Eleven inland lakes are part of the landscape at Waterloo Recreation Area. Along Fleming Creek, Dominican Meadows Preserve stretches for nearly two miles, with forests, wetlands, and grassland. Squiers Preserve offers a different mosaic of habitats, including a dry-mesic southern forest, a buttonbush swamp, a hardwood swamp, a sedge meadow, and a marsh. For nature lovers, the appeal lies in these varied landscapes—from open meadows to damp woodlands.
The trails also offer different perspectives. At Whitmore Lake Preserve, they wind through meadows, mixed hardwood forests, and wooded wetlands, with views across a large marsh and small lakes. Baker Woods Preserve connects forests and meadows. DeVine Preserve, meanwhile, is a popular birdwatching destination among stately oak trees.
Explore trails and landscapes
For a sense of scale on longer routes, consider two different trails: The Border-to-Border Trail spans Washtenaw County and connects parks, residential areas, and scenic riverside paths. It is 42 miles long, ten feet wide, paved, and accessible; check trail conditions before your trip. The trail at Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve is five miles long. The 42-mile Border-to-Border Trail is therefore considerably longer than the five-mile trail at Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve.
Nichols Arboretum, also known as “The Arb,” is a 123-acre landscape on the University of Michigan campus. Walking paths, gardens, and natural areas shape the grounds, which also offer riverfront access and seasonal blooms. A special highlight is the historic peony collection, one of the largest in North America. The Arb thus combines gardens and open natural areas with a collection that makes it stand out in the region.
Discover science and history
Exhibits at the U-M Museum of Natural History range from molecules to dinosaurs. The offerings also include a planetarium, science demonstrations, and conversations with University of Michigan scientists. The Planetarium & Dome Theater presents celestial bodies, constellations, and other astronomical phenomena. If you plan to attend a show, check the schedule before your trip.
Museums in Ypsilanti tell the story of the past in different ways. The Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum building began its automotive history in 1917 as a Dodge dealership. The museum was created by bringing together Miller Motors and a former parcel-sorting facility at 112 East Cross. It is located at a historic corner where East Cross and North River meet in Depot Town. The Ypsilanti Historical Museum is housed in an original 19th-century home; admission is free.
Rentschler Farm Museum also brings rural architectural history to life: It comprises a timber-frame house and eleven outbuildings, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2013. Staebler Farm is representative of a late-19th- to early-20th-century farm of the kind that once served Washtenaw County. The annual Folk Festival takes place at Staebler Farm County Park in Ann Arbor; check current dates and programming when planning your visit.
Crafts and nature experiences
Demonstrations, classes, and hands-on metalworking experiences at Manchester Blacksmith Shop feature a working forge. The shop is also one of the last surviving blacksmith shops on a Main Street in Michigan. Those interested in traditional skills can also get hands-on experience with folk arts, crafts, and music at Michigan Folk School. These offerings have a different focus from the museums: here, the emphasis is on craftsmanship and trying things for yourself.
Staebler Farm is also planned to have nature trails for walking and opportunities for wildlife viewing. The park is still under development, so these should be understood as planned features.
Discover more destinations: Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Milan, Pittsfield, Branch, Cheboygan County, Ionia County, Alger County.
For the broader travel overview: Michigan.
