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Top 10 Spots for Grandparents and Grandkids
Celebrate Grandparents Month in September – or anytime! – with these fun southeast Michigan family destinations for the young and young-at-heart
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5. Edsel and Eleanor Ford House
- Address: 1100 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Shores
- Phone: 313-884-4222
- Hours: House: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday, April-December; Garden and Grounds: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, April-December
- Admission: House: $12/adults, $11/seniors, $8/ages 6-12, free/5 and under; Gardens and Grounds: $5/adults, seniors and kids ages 6-12, free/ages 5 and under ($15/behind the scenes and special interest tours)
See how metro Detroit's famous Fords lived in years of yore in a tour of their magnificent home. Grandparents get old-school treats with the opulent drawing room and '30s "Modern Room." Kids will get a kick out of seeing the boys' bedroom, which sports a sweet built-in radio. Outside, Josephine's playhouse is a hit with little ones, and the garage houses two autos for the classic car enthusiasts. Grounds and gardens boast beautiful landscaping and floral displays. Then hit Cotswold Café, where entrees, soup, sandwiches and salads are served 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. (it's most suitable for older kids, but don't fret if smaller ones are tagging along). Ticketed visitors are welcome to bring a picnic lunch onto the property.
6. Detroit Historical Museum
- Address: 5410 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Phone: 313-833-1805
- Hours: 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday
- Admission: $6/adults, $4/seniors (ages 60-plus), $4/kids (ages 5-17) and students with ID, free/under 4 and members ($4/car parking in adjacent lot)
Grandparents who grew up in Detroit area are guaranteed a trip down memory lane at this unique place dedicated to its history – with 600 artifacts in oodles of exhibits. Show the youngin's the Streets of Old Detroit and visit 19th and 20th century storefronts – or delve into our auto roots in Motor City. You can even get a taste of Belle Isle, Boblo and other local icons. The cool Detroit Toy Stories exhibit, opening in September, is a prime way to bridge that generation gap. Be sure to check their site for kids' activities, too!
7. Garden Bowl
- Address: 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Phone: 313-831-4662
- Hours: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. daily
- Costs: Monday: $8/hour 11 a.m.-8 p.m., $4/hour 8 p.m.-2 a.m.; Tuesday-Thursday: $8/11 a.m.-6 p.m., $16/6 p.m.-2 a.m.; Friday-Sunday: $12/11 a.m.-6 p.m., $22/6 p.m.-2 a.m. ($2/shoe rental)
A solid bargain especially during weekday "family" hours, this D-town bowling hotspot – the oldest active bowling alley in the United States – scores a strike with kids and grandparents looking for good old-fashioned fun. Brush up on your skills and teach the grandkids your best techniques. Open since 1913, this Detroit gem is equipped with 16 lanes, Sergeant Pepperoni's for a pizza break, and a DJ so you can "rock 'n' bowl."
8. Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum
- Address: 1800 N. Dixboro Road, Ann Arbor
- Phone: 734-647-7600
- Hours: Gardens/arboretum: sunrise-sunset, weekly; conservatory, shop and lobby: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday
- Admission: Gardens/arboretum: free; conservatory, shop and lobby: $5/adults, $2/ages 5-8, free/under 5 and noon-8 p.m. Wednesdays
Visit the Matthaei Botanical Gardens in the Metro Parent Going Places video!
Whether you have a green thumb or simply want to enjoy a day in the great outdoors, this spot's got expansive trails and loads to see into the fall. Thrill the kids with a butterfly and hummingbird garden, digging pit and maze in the Gaffield Children's Garden – and, for the seasoned gardener, discover ornamental and perennial gems in the Gateway Garden of New World Plants. Be sure to stroll the river trail in the Arb and stop by various art exhibits to see sculptures and mosaics. Picnic at the amphitheater, too!
9. Fall Festivals in Southeast Michigan
- Locations and hours vary
- Admission: It's usually free to get in!
Southeast Michigan sure knows how to serve up autumn fun – and local fairs and festivals are a great excuse to stretch your legs, get some fresh air and do a bit of bonding, besides. Steal a glimpse (and maybe pick out a piece) of some cool juried art – and introduce your grandkid to a new flavor (apple fritters or elephant ears, anyone?). There's also a chance to explore new cultures together – and many events offer special kids crafts and entertainment. Before the weather gets too cold, you can even hop on a midway ride together.
10. Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum
- Address: 31005 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills
- Phone: 248-626-5020
- Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday
Can you win against the tic-tac-toe chicken? Marvin, the mastermind behind this mind-boggling menagerie, invites grandparents and their little buddies to try! This one-of-a-kind arcade museum is jam-packed with vintage coin-operated machines that Marvin's been collecting since 1960 (some super-rare, some special-made for the museum). It's a nifty dose of nostalgia for the 50-plus set. Why not challenge the small fries to a ticket game? Win enough, and you can pick out some cool prizes as a pair.
