
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A couple weeks ago, my parents drove up from Virginia to visit us for a few days. Thrilled that we’d get to celebrate my dad’s birthday together, I packed an itinerary full of way too many things to see and do, including must-try restaurants, Christmas tree shopping, and an evening at Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village. As someone who’s used to traveling during the holidays, I knew this was my chance to play host for a change and show some of my favorite out-of-towners just how magical Michigan can be at Christmastime.
And then the rain came.
Oh, Michigan, you little trickster.




A few cons of attending Holiday Nights in the rain? I did notice that the outdoor ice skating rink was closed during our visit (personally, I didn’t mind since I’m a terrible skater and wasn’t in the mood to get knocked over by small children anyway) and the indoor attractions were a little crowded (but even that is typical most nights since visitors like to get out of the cold). On the flipside, I really enjoyed hanging out with my family in some areas of the village we don’t usually spend as much time exploring—we even found a dining hall I’d never been in before! Gathering around the table, listening to live music, and munching on kettle corn ended up being one of our favorite parts of the evening.

Some additional rainy evening favorites of mine were the Herschell-Spillman carousel (it’s over 100 years old and so beautiful!), holiday-decorated homes of early visionaries (the Wright family home is a must-see), watching village artisans at work (if you choose just one, make sure it’s the glass shop), and of course, shopping! From the gift shop outside the village entrance to the Main Street Emporium, there are tons of places to pick up gifts and mementos for yourself and everyone on your Christmas list.


Bottom line: Do I think it's worth it to brave bad weather for an evening at Holiday Nights? Absolutely! Because there's not always a way to predict the weather ahead of time (tons of tickets are purchased very early), choosing a day to attend is always a bit of a gamble. With the right prep work and attitude, however, you can have just as much fun as you would during perfect weather conditions (and maybe even more if you decide to explore someplace new)!
Have you visited Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village on a stormy or extra-chilly evening? I'd love to hear your tips for making the most of your visit!
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