Blimpie

Surround yourself with the beauty and tranquility of nature when you visit the University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens. The outdoor gardens are open for free to the public, although the conservatory itself requires an admission fee. Outside, you can wander around over a dozen different gardens, including a rock garden and a labyrinth, as well as walk along five different nature trails. And there’s even more on the inside!

Learn a little about the history of fun at Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum in Farmington. Besides his fondness for alliteration, Marvin also has a strong affection for vintage coin-operated machines. This unusual, unique museum exhibits his vast collection of everything from arcade games to mechanical dummies and many other oddities.

When frost is in the air, bundle up and head over to the Motown Winter Blast in Campus Martius Park. This festival features very, very cool events and fun activities for the whole family. Enjoy some free skating, walk through an elaborate Ice Garden, enjoy entertainment on two stages and warm up at some of the Comfort Zones.