My 7 Favorite Michigan Day Trips Within 2.5 Hours From Detroit
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One of my favorite ways to explore Michigan is by taking day trips to different cities. I love to discover new cities as well as revisit some of my old favorite destinations in Michigan.
If you are starting from the Detroit area, several great day trip options are within a 1 to 2.5-hour drive. After spending a lot of time exploring different cities and activities, here are my seven favorite places for Michigan day trips from Detroit.
Plymouth Day Trip Itinerary
Just 30 minutes west of Detroit, Plymouth is one of the most charming and inviting towns in Michigan.
- Crawford’s Kitchen: Begin your Plymouth day trip at Crawford’s Kitchen for brunch.
- Downtown Plymouth: There are plenty of cute boutiques in town which are perfect for some mid-day shopping.
- Kellogg Park: Located right downtown with the most gorgeous fountain, Kellogg Park is the perfect spot for a picnic. Stop at Westborn Market to pick up drinks and deli food for a park picnic.
- Penn Theater: This indie movie theater downtown rotates movie showings and is a perfect way to end any day trip to Plymouth.
Rochester Day Trip Itinerary
Roughly 40 minutes north of Detroit, Rochester is a charming town known for its historic downtown and beautiful parks.
- Meadow Brook Hall: The best way to start a day trip in Rochester is by getting to Meadow Brook Hall right as it opens. This is a historic home that is open for public tours. There is so much to look at and explore here that a visit will fill the majority of the day.
- Park 600: Located inside the Royal Park Hotel, Park 600 is a great place for food and drinks. The atmosphere is absolutely amazing.
- Downtown Rochester: Close out a day trip to Rochester by walking through the downtown area and exploring all the cute shops.
Ann Arbor Day Trip Itinerary
Located 45 minutes west of Detroit, Ann Arbor is home to the University of Michigan and has plenty of amazing restaurants and cultural events.
- Sava’s: Enjoy brunch at Sava’s for a great atmosphere and flavorsome dishes.
- Downtown Ann Arbor: A great way to spend the day in Ann Arbor is by walking around the downtown area and shopping at local boutiques.
- University of Michigan campus: The campus is a pretty place to walk through and hosts plenty of interesting events throughout the year.
- Mani Osteria: One of the best ways to end an evening here is by grabbing food and drinks at Mani Osteria and finishing the night off by stopping at the Ben and Jerry’s store for some amazing ice cream.
Tecumseh Day Trip Itinerary
About an hour southwest of Detroit, Tecumseh is one of the most underrated spots for a Michigan day trip.
- British Pantry Tea Garden Cafe: A great place for lunch, they serve the most flavorful tea and food. This cafe is also equipped with the cutest gifts and trinkets.
- Downtown Tecumseh: The little downtown area is fun to walk through and enjoy all the colorful buildings.
- Pentamere Winery: One of my favorite ways to end an evening in Tecumseh is by visiting Pentamere Winery in the downtown area. This spot has the most wonderful wine and dips.
Frankenmuth Day Trip Itinerary
Located an hour and a half north of Detroit, Frankenmuth is a delightful Bavarian-themed village.
- Bronner’s: Open 361 days a year, Frankenmuth is home to the world’s largest Christmas store. Start at Bronner’s as soon as they open in the morning. After a few hours of shopping for ornaments and decorations, there are numerous places to visit for lunch.
- Bavarian Inn and Zehnder’s: The most notable places to eat, with tasty food and amazing atmospheres, each of these locations is a must-visit.
- Downtown Frankenmuth: Walk through downtown to enjoy sweet shops including fudge and candy stores.
- Splash Village: With some additional time in the day, Splash Village is another exciting way to spend an afternoon in a fun-filled Michigan waterpark.
Kalamazoo Day Trip Itinerary
A little over 2 hours west of Detroit, Kalamazoo makes a fun day trip in a bustling Michigan college town.
- Air Zoo: Spend some time in this fascinating aerospace museum filled with fun exhibits.
- The Old Goat Tavern: For a casual lunch spot with great food, check out The Old Goat Tavern.
- Downtown Kalamazoo: Enjoy your time in Kalamazoo walking around the downtown area. The streets are lined with amazing restaurants and the cutest shops with unique gifts.
- Bronson Park: End your visit at one of the nearby parks and just take everything in before driving back.
Grand Rapids Day Trip Itinerary
About 2.5 hours west of Detroit, Grand Rapids has a lively art scene and plenty of stellar restaurants.
- Tupelo Honey: Start your Grand Rapids day trip at Tupelo Honey for breakfast.
- Frederik Meijer Gardens: A visit to Meijer Gardens is a wonderful way to spend the mid-day exploring all the interesting art and sculptures. The grounds are absolutely beautiful and make for a great walking place.
- Knoop Rooftop Beer Garden: Another amazing spot to visit in downtown Grand Rapids with views of the city and amazing drinks, this is a must-do while in town.
- Stella’s Lounge: One of my favorite spots to stop for dinner is Stella’s Lounge. This is the perfect place to close out a day trip in Grand Rapids before heading back home.
Enjoy a Michigan Day Trip from Detroit
Whether you are looking for a new day trip destination or to revisit an old favorite, Michigan has many exciting options within 1 to 2.5 hours of Metro Detroit.
Hopefully, these Michigan day trip locations will inspire you to keep exploring new destinations and coming back to the same cities and places that you have grown to love.
