101 Family Day Trips and Staycation Ideas Around the Ann Arbor-Detroit Area
Remember, it's always best to follow each link to get details about your visit directly from your destination, since some places operate seasonally or by reservation, as well as to check each venue's COVID requirements (masks, limits, social distancing).
Free activities and splurges that are worth it. The coolest stuff for a staycation in town and road trips for less than a tank of gas from Ann Arbor-Detroit. Kids Out And About has tons of ideas for family travel, with places to explore, learn, and have fun!
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Explore Gardens 
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Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum |
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Taylor Conservatory & Botanical Gardens |
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Indigo Lavender Farms |
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Shades of Lavender Farm |
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Hamlet Lavender Farm |
Get Wild on a Hike 
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Bird Hill Nature Area |
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Nichols Arboretum Trails |
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Planet Walk at Impression 5 |
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Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park |
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Paint Creek Trail |
Time Travel Today 
Make Life a Beach 
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Stony Creek Metropark |
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Lake St. Clair Metropark |
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Saugatuck-Douglas Area Beaches |
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Independence Lake Park |
Splash into Some Water Fun 
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Rolling Hills Park |
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Romulus Athletic Center |
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Mack Indoor Pool |
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The Wayne County Family Aquatics Center |
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Red Oaks Waterpark |
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Surfari Joe's Indoor Wilderness Waterpark |
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Zehnders Splash Village |
Spend the Day at a Museum 
Explore These Cities 
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Douglas, MI |
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Franklin Village,MI |
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Frankenmuth, MI |
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Grand Rapids, MI |
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Kalamazoo,MI |
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Toledo, OH |
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Flint, MI |
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Saginaw, MI |
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Cleveland, OH |
All Aboard Planes, Trains, and Automobiles 
Grow Some Fun at the Farm 
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Erwin Orchards and Cider Mill |
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Blake's Orchard and Cider Mill |
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Robin Hills Farm |
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Farmer Charley's Kackleberry Farm |
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Klackle Orchards and Family Fun |
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Wellington Farm Park |
Play Ball! 
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Detroit Tigers |
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Detroit Red Wings |
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Royal Oak Golf Center |
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Putterz |
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Advantage Sports |
Whoop It Up At A Festival or Fair
Connect with Nature 
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Farmington Hills Nature Center |
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Lake St. Clair Nature Center |
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Leslie Science and Nature Center |
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Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve |
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Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park |
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Saugatuck Dune Rides |
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Dow Gardens |
Amuse Yourself at These Amusement Parks 
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Michigan Adventure |
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Cedar Point |
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Red Oaks Water Park |
Talk to the Animals 
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Detroit Zoo |
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Toledo Zoo and Aquarium |
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Potter Park Zoo |
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Petting Farm at Domino's Farm |
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Maybury Riding Stable |
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Moo-ville |
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The Creature Convervancy |
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Sasha Farm |
Take A Spin on a Carousel 
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Detroit Zoo |
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Grand Rapids Public Museum |
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Silver Beach Carousel |
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Binder Park Zoo |
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Greenfield Village at the Henry Ford Complex |
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Crossroads Village |
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Children's Zoo at Celebration Square |
Get Active Indoors 
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Planet Rock Climbing Gym |
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Novi Ice Arena |
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AirTime Trampoline and Game Center |
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C.J. Barrymore's |
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Chelsea Tree House |
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Whirlyball Novi |
Challenge Yourself 
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Sky Ropes Farmington |
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Adventure Park |
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Argo Canoe and Kayak Livery |
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Detroit Institute of Art |
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Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra |
Limiting our list to 101 ideas meant some great destinations may have been left off the list - if there is something you’d like to see added, share it with us on Facebook!
Most of these destinations are within an hour from Ann Arbor. For those that are a bit farther away:
= Less than 1 hour away
= 1 to 2 hours away
= 2 to 3 hours away
= Just over 3 hours away