Getting bored of summer vacation? Finding yourself with nothing to do? If so, use this guide to help you find activities to keep you active and entertained during the summer months. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best places and activities to visit this summer, and all of them are within an hour of Detroit. Enjoy!

BEACHES

• Stony Creek Metropark https://www.metroparks.com/stony-creek-metropark/ 
• • Where: 4300 Main Park Road, Shelby Township MI 48316
  • When: 6.am – 10.pm
  • Cost: $10 daily or annual vehicle pass
• Belle Isle Beach https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/michigan/detroit/belle-isle-beach-detroit/ 
  • Where : The beach can be accessed at 7845 Riverbank Drive. 
  • When: Between early June and Labor Day, the beachfront is open from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. each day. 
  • Cost: $11 for an annual park passport
• Linden Park & Clover Beach County Park https://www.fentontownship.org/community-dept/page/linden-park-clover-beach-county-park 
  • Where: 15349 S. Linden Road, Linden, MI 48451-9038
  • When: 8:00 am – Sunset Daily
  • Cost: Free admission
• Lake St. Clair Metropark https://www.metroparks.com/lake-st-clair-metropark/ 
  • Where: 31300 Metro Parkway, Harrison Township, MI 48045
  • When: Monday – Thursday 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday – Sunday 6 a.m. – 11 p.m.
  • Cost: $10 Daily or Annual Vehicle Pass
• Lakeside Beach and Park – Port Huron https://www.michigan.org/property/lakeside-beach-and-park 
  • Where: 3870 Gratiot Ave, Port Huron, MI 48060 
  • When: Weekdays 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Weekends 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Cost: Free 

FESTIVALS/FAIRS

• 2nd Annual Dearborn Heights Juneteenth Festival https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dearborn-dearborn-heights-juneteenth-festival-tickets-320788937347?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 
  • Where: Richard A. Young Recreation Center –  5400 McKinley Street, Dearborn Heights, MI 48125 
  • When: Jun,19, 2022
  • Cost: Free
• Michigan State Fair https://www.michiganstatefairllc.com/home 
  • Where: 46100 Grand River Ave, Novi, MI 4837
  • When: September 1-5 2022, Thursday & Friday Sept. 1st & 2nd 11:00am – 10:00pm​​; Saturday & Sunday Sept. 3rd & 4th 10:00am – 10:00pm​; Monday, Sept. 5 10:00am – 9:00pm
  • Cost: $10.00 for entry to Fair; $42.00 for entry to fair, unlimited carnival rides, and circus performances
• Taylor Summer Festival https://www.cityoftaylor.com/437/Taylor-Summer-Festival 
  • Where: In Heritage Park 12111 Pardee Rd, Taylor, MI 48180
  • When: June 23-26, 12:00pm – 11:00pm
  • Cost: June 24 rock concert are $20 advance and $25 at the gate (featured stage-front seating). $10 advance and $15 at the gate for general admission, standing room only.
• Lights up Livernois https://www.eventbrite.com/e/light-up-livernois-tickets-326560450097?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
  • Where: 19410 Livernois Detroit, MI 48221
  • When: Sat, July 2, 2022, 12:00p.m. – 10:00p.m.
  • Cost: FREE
• GMAR’s Summer in the Park https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gmars-summer-in-the-park-tickets-96088442117?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
  • Where: Madison Heights Civic Center Park, 360 W 13 Mile, Madison Heights, MI 48071
  • When: Sat, July 16, 2022, 11:00a.m. – 6:00p.m.
  • Cost: FREE

PARKS 

• Beacon Park https://empoweringmichigan.com/beacon-park/
  • Where: 1901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
  • When: 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., seven days a week
  • Cost: Free
• Clark Park https://clarkparkdetroit.com/  
  • Where: 1130 Clark Ave, Detroit, MI 48209
  • When: 7:00a.m. – 10:00p.m.
  • Cost: Free
• Seven Lakes State Park  https://www.michigan.org/property/seven-lakes-state-park 
  • Where: 14390 Fish Lake Road, Holly, MI 48442
  • When: 8:00a.m. – 10:00p.m.
  • Cost: Cost may vary depending on activities being reserved and a recreation pass is required 
• Maybury State Park https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/michigan/hidden-park-secret-mi/
  • Where: Maybury State Park can be found at 20145 Beck Road in Northville Township.
  • When: Monday – Sunday, 8:00a.m. – 10:00p.m.
  • Cost: Free with the purchase of the Recreation Passport ($12 via the Secretary of State or $17 at a State Park) Non-Resident Annual Pass $33. Non-Resident Daily Pass $9.
• Palmer Park https://detroitmi.gov/departments/detroit-parks-recreation/parks-and-greenways/palmer-park 
  • Where: 910 Merrill Plaisance St, Detroit, MI, 48203
  • When: Monday- Sunday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m
  • Cost: Free 

WATER PARKS

• Turtle Cove Family Aquatic Center https://www.michigan.org/property/turtle-cove-family-aquatic-center
  • Where: 17845 Savage Road, Belleville, MI 48111
  • When: Monday – Friday 11a.m. to 7p.m.; Weekends and Holidays 11a.m. to 8p.m.
  • Cost: Adults: $11 per person; Children – $9 per person 
• Red Oaks Waterpark https://www.oakgov.com/parks/parksandtrails/Red-Oaks/waterpark/Pages/default.aspx
  • Where: 1455 E. Thirteen Mile Road, Madison Heights, MI 48071
  • When: Thursday – Saturday : 11am – 7pm. Sunday – Wednesday is closed, July 4th is closed
  • Cost:  Regular Rate: $22 , Oakland County Resident Rate: $18, Children ages 0-1: Free. 
• Wayne County Family Aquatic Center https://www.waynecountyaquatic.com/
  • Where: 12600 Chandler Park Dr, Detroit, MI 48213 
  • When: Wednesday- Sunday, 11:00am – 7:00pm. Pool closes at 6:30 p.m. (starting on June 29th!) 
  • Cost: Tots free with parent or adult; Children $6; Adults $8
• Kalahari Resorts https://www.kalahariresorts.com/ohio/
  • Where: 7000 Kalahari Dr, Sandusky, OH 44870
  • When: Sunday – Thursday: 10:00am – 9:00pm
  • Friday & Saturday: 10:00am – 10:00pm
  • Cost:  Ticket Prices Vary based on day and activities involved

INDOOR FUN (arcades, laser tag, trampoline parks, etc.)

• Escape https://troyescape.com/
  • Where: 1950 E Square Lake Rd, Troy, MI 48085 
  • When: Monday: Closed, Tuesday – Friday: 5:00 PM-11:00 PM, Saturday – Sunday: Noon-11:00 PM 
  • Cost: prices can vary 
• Zap Zone https://zap-zone.com/taylor/
  • Where: 9751 Telegraph Rd, Taylor, MI 48180
  • When: 12am-10pm
  • Cost:  Prices can vary 
• Dave and Buster’s http://www.daveandbusters.com/locations/utica
  • Where: 45511 Park Ave. Utica, MI, 48315
  • When: Tuesday: 11AM–12AM, Wednesday: 11AM–1AM, Thursday: 11AM–1AM, Friday: 11AM–1AM, Saturday: 11AM–1AM, Sunday: 11AM–12AM, Monday: 11AM–12AM
  • Cost: Prices can vary 
• Skyzone https://www.skyzone.com/multi/detroit
  • Where: 42550 Executive Drive Canton, MI 48188 
  • When: 3:00 – 8:30 pm
  • Cost: Prices can vary 
• R1 Indoor Karting https://r1indoorkarting.com/
  • Where: 100 Higginson Ave, lincoln, RI 02865 
  • When: 9:00am – Midnight
  • Cost: Prices can vary

MUSEUMS/ZOOS/AQUARIUMS

• Detroit Zoo https://detroitzoo.org/
  • Where  8450 Royal Oak MI 480672
  • When: 9AM-5PM
  • Cost: $19 for adults, $15 for kids
• Sea Life Michigan https://www.visitsealife.com/michigan/
  • Where  4316 Baldwin Rd, Auburn Hills, MI 48326
  • When: 10am – 6pm 
  • Cost: Prices vary
• Detroit Institute of Art https://www.dia.org/ 
  • Where  5200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202
  • When: Mon Closed, Tues – Thurs 9am – 4pm, Fri 9am – 9pm, Sat-Sun 10am – 5pm
  • Cost: Free for Oakland and Wayne County residents 
• Michigan Science Center https://www.mi-sci.org/
  • Where: 5020 John R St, Detroit, MI 48202
  • When: Monday – Tuesday: Closed, Wednesday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Cost: Prices vary

FARMER’S MARKETS/FLEA MARKETS 

• Dixieland Flea Market https://www.dixielandfleamkt.com/
  • Where: 2045 Dixie Hwy
  • Waterford, MI 48328
  • When: Fri 4PM – 9PM, Sat/Sun:10AM – 6PM
  • Cost: Free to enter
• Dexter and Joy Flea Market https://dexter-and-joy-flea-meaket.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral
  • Where 9377 Dexter Avenue, Detroit, MI 48206
  • When: Mon –  Fri, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Cost: Free to enter
• Eastern Market https://easternmarket.org/
  • Where: 1445 Adelaide, Detroit, MI 48207 (between Sheds 2 and 3) 
  • When:Saturday 7am-4pm (year-round), Tuesday 9am-3pm (June-Sept.), Sunday 10am-4pm (June-Sept.)
  • Cost: Free to Enter
• Milford Farmers Market https://www.milfordfarmersmarket.org/
  • Where: 115 E Liberty St, Milford, MI 48381
  • When: Thursday afternoons from 3PM to 7PM, May 5, 2022 to October 13, 2022
  • Cost: Free to Enter