List of Free Things to Do in Detroit

Twenty-eight museums participate in the Detroit Adventure Pass. The program allows you to get as many as four free tickets to a Detroit-area museum by checking in at your local library within seven days of a planned visit. As might be expected, some of the area's biggest museums do not participate, but several do, including the Detroit Institute of Arts, Cranbrook Institute of Science and the Ford Rouge Factory Tour.

While you'll undoubtedly drop a coin or three while wandering among the exhibits, Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum in Farmington Hills requires no admission fee. It is a unique attraction with dozens of historic, coin-operated oddities and side-show exhibits.

As might be expected, the Great "Lake" State has plenty of swimming holes and beaches. The state also has plenty of parks with rolling lawns of green, forested preserves and playgrounds. Note: Most beaches and parks in the Metro-Detroit area require some kind of vehicle-entry permit.

Downtown Detroit has another option: RiverWalk, a wide, cement pathway for biking, skating and walking that has the Detroit River bordering one side and a greenway on the other.

Many local airports, such as Mettetal Airport in Canton, have picnic benches set up for a bring-your-own lunch and a great view of small planes taking off and landing. It is also possible for kids to get a free airplane ride.

Whatever your pleasure -- cars, teddy bears, chocolate -- there is probably a factory in the Detroit area that produces it. Several factories give guided tours that are absolutely fascinating:

• Chelsea Teddy Bear Company
• Morley Candy Makers and Sanders Candy Factory
• Ford Rouge Factory Tour, where the Ford F-150 Truck is assembled

No matter the season or month, there are plenty of festivals and fairs scheduled in the Metro-Detroit area. While some require an admission fee, many are free. Just show up and partake at ice festivals in Frankenmuth, Plymouth and Rochester; holiday parades in downtown Detroit; and art fairs throughout the Metro-Detroit area. Some of the free favorites are GM River Days, Pontiac's Arts, Beats & Eats and, of course, the Woodward Dream Cruise.

Hey, if it's good enough for local teenagers....

Michigan in general and the Detroit area in particular have some of the nation's first and best shopping malls. Despite the majestic use of marble, soaring skylights, occasional concerts and innovative play areas, there is no admission fee to take a stroll or sit a spell at any Detroit-area shopping center. Of course, the mall also provides a place to take a break from Michigan's volatile weather.

Whether you take a walk through downtown Detroit or travel to one of its surrounding suburbs, you can discover public art by nationally renowned artists and classic examples of Art Deco and Italian Renaissance architecture:

• A walk through downtown Detroit will bring you up close and personal with several famous statues, including the Spirit of Detroit and the 24-foot bronze arm by Robert Graham that was meant as a monument to Joe Louis. Detroit is also home to several buildings designed by notable architects Albert Kahn, Wirt Rowland and Louis Kamper.
• The University of Michigan is a treasure trove of public art, including The Wave by Maya Lin, the artist who designed the Vietnam War Memorial.

The University of Michigan's Sailing Club gives you the chance to try sailing and take a few lessons for free. On Saturday mornings, the sailing club, located on Baseline Lake in Dexter, allows visitors to simply sign up for a free sailing lesson (or two) with a club member.