Things to Do in the Metro Detroit Area

By Laura Sternberg, About.com Guide to Detroit

Whether your activity of choice is antique shopping, kayaking, watching a Whaler's game or savoring fine wine, you'll find information about it here. Find out what there is to do in the Metro Detroit Area, including shows, concerts, restaurants, events, games, sports, festivals and recreation options. There are even tips about weekend getaways.

1. Annual and Seasonal Events
2. Bars
3. Family Activities
4. Museums, Casinos and Attractions
5. Restaurants

6. Shopping
7. Shows & Concerts
8. Sports & Recreation
9. Weekend Getaways

Annual and Seasonal Events

The Metro Detroit Area hosts several events, festivals, attractions and shows consistently throughout the year. Some of the more notable events in the Metro Detroit Area include the North American International Auto Show and Woodward Dream Cruise.

• In the Coming Month....
• Profile of Plymouth's Green Street Fair
• Plymouth Ice Festival: Creating a Sculpture
• Detroit Auto Show Highlights

Bars

Whether your style is a pub, brewery, sports den, band venue or dance club, Detroit has a large variety of night-time entertainment to sample.

• Top Picks: Up and Coming Neighborhoods for Night Life/Entertainment
• Review: Bastone Restaurant and Brewery in Royal Oak
• Review: Grape Expectations Wine Bar & Merchant

Family Activities

Detroit hosts a lot of activities appropriate for families and children, including large arcades, pizza parlors, water parks, zoos, museums and drive-in theaters.

• Metro Detroit Things to Do: May 2008
• Detroit Family Arcades and Entertainment Centers
• Review: Tigers Baseball at Comerica Park
• Review of Dave and Busters in Utica

Museums, Casinos and Attractions

As a major metropolitan area, Detroit has a lot to offer. In addition to museums showcasing art and science, Detroit has museums about African American history, the holocaust and Motown. It also hosts a variety of gaming opportunities and other attractions.

• Detroit Area Casino Hotels
• Photo Tour of MotorCity Casino Hotel
• Pictures of the New Detroit Institute of Arts
• Review: Greektown Casino
• Review: Northville Downs Race Track and Clubhouse Dining Room

Restaurants

Detroiters have a wide and varied palate. Whatever your culinary pleasure, we'll help you find a restaurant that provides great service, atmosphere and food.

• Romantic Restaurants in Metro Detroit
• List of Metro Detroit Irish Pubs and Restaurants
• Review: Angel's Cafe & Gallery in Ferndale
• Review: Bath City Bistro of Mt. Clemens
• Review: Dave and Busters in Utica
• Review: Great Expectations Wine Bar & Merchant of Plymouth
• Review: Il Posto Ristorante of Southfield

• Review: Bastone Restaurant and Brewery of Royal Oak
• Review: Kruse & Muer in the Village of Rochester Hills Mall
• Review: Northville Downs Race Track and Clubhouse Dining Room
• Review: Pegasus Taverna in Detroit's Greektown
• Review: Sweet Lorraine's of Livonia
• Review: Woodward Avenue Brewery (WAB) in Ferndale

Shopping

Arguably a shopping Mecca, Detroit is a national leader in shopping center innovation. Come explore our malls, centers and stores.

• List of Stores Featuring Detroit or Michigan Products
• List of Detroit Shopping Malls and Centers
• Photo Tour of the Village of Rochester Hills Mall

• Photo Tour of the Mall at Partridge Creek Clinton Township
• Profile: Twelve Mile Crossing at Fountain Walk in Novi
• Review: IKEA Canton

Shows & Concerts

As a major metropolitan area, Detroit attracts big-name entertainment and fosters local artists and musicians. This is the place to find out who's doing what where.

• Lists of Shows and Concerts in the Detroit Metro Area
• Review: Cirque Du Soleil Saltimbanco

Sports & Recreation

Detroit hosts professional, college and minor-league games of every variety. Alternatively, you can get in on the action yourself through local sports complexes and parks.

• Run Down of Lions NFL Draft Picks 2008
• Tigers 2008 Season Preview
• Detroit Sports Blog

• Tigers Baseball Blog
• Review: Tigers Baseball at Comerica Park
• List of Downhill Skiing Resorts in the Metro Detroit Area

Weekend Getaways

If you're looking for a good weekend getaway, Detroit has a lot of activities within a four-to-five hour drive. The information provided will help you figure out which destination meets your particular tastes and needs.

• Review: Soaring Eagle Resort Mount Pleasant
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