Discover Plymouth Michigan
Are you looking for the best things to do in Plymouth Michigan?
Look no further than Plymouth, for big fun and a taste of small-town American life. We’re sharing 15 top things to do in Plymouth, a charming small town located in metro Detroit’s Wayne County.
This historic community is renowned for the wonderful collection of small businesses that make up its beautiful downtown area, as well as it’s walkable and family-friendly feel. What’s more, the city is full of fun and exciting activities for people of all ages, from farmers markets to seasonal festivals and fairs that attract crowds from around the state.
Plymouth is regularly rated as one of the best places to live in Michigan, and even more, it’s a great destination for a day trip!
Read on for our guide to the best things to do in Plymouth MI!
How to Get to Plymouth Michigan by Car
From Dearborn, MI:
Follow Hines Drive west and exit at Haggerty Rd., heading south. Turn left on Ann Arbor Trail and folow it about a mile into town.
From Ann Arbor, MI:
Take M-14 east to the Sheldon Rd. exit
From Grand Rapids, MI:
Follow I-96 East to I-275 South. Take I-275 the Ann Arbor Rd exit and head east to Plymouth.
Top Things to Do in Plymouth Michigan
The Penn Theatre
760 Penniman Avenue, Plymouth MI
Thinking about a night at the movies? The Penn has you covered! This iconic downtown theater has played to its patrons for over 80 years and counting, its grand facade presiding over the city like a relic of days past. It’s one of the last classic, small town movie theaters in southeast Michigan, and that just makes a visit even more special.
Whether you’re watching an indie film, an old-time holiday classic or the latest action flick, this downtown Plymouth movie theater is a don’t-miss.
The Penn continues to operate under support from the Plymouth community, which seeks to preserve the historic theater through donations and volunteer work. With an atmosphere unrivaled, there’s no better place for cinema in Plymouth than the Penn!
Take A Walk in Kellogg Park
298 S Main St, Plymouth MI 48170
The jewel of downtown Plymouth is most certainly the beautiful Kellogg Park. Set right in the heart of the city, Kellogg Park is a wonderful place to go for a stroll, relax, or sunbathe.
The park is also home to several exciting events throughout the year, including live music, the city’s superb seasonal festivals, and Art in the Park, an art fair that sees hundreds of artists come from all over the country to showcase and create multitudes of different kinds of artwork.
If large events aren’t your thing, however, consider visiting the park on a sunny day and visiting its fountain. This brilliant monument was restored with a price tag of 1.2 million dollars! With that in mind, it’s safe to say that tossing a coin into this fountain won’t be a waste!
Explore Old Village Plymouth
On the corner of Starkweather and W Liberty St
If you’re looking to get away from the busier parts of Plymouth, then consider a stroll over to Old Village Plymouth. Located only a few blocks northeast of downtown, Old Village’s history dates to the 1840s when Plymouth had not even become a city yet. Old Village (also known as Lowertown) is a great place to walk around, and its grounds are home to many small shops and restaurants!
If you happen to come by in the evening, consider attending Hermann’s Old Town Grille, a great spot for food, fun, and laughs. Another wonderful dining experience is Crawford’s Kitchen, a small little family diner with wonderful breakfast and brunch options. Altogether, Old Village is a great thing to do when looking for good food and an even better atmosphere.
Plymouth Historical Museum
155 S Main St, Plymouth MI
If you’re searching for a little insight into the history of the city, the Plymouth Historical Museum has you covered. Located on Main Street opposite Town Hall, the Historical Museum is a blast from the past that takes you into the Plymouth of 100 years ago.
One of the exhibits featured in the museum is its recreation of Plymouth’s Main Street from the 19th century. Here we see a horse and buggy, old business fronts, and the historically accurate clothing of the time all featured within.
Other special attractions include the museum’s Plymouth and the fascinating Abraham Lincoln exhibit. Overall, if you are looking for a fun and educational way to spend time within Plymouth, the Historical Museum is the attraction for you!
Plymouth Farmers Market
Downtown Plymouth
The Plymouth Farmers Market is one of the most popular farmers markets in Wayne County, and with good reason. Held on Saturdays during May through October from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the market features a wide variety of fun items.
From local Michigan (in season) produce and flowers to eggs, meats, and baked goods, you’ll also find popcorn, cherry products, salsa & BBQ sauces, pastas & sauces, honey, jams & jellies and more.
Keep your eye out for a variety of handmade and recycled items including candles, soaps, lotions, hand-painted furniture & frames, jewelry, birdhouses and garden & holiday deco and more.
Play a Round at the Inn at St. Johns Golf Course
44045 Five Mile Rd, Plymouth, MI 48170
This stunning golf course is closed for the 2023 season due to an expansion that will feature a Chamopnship 18-hole, Par 72 course that will open for the 2024 golf season.
Shopping in Plymouth MI
Westborn Market
860 Penniman Avenue, Plymouth, MI
It might be surprising to see Westborn Market on this list, considering it’s a Metro Detroit grocery chain that is not native to Plymouth, Michigan. However, you jut need to visit this downtown Plymouth location to understand the significance of this stunning establishment.
The grocery store is located in an old and repurposed post office building that dates back to the 1930s. In a fun and whimsical twist, the owners chose to keep many of the original features of the post office intact, such as the building’s facade and its many mailboxes present throughout the local market.
In addition to groceries, Westborn also offers a delicious and wide variety of fresh food made and prepared daily in its open kitchen. Whether you’re looking for groceries for the week or a quick bite to eat, Westborn is a fast, easy, and delicious option!
Earth Lore
895 Wing St, Plymouth, MI 48170
This cultural gifts store is billed as “Where Art, Scince and Tradition Meet.” It’s fun to browse their unique collection of crystals, herbs and New Age products.
Sideways
505 Forest Ave # 1, Plymouth, MI 48170
Filled with a carefully curated collection of home goods, gourmet kitchen items and fine papers, this is set on Forest Avenue, a top shopping destination in downtown Plymouth.
Kemnitz Candies
896 W Ann Arbor Trail, Plymouth, MI 48170
Located in the middle of the Ann Arbor Road shopping corridor just steps from Kellogg Park in downtown Plymouth, this old-fashioned candy shop offers a wide variety of sweet treats including handmade chocolates, fudge and other tasty confections.
More Plymouth Stores to Explore:
- Muriel’s Dollhouse is a pink-fronted specialty toy store filled with toys, dolls, stuffed aniamals and more. This is where you’ll find unique and well-made toys like Playmobil and high-end dolls.
- Haven of Plymouth is filled with uniqie homegoods and specialty decor items with a full-service interior design studio.
- Plymouth Coffee Bean is a favorite coffeehouse offering crepes, sandwiches & pastries, with a patio & live music nights.
- Sean O’Callaghans Public House is an old-world Irish Pub where you’ll find live Celtic tunes and house-made Irish dishes, such as Shepherd’s Pie, Lamb Shank Irish Stew, Corned Beef & Cabbage & Fish n’ Chips and more.
- Pizza E Vino certified Neapolitan thin-crust pizza served with wood-fired oven & wall of wine.
Must-Visit Restaurants and Places to Eat in Plymouth Michigan:
Compari’s
350 S Main St., Plymouth, MI
Fans of Italian food need look no further than Plymouth’s Compari’s for a good meal. The family-owned and operated restaurant has for years proved to be a cornerstone of the city’s fine dining experience.
The establishment is also a conglomerate with the two neighboring restaurants Fiamma and The Sardine Room; a dish at any proves to be a winner.
In addition to its Italian entrees, Compari’s also offers a variety of Michigan-themed courses, such as the Sautéed Great Lakes Perch and the Michigan Orchard Salad. Overall, if you’re looking for a romantic night out or a fun time with family and friends, Compari’s is the place for you!
Barrio
555 Forest Ave, Plymouth MI 48170
If you’ve got a craving for Mexican food, Barrio is the only place to be in Plymouth. On warm summer and fall evenings, they have one of the coziest and comfortable patios in western Wayne County.
Located on Forest Avenue, this Mexican restaurant offers a wonderful selection of Spanish entrees and courses, including the best tortilla chips you’ll ever have! Their street tacos are also killer, and if you’re dining with friends you cannot look past the nachos. So, if you’re looking to lose a few notches on your belt, Barrio is the restaurant in Plymouth to be at!
Bode’s Corned Beef House
280 N Main St, Plymouth MI 48170
Finally, Bode’s Corned Beef House is the breakfast place you must visit for a true taste of small-town American life. Located right by the train track, Bode’s has been a staple of Plymouth for decades.
The atmosphere inside is delightful, with great smells and food alike! Their corned beef hash takes precedence for a reason, as it is possibly the greatest you will ever taste. Look no further than Bode’s–they’re the breakfast joint for you.
Coffee Bean
844 Penniman Avenue, Plymouth MI 48170
Coffee fans and addicts can rejoice with this entry on the list, as The Plymouth Coffee Bean Co. is the local cafe that will suit all your coffee and tea needs! Located right next to Westborn Market, The Coffee Bean has served the residents of Plymouth for over three decades.
You can choose to drink their beverages either outside on the establishment’s outdoor patio or inside their multicolored walls, which hold hundreds of different stickers and paintings from local artists in the area.
The Coffee Bean also features several live music events, making it a fun place to go when searching for entertainment in the city. Overall, the Coffee Bean serves coffee with love, and a trip to this local cafe proves a great place to visit with family and friends!
Dairy King
232 S Main Street, Plymouth MI
If you are in the mood for an icy cold treat, there is no better place than Plymouth’s Dairy King. This acclaimed establishment dates to 1951 and has remained a hallmark of the Plymouth community ever since.
Their number of flavors is incredible; you name the flavor, they have it.
Customers can always find shade in the parlor’s back patio area or cool down inside where they will find a wonderful collection of Beatles’ memorabilia and other icons of the 60s and 70’s adorning the walls. The place is absolutely jam-packed with legends!
Overall, if you’re looking for a fun way to spend a sunny afternoon, Dairy King is the place to be and the thing to do in Plymouth, Michigan.
More Amazing Places to Eat in Plymouth Michigan
- Nico and Valli
744 Wing St, Plymouth, MI 48170 - Omelette and Waffle Cafe
580 Forest Ave, Plymouth, MI 48170 - Cantoro’s Italian Market and Trattoria
15550 N Haggerty Rd, Plymouth, MI 48170 - Bigalora Woodfired Cucina
777 W Ann Arbor Trail, Plymouth, MI 48170
Don’t-Miss Festivals in Plymouth, MI
Music in the Park
Kellogg Park, Plymouth
One of the most beloved downtown Plymouth events, the Music in the Air summer concert series is a highlight of the summer.
Held in picturesque Kellogg Park in downtown Plymouth, you can bring blankets and chairs to sit on while listening to music. You can also bring your picnic basket or try something from one of the local vendors selling food and beverages.
Enjoyed by both locals and visitors from surrounding areas, this is a great way to experience Plymouth downtown.
This annual event offers music fans a free chance to see a variety of musical genres, such as jazz, blues, rock, and classical music. Find parking near Kellogg Park on the surrounding side streets, behind the Penn Theater or in the downtown parking garage.
Plymouth Fall Festival
Filled with everything from fun kids activities and carnival rides to food vendors and live music, the Plymouth Fall Festival is a longtime staple of the community. This three-day festival is always held the first weekend after Labor Day, and is a great way to start off the autumn season.
Plymouth Ice Festival
An annual winter event held in January or February; the Plymouth Ice Festival is one of the top Michigan ice sculpture festivals.
Offering an amazing chance to see spectacular ice carving and other works of icy art, this fun festival in southeast Michigan is more than an ice sculpture festival. Best of all? It’s Free!
For a full weekend, charming downtown Plymouth, MI with fun activities ranging from a petting zoo and playground to a BINGO scavenger hunt and watching a movie at the historic Penn Theater. You an bring kids near the sculptures, too, so they can gain an appreciation for these unique works of art.
Plymouth Art Festival: Art in Park
Another one of the top Plymouth events, the annual Plymouth Art Festival is another one of the stop downtown Plymouth events.
Featuring over 400 artists offering everything from paintings, sculpture, ceramics and jewelry to glass, woodwork photography, folk art and more, this is one Michigan summer festival you won’t want to miss. You’ll also find entertainment and cuisine, along with tons of kid-friendly activities.
Looking for More Fun Attractions Near Plymouth MI?
About the Author:
William Orr has been a native Michigander all his life. He was born in Plymouth, Michigan in 2002 and now attends college at The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor studying English and Communications. William is currently a content writer for My Michigan Beach and in the future, he dreams of becoming a novelist. William’s interests include guitar, fitness, and writing.