Will Boyce ’15 and Emily Mlynarek ’14 | Staff Writers

10. Downtown Detroit…  Ice skating at Campus Martius is an awesome family venue with rentable ice skates, hot chocolate, and the city lights surrounding you. When you’re done, go out to dinner at the Hard Rock Café or visit Greek Town.

9. College visits… If you can handle being around a school over break, check out some of the campuses of colleges that you are interested in applying to.

8. Go On Vacation… Escape from the cold and stay in Florida for a week, or if you’re seeking a thrill, you can fly to Colorado for some of the best snowboarding or skiing this planet can offer. Take a road trip to Chicago for a long weekend, or head to New York to watch the ball drop in Times Square on New Year’s Eve.

7.Shopping… If you’re not sick of shopping by now, after Christmas sales offer great deals. Prime shopping are at Birch Run and Great Lakes Crossing outlet malls and at Somerset Mall and Partridge Creek.

6. Go out to breakfast…Without school to wake up for, going out to breakfast with friends is a great way to spend your morning. The Pancake House and the Harvard Grill are great places to grab an affordable meal.

5. Going to the Movies… Several genres of movies that have been released recently or are coming soon to theaters that would make a fun outing with friends or family. The prequel to the “Lord of the Rings” Series, “The Hobbit”, and “Zero Dark Thirty” are currently in theaters, and “Les Misérables” and “Parental Guidance” will debut on Christmas Day.

4. Sledding (Weather Permitting)… However, if there is not enough snow, sledding enthusiasts may find themselves mud sliding instead of sledding. Balduck Hill offers a steeper more thrilling appeal, while Patterson Park is a calmer venue for younger children. “I am looking forward to winter activities, I hope there is enough snow to go sledding or make a snowman,” said Addie Walsh ’15.

3.Going Skiing or Snowboarding… Head Up North with friends and family for some great skiing or snowboarding on the artificial snow. Pine Knob, Mount Holly and Crystal Mountain are about an hour from Grosse Pointe; Boyne Resorts, Nubs Nob and Shanty Creek are closer to four hours away but offer more prime conditions.

2. Ice Skating…  Patterson Park is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Park residents can warm up by the fire and enjoy some hot chocolate and cookies in the lodge. Neff Park is also open for City residents.

1. Spending time with family… With relatives in town, the holiday season is a great time to relax and socialize without having to worry about academics. “I am going to enjoy spending time with family and friends over break,” said Patrick Jackson ’14.