The largest city in Michigan, Detroit is a beautiful city that lays between the northwest bank of the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair. Downtown Detroit, nestled on the water’s edge, is brimming with attractions to explore, as well as many popular restaurants, marvelous shops, and intriguing quarters like Greektown. Most famous for its connection with automotive icon Henry Ford, the city is also home to numerous traditional neighborhoods, including an Arab-American locality that has exceptional Middle Eastern dining facilities.
If you are coming to the city for a vacation, plan a visit to one of the top 5 weekend getaways from Detroit to enjoy yourself completely.
Traverse City, Michigan
A fantastic weekend break from Detroit, Traverse City is popular for its cherries, cultural and artistic importance, and vibrance history. Museums, art galleries, monuments, historical sites, vineyards, and numerous such attractions add diversity and flavor to the urban space. If there’s one thing that the city is known for, it’s upholding and repurposing history, and that is what you experience at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons. Other important places around here to see include the Dennos Museum Center and Front Street.
Best Time to Visit: The most suggested time to visit Traverse City is between June to August when the city experiences wonderful weather.
How to Reach: You could drive down to Traverse City from Detroit in a car that will take four and a half hours and cost between $26 to $37 in fuel. Alternatively, you could also take a bus from Detroit to Grand Rapids and then change over to Traverse City. This journey, however, takes slightly over nine hours and cost between $42 to $60.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
The childhood home of the 38th President of the United States of America, Gerald Ford, Grand Rapids is considered both a natural and a cultural attraction within a short distance from Detroit. Some of the most prominent tourist attractions here include the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum that houses a mini version of the President’s Oval Office; Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, and the Meyer May House, designed by none other than Frank Lloyd Wright.
Best Time to Visit: The most recommended time to visit Grand Rapids is between the months of June till August and September till mid-November. The summer heat and the pleasant temperatures of fall are ideal for enjoying the city’s outdoor activities.
How to Reach: The most convenient way to travel between the two locations is to take a direct bus that will transport you within four and a half hours for $23 to $35 in bus fare. If you prefer driving though, you could do that for under three hours and only spend $16 to $23.
Bay City, Michigan
With its windy Lake Huron access and a stunning riverfront, stretching from one end to another — there’s something painlessly calm about this nautical city. On one end, Downtown’s celebrated structures hold everything from artisanal cafes to vintage shops, bistros, and brewpubs. On the other, Uptown flaunts its tiny fleet of posh brasseries and boutiques that compel the Riverwalk landscapes. A few popular spots around the area include the Delta College Planetarium and Learning Center, the Riverwalk Pier, and the Veterans Memorial Park.
Best Time to Visit: The most preferred months to visit are February, March, and August. Overall, spring and summer are the two best seasons to be here.
How to Reach: There are three different ways to get to Bay City. First, you could take a bus to Flint and change over to Bay City. Second, you could drive down. And, finally, you could take a flight to Saginaw and drive to Bay City which is only 15 minutes from here. The fastest is to drive which takes a couple of hours.
Cleveland, Ohio
The second-largest city in Ohio, Cleveland portrays modernization with a rustic hint. Flats East Bank, the convergence of Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie, is where all the action takes place. History buff would enjoy a stroll through the city’s famous Historical Warehouse District, Gateway District, and the spectacular museums that Cleveland has to offer. Don’t miss out on Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland Museum of Art, and Great Lakes Science Center during your visit.
Best Time to Visit: The preferred months to visit the city are between September and October or April and May as the temperatures aren’t freezing like in the winter months or hot and humid like in the summer.
How to Reach: A direct flight to Cleveland takes under an hour and costs between $65 to $220. Or, you could take a direct Greyhound bus that takes under four hours and costs between $23 and $35.
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Been featured on so many parodies, songs, and limericks may have made Kalamazoo seem like a fabled city such as the Atlantic, but the city is extremely real and extremely fun with plenty of entertainment for you. If you have always wanted to see grand castles, Henderson Castle, established in 1895, has everything that you could expect from such a lavish estate, including parks, ballrooms, wineries, and more. Kalamazoo Museum is one of the coolest places in the state of Michigan that promotes a hands-on experience that motivates creativity and discovery.
Best Time to Visit: The most suggested time to visit the city of Kalamazoo is the warmer months from mid-June till mid-September.
How to Reach: If you are not keen on driving, you could either take a direct train or a bus. Both take between three to four hours and cost between $20 to $50.
Planning a holiday is one of the greatest experiences that you could have, but the hassle of deciding on a location, finding out places to see, and exploring activities that you would be interested in could be quite bothersome. Detroit offers a multitude of attractions to enjoy and things to do no matter what your interests are. These weekend getaways from Detroit will not only inspire you with its topmost destinations but also give you memories that will last a lifetime.