Sleigh Rides and Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides for the Ultimate Holiday Vibes
Looking to round out your holiday activities with a sleigh ride? We are, too.
Good news: we’ve scoped out the best spots around West Michigan – and beyond – for the most festive sleigh rides and horse-drawn carriage rides.
And if you like the idea of horse-drawn sleigh rides, we think you might also love visiting one of Michigan’s Magical Reindeer Farms.
In This Article
West Michigan Sleigh Rides
Known for our mounds of lake effect snow, this may be the area for the best sleigh rides around the state.
Fruit Ridge Hayrides
1966 Fruit Ridge NW, Kent City, MI 49330
2024 Dates: Groups may book any day, by reservation only
Tickets: $200 per hour (up to 10 people)
Take a ride through a winter wonderland on a sleigh ride and then cozy up together around a warm campfire.
Access to picnic area, play area, and petting zoo is included.
Rides are approximately one hour and may be combined with a one-hour campfire, either before or after the ride.
Reservations are required. (Sleigh rides are not wheelchair accessible.)
Post Family Farm
5081 Bauer Rd, Hudsonville, MI 49426
2024 Dates: By appointment only
Tickets: Private Ride: $400/ first 12 people, $10 each additional person, Over the Creek and Through the Woods $15/person
Experience Michigan’s winter wonderland while on a horse-drawn sleigh!
Enjoy the sound of sleigh bells and a steaming cup of hot cocoa as you glide over the snow on the 80-acre farm. Private group sleigh rides available by advance reservation.
Horse-drawn sleigh rides are weather permitting. If the conditions are not suitable for the skis, it will be a horse-drawn ride on a wagon.
It is not handicap accessible.
During the month of December 2024, they also offer “Over the Creek and Through the Woods” Horse-Drawn Rides. Admission is $15/person for ages 2 and up and includes a bonfire with hot cocoa and marshmallows and access to farm animals and play areas.
Classic Carriage
Southwest corner of Pearl & Monroe, in front of PNC Bank and across from the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
171 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
2024 Dates: Friday and Saturday evenings beginning at 7 PM
Sunday through Thursday and earlier times on Friday & Saturday by appointment only.
Tickets: $60 per half hour – $90 per hour (driver gratuities not included, but appreciated)
Tour downtown Grand Rapids in a horse drawn white Vis-a-Vis carriage.
Carriage comfortably accommodates four adult passengers and features authentic Amish lap blankets, electric carriage lamps and convertible tops to cover the passenger area of the carriage.
There is also a two-person Victorian carriage available as well as a larger 8 – 10 person wagonette.
Advance reservations required, no refunds. Cash or check only.
Common Gentry Carriage Company
146 Monroe Center St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(Rosa Parks Circle in front of Biggby Coffee and Kilwins Chocolate)
2024 Dates: Monday through Wednesday for the Holiday Season 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Tickets: $75 per half hour – $110 per full hour
Create unforgettable memories on a classic winter sleigh ride.
As the horse steps along in the snow, you’ll listen to the sound of German sleigh bells ringing across the countryside, while you sit cuddled up with your loved one in our 1800’s horse drawn sleigh. Lap blankets provided.
Carriage rides downtown include an optional narrated tour of the highlights of Grand Rapids’ history.
Walk-ups are welcome or you can call to make a reservation.
Other tour options include Princess Party, Western themed events and horse drawn nostalgic town coach.
Healey’s Outback Ranch
12600 Buchanan Rd, Stanwood, MI 49346
2024 Dates: By Appointment only
Tickets: $75
Cozy up with family and friends for a 35 minute ride through the crisp woods and warm up with some hot cocoa and a homemade treat upon return.
A good base of snow is needed in order for the sleigh rides to run.
Up to 6 adults can enjoy the horse drawn sleigh ride.
PLUS stayed tuned to their Facebook page for news of special sleigh rides for the Christmas season.
Wild West Ranch Sleigh Rides
1865 52 St, Fennville, MI 49408
2024 Dates: By appointment
Tickets: $100 a couple
Bundle up and have some fun with these sleigh rides.
Rides are 40 minutes long.
By appointment, weather permitting.
All rides are by reservation only. Call to book your time.
Other Michigan Sleigh Rides
Most of these sleigh rides are up north, where you can add them to your skiing or winter resort getaway.
Or you can head to Frankenmuth, just south of the bay area. Michigan’s Little Bavaria and Christmastown USA has horse-drawn carriage rides through their old world downtown.
Treetops Resort
3962 Wilkinson Rd, Gaylord, MI 49735
2024 Dates: December 26 – 30, January 4, 11, 18, 25, February 1, 8, 14, 15, 22 and March 1
Tickets: $30 per person, ages 3 & under free
Take a fairy-tale-like sleigh ride at Treetops Resort. Rides include hot chocolate.
Rides are weather dependent; we cannot guarantee if your ride will be in a sleigh or wagon until the day of the event.
Sleigh and meeting point are not wheelchair accessible.
Crystal Mountain Resort
12500 Crystal Mountain Dr, Thompsonville, MI 49683
2024 Dates: November 29-30, December 21-31, Saturdays in January and February
Tickets: $15 per person. Children ages 2 and under are free.
Ride on a surrey pulled by gentle Belgian horses.
Complimentary hot chocolate concludes the ride.
Rides are approximately 20-25 minutes in length. Advance reservations required.
Fantasy Carriage Company
780 Mill St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734
2024 Dates: November 22 and 29, Fridays in December, January 3
Tickets: 15 minutes -$105.06, 30 minutes-$179.22, 1 hour -$327.54, 1 1/2 hours -$475.86 (The longer two rides only available on select days)
Enjoy a Fantasy Horse Drawn Carriage ride through the uniquely decorated streets of Frankenmuth. During the Christmas season carriages are draped with garland and twinkling lights.
While sitting on the crushed velvet seats of our Vis-a-Vis carriages, enjoy holiday themed music along with the horse’s jingling sleigh bells.
Reservations recommended and must be pre-paid. Walk-ups available (prices vary and are only for the carriage ride).
We will also be taking pictures of your group. We will take one outside with your horse and carriage and one inside. Reservations will automatically have these included in the package. Walk ups will be able to view and purchase at the end of the ride. They are 2-5×7’s and it is $25.
You may choose to a la carte Souvenir Blankets and or Hot Chocolate to your reservation.
Prices are PER carriage. NOT per person. We can accommodate up to 6 people.
Call or text 989-245-1891 for reservations.
Ranch Rudolf
6841 Brown Bridge Rd, Traverse City, MI 49696
2024 Dates: First week in December through last week in February
Tickets: Groups of 2-10 people: $180, Groups of 11+ people: $18/person (ages 2 and under are free of charge), Maximum ride size: 20 people
Take a horse-drawn hayride with beautiful Belgian horses, Beau and Knox.
Bundle up (snow gear is encouraged and you are also welcome to bring blankets along if desired) to enjoy an approximately 40 minute ride in the Boardman River Valley. You will sit in an open bed of hay in our big bobsled. There is also one bench seat available directly behind the driver.
The drivers will decide if they will hook horses to the wagon or sleigh based on current conditions.
Depending on your date, the lodge may be open for food and/or beverages following your ride. Please inquire at time of reservation.
Reservations are required for this activity. Please call 231-947-9529 to reserve a ride for your group.
Antler Ridge Farms
6259 M-72, Williamsburg, MI 49690
2024 Dates: Starting December 23, daily December 26-January 1, Rides after January 1 will only run on weekends
Tickets: $195, up to 12 people
Antler Ridge Farm has been providing horse drawn sleigh rides since 1982.
Enjoy an old fashioned sleigh ride out to the woods for a bonfire with hot chocolate and marshmallows to roast.
You will be pulled by two Percheron Draft Horses, Dixie and Danny.
All rides are by appointment only & all dates are weather permitting.
Blankets not provided. No indoor restrooms on-site, only port-a-johns.
You may bring apples and carrots to feed their reindeer and horses.
Fantail Farm
4700 Wallaker Rd, Benzonia, MI 49616
2024 Dates: Weekdays and weekends through February
Tickets: $80, two person sleigh; $100 group of 1 – 6; $16.75/pp group of 7 – 10
Fantail Farm offers several options to give you the best sleigh ride experience. Choose a cozy two person sleigh or a more spacious sleigh for up to 10 adults. You can even book a marriage proposal option!
Sleigh rides are 45 to 55 minutes long, over gently rolling trails that wind through 90 acres of woods.
Hot cocoa will be provided in a warming shed for your group at the end of your sleigh ride. Sometimes there’s also a campfire.
Bring your own lap blankets. No indoor heated restrooms, just an outdoor Jon.
To make a reservation, call 231-930-7216. No online reservations.
I see you have Rise & Ride Ranch ticket prices at $400 when it’s only $100 per couple! 🙂
Oh goodness! Thanks for catching that! I have that corrected.
As of 11/13/22 Double JJ resort doesn’t have any horses to pull their sleigh & it’s not looking good for the 2022 winter/Christmas season.
I don’t see any of these in an actual SLEIGH
like in the picture..red sleigh or grey at end of article.. for 2 or 4…. aren’t there any REAL OLD FASHION SLEIGHS??
Fun idea! Thank you