Are you entertaining out of towners during the holiday? Trying to find an activity outside your living room? Here are family activities for all interests and budget.
Take A Trip To Detroit
Show off the city! Detroit is a lot different than most people think and there is SO much to do, here are a few options:
- Campus Martius: The center of the city has it all! Santa visits at 1001 Winter Wonders, play games at the Monroe Street Midway, cozy up at Cadillac Lodge and hit the ice and skate The Rink.
- Cultural Center: Towers of Tomorrow at Michigan Science Center, drop-in workshops at Detroit Institute of Arts, check out the costumes of Black Panter at the Wright Museum of African American History and walk through the streets of old Detroit at the Detroit Historical Museum.
- Belle Isle State Park: Enjoy an island getaway and tour the jewel of Detroit with stops at the Belle Isle Aquarium, Belle Isle Nature Center and the Great Lake Dossin Museum.
Outdoor Holiday Fun
Bundle up and enjoy the winter weather with a walk-thru holiday event.
- Wild Lights illuminates the Detroit Zoo and on certain dates you can also meet Ana, Elsa and Christoff! You can also sit back and relax at a 4D showing of The Polar Express.
- Winter Wonder Lights transforms Meadow Brook Hall into a breathtaking light show featuring music, seasonal treats and memorable photo ops.
- Home for the Holidays is a new winter experience at Ford House, where visitors can enjoy a beautifully lit evening walk throughout the historic estate and a self-guided tour of the first floor of the Main Residence.
- See thousands of lights while listening to holiday music at HollyDazzle at the Michigan Renaissance Festival in Holly. There are crafting stations and Santa visits too.
- Stroll through over ½ million festive lights, exciting displays, interactive experiences and games, holiday sounds and much more, all throughout the one-mile-long wonderous holiday themed night walk through Glenlore Trail’s Aurora in Commerce Township.
Indoor Fun
Get out the house but avoid the elements, here are indoor activities to check out.
- LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Auburn Hills is always a good time with lots of LEGOS, 4D movie, amusement rides and play structures! You can also save 20% on admission when you use this link.
- The NEW Yoyo’s Fun Center location in Clinton Township is a can’t miss and definite win for littles and elementary school age kids.
- The Sloan Museum of Discovery is a fantastic hands-on museum that has something for EVERYONE! From an miniature kids town and massive water table for littles to makerspace and hands-on science experiments for older kids and a car gallery and traveling Real Bodies exhibit that will appeal to all ages, it’s an easy afternoon activity.
- Get your pictures by the iconic tree, see hundreds of Hallmark ornaments, see holiday trains and even The Polar Express on the IMAX at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn.
FREE Family Fun
Holidays are expensive, keep things simple and enjoy these metro Detroit activities. You can also check out this list of cool lighted holiday homes and find something to do that’s especially close to home.
- Enjoy family dinner in a glass chalet at Lumen and take pictures at Northern Lights in Beacon Park.
- Stroll through the Tunnel of Lights at Blossom Heath Park in St. Clair Shores.
- Listen to the soft hum of Christmas music as you walk the lighted tree line path of Innovations Hills in Rochester Hills.
- Canton has light displays and photo ops displayed throughout Heritage Park.
- Christmas trees line the sidewalks of Kellogg Park for the annual Walk of Trees.
Photo credit: Beacon Park
