Summer is Almost Over! Make the Most of It in Detroit

Story by Stephanie Angelyn Casola | Photos by Detroit International Riverwalk and Eastern Market by Bill Bowen; The Adventure Park at West Bloomfield; Detroit Zoo; Riverside Kayak Connection; Batch Brewing Co. by Emily Berger

Detroit summers might as well be sacred. We hold tight to these hot, sunny days as long as we can, knowing a picturesque fall and long, cold winter will follow.

With the warm weather coming to an end, fill the rest of your summer in and around Detroit while you can. We’ve rounded up the things you must do before summer calls it quits.

Your Detroit Summer To-Do List

1. Shop Eastern Market

Whether you stop by on a Tuesday or weekend, there’s something magical about perusing the vendors at Eastern Market. We love it year-round, but during the summer, it’s even easier to make a day of it, with brunch, scouting for antiques or belting out a karaoke tune amid the barbecue.

2. Go directly to the beach

Choose Detroit’s island park Belle Isle, or hit up Kensington Metropark. Coat on the sunscreen, grab a book or best friends and watch the waves roll along. Love all things #lakelife? Then it’s time to hop on a boat. Check out the Infinity and Ovation yacht charters or sign up for a Diamond Jack River Tour. A sunset cruise sounds irresistible, doesn’t it?

3. Walk the Detroit International RiverWalk

Fountains on the Detroit International RiverWalk

Views of Windsor or Detroit’s Ambassador Bridge come free with a hike down this riverfront path. Don’t forget to take the mandatory selfie in front of GM headquarters, the Renaissance Center, or grab a seat on the nautical themed carousel.

4. Bike the Dequindre Cut

If you sense an outdoor theme, it’s fully intentional. Biking in Detroit is a must. Take your time weaving along the Dequindre Cut or join in on Slow Roll on a Monday evening.

5. Take in a Detroit Tiger’s Game at Comerica Park

Baseball fan or not, it’s hard to deny the energy that permeates Comerica Park during the season. Open air with views of the city all around, there is no better way to take in a game during the summer months.

6. Sip drinks in the park

Campus Martius Park lies in the heart of Detroit, and may be most notable for its vibrant fountain. But there is only a short time to left to lounge in a beach chair, toes in the sand, or to sip a cocktail during happy hour. There are plenty of outdoor dining options around town, as well as outdoor movies.

7. Wander through the Detroit Zoo

While it’s a smart stop any time of year, the Detroit Zoo reels in the crowds throughout the summer thanks to new exhibits, like the Polk Penguin Conservation Center, and tried-and-true favorites like the Butterfly Garden.

8. Get lost in time

Summer is the time to wander the 80-acre expanse that is Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford. Where else can you ride a Model T, learn the art of glass blowing, coo over farm animals and tour the homes of some of America’s most innovative and inspiring people?

9. Take a Detroit walking tour

There's no better time to take a walk around The D than in the summertime. Check out Detroit Experience Factory and learn some facts around the city while you're at it!

10. Kayak the Detroit river

Riverside Kayak Connection

Get in while the water's warm! Rent a kayak from Riverside Kayak Connection on Belle Isle or in Elizabeth Park in Trenton. Or buy one to use every summer at their Wyandotte location.

11. Plan a Detroit patio happy hour

Batch Brewing Company in Corktown Detroit

Grab all of your favorite drinking buddies and head downtown for a Detroit happy hour! For year-round options, Eater Detroit published a great list of Detroit happy hours. But our favorite patio options are The Skip, Founders and Batch Brewing Co.

12. Enjoy the Detroit Shipping Co.

The newest addition to development in the Cass Corridor, the Detroit Shipping Co. offers both indoor and outdoor seating. But let's be honest - it's much more fun to sip cocktails and try new foods outdoors.

13. Check out some Michigan summer festivals

Labor Day weekend in Detroit calls for a trip to the Detroit Jazz Festival, which encompasses Woodward Avenue, Campus Martius and Hart Plaza. Hear some of the best jazz artists in the world and incredible local artist. And head to Royal Oak for Arts, Beats & Eats, which always has top-notch headlining acts, along with delicious food stands.

14. Shop the Mall at Partridge Creek

The Mall at Partridge Creek is open all year. But in the summer, many mall-goers bring their dogs out to shop. Dogs + shopping–need we say more?