Detroit
World-class museums (DIA), pro sports, a riverfront that keeps getting better, and a food scene worth the drive.
Kensington Metropark
Swimming beach, miles of paved trails, a nature center, and a farm center the kids will love.
Waterloo Recreation Area
The largest state park in the Lower Peninsula: hiking, camping, lakes, and the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail.
Pinckney Recreation Area
Mountain biking, kayaking the chain of lakes, and the Potawatomi Trail.
Hell, Michigan
Go for the photo, stay for the trails and the ice cream. A classic day-trip novelty.
Toledo, Ohio
The Toledo Museum of Art and the zoo make an easy family day.
Frankenmuth
Bavarian-themed getaway: Bronner's, river cruises, and the famous chicken dinners.
Lake Michigan beaches
Grand Haven, Holland, Saugatuck: real sand-dune beach days, very doable for a long Saturday.
Drive times are approximate and depend on traffic and where you start.
Common questions
What day trips can you take from Ann Arbor?
Detroit (45 min), Kensington Metropark (30 min), Waterloo Recreation Area (30 min), Hell, Michigan (30 min), Toledo (1 hr), Frankenmuth (1.5 hrs), and Lake Michigan beaches (2.5 to 3 hrs) are all easy day trips.
How far is Ann Arbor from Detroit?
About 45 minutes by car via I-94, close enough for museums, pro sports, concerts, and the riverfront without living in the metro sprawl.
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