More than 2,000 animals from over 200 species are part of the Detroit Zoo’s collection. A special highlight is the Erb Discovery Trails: they cover 7 acres, and general access is included with zoo admission. Paved, ADA-accessible paths run throughout the grounds, including a paved section in the Goat Encounter Yard. Visitors can enter the zoo from both Woodward Avenue and 10 Mile Road. Check road conditions before you travel.
Museums and Historic Architecture
The exhibits at the Cranbrook Institute of Science are spread across 16 permanent galleries. General admission also includes access to all permanent exhibits, the Outdoor Science Garden and the nature trails. Admission to the Cranbrook Observatory is also free during its operating hours. For planning purposes, check the observatory’s current operating details: free admission is available during these hours.
Meadow Brook Hall combines architectural history with an extensive collection: the house was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2012 and is considered one of the country’s finest examples of Tudor Revival architecture. More than 75,000 historic artifacts are preserved there. The gardens and grounds offer another reason to visit. The public can explore them with a Grounds Pass, available daily; they are open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Check seasonal details before your visit.
Trails Through Different Landscapes
The Paint Creek Trail is 8.9 miles long and runs through Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township, Orion Township and the Village of Lake Orion. Permitted uses include biking, hiking and horseback riding, as well as jogging and cross-country skiing. One important timing restriction to keep in mind when planning your day: the trail is for daytime use only and is closed from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
The Kensington Metropark offers a different kind of trail: an 8.5-mile paved hiking and biking trail loops around Kent Lake. The park is located on the Huron River along the border between Oakland County and Livingston County. Its nature trail area also spans more than 700 acres of forests, fields, wet meadows and marshes. Together, a clearly defined loop trail and a vast area with varied landscapes offer distinct ways to enjoy nature.
The Michigan Air Line Trail is a 7.5-mile multi-use trail through Wixom, Walled Lake and Commerce Township in western Oakland County. Haven Hill Natural Area is located in the Highland Recreation Area, also in Oakland County. It offers opportunities for birdwatching, viewing wildflowers, hiking, environmental education and nature study. Wildlife and flower-viewing opportunities depend on the season.
Market and Library Archive
The Oakland County Farmers Market offers fresh produce directly from growers, flowers and handmade goods. The products and goods available from vendors vary by date. The public library archive at the Zekelman Holocaust Center offers another way to discover the region: it contains more than 20,000 volumes.
Discover more destinations: Bloomfield Hills, Clawson, Novi, Wixom, Troy, Pontiac, Birmingham, Rochester Hills, Southfield, Madison Heights, Auburn Hills, Walled Lake, Lake Orion, Farmington Hills, Waterford, Ferndale, Clarkston, Royal Oak, White Lake Township, Holly.
For the full travel overview: Michigan.
