Spend the Day in Pontiac
Story by Brandon Alger
Pontiac was first settled in 1818 and was the second European-American settlement in what was Michigan Territory. Prior to this, Pontiac had been traversed by indigenous peoples along the Saginaw Trail, between Detroit and Saginaw Bay, for centuries. After European settlement, Pontiac grew and a century later thrived as the automotive industry took hold in the city. It was a common destination during the Great Migration of the 1910s - 20s.
As Pontiac continued to grow, it became home to the Detroit Lions. During the late-20th Century Pontiac began to decline. This continued through the Great Recession, but from 2010 to 2020, Pontiac posted a 3.5% population growth and is today one of the more exciting places in Oakland County with an incredibly bright future. If you find yourself in Pontiac today, here are a list of nearby highlights to visit:
Visit Downtown Pontiac
With 59 retail shops, 13 bars, countless restaurants and cafes, and 4 theaters, Downtown Pontiac makes the perfect stop before your main event. Here are some of my favorite spots:
Fillmore 13 Brewery - Brewing in house, Fillmore 13 is a small craft brewer with rotating taps. Their flagship beer is the War Cry IPA; however, my favorite is their black lager, aptly named Into the Void. Be sure to check out the kitchen too with standard brewery options, including burgers and pizza.
Alley Cat Cafe - 31 N Saginaw - Open Tuesday through Sunday for dinner hours, with the bar open later, Alley Cat offers a creative and refreshing menu you might only expect to find in Detroit. Cocktails and happy hour menus are also available, and if you have a private event, don’t sleep on their catering.
M1 Grill - 50501 Woodward Ave - The dining room is small, but the food is incredible and you can order breakfast, lunch, or dinner until midnight. The portions are great, and for standard grill/diner fare you will not be disappointed.
Cloud 22 Glassworks - 22 N Saginaw Street - Offering exotic glass for decoration, smoking, or accessorizing anything you would want to enhance with glass, the professionals at Cloud 22 have something for you, and if they don’t - they can make it.
Michigan Mittens - 111 Perry Street - Michigan themed everything is available here. Decorations, socks, blankets, coffee mugs, scarves, towels, pet accessories, and yes - also mittens. Their online store is great, but you need to visit the brick and mortar store in person for the full experience.
Explore the Past at The Pine Grove Historical Museum
Located on 4.5 acres, the Wisner Mansion and its associated buildings were home to former Michigan Governor Wisner, who moved to Oakland County from New York in 1845. Events and group tours can be arranged by contacting museum management through their website.
Catch Live Music at The Croofot
The Crofoot hosts some of the most fun shows in the metro area. They may not host your arena rock bands, but there’s always a fun pop, metal, or rap show to catch. The stage is small and the venue can be tight, so keep your expectations realistic, but the venue is everything you want for a smaller, more intimate show with artists you and a couple pals really enjoy. All tickets are General Admission, so arrive early. Street parking is available throughout downtown Pontiac, but expect to pay $5-10 at off-street lots.
GM Performance and Racing Center
Experience High Octane, at the GM Performance and Racing Center. Paying tribute to Pontiac’s rich automotive history, in 2016 GM opened their Performance and Racing Center. Tours of this impressive 111,420 square foot facility are available, and you will become acquainted with GM’s racing influence and involvement with NASCAR, IndyCar, NHRA, and other racing competition.
Charge Up at Elektricity
Elektricity is a popular electronic music venue, located in the suburbs of one of the most popular electronic music destinations in the world. You’ll find local, regional, and international artists at ELEKTRICITY, and the venue is enjoyable with plenty of drinks to keep the party going all night. All tickets are General Admission, check their website for cover charge.
Face your Fears at Erebus Haunted Attraction
Open around Halloween, The Erebus Haunted Attraction has been voted one of the best haunted houses in the nation by multiple sources and received awards from Travel Channel, Discovery Channel, and other TV networks. Be sure to grab tickets online to reserve your time and avoid a wait. The haunted house is not recommended for children under-13, but there are no age restrictions. If the venue is too scary, you can leave at any time.
Golf the Links at Crystal Lake
Whether booking a live tee time or visiting to use the simulator, The Links is an 18-hole, par-70 championship golf course. The well-groomed fairways and greens offer a challenging course, but staff is available for tips and advice to improve your golf game.
Gear Up at the M1 Concourse
The premier automotive venue of Oakland County blends style and speed for automotive events that span this 87-acre property. Attend an event, book your own, attend a car show, garage your own vehicle, or hit the track. The M1 Concourse is also a central part of the annual Woodward Dream Cruise.
Enjoy the UWM Sports Complex
The 378,400 square foot UWM Sports Complex is home to 8 basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, an indoor and outdoor soccer field, and an indoor track. The UWM-SC supports youth sports, hosts adult leagues, and provides low-cost drop-in rates to visit the facility with friends or for pickup games.
Fish or Grill at Beaudette Park
Located along Dawson’s Millpond, Beaudette Park is one of Pontiac’s best parks. With trails, dock & boat launch, a fishing area, softball fields, basketball court, tennis courts, two horseshoe pits, and playground equipment there are plenty of opportunities to stay active and explore the outdoors of Central Oakland County.
Stock Up at the Oakland County Farmers Market
With many vendors, the Oakland County Farmers Market is open from 7:00 am to 1:30 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The market will run from spring through December. Late-spring and summer is the busiest season, and you can also catch the community garage sale on July 16th.
Visit the Pontiac Transportation Museum
The Pontiac Transportation Museum aims to turn a previously vacant 55,000 square foot building into a vehicle and automotive artifact museum, highlighting Pontiac’s rich history of automotive influence. The facility also plans to host a theater, research library, classrooms, and restoration spaces for vehicles.
