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5 Best Things to Do in Spring in Southeast Michigan

things to do in spring in southeast michigan

5 Best Things to Do in Southeast Michigan in Spring

Looking for the Best Things to Do in Spring in Southeast Michigan?

We’ve got them for you. Thanks to the abundance of beautiful parks and naturals areas in southeast Michigan, there are tons of things to do to celebrate springtime.

From hiking and biking trails and kayaking to petting farms welcoming new life, spring in southeast Michigan is filled with unique opportunities for indoor and outdoor adventure.

Here is our list of the five best things to do in Spring in Southeast Michigan!

hidden lake gardens in southeast gardens in michigan in spring.

See the Kensington Metropark Farm Center
4570 Huron River Parkway, Milford, MI 48380

A visit to this charming little farm set inside Kensington Metropark in Milford, complete with a 150-year old restored barn, is the perfect spring activity for all ages.

In addition to seeing cute farm animals like goats, cows, sheep, chickens, pigs and horses up close, you can get a good sense of farm life in the poultry house and through the many farm exhibits.

This is a pretty spot that feels like it is miles away from the busy southeast Michigan suburbs. Follow the winding path past a fragrant herb garden, and take a walk to the nearby Huron River. Here, you’ll find a stone labyrinth, a one-of-a-kind “green” building (made exclusively of natural materials), a grass maze and an early skills area – including a blacksmith shop and brick oven.

hidden lake gardens

Become on with Nature at Hidden Lake Gardens
6214 Monroe Road (Hwy M-50), Tipton, MI 49287

Truly on of Michigan’s best-kept secrets, Hidden Lake Gardens is a 756-acre nature preserve and botanical garden located Michigan’s Irish Hills, southwest of Ann Arbor.

You’ll love the conservatory with colorful tropical and non-tropical plants, and various gardens including a Bonsai Garden, Hosta Garden, Perennial Garden and my favorite, a garden containing flowers native to Michigan. You’ll find 12 miles of hiking paths and paved biking trails, well as a six-mile drive winding through an arboretum of towering trees. The best part/ you can bring your leashed dog along to enjoy this amazing spot.

Watch the event calendar, as fun educational programs and events are held throughout the year.
Owned and operated by Michigan State University, this really cool place is going to get even cooler with the opening of a 65-foot-high Canopy Walk in April 2023, too.

best things to do in detroit with kids

Shop the Farm at Eastern Market in Detroit
2934 Russell Street, Detroit MI 48207

One of my favorite places in the city, this historic Detroit market really comes alive in the spring. That’s when you’ll find tons of fresh flowers and shrubs jockeying for position among the fresh vegetables and home-spun goods lining the market stalls.

The whole atmosphere here is intoxicating on the weekends with the sights and smells of endless rows of fresh and baked goods. More than 150 years old, Eastern Market is said to be the largest open-air market in the country, and I believe it.

Eastern Market Flower Day, held in late May, is a highlight of the spring season for hard-core and weekend gardeners alike. Truth be told, you can find great deals and an amazing selection all season long.

The market is open on Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays, and you’ll find the largest selection of vendors on Saturdays. Make a day of it and plan to spend some time visiting the shops and restaurants in the area. Roma Café, Vivio’s and Supino’s Pizzeria are some of the best eats in the city.

best things to do in michgan in spring

Visit Heritage Park and the Farmington Hills Nature Center
4300 Main Park Road, Shelby Township, MI 48316

Have you ever wanted to see all the local critters up close and in person? This is your chance. more than 2000 square-foot Farmington Hills Nature Center is home to interpretive exhibits featuring dear owl box squirrels and more.

Seeing these creatures depicted in their natural habitats is amazing, and it gives you a better connection with the natural world. You’ll also find a bird viewing area and a native fish aquarium that’s fun to check out, too. The naturalists on-site provide information as well as classes to learn more, if you are interested.

There’s more fun outdoors, too. You’ll find hiking trails along a meandering stream, picnic tables, volleyball courts and a huge splash pad for the kids if it’s warm enough in late spring.

best indoor play places and playgrounds in Michigan

Paddle Stony Creek Lake in Stony Creek Metropark
4300 Main Park Road, Shelby Township, MI 48316

One of my favorite kayaking spots in southeast Michigan is tucked away in Macomb County’s Stony Creek Metropark. The 500-acre lake is a pretty setting. It’s a quiet lake with sailboats, paddleboarders and fishing boats, so it’s always pretty relaxing here no matter when you visit.

The lake is surrounded by a 4500-acre park with wetlands, fields and prairies, so there is lots of wildlife to see. Kayak your way to the cove at the east end of the island and you might see some swans, geese and other animals.

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