Curling in Michigan: Who Knew It Was This Fun?
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One Try at Curling and You’re Hooked
Hey Michigan!
Maybe you can relate—when winter rolls in, simply finding something fun to do that isn’t just bundling up and braving the cold feels like a win.
Well, I’m a winner! Ha! never thought I’d be the person raving about curling, but here I am. Last weekend, I dragged my extended family to a Learn to Curl session Up North, mostly as an excuse to get out of the house on a cloudy, dark day. Turns out, it was a great choice.
If you’re picturing the Olympic sport with the sliding rocks and people frantically sweeping the ice – that’s exactly what curling is. But what surprised me is that curling is both easier and harder than it looks on TV. It’s surprisingly strategic, and honestly? Kind of addictive. So yep, curling is something you can actually try right here in Michigan. And there are quite a few curling clubs and even curling bars where you can chase your Olympic dreams or find a Saturday afternoon adventure.
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Where Our Curling Obsession Started
The Leelanau Curling Club, just outside Traverse City, is where we tried our luck. This place is a perfect mix of serious sport and casual fun. Our instructor broke everything down so simply that within twenty minutes, we were all sliding stones down the ice, laughing and yelling (some more gracefully than others – guilty as charged). I even learned why the sport is called curling (it’s because the stone doesn’t follow a straight line down the ice – it goes out and then curls back in.)
What made it even better? After working up an appetite on the ice, we moseyed on over to the attached Broomstack Kitchen and TapHouse. Nothing beats analyzing your newly acquired curling skills over hot pizza and local craft beer. (They even offer weekend getaway packages if you want to make a proper trip of it.)
Places You Can Try Curling in Michigan
While Leelanau stole my heart, it’s just one of several places across Michigan where you can try curling. From Metro Detroit all the way up to the UP, curling clubs—and even some curling bars—are welcoming newcomers with open arms. Learn to Curl sessions are the best way to get started.
Give It a Shot?
Yeah, trying something new can feel intimidating. But if my family’s experience taught me anything, it’s that curling might be the winter activity we never knew we needed.
These curling clubs and curling bars make it really easy to get started. That first time you slide a perfect stone down the ice? Pure Michigan magic!
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