Escape technology and explore the great outdoors – indoors – at a nature center! Learn about local wildlife, sit in on story time or attend a special event.
Leslie Science & Nature Center (Ann Arbor)
Visit with animals at outside habitats and inside the Critter House (open on select occassions), explore the nature trails and check out the new Nature Playscape. The outdoor playspace is made of natural components such as plants, logs, water, sand, mud, boulders, hills and trees.
- Address: 1831 Traver Road Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
E. L. Johnson Nature Center (Bloomfield Hills)
The Nature Center has animal displays and hands-on learning exhibits. In-person family programming is also available including summer camps, family guided walks and year-round nature classes. E.L Johnson is home to an orphaned deer, injured hawk and great-horned owl all of which are located along the trails so that kids can visit them up close.
- Address: 3325 Franklin Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Marshland Museum (Brownstown)
The museum gives visitors a chance to explore nature and the cultural heritage of the Downriver/Lake Erie region. Kids will have fun playing in the Muskrat Club area and learning about history in the hands-on exhibits. After exploring inside, head out for a nature walk. There are three miles of nature trails that start from the Marshlands Museum. A long boardwalk and several overlooks along the trails provide excellent views of marshes, lagoons, and wildlife.
- Address: 32481 West Jefferson Avenue, Brownstown, MI 48173
- Note: A vehicle Huron-Clinton Metropark pass is required to enter the park. An annual pass is $40 and a day pass is $10. You can also gain FREE access to 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks with your library card, learn how here.
Belle Isle Nature Center (Detroit)
The Belle Isle Nature Center is one of our favorite FREE destinations in metro Detroit and with state-of-the-art updates, your littles will love it. From the minute you enter, kids will be excited to explore. Animal lovers will rush to the turtle pond and more active kids will crawl through the tunnels where they can pretend to be ants hard at work collecting and storing food. Afterwards go around the circular loop to see native fish and animals and check out hands-on activities to help kids learn about nature. On nice weather days go outside for the Nature Play Area. Kids can get to work making music, using diggers or enjoying imaginative play.
- Address: 176 Lakeside Drive, Detroit, MI 48207
- Note: Annual State Park pass needed to drive on island
Farmington Hills Nature Center (Farmington Hills)
The Farmington Hills Nature Center highlights interpretive exhibits reflecting our natural world such as a life-sized animal habitat, a backyard habitat bird viewing area, native fish aquariums, a nature library and activity table as well as a hands-on touch table and Discovery Cove. Nature programs are offered year-round and change seasonally.
- Address: 24915 Farmington Rd. Farmington Hills, MI 48336
Lake St. Clair Nature Center (Harrison Township)
The Nature Center at Lake St. Clair Metropark features displays on wetlands, waterfowl, live animals and the historical use of the area by the French Voyageurs. Park interpreters host public school, private school and home school field trips, school outreach (we come to you!), Voyageur canoe programs, nature walks, special events, and many other interpretive programs for the general public. A portion of Lake St. Clair Metropark is set aside for the study and enjoyment of nature. Several miles of interpreter or self-guided nature trails teeming with wildlife traverse a freshwater marsh, meadows and woods.
- Address: 31300 Metro Parkway Harrison Township, MI 48045
- Note: A vehicle Huron-Clinton Metropark pass is required to enter the park. An annual pass is $40 and a day pass is $10. You can also gain FREE access to 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks with your library card, learn how here.
Kensington Nature Center (Milford)
Find indoor fun and kid-friendly classes at the Kensington Nature Center. Kids can see and explore wildlife exhibits (that include live animals) and learn by engaging with hands-on displays.
- Address: 4570 Huron River Parkway Milford, MI 48380
- Note: A vehicle Huron-Clinton Metropark pass is required to enter the park. An annual pass is $40 and a day pass is $10. You can also gain FREE access to 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks with your library card, learn how here.
Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center (Shelby Township)
The Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center provides nature-related experiences and activities to help visitors of all ages.
- Address: 4101 River Bends Drive, Shelby Township, Michigan 48317
Sterling Heights Nature Center (Sterling Heights)
The Nature Center is filled with still life exhibits, living reptiles and amphibians, and even a 900 gallon aquarium filled with fish you would find in your local lakes and rivers! Tour the center, read books, bird watch from the windows, or head outdoors for a nature walk on their adjoining park along the river!
- Address: 42700 Utica Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48313
Stage Nature Center (Troy)
Stage Nature Center is one of our favorite places to visit and the large climbing rocks at the front of the front lawn of the building are part of the reason why. If you’re able to convince your kids to leave the rocks, the interpretive building is open to the public and kids can check out the aqua wall with live reptiles and amphibians, a dinosaur dig, and nature nook with games and activities.
Address: 6685 Coolidge Hwy Troy, MI 48098
Nankin Mills Interpretive Center (Westland)
Check out native species like turtles, snakes and fish up close and see how Henry Ford used mechanical innovations to improve work-life on the farm. The newly renovated Interpretive Center offers a fun indoor outing for kids and outdoor activities on good weather days.
- Address: 33175 Ann Arbor Trail, Westland, MI 48185
Indian Springs Environmental Discovery Center (White Lake)
The Discovery Center is a multistory building with several hands-on activity areas for kids adn a cool viewing area under the pond. Classes and special events are hosted there throughout the year.
- Address: 5175 Indian Trail, White Lake, MI 48386
- Note: A vehicle Huron-Clinton Metropark pass is required to enter the park. An annual pass is $40 and a day pass is $10. You can also gain FREE access to 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks with your library card, learn how here.
