Best for Kids in Detroit

One of Detroit's most famous art institutions, this is one of the few potteries that has been in operation since the era of the Arts and Crafts Movement in America. The 1903 Tudor Revival Building is a National Historic Landmark and a living museum preserving and displaying the work of founder Mary Chase Perry Stratton and subsequent Pewabic artists. Distinctive handcrafted ceramic wares produced here are part of many public buildings, homes and museum collections. Make sure to stop by the gallery to catch changing exhibits of the ceramic arts.

Centrally located on the bustling Woodward Avenue, Campus Martius Park is part of Detroit's efforts to reconstruct the downtown cityscape. Filled with botanical gardens and expansive lawns, this park is a welcome change from the high-rise buildings in the area, and draws hundreds of visitors in search of some sun and relaxation. The surrounding area has also grown to reflect the new spirit of downtown, with restaurants and cafes catering to families and business people alike. The park also houses monuments and artwork celebrating the history of the city, and features multiple stages for music concerts and performances. If you find yourself in Detroit during the winter months, be sure to bring your skates and head to Campus Martius' outdoor rink.

Established in 1928, the lavish, 1571-seat Redford Theatre has been delighting audiences ever since. Every evening at 8p, there are screenings of classic movies too. The film is preceded by an organ concert from the original organ that was put in to accompany the silent films shown when the theater was first opened. A classic Warner Brothers cartoon is also often shown before the main feature.

The DNR Outdoor Adventure Center (OAC) is a microcosm of the great outdoors of Michigan. A visit to the OAC is the perfect introduction to the parks, forests, mountains, lakes and rivers of the great state of Michigan, and the plethora of wonders they hold, especially for children. A day spent at the Outdoor Adventure Center is sure to be a fruitful one. With a riverfront location at the heart of the city, the OAC is within easy reach and well-connected. Experience the thrill of the outdoors through a variety of hands-on activities, simulators and interactive exhibits. Take a hike through the pine forest, walk behind a waterfall and crawl inside a tent to know what it's like to go camping. The Outdoor Adventure Center promises an educational experience that is sure to capture your imagination and ignite within you a desire to go out and explore the great outdoors for real.

Ford's iconic Model T set a benchmark for automobiles at the time, and at the Piquette Avenue Plant, visitors get an insight into the fascinating history of car as well as its makers. Built in 1904, Piquette Avenue Plant was the company's second production plant. While numerous other vehicles including models F, N and R were also assembled here, it remains most popular for being the birthplace of the Model T. At the museum, visitors get to know how the car came into being, right from the concept stage. There's beautiful exhibits of vintage car models as well as engines of the time. Private tours are available.

One of the many spirited attractions in downtown Detroit, Comerica Park is an extensive verdant field which has been a host to some iconic sporting events and concerts in the past. Named after the bank whose funds made its creation possible, Comerica Park overlooks some of the soaring high-rises residing in the city's downtown. Home ground of the Detroit Tigers, this sprawling ballpark is anything but a run-of-the-mill, neighborhood stadium. Strewn across its course are glorious tiger statues, a baseball-themed Ferris wheel, and the enormous Chevrolet Fountain. Hence, Comerica Park harbors a lively, further amplified by enthusiastic cheers and celebrations when the Tigers hit a home run. The ballpark is also home to the Big Cat Court, which offers a wealth of delectable foods like pretzels, deli sandwiches, French fries, Chicago-style hot dogs and more.

Wayne County Family Aquatic Center is a seasonal family-friendly water park. Zoom down the two large water slides in a tube, try to keep your balance at the wave pool, or chill out under the spray fountains. Children will love playing in the pool playland. This water-themed amusement park also holds great summer events, like concerts and delicious luaus. Wayne County Family Aquatic Center also offers swimming lessons.

4,357 acres (1,763 hectares) of natural beauty make up Kensington Metropark. Kent Lake is in the center, and offers opportunities for fishing and swimming in the summer. There's also horseback riding, an 18-hole golf course, a nature program, and a working farm for visitors to enjoy. Explore eight miles (13 kilometers) of trails where you can hike, ski cross-country, or bike. Wintertime brings its own diversions with sledding and tobogganing hills. Kensington Metropark does charge a fee for cars, but admission is free if you walk or bike to this lovely park.

New Center Park is a different green space located just a few minutes away from the iconic Fisher Building. Designed to be more than a recreational park, this place is the entertainment hub of the locals and visitors alike in the neighborhood. With an adaptable outdoor venue for concerts, movies and other activities, New Center Park is always buzzing with people and events. It is a unique turf to enjoy with family and friends.

This gorgeous aquarium was built in 1904 by well-known architect, Albert Kahn. It was the oldest continuously open aquarium in the United States until 2005 when it was closed. Reopened in 2012, the aquarium has flourished with the help of various organizations that merged to become the Belle Isle Conservancy. Steeped in history, the Belle Isle Aquarium is housed in a beautiful Beaux Arts style building with a grand entrance that incorporates the Detroit emblem and two spitting fish in a stone façade. The viewing gallery offers large tanks teeming with aquatic life, a swordfish mosaic, and an arched ceiling adorned in sea foam glass tiles reminiscent of being underwater. Both saltwater and freshwater species are found here, most notably native fish from the Great Lakes area.

Located in the middle of Belle Isle is the delightful Belle Isle Nature Center. Opened in 1895, the nature center has an impressive collection of amphibians, fish, mammals and reptiles from around Michigan. An elevated walkway takes visitors past exhibits showing the diverse Michigan wildlife. Make sure you stop by the Deer Encounter to feed fallow deer and check out the Michigan Turtle Exhibit in the auditorium. Belle Isle Nature Center is a fun visit for both children and adults.

Kids and adults alike love the Michigan Science Center. The interactive exhibits are fun and will teach you about space, engineering, health and more. The IMAX Dome Theatre is a highlight of the museum, showing a wide variety of educational and entertaining films. Make sure you see an amazing laser display and star show at their Dassault Systèmes Planetarium.Â