The Dearborn Ford Community and Performing Arts Center is a blend of all that you could possibly imagine in a community center. The Padzieski Art Gallery is a showcase of local art and culture and holds regular exhibitions for budding local talent. The Center has a 1201 seat auditorium with all the latest in light and sound technology. It is the perfect location for community arts programs. Besides these, there's also a sports center, a climbing wall, and a lovely pool. If all these activities leave your tummy rumbling, grab a bite at the Au Bon Pain Center Court Cafe. Fees and hours vary depending on which facility you wish to patronize.

Since it opened in 1953, Hazel Park has been the place to go on summer nights to bet on the horses. Those placing bets can wager not only on the night's live races but on others televised from around the country. The towering green grandstand holds 9,200 spectators, and the large clubhouse seats 3,000, with good views of the track. The barn area is behind the grandstand and near the parking lot, so horses are led to and from the races in plain view of the spectators. In recent years, attendance at Hazel Park has dropped somewhat thanks to the opening of casinos in Detroit and Windsor and aided by the introduction of simulcasting. However, it is still a great place to go for some local flavor and entertainment.

Dragonmead Microbrewery creates world class beer that fits any taste. They have a wide variety of beer, including American Ales, German Style Lagers, Belgian Style Ales and more. The Willy's Oompa-Loompa Chocolate Stout is especially good. Their pub has a casual atmosphere with medieval decor. Although this microbrewery is obviously known for their beer, you should also try their custom-made sodas in flavors like Root Beer and their Strawberry Cream.

This charming little track in the western suburb of Northville is the winter site for harness racing in the Detroit area. Racing begins in October, as soon as Hazel Park Raceway closes, and continues to the beginning of April. With some exceptions, racing is five nights a week, with the track dark Wednesdays and Sundays. Bettors can wager on other races from around the country. Views of the track are better in the 3000-seat grandstand than in the 1500-seat clubhouse. The track has been in operation since 1944, but renovations have kept it modern-looking.

Located just 30 miles (48 kilometers) outside of Detroit, Maybury State Park is the perfect place to get outdoors and get back to nature. The park features over 1,000 acres (404 hectares) of rolling hills, dense mature forests, open meadows and plenty of walking and riding paths. In the winter the park serves as a cross-country skiing area, while in the spring and summer the park is mainly used for hiking, fishing, picnics and equestrian riding.

The Jack Breslin Student Events Center is the hub for MSU's and East Lansing's major functions and sporting events. This is the home of the Spartans' men's and women's basketball teams and also hosts several other sporting and entertainment events including the Harlem Globetrotters, Monster Truck Nationals, and the Caravan Circus.

Financed through a public bond referendum, this unique venue was designed to foster community art. Seating over 1200, The Forest Hills Fine Arts Center features local productions and exhibits as well as nationally renowned artists. From Bruce Hornsby to the Peking Acrobats this center embodies a spirit of diversity. For information on upcoming events, visit their website.

Patterned after its popular predecessor, Kensington Metropark, Stony Creek has 4,461 hilly acres around a lake created by a dam on the Clinton River. It's a year-round recreational paradise. During the summers, it's a place to swim on several sandy beaches, launch boats, fish, picnic, bicycle or hike on the 10-mile park road or play golf on the 18-hole public course. Bike rentals are available. In winter, it's a great place for cross-country skiing, tobogganing, ice fishing or ice-skating. A nature center, a nine-hole frisbee golf course and group camping are also featured. It's a long hour's drive from downtown Detroit but easily accessible from the Pontiac-Auburn Hills area or anywhere in northern Macomb County.

One of the biggest freshwater beaches in the world, Lake St. Clair Metropark has over a mile of sand on a point of land jutting into Lake St. Clair, as well as an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Three marinas and eight boat ramps provide boaters with access to the lake. There are two boardwalks totaling 1600 feet in length and an extensive marsh area with nature walks. Canoeing, picnicking, a fitness trail, tennis and shuffleboard courts, miniature golf and an 18-hole par-3 golf course are among other recreation options, with ice-skating and cross-country skiing in the winter. It's worth the 40-minute drive from downtown if you like beaches and boats.

Cranbrook House is the oldest manor home in Southeastern Michigan, and has amazing gardens to go along with it. Guests interested in visiting the historic home can partake in guided tours several times a day, where they can learn all about the history of the house. To visit the gardens, guests can give themselves self-guided tours and explore to their hearts' content. The garden greenhouse is also open for visits and has all kinds of special features like living walls and demonstration gardens so you can draw inspiration for your own!