Family vacations in Detroit can be rewarding experiences or absolute disasters — it all depends on pre-trip homework. To make planning easier, we've done all the preparation. As part of a Huffington Post Travel series on traveling with children, here are recommended attractions for those planning Detroit family vacations.
Henry Ford Museum
Address: 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn, MI 48124 Phone: 313-982-6001 or 800-835-5237 Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Price: Adults, $15; seniors 62 and over, $14; youth ages 5 to 12, $11; children under 5 years old, free. Members free
Comerica Park
Address: 2100 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48201 Phone: 313-962-4000 Hours: Tours available June through September at 10 a.m, noon and 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays when no games or other events are scheduled Price: Adults, $6; children ages 4 to 14, $3; children under 4 years old, free
Motown Museum
Address: 2648 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48208 Phone: 313-875-2264 Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday Price: Adults, $10; seniors and children ages 12 and under, $8
Detroit Zoo
The Detroit Zoo offers a well-landscaped, naturalistic 125 acres filled with 1,500 animals of 260 species. Highlights include the Arctic Ring of Life, the largest polar bear exhibit in North America. It features a 70-foot-long, 12-foot-wide and 8-foot-tall clear tunnel from where visitors can view polar bears and seals frolic in their vast underwater environment. Red pandas and huge Amur tigers highlight the Asian Forest, while the rockhopper, macaroni and king penguins greet visitors at the Penguinarium.
Address: 8450 W. 10 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48067 Phone: 248-541-5717 Hours: April 1 through Labor Day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Open Wednesdays in July and August until 8 p.m. Day after Labor Day through Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 1 through March 31, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day Price: Adults ages 15 to 61, $12; children ages 2 to 14, $8; seniors ages 62 and over and active military with ID, $10; children under 2 years old, free
Detroit Children's Museum
Address: 6134 Second Ave., Detroit, MI 48202 Phone: 313-873-8100 Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday Price: Adults ages 13 and over, $4; children ages 2 to 12, $2; children under 2 years old, free
Detroit Science Center
Address: 5020 John R St., Detroit, MI 48202 Phone: 313-577-8400 Hours: 9 a.m to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; 10 a.m to 6 p.m. Saturday; noon to 6 p.m Sunday. Summer hours as of June 20, 2011: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday Price: Adults ages 13 and over, $13.95; seniors ages 60 and over, $11.95; children ages 2 to 12, $11.95; children under 2 years old, free
Ford Rouge Factory Tour
The Ford Rouge Factory Tour is more than just a walk around an auto plant — it actually consists of multiple segments, all of which children should find fascinating. The Legacy Theatre offers historic films which track the factory's history, and the Art of Manufacturing Theatre offers a 360-degree view of how cars are made. The 80-foot-high Observation Deck Tour provides a view of the world’s largest living roof and the Assembly Plant Walking Tour lets visitors watch from the safety of an elevated walkway as Ford F-150 pickup trucks are assembled.
Address: 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn, MI 48124 Phone: 313-982-6001 or 800-835-5237 Hours: 9:30 a.m to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Last tour leaves at 3 p.m. Price: Adults, $15 (members $12.75); youth, $11 (members $9.25); seniors, $14 (members $12); children ages 2 and under, free
Have you been to Detroit? What's your favorite attraction?
CHECK OUT MORE FAMILY TRAVEL GUIDES.
