Best Metro Detroit Spring Things to Do
Written By: Awesome Mitten Team
Whether you’re looking for a solo adventure or fun for the whole family, there are plenty of spring things to do in Metro Detroit!
When the snow melts and the weather warms, you want to make the most of spring in Michigan. Metro Detroit is one place that can be an absolute paradise. After all, you’ve been cooped up inside all winter, so there’s a lot to see and explore.
Attend a Metro Detroit Sporting Event
Comerica Park
The arrival of springtime also means the start of baseball season, and there’s no better place to catch a game than downtown Detroit at Comerica Park — home of the Detroit Tigers. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon.
You can snack on peanuts and crackerjack while rooting for the Tigers. If you have kids, try to go on a day when the park has a free giveaway, like a mini bat or a poster.
Jimmy John’s Field
If you can’t get downtown, Jimmy John’s Field in Utica hosts United States Professional Baseball League games. Best of all, it’s an affordable option for the whole family.
Little Caesars Arena
If you’re a fan of hockey or basketball, head to Little Caesars Arena to catch a Detroit Pistons or Detroit Red Wings game. Both teams’ regular seasons end in April, but there’s no better place to be if one of them makes the playoffs.
Go See Some Animals in Metro Detroit
Just the word “spring” brings to mind new life. Plants are waking up from winter hibernation, and new animals are being brought into the world.
Speaking of, observing animals big and small is one of the best spring things to do in Metro Detroit.
Detroit Zoo
If you’re looking for a way to keep your kids entertained this spring, you can’t go wrong with going to see some animals. There’s no better place to start than the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak. There you’ll see just about any animal you can think of.
If you really want to see something spectacular, check out the Polk Penguin Conservation Center. There, you’ll see more than 80 penguins and four different species, including macaroni and king penguins.
If you want to see everything, from the big cats to the primates to the elephants, it’s a good idea to take the zoo train at the beginning of your journey. You can take that to the far end of the zoo, and then take your time walking back toward the entrance while you see your favorite animals.
Sea Life Michigan Aquarium
Another great place to see some animals is the Sea Life Michigan Aquarium at Great Lakes Crossing. It’s the largest aquarium in Michigan and features more than 250 species and 2,000 creatures. If you want to see sharks, rays, sea turtles, and more aquatic marvels, this is the place to be.
You can explore the fresh waters of Michigan, and work your way to the depths of the oceans. Kids delight in the hands-on exhibit, which allows them to touch a crab, a sea star, an urchin, and other creatures.
Head to a Metro Detroit Park
If you’re in downtown Detroit, there’s plenty of springtime family fun to be had at a park. Plus, you don’t have to spend a ton of money to explore spring things to do in Metro Detroit.
Detroit RiverWalk & Riverfront
If you want to get some exercise when the weather warms up, head to the riverfront in Detroit. You can go for a leisurely bike ride along the Detroit River, and when you’re ready for a break, you can stop and enjoy the view. If exercise isn’t on the agenda, try riding the carousel on the Detroit RiverWalk. Or, hitch a ride on the Detroit People Mover.
Belle Isle State Park
If you want to have a family picnic on a warm, sunny day, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Belle Isle Park. It’s more than 900 acres and has long been considered a jewel of Detroit.
You can take a nice slow drive around the park, and pull off for your own private picnic. Once you’ve eaten, check out some of Belle Isle’s offerings, such as the Great Lakes museum, conservatory, and aquarium.
Huron-Clinton Metroparks
If you’re looking to have fun away from the city, there’s no shortage of Metroparks to check out. In fact, there are 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks, all of which offer the perfect spots to picnic, play lawn games and sports, and go fishing.
More Outdoor Spring Things to Do in Metro Detroit
Going to the park is frequently at the top of the list of spring things to do in Metro Detroit. However, there are several other outdoor activities as well.
Detroit Farmers’ Markets
You can find all kinds of Michigan farmers’ markets throughout Metro Detroit. The biggest of them all, though, is the Eastern Market near downtown. Across six sheds, you’ll find more than 225 vendors that sell products of all kinds. The market is open all year too!
Plus, the Eastern Market District as a whole is a wonderful place to explore. It’s rich in Black history, which is evident in all the beautiful murals that you’ll see on the buildings’ walls. There are fantastic restaurants, events, and other fun things to explore as well.
Morel Mushroom Hunting
There are plenty of ways to get out and experience nature during a Michigan spring. One of the best and most fun ways is to go hunting for morel mushrooms.
If you live near woods or frequent nearby state parks, you can probably find some of these delicacies. It takes some hunting and a careful eye to find them. But once you do, you can pick them and cook up some tasty dishes.
Go Golfing
For thousands of golfers around the Mitten State, springtime is a chance to get outside and play their favorite courses. There are plenty of renowned golf courses around the state, but Metro Detroit has more than a few courses worth playing.
Playing these courses, especially the public ones, will enhance your enjoyment of the sport. Most importantly, it will get you out of the house after a cold winter.
Visit a Metro Detroit Museum or Educational Center
Visiting museums and educational centers is a great way to learn Michigan’s history or something new. If you’re looking for a way to get the kids out of the house and away from screens, Metro Detroit has plenty of fun and educational field trip options.
Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village
It’s no surprise that the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village are some of the best spring things to do in Metro Detroit. Your eyes will light up in amazement as you look at dozens of pieces of history, including Abraham Lincoln’s chair, John F. Kennedy’s limousine, and the Rosa Parks bus.
It’s actually the largest indoor-outdoor museum in the United States. More than 1.5 million people visit each year. Additionally, it’s the site of many signature events during the year.
Michigan Science Center
Not to be outdone, the Michigan Science Center is a great spot to visit in Detroit’s Midtown. Not only are there plenty of interactive exhibits, but there’s also a 4D theater, an IMAX Dome, a planetarium, and a special exhibit hall.
Detroit Institute of Arts
If you’re an art lover, you may think the finest works of art can only be found in Paris, London, or other far-off locales. But the Detroit Institute of Arts offers a look at some of the finest art in the world.
For instance, you can see works by Van Gogh, Monet, and other renowned names. Also, there are special Michigan history exhibits that offer a look at older times in the Mitten State.
Motown Museum
Anyone who’s a music fan has to stop at the Motown Museum on West Grand Blvd in Detroit. You can take tours of the museum, including the legendary Studio A where so many timeless Motown classics were recorded.
Charles H. Wright Museum
The Charles H. Wright Museum offers a look at the life, history, and culture of African American people. Visitors can peruse the largest exhibition of African American history in the world, as well as more than 30,000 artifacts.
Visit a Drive-In Theater
There’s something special about a trip to a drive-in theater, whether you’re going with friends, hanging out with family, or looking for a great date idea.
The Ford Drive-In in Dearborn offers double features for moviegoers all year round and is open seven days a week! The Memory Lane Drive-in Theatre in Monroe is one of the newer drive-ins in southern Michigan, but offers affordable fun for the whole family and is open seasonally starting in the spring.
Grab some snacks, pack up your friends and family, and prepare to have fun. It’s the perfect way to see movies and be comfortable at the same time.
Attend Motor City Comic Con
If you love comics, movies, art, and all things related to pop culture, then a visit to Motor City Comic Con in Novi is a must.
Here, visitors can dress up like their favorite pop culture characters and visit with vendors and artists from all over the country. The fun doesn’t stop there however, because there are also dozen of celebrity guests signing autographs, cosplay contests, and much more.
Visit the Outdoor Nature Center
If you’re looking for outdoor adventures and thrills, the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit is an awesome spot to soak in the majesty of Michigan’s outdoors.
Located right along the waterfront in Detroit, there’s lots of educational materials here, but, make no mistake, this place is lots of fun too!
Make the journey here and experience for yourself what makes it such a cool place. There’s the Beaver Lodge and Wetland, where you can learn all about Michigan’s wetlands.
There’s also the Waterfall and Underground Mine, where you can learn about Michigan’s hundreds of waterfalls and learn about Michigan’s mining industry.
Make sure to stop at the Big Tree, a 35-foot-tall bur oak, where you can learn how a tree lives and functions in Michigan.
No matter what you stop to see, you’ll learn something and you’ll have fun — two perfect ingredients you need for a spring adventure.
Take a Scenic Drive Along the St. Clair River
Michiganders love the Great Lakes, but Metro Detroiters specifically also love Lake St. Clair. Along Lake St. Clair, those who love scenic drives will find fantastic riverside views, small-town charm, and tranquility. You can start your journey in St. Clair and grab a bite to eat. From there, you can take a walk to one of St. Clair’s fantastic parks.
Depending on how far you go, your journey along Lake St. Clair will also take you through Marine City and Algonac. Your travels will take you to museums, lighthouses and historic buildings.
Enjoy a Tasty Frozen Treat in Metro Detroit
Springtime means a lot of things, including that it’s time for ice cream. After spending a fun spring day in Metro Detroit, the best way to end it is with a frozen treat!
Lucky for you, Metro Detroit has lots of great spots where you can get your favorite ice cream, sundaes, milkshakes, and so much more.
- Momento Gelato and Coffee in Detroit offers up homemade gelato and a full-menu coffeehouse in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood.
- The Detroit Ice Water Factory offers ice water, a frozen treat similar to Italian ice. Choose your favorite flavor or try a fun variation like the Motown Twist — soft serve atop your favorite flavor of water ice.
- Guernsey Farms Dairy in Northville offers quality, award-winning ice cream in more than two dozen flavors.
No matter if you pick a classic flavor like vanilla or chocolate or you try something completely new, a visit to a Metro Detroit ice cream shop will leave you with a smile on your face.
Other Fun Spring Metro Detroit Activities
Great Lakes Crossing
If you’re looking for a new spring wardrobe once winter ends, head to the outlets at Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills. You can not only find more than 150 stores, but you can also find just about any name brand of clothing you want. The shopping center has plenty of great places to eat too.
If you want to make a day trip out of it, Great Lakes Crossing has a movie theater, and you can visit the above-mentioned Sea Life Michigan Aquarium while you’re there.
Legoland Discovery Center Michigan
While you’re checking the outlets, stop by the Legoland Discovery Center Michigan if you have the kids in tow. This is a massive Lego experience for kids and adults alike who love building and creating with Lego bricks.
Visitors can build creations like a Lego master, ride a Lego ride, and be awestruck by Miniland. This is a great place for kids to burn off some energy, create something extraordinary, and take classes on Lego building from experts.
Discover More Spring Things to Do in Metro Detroit
When springtime comes, the possibilities for fun are endless in Metro Detroit. Whether you’re taking in the sights at a museum in downtown Detroit or enjoying nature in a Metro Detroit park, there are plenty of great excuses to get outside and enjoy all that spring has to offer.
So if you’ve been itching to get outside after a long winter, what are you waiting for? There’s lots to explore and lots of fun to be had in Metro Detroit!
