A plate of food with a swedish flag on it
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IKEA - Canton, MI
Credit: @seductiveeating

Explore Metro Detroit on Your Trip to IKEA

Story by Sarah Bence

Did you know that metro Detroit is home to the only IKEA in Michigan? IKEA is much more than just a furniture store – it’s a massive Scandinavian home-design complex that draws hundreds of visitors to Canton every day. Canton is just 30 miles from downtown Detroit. Make the most of your trip to IKEA and extend it into a day or weekend trip exploring Detroit and the metro area. Below is everything you need to know to plan your trip.

Where to Stay Near IKEA

Here are some great accommodations to consider staying in, if you’d like to maximize your time at IKEA and in the metro Detroit area by turning your IKEA run into a fun weekend trip.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Canton (4 miles from IKEA): Stick close to IKEA at Holiday Inn, which features an indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, and fitness center.

Red Roof Inn – Plymouth (4 miles): For an affordable classic that’s conveniently located, stay at Red Roof Inn which is a less than 10 minute drive to IKEA.

Saint John's Resort (7 miles): This luxury hotel in Plymouth is perfect for a relaxed weekend trip. In addition to breakfast and a pool, it also has world-class golf courses on the grounds.

Hilton Garden Inn – Plymouth (8 miles): This nearby Hilton brand hotel features continental breakfast, an indoor pool, and notably an on-site restaurant.

The Henry - Autograph Collection (21 miles): Want to stay closer to downtown Detroit for exploring, but still within an easy, simple drive of IKEA? Consider this modern and elegant hotel in Dearborn, which features valet parking, an on-site restaurant, a fitness center, pool, and more.

Where to Eat Near IKEA

The Detroit area is known for its foodie scene! Here are some restaurants to add to your itinerary, whether you’re looking for something close to IKEA, or you want to venture closer to downtown Detroit.

IKEA Restaurant (0 miles from IKEA): Of course, we have to start this list with the iconic IKEA restaurant itself. The restaurant is open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, for you to get your fill of Swedish meatballs and other dishes.

Peepo's Subs & Shawarma (.2 miles): Take a break from shopping and pop over to Peepo’s, which is only a 5-minute walk from IKEA. Here you can find some of the best shawarma in metro Detroit, sub sandwiches, delicious fruit smoothies, and more.
Kabuki Sushi (.3 miles): In the mood for sushi? Check out this nearby sushi restaurant, a 5-minute walk or 2-minute drive from IKEA. Alternatively, try one of the other amazing sushi restaurants in metro Detroit.

Toarmina's Pizza (.8 miles): Whether you’re in the mood for what’s been dubbed the “best vegan pizza in Michigan” or you’d like to go all out with a huge 24” pizza (non-vegan), then Toarmina’s is the spot!

Buddy's Pizza (1 mile): When in the Detroit area, you must try a famous Detroit-style pizza from the original inventors, Buddy’s Pizza. Buddy’s has multiple locations across Detroit and the metro area, but their Canton location is only a 5-minute drive from IKEA.

Pizzawala’s (2 miles): This place offers a unique spin on pizza with Indian-inspired flavors. Better yet? They’re part of the Detroit pizza pass.

FIVE Steakhouse (7 miles): For something a bit more upscale and fine dining, consider a steak dinner at this restaurant located within Saint John’s Resort.

Garden Grille & Bar (8 miles): This American-style bar and grill is conveniently located within the Hilton Garden Inn in Plymouth.

What to Do Near IKEA

Whether you want to stick close to IKEA in Canton, or adventure further into metro Detroit or even downtown Detroit, there is something for everyone in the area.

Shop at IKEA (obviously): You came here for IKEA, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to wander the displays and test out the furniture. If you make your trip into two or more days, you can always return to IKEA once you’ve had a chance to ponder your purchases!
Explore local parks: Canton is home to some nice parks and green spaces, including Heritage Park which is just a 10-minute drive from IKEA. Discover more parks in Oakland County here.

Go to the movies: Make it a wholesome evening after a day at IKEA, and catch the latest flick at Emagine Theater in Canton, just around the corner from IKEA. If you’re in the mood for something more unique, instead go to the Ford Drive-In theater in Dearborn, which features five outdoor screens and is open year-round. Find more movie theaters in Detroit here.

More shopping at Oakland Mall: If your weekend trip is shopping-themed, then be sure to also check out the Oakland Mall in Troy. This is one of the larger malls in Michigan, and is a 35-minute drive from IKEA.

Thrill-seek and play some games: There are plenty of places in metro Detroit where you can burn some energy and have fun after a day of shopping. Within Canton, try a round of neon, glow-in-the-dark mini golf at Zap Zone Glo-Golf (1 mile from IKEA); snap some photos at the unique and Instagram-able Me So Selfie Pix (1 mile); go trampolining at Skyzone Trampoline Park (4 miles); or even try axe-throwing, bubble soccer, a ropes course, and more at The Tailgate Garage (6 miles from IKEA).

Visit a museum: If you want to inject some history and culture into your weekend getaway, be sure to pay a visit to a nearby metro Detroit museum. Consider a trip to the Canton Historical Society and Museum (4 miles from IKEA), Yankee Air Museum (10 miles), Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation (22 miles), Arab American National Museum (25 miles), or any number of the other nationally regarded museums in metro Detroit.

Explore Downtown Detroit: If you have enough time, why not venture from Canton into downtown Detroit?

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Credit: Arab American National Museum

Getting to Detroit from IKEA in Canton

Driving from IKEA to downtown Detroit is relatively simple and takes about 30 minutes.

You’ll first want to get on the I-275 North ramp to Flint. Then, take exit 29 onto the I-96 East toward Detroit. Once you get closer to downtown, your directions will depend on your exact destination but you’ll likely want to merge onto the M-10 which takes you close to downtown.

Here is a brief guide to parking in Detroit.

Things to Do in Downtown Detroit:

Visit the Detroit Institute of Arts

Browse Eastern Market, the largest outdoor farmer’s market in the USA

Catch a professional sports game downtown – whether that’s hockey, football, basketball, or baseball
Dine at award-winning restaurants

Go shopping on Woodward Avenue

Explore the riverfront, Dequindre Cut, or any number of outdoor spaces and paths

And more!

Eat, Drink, and Have Fun in Plymouth

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