Happy Travel

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!

Catch a concert at the Magic Stick, one of the top live music and nightlife venues in the city. Part of the Majestic Theater Center, the Magic Stick offers a distinct and unique experience. In addition to being a top concert venue (presenting artists like The White Stripes, Modest Mouse and Kings of Leon), the Magic Stick hosts several other special events in its adjacent lounge and rooftop patio.

Pay a visit to the Belle Isle Conservancy, the program responsible for the impeccable maintenance of the park ground from the closed Belle Isle Aquarium to the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory and other attractions. Thanks to BIBS staff and volunteers, the Conservatory, gardens and greenhouses in the sprawling Belle Isle Park are a delightful sight to behold.

Put your pedal to the metal and bike through the most interesting parts of Detroit. Wheelhouse Detroit, a cycling shop on the RiverWalk, offers specialized two-wheel tours that range from a short trip down the River Walk to day-long excursions to Detroit’s Underground Railroad, the Dequindre Cut, Heidelberg Project and much more.