With Facebook full of last day of school photos we at Detroit Moms Blog know that that means the kids are home and will soon be asking the age old question “what are we going to do to day?” We thought we could help you out and put together the Ultimate Summer Bucket List for you to plan out your summer break with all kinds of fun things to keep boredom from striking your house. Click on each category to see what’s going on or download the printable DMB Ultimate Summer Bucket List and check things off as you go! Did we miss something? Comment below so we can add it!
Art & Entertainment
- Cheer on the Tigers at Comerica Park.
- Go on a nature walk and have your child collect their own items to make a nature college.
- Listen to Pentatonix at Meadow Brook Amphitheater.
- Summer in Michigan is full of fairs and festivals. Check out our amazing guide to find one that works for you and your family.
- Head to the Fox Theater on June 17th for a night of comedy features Seth Myers .Tickets start at $28.50. If dancing is more your style, why not check out Dancing with the Stars: Live! on July 28th. Tickets start at $29.50.
- Check out Wild Summer Nights at the Detroit Zoo. Every Wednesday in July and August enjoy a variety of music concerts. This is free with Zoo admission.
- Do you and your kids love cars? Check out The Belle Isle Grand Prix. It takes place June 2nd-4th.
Food & Drink
- Hit up Food Truck Friday’s at the Lathrup Village for a relaxed dinner and live music.
- Visit Amici’s Pizza in Berkley for epic pizza & fab patio dining. Grab a delicious martini while you are here too!
- Looking for the best brunch with glam patio seating? Check out The Bird & The Bread in downtown Birmingham.
- If Bloody Marys are your thing, The Block in Detroit has hands down the best!
- Southfield’s got lunch covered for you on select Friday’s this summer. Stop by Eat to the Beat to check out a food truck for lunch and catch some tunes.
- Vegetarian and Vegan food more your style? Check out Vegbash on June 29th or VegMichigan’s SummerFest on August 6th to find your new favorites.
- Fan of pie, pizza pie? Motor City Pizza Fest is where you need to be on August 3.
- Royal Oak Farmers Market is playing host to Summer Beer Fest 2017 on June 17th.
- If hard ciders suit your test, head over to Blake’s Cider Mill for the 3rd Annual Cider Dayze Festival on August 26-27.
- Eastern Market is hosting a series of Adult Cooking Classes if you need an interactive date night.
- Everyone loves a great burger, check out Burger Battle Detroit 2017 at Shed 5 of Eastern Market on June 25th.
- Outdoor seating and right on the water sounds like the perfect summer dinner, head out to Junction Buoy in Marysville.
- Check out the new Bucharest Grill on the Livernois Avenue of Fashion. While there check out the boutiques and art gallery.
- Pieology Pizzeria in Royal Oak puts a new spin on this round favorite.
The Great Outdoors
- Hit up Kensington Metropark, Belle Isle, or Camp Dearborn for a day at the beach.
- Summer Discovery tours on Lake St. Claire (ages 6 and older) learn about lakes, light houses, shipwrecks, ecology, and more!
- Try out a high ropes course! You can find one at Stony Creek Metropark or The Adventure Park in West Bloomfield.
- Hit the trails on horseback! Head to Maybury Riding Stable or Pine River Stables for a trail ride.
- Did you know you can do more than apple pick and many of the area orchards? Check out the amazing harvest calendar from Blakes. You can pick strawberries, cherries, or broccoli, just to name a few. Many of the other orchards offer a variety of u-pick produce, so be sure to check our apple orchard guide to see if an orchard near you does.
- Are you a yogi? Try out Yoga on the Riverfront. Classes are held in the wetland area of Milliken State Park.
- Go for a hike or bike ride on the Macomb Orchard Trail, a 24 mile linear park.
- Looking to do something a little different? Why not try the Detroit Cycle Boat and experience the Detroit River in a whole new way.
- Camp out in your back yard and roast marshmallows for s’mores.
- Take part in a race! You can head to Detroit for the Sugar Rush 5K, or Plymouth for the Color me Rad 5K, Check out this list for summer races within 25 miles of Detroit.
- Host a rocking BBQ with neighbors. You supply the main course, and everyone else brings a dish to pass. Be sure to have a variety of outdoor games, so everyone can visitm play, and have fun.
- Join the Sunrise Club and enjoy friends, music and snacks, as you enjoy the sunrise over the city of Detroit.
- Go on a hayride through the woods at Kensington. The price is $5 per adult, $3 seniors (62+) and children 3-12. Children 2 and under are free. You will need a Metropark vehicle entry permit ($35) is needed
- Head to the 982-acre island park, Belle Isle.
- Participate in the Riverfront Run on June 10th. Run either a 5K or 10K, and enjoy the views of the RiverWalk.
#LoveDetroit Date Night
- See Detroit in a whole new by taking a river boat tour! You can check out either the Detroit Princess Riverboat or the Diamond Jack River Boat Tours.
- Pack the car and head to a drive-in movie! You can catch a drive in at the USA Hockey Arena or the Ford Drive In
- Check out a local comedy club such as Go Comedy! , Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle , or Planet Ant
- Send the kids to Grandma and Grandpa’s and enjoy some quality alone time at home. Order in and binge watch a show.
- Put away the phones at 3&Up Board Game Lounge in Plymouth. They have over 1,000 electronic free games to play.
- Hit up one of the many breweries in our area. Check this list out for ten (of the many) breweries we love.
- Head to the Detroit Zoo after hours for Sunset at the Zoo and celebrate the Detroit Zoological Society’s green initiative. Tickets start at $150.
- Use your detective skills at The Great Escape Room. Will you make it out in 60 minutes?
- Get a group together and check out a paddle bar! Detroit offers two options, Detroit Cycle Club or the Handlebar Detroit
- Looking for a little adventure? Try out Friday Night Canoe at and Stony Creek Metropark.
- Head to The Cranbrook Art Museum to check out one of the current exhibitions
- If you like wine, why not check out Wild Bests Wild Wine event at the Detroit Zoo. You will get to sample wine from more than 40 wineries, while seeing the zoo at night. Tickets start at $45, and you must be 21+ years to enter.
- Take a segway tour of Detroit
- Looking to celebrate America? Check out Greenfield Village and their Salute to America
Family Fun
- Did you ever want a behind the scenes look at Comerica Park? You can take a tour and see the dug out, batting tunnel, and more. Tickets start at $4.
- What better way to beat the summer heat than to play in the water! There are many splash pads around Metro Detroit, many of which are free. Check out our guide to find one close to you!
- Catch a magic show by John Russel at the Trenton Cultural Center
- Head to the Detroit Zoo for the day. Between the Polk Penguin Conservation Center, and the Australian Outback Adventure, there is something for every one. If you think you’ll visit the zoo more the once, a membership is a great idea!
- Looking for something a little educational? Check out Reading and Rhythm on the Riverfront. Stretching six weeks through the summer, listen to local celebrities or business people read a book, then enjoy some interactive music. Plus all children who attend get a free book!
- Take the kids to the Northville Marquis to see Jungle Book.
- See how many ice cream shops you can hit up. Need ideas? Check out our guide to 10 ice cream experiences you can have.
- Is it raining? Have no fear, we have your back. Check our our ultimate indoor play guide.
- Check out one of the many fairs or festivals in our area. Browsing art, eating an elephant ear, that’s the life!
- Does your little one like music? Check out Kids Komotion a free series at Marshbank Park in West Bloomfield. On June 29th (6pm), July 20th (10am), or August 17th (6pm). Bring a blanket and jam!
- Go back in time and visit Greenfield Village.
- Take some time to visit the Belle Isle Aquarium
- Join a local library for their Summer reading program
- Head to the DIA, and check out a drop in workshop. At Stabiles, use scissors and card stock to create a free standing sculpture. This workshop runs from July 11-July 13th 11:00am-3:00pm
- Take a mini vacay and head Up North. There is nothing better than relaxing on the lake.
- Take a stroll into the past at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm. This 16 acre complex features original structures from 1840.
- Hanging with Heroes is back again! Come hang out with the Detroit Moms Blog, and heroes such as Spiderman at the Plymouth Fire station.
- Check out Drawing in the Galleries at the DIA, where you can create a pencil drawing to take home with you,
- Dress up in your favorite pincess dress and go toWolcott Mill Metorpark for Princess Tea. The cost is $8
Sports
- Cheer on the Unicorns, Beavers, or Diamond Hoppers at the family friendly Jimmy John’s stadium. The United Shore Baseball league boasts great prices and all the fun of Tiger’s stadium without the chaos!
- If you are a Detroit purist, check out a Tiger’s game downtown. Bonus: they have an awesome nursing room!
- Looking for a game of the no-hands variety? Detroit City FC puts on a great game of soccer and being in the crowd is an awesome experience.
- When your littles get excited about soccer after seeing the pros play, sign them up to play for themselves with Total Soccer.
