Best Day Trips To Take From Detroit

Detroit is an industrial city that is in constant flux, but the state around it sits very still in time. As you drive out of Detroit, you are quickly immersed in some of the most beautiful scenery Michigan has to offer, with quietly romantic towns to explore and Canada only a stone’s throw away on the other side of the river. Here is Culture Trip’s guide to the most exciting day trips to take when escaping Detroit.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Ann Arbor

Natural Feature

Found in the Lower Peninsula, only 45 minutes’ drive from Detroit, Ann Arbor is perhaps best known as an eclectic college town. With youthful energy and thriving with graduates, it has become a modern tech hub. The arts and culture have certainly also boomed in this setting as satellite towns open up to support it. If you are a foodie who appreciates a spin on global cuisine then arrive with an empty stomach; the choices are endless.

Frankenmuth

Architectural Landmark
For those who like to experience the quaint or the bizarre, Frankenmuth feels like a cartoon trip where you surrender your senses to someone’s enormous vision. Founded in 1845 by 15 German missionaries who had a serious intention to preserve their heritage, the architecture is Bavarian to say the least. For anyone even remotely into hearty German food, there are over-a-century-old establishments selling sausage and sauerkraut to the sound of a glockenspiel. It has to be seen to be believed and is absolutely ideal to visit at Christmas time.

Ojibway Prairie Nature Reserve

Natural Feature

On the other side of the Detroit River lies Canada and the city of Windsor in particular. Head to the outskirts of Windsor to find 865 acres (350 hectares) of parks, trails and nature reserves, which are teeming with all kinds of creatures including snakes and wild birds that call the forest or the waterways their home. Prepare to see deer, turtles and much more. Choose either the short or long trail for a beautiful day in nature. Be wary of ticks and mosquitoes in their seasons.

New Buffalo, Michigan

Natural Feature
Around three hours west of Detroit, on the mouth of the Galien River, don’t miss the chance to catch some waves. Lake surfing is not as common as its seaside cousin, but the power of Lake Michigan allows for some action. This beach ambience extends to glorious sunsets, and a ton of places to eat, drink and party. With a large casino resort and live concert entertainment, this is the place to head for those who like to let their hair down after a long soaking up the sun.

Grand Rapids

Natural Feature

Grand Rapids on the Grand River, east of Lake Michigan, is around a two-hour drive northwest out of Detroit. Michigan is renowned for its nature and sense of escape, but the cities can provide quite the opposite and are a concentrated hub of excitement. With more than 20 breweries, it has dutifully earned its title of ‘Beer City,’ which sets the scene for its vibrant nightlife.

Port Stanley and Port Stanley Terminal Rail

Natural Feature
Head northeast into Canada along Lake Erie for two hours, and you will eventually hit Port Stanley – a historical fishing village that has benefited from tourists escaping the big city for a ‘small town by the sea’ experience. In the off-season, the clean and quiet beach with clear water comes into its own. Seek out the Port Stanley Terminal Rail, which is a train depot with a small museum. Take the beautifully restored old heritage train for four miles along picturesque scenery for a full local experience.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.