Spread your wings beyond Tree Town with these Epic Day Trips from Ann Arbor to make some amazing family memories. We’ve got day trips for every type of family adventure from city explorations to historical fun to nature adventure and more in between. So check out our list below and get planning on that family day trip near Ann Arbor.
City Adventures
There are several cities within a couple of hours of Ann Arbor. Detroit and Toledo are both about an hour from Ann Arbor. Extend the drive to just over two hours and you can take a day trip to Grand Rapids. Or head to a smaller city like Lansing or Kalamazoo.
Day Trips to Detroit with Kids
Detroit is under an hour from Ann Arbor. There are so many options of what to do when visiting Detroit. You can use the QLine to park once and explore different locales in the city.
Make it a museum day! The Michigan Science Center and the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the Charles H. Wright African American History Museum are blocks from each other and can easily be visited together. We have enjoyed our visits to the Michigan Science Center over the years. They are all closed on Mondays.
Arbor Annie’s Tip
The Michigan Activity Pass from the library offers buy one, get one admission to Detroit Institute of Art
Contrary to it’s name, the Department of Natural Resource’s Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit is an indoor attraction. That makes it a perfect visit in the winter or on a rainy or hot day. It’s also near the Detroit Waterfront to extend your outing on a nice day.
Arbor Annie’s Tip
The Michigan Activity Pass from the library offers buy one, get one admission to Outdoor Adventure Center.
Detroit is also a great place to watch sports or catch a show. The Pistons have two home games during spring break, the Red Wings are mostly out of town, the Tigers have their home opener on Friday, April 3 during spring break. Check out shows at Fox Theatre like The Music Man. Combine a trip to a night game with a daytime stop at one of the museums.
Toledo Day Trip From Ann Arbor
Toledo is a smaller city than Detroit, but also has museums and more to offer. Check out the Imagination Station.
Imagination Station – Wednesday Activity Review
Toledo’s Imagination Station is today’s Wednesday Activity Review. Each Wednesday this summer, Ann Arbor with Kids is covering an activity typically aimed at children in Elementary School. I have heard good things about Imagination Station in Toledo for years, but we had never visited. Last week my daughter was attending Apple Camp at the Toledo Apple Store so we decided […]
Take a visit to the National Museum of the Great Lakes. Save the visit for May-October when you can visit their ships – the Col. James M. Schoomaker Museum Ship & the historic Museum Tug Ohio.
In between the two museums is Glass City Metropark which has discovery play areas, a splash area (seasonal), and a ribbon for roller or ice skating depending on the season.
While in Toledo, you can check out the Toledo Mud Hens Baseball or Toledo Walleye Hockey. They are both located near Imagination Station.
The Toledo Museum of Art has both their main museum and the Glass Pavilion.
Lansing Day Trip
If you’re heading to Lansing, check out fun like the Impression 5 Science Center, or the Potter Park Zoo. Immerse yourself in Michigan at the Michigan State Capitol or the Michigan History Museum.
Venture over to Michigan State’s Campus and be sure to stop at the MSU Dairy Store
Kalamazoo Day Trip
Are you heading to Kalamazoo? Check out the Air Zoo to learn all about aerospace and science. Kids will love their flight simulators and rides, Check out their new exhibit Women in Air & Space.
Learn about history at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.
You can enjoy minor league sports with the Kalamazoo Wings (hockey) or the Kalamazoo Growlers (baseball).
Day Trip to Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids is a bit over 2 hours from Ann Arbor – what I consider near the maximum distance for a day trip. Because of the drive distance, it can be hard to do a lot in a day.
My sister lived in Grand Rapids for a few years so we visited the Grand Rapids Public Museum a couple of times and had a great time. They offer reciprocal admission for members of the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum or University of Michigan Museum of Natural History.
We have also enjoyed visiting Meijer Gardens.
Animal Day Trips
There are so many options to see animals near Ann Arbor – many of which require a day trip. Consider a trip to the Detroit Zoo or the Toledo Zoo.
From Alligators To Zebras: Ultimate Guide To Animal Encounters Near Ann Arbor In 2026
Kids love animals. Did you know there are lots of opportunities to see animals near Ann Arbor? While there are two great zoos within an hour, they are both day trips. There are several closer options that don’t require the all day commitment. These places to see Animals Near Ann Arbor include several nature centers, […]
Or venture to the water for Sea Life Aquarium at Great Lakes Crossing, A newer addition is the LegaSea Aquarium and The Reptarium in Utica.
Day Trips to Experience Nature
In October 2018 Dow Gardens in Midland opened the longest canopy walk in the United States. It is 2 hours from Ann Arbor. Explore the canopy walk and the new playground in the Whiting Forest section. Then, head to Dow Gardens to explore the rest of the gardens.
Explore the Longest Canopy Walk in US at Whiting Forest
Did you know the longest Canopy Walk in the United States is just two hours away from Ann Arbor? In October 2018, Dow Gardens in Midland opened their new canopy walk at Whiting Forest. It also features a playground, apple orchard, and much more. A friend and I visited on a weekday that month while […]
Stay a bit closer to home for Hidden Lake Gardens in Tipton. They have a Sky Walk.
Arbor Annie’s Tip
Michigan Activity Pass has a Buy One Get One Free admission to Hidden Lake Gardens
Explore the Huron-Clinton Metroparks. Spend the day in nature at Kensington Metropark with their Nature Center of Farm Center, explore Lake Erie Metropark, or head to Dexter for Hudson Mills Metropark. In summer, you can use Skip’s Canoe Livery to canoe or tube the Huron River to Delhi Metropark.
History Day Trips
Take a step back in time with these day trips that lean into history.
Greenfield Village
We have visited Greenfield Village more than a dozen times. Each time we visit we seem to find something new to see or a new activity to participate in. My daughter has made a candlestick (birthday candle size) and helped to move the roundhouse turntable. We’ve ridden in a Model T and on the historic train. We’ve watched historic baseball, watched Fourth of July fireworks, and celebrate Halloween and Christmas.
The Henry Ford Museum is right next door to Greenfield Village and you can buy combination or individual tickets. Take a step back through history with their Civil Rights exhibit, the Your Place in Time, or visiting the Dymaxion house. See how cars and planes evolved over time and more.
Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad
Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad is in Flint. Like Greenfield Village they have a historic railroad and village. Don’t miss their antique rides – the Venetian boats are cool – but require some effort if you have little kids. As in the past, Thomas the Tank Engine will be visiting Crossroads Village (due to mechanical issues he can no longer run on the Greenfield Village track).
Make it a World War II Day
Michigan Flight Museum in Belleville showcases several World War II era aircraft (among other eras) and has a Rosie the Riveter display. Before or after your visit, add Breakfast or Lunch at The Bomber Restaurant in Ypsilanti.
Visit Michigan Flight Museum
Our writeup of the museum is from a January 2018 visit. At the time the museum was called the Yankee Air Museum. On May 6, 2024, they rebranded as Michigan Flight Museum and Air Adventures. (Article Updated May 7, 2024 with the new museum name and updated 2024 information) About the Michigan Flight Museum The […]
The Bomber Restaurant Review
For years we have been wanting to try The Bomber Restaurant in Ypsilanti for Breakfast. We finally made it there this weekend. The Bomber Restaurant is known for it’s World War II Memorabilia and it’s breakfasts. Personally, I loved the planes hanging from the ceiling. The Bomber Restaurant Menu The Bomber offers a wide variety of breakfast […]
Arbor Annie’s Tip
Michigan Activity Pass offers free admission to Michigan Flight Museum & Air Adventures.
Frankenmuth Day Trip
We couldn’t figure out what cateogry to put Frankenmuth into since there are so many options to build your day trip to Frankenmuth.
We love visiting Frankenmuth. We usually start with a visit to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. Then we have lunch at Zehnder’s for their Fried Chicken. We also enjoy exploring some of the small shops in the “downtown” area. The outlets near 23 are also a good stop for some deals.
Zehnder’s Splash Village and Bavarian Inn are also great choices as indoor water parks – either as a day trip or to spend the night.
Day Trips for the Adventurous Family
Are you looking for a little more action? We’ve got a couple of outdoor adventures for the summer months. Whether it’s conquering a ropes course or flying through the sky on a roller coaster, check out these options.
Adventure Park at West Bloomfield
My daughter loves the Adventure Park at West Bloomfield. After her first visit, she called it the “Best Day of my Whole Life”. The park is in the trees, so even when it’s hot, at least you aren’t in the sun. The Adventure Park is only open in the summer.
Cedar Point Day Trip
If you’ve been reading Ann Arbor with Kids for any length of time, you know my family loves amusement parks. There are two amusement parks that make great day trips from Ann Arbor. The closest amusement park to Ann Arbor is Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio which is great for coaster and thrill-ride lovers with plenty of tamer options as well. Check out our tips for visiting Cedar Point.
Michigan Adventure
Michigan’s Adventure in Muskegon is a bit further from Ann Arbor and doesn’t offer quite as many thrill rides. However, the water park is included in your basic admission ticket and there are still plenty of mild thrill rides and tame rides. We visited twice, but it has been a while
*Note: Following the Cedar Fair/Six Flags merger in 2025, it was announced in March 2026 that Michigan Adventure was sold to EPR Properties (with 6 other parks) . It is expected to operate as scheduled for 2026.
Day Trip Essentials
When you’re heading out on a day trip we’ve got some essentials you’ll want to make sure to pack.
- Water bottles
- Road trip snacks!
- Entertainment for the Car
- Sunscreen and/or bug spray as needed
As you plan your day trip, remember that the best stories for years aren’t about a perfect itinerary—they can be about the funny things that happen along the way. Some of my favorite stories come from oddities – the A&W root beer in Quebec that was out of root beer when I was a kid or the Arby’s that was out of Roast Beef on one of our trips. Or the memorable sites you see as you drive by someplace and just decide to stop. We’ve had some fun stops just exploring while on vacation, but need to remember to do the same at home.
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