Charming Christmas Towns in Michigan - Brighton Howell ARea

I don't know how it took me this long to discover what a hidden gem the Brighton Howell area is, but man have I been missing out! We recently visited in search of all the festive fun and were so in awe of how charming these towns were during the Christmas season. Keep reading to find out where we ate, drank and adventured. 

Disclosure: Our trip was sponsored by Explore Brighton Howell. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Day 1 - The Alley District, M Street Baking Company, Shopping & Fantasy of Lights Parade

Upon arriving to the Brighton Howell area, we first checked into Hampton Inn & Suites in Howell which was a great location for all of the adventures we had planned. We loved the modern design, spacious rooms, and enjoyed the complimentary hot breakfast on Saturday morning. There is also an indoor pool and fitness center for guests to enjoy. 

Then we headed to downtown Howell for the start of our festive fun! The first stop we made was at The Alley District which was beautifully decorated for the holidays and had several different photo ops to enjoy. This area is very walkable and you can enjoy shopping at some of the most beautifully designed boutique stores I've ever seen (a few of our favorites were The Carriage House, Simply Charming Too, Simply Home, and Finding Roots). There are also several restaurants nearby including The Crunchy Pickle which serves artisan sandwiches and gourmet sodas. Be sure to grab a specialty hot chocolate at M Street Baking Company to keep you warm as you stroll around town. 

The main event for our first night in town was the annual Fantasy of Lights parade which is one of the longest running parades in the area. Watch as floats and other vehicles decked out in holiday lights make their way down Grand River along with marching bands and Santa. 

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Day 2 Morning/Afternoon - Good Sense Coffee, Snacks with Santa, Blake's Cider & ABERRANT ALES

We started our second day enjoying complimentary breakfast at our hotel and grabbing Good Sense Coffee in downtown Howell before heading out to Kensington Metropark for a seasonal Snacks with Santa event. Our daughter absolutely loved the horse drawn wagon ride through the woods as we sang Christmas carols. They provide blankets, song sheets and jingle bells for the ride. You will be sitting on straw in the wagon so just plan ahead for what you wear. The ride lasted about 20 minutes and then we headed inside to the cozy lodge to warm up with snacks, hot cocoa and a visit with Santa. You do need to reserve your seats for this event in advance for $12 per person at a selected time slot and it does sell out so plan ahead. There is also a $10 day pass fee to enter the park. 

Blake's Lyon Township is located just a short drive from the Metropark and is a fun stop for delicious donuts and hot cider. They also had a small market onsite with evergreen wreaths and specialty gifts and a photo op with Santa and Mrs. Claus. You can also wander through their pre-cut Christmas tree lot and choose the perfect tree to bring home. 

For lunch we drove back to downtown Howell to check out Aberrant Ales which is known for its historic-style beers which include 5 core beers on tap and a rotating seasonal selection. I tried the classic C.R.E.A.M ale paired with the Big Poppa dip. If you're not a fan of beer, you can also enjoy house-made spirits for cocktails and a full food menu. Cheer on your favorite sports team or challenge your friends to a round of indoor corn hole. This location is also part of the Howell Social District if you'd like to get your drink to-go and wander around town. 

Day 2 Evening - Downtown Brighton Lights, Shopping & Bourbons

In the evening we headed to downtown Brighton to check out their holiday light display near Mill Pond. This was such a cute area with a large evergreen tree, cozy fire pits, light tunnel and singing trees in the amphitheater. This area is all very walkable and free to see the lights. The downtown area also has a great shopping scene and we loved Brass & Oak, Wallflower Mercantile, and 2 Dandelions bookstore. Also be sure to stop into Oh My Lolli for some of their handcrafted candy. 

For dinner we enjoyed my favorite meal of the trip at Bourbons. This restaurant has an upscale cozy chic vibe and specializes in smoked and Southern food and craft cocktails. I had the duck and lobster ravioli that was on special and my husband had the surf and turf and both dishes were amazing! In addition to the main entrees you can also enjoy several different handhelds and pizzas as well as unique appetizers such as pork belly burnt ends or hurricane shrimp.  

Day 3 - Cheryl's Place & Brighton Coffe House 

For breakfast we visited a local favorite in the Brighton area. Cheryl's Place offers a cozy diner atmosphere serving a hearty breakfast menu. In addition to the standard breakfast fare, they also have unique rotating specials and skillets. I tried the cinnamon roll French toast which was so delicious! Before hitting the road we made another coffee run to Brighton Coffee House and Theater. This coffee shop has a "Central Perk" feel with a home-like atmosphere. In addition to the classic coffee creations, the other half of their menu is inspired by the season. I had the cinnamon white chocolate latte which was like drinking Christmas in a cup. The menu also includes lemonades, smoothies, and sodas.