If youÂ’re craving a chance to get away from the usual doldrums of your routine, sounds like itÂ’s time for a road trip. And that doesnÂ’t necessarily mean you have to spend days on the road, crossing state borders. A great road trip can also be a day trip to a new place with sights to see, loads to do and scrumptious food.

Ann Arbor Estimated drive time: 47 minutes What to do: Whether you’re rolling into this college town for a big football game or to indulge in the great variety of artistic/cultural institutions in this community with academia at its epicenter. There’s plenty to explore from beautiful sights like the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and the Nichols Arboretum to fun stops like the Hands-On Museum or the Nichols Arcade. From UofM’s campus to Kerrytown and more, the area has so much to offer. Photo via Instagram user @kesslerneal
Ann Arbor Where to grab a bite or fill your glass: Ann Arbor is so full of life and naturally, packed with different food options. Stop by Zingerman’s Delicatessen for classic sandwiches and meats or Sava for vegetarian and vegan options and Gandy Dancer – an old train station turned seafood spot. Looking for cocktails or craft beer, there’s The Last Word on W Huron Street. But if you want a boisterous Irish Pub with beer on tap, there’s Ashley’s on S State Street. Photo via Instagram user @zingermansdeli
Bay City Estimated drive time: 1 hour 56 minutes What to do: Sitting at the base of the Saginaw Bay, Bay City calls itself a “freshwater playground.” If you’re a fan of sailing or cruising, this is the place for you. There are a number of dinner, stargazer or fall color cruises available. Visitors can also take a ride on a 15-seat passenger group bike experience, the Sunrise Pedal Trolley Away. Photo via Instagram user @luke_vaupel
Bay City Where to grab a bite or fill your glass: There are plenty of Bay City favorites to partake in when it comes to food and drinks. Enjoy your fish and chips deckside at The Real Seafood Co., polish cuisine at Krzysiak’s House Restaurant and chill out at Latitude 43 Grill & Bar. Photo via Instagram user @djmattrose
Clarkston Estimated drive time: 55 minutes What to do: A homey community in Oakland County, Clarkston, visitors and enjoy the water at the Pontiac Lake Recreation Area or Deer Lake Beach. There’s also opportunity to golf at Indian Springs metropark or Shepherd’s Hollow Golf, ski or snowboard at Pine Knob and even jam out to a great performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre. Photo via Instagram user @manycats85
Clarkston Where to grab a bite or fill your glass: Visitors can sip on some wine while painting at Picasso’s Grapevine. Other places to fill your glass include Parker’s Hilltop Brewery and Hamlin Pub. The mac and cheese at the Union Woodshop or Union Bar & Kitchen has gained a reputation for being one of the best. The Old Village Cafe, The Royal Diner, Essence on Main, Brioni Cafe & Deli and Honcho Latin Street Food & Cafe are also local favorites. Photo via Instagram user @clarkstonunion
Frankenmuth Estimated drive time: 1 hours and 41 minutes What to do: Known for its Bavarian-style architecture and strong connection to the area’s history, Michigan’s Little Bavaria offers so much to see and do, it’s become a prime year-round vacation destination. Visitors can watch hot air balloons race in the summer, kids can enjoy indoor waterparks and shoppers have plenty of options – from souvenir shops to quaint boutiques and specialty stores. It’s also Christmas, all the time, Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth is the world’s largest Christmas store. Photo via Instagram user @jen.esper
Frankenmuth Where to grab a bite or fill your glass: Frankenmuth is known for their world-famous chicken dinners and German cuisine. Head to the Bavarian Inn Restaurant or Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth to get your fill. The Old Christmas Station Restaurant is home to a host of antique ornaments, christmas cookies and also lauded authentic European cuisine. There’s also plenty of beer and wine options, head to the Frankenmuth Brewery or Prost. Photo via Instagram user @streetsofyourtown
Grand Rapids Estimated drive time: 2 hours 35 minutes What to do: Grand Rapids is a the largest city in West Michigan and a metropolis bursting with art, music, culture and business. It’s home to the world’s largest art competition ArtPrize, the Grand Rapids Art Museum and the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Visitors can also enjoy the Frederik Mejier Gardens & Sculpture Park – which features a tropical conservatory, plus works by Ai Weiwei and Auguste Rodin, and the John Ball Zoological Garden – an interactive zoo and aquarium. Photo via Instagram user @fabcocktail
Grand Rapids Where to grab a bite or fill your glass: Beer enthusiasts might be excited to know Grand Rapids has been called Beer City USA and America’s Best Beer Town, a Beer City passport to go on a tour of city breweries is available at Grand Rapids Art Museum’s Welcome Center. Highly-rated food destinations include Bistro Bella Vita, San Chez A Tapas Bistro, Grove, The Green Well Gastro Pub and Leo’s. Photo via Instagram user @rbgrsocial
Holland Estimated drive time: 2 hours and 48 minutes What to do: A beachfront community at the edge of Lake Macatawa, which leaks into Lake Michigan, Holland is home gorgeous nature and a bustling downtown. There’s so much to do, whether you want to go camping and explore a number of wooded trails or lay in the sand while enjoying the sunset over the water and climb up the steps of Holland Harbor Light (also known as Big Red, a striking lighthouse that’s an Ottawa County favorite). There’s also art fairs, theaters and Holland’s famous Tulip Time Festival in May. Photo via Instagram user @damian.m.x
Holland Where to grab a bite or fill your glass: Holland is a great place to enjoy seafood with a gorgeous view of the water, Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant is a local favorite that looks out onto Lake Macatawa. Holland foodies have also rejoiced over dinner at Butch’s Dry Dock and Deboer Bakkerij & Dutch Brothers Restaurant. Looking for good drinks too? There’s the Salt & Pepper Savory Grill and Pub, plus Crazy Horse Steak House-Saloon. Photo via Instagram user @kirk.cousins
Howell Estimated drive time: 1 hour What to do: The County Seat of Livingston County, Howell is home to a tight knit community that loves to come together for beautiful events or festivals. In the summer, there’s the annual Michigan Balloonfest where visitors can enjoy a hot air balloon fly-in, launch events, carnival, skydivers and more. Every year, the Melon Festival kicks off in August and on the Saturday before Halloween, get ready for the Legend of Sleepy Howell. After Thanksgiving, Howell attracts up to 30,000 spectators for the Fantasy of Lights parade. And for folks looking for an escape, the place is also not too far from the picturesque Cook Lake and Taylor’s Beach Campgrounds. Photo via Instagram user @tinapaschka
Howell Where to grab a bite or fill your glass: Shoppers might be hyped about Howell’s Tanger Outlet mall, but in addition to seeking out great deals on the latest trends, foodies can also head to Howell. Tomato Brother’s is a local favorite for pizza and pasta, but there’s also Diamonds for Steak and Seafood for other options. Watering hole options Cleary’s Pub, Silver Pig, 2FOG’s Pub and the Block Brewing Company have all received Howell’s praises. Photo via Instagram user @beverlywhaley
Pinckney Estimated drive time: 1 hour 5 minutes What to do: In Livingston County’s Putnam Township, the village of Pinckney is perfect if you’re looking to get lost and appreciate the beauty of nature. If you’re a backpacker or a mountain biker the Pinckney Recreation Area at Silver Hill Road offers approximately 11000 acres to explore (recreation passport required), it connects directly to the Lakelands Trail State Park, which is a multi-use trail that was once a series of abandoned railroad corridors. The Pinckney State Park is also prime for campers who are seeking out gorgeous trails. Photo via Instagram user @bosexposures
Pinckney Where to grab a bite or fill your glass: Hungry in Pinckney? Head to La Vita Bistro for Italian food and wine, the Pinckney Diner to indulge in hot hometown cooking or Go Taco for small plates. Photo via Instagram user @lavitabistro
Port Austin Estimated drive time: 2 hours and 44 minutes What to do: A village in the Blue Water Area sits on the edge of Lake Huron. Some must-dos include visiting the Port Austin Reef Lighthouse, kayaking or boating to Turnip Rock (a picturesque stacked rock formation) and browsing at the Farmer’s Market – one of the largest in the state. Photo via Instagram user @lilityminska
Port Austin Where to grab a bite or fill your glass: Local foodie favorites include Stock Pot, The Lighthouse Cafe, Brew Moon Coffee House & Gallery, Walt’s Restaurant and Joe’s Pizzeria. For drinks with your grub? Try The Bank 1884 Food & Spirits or Heck’s Bar. Photo via @jodygirl72
Rochester Estimated drive time: 50 minutes What to do: Rochester is a bustling community with plenty of food, businesses and upcoming festivities planned if you’re up for a day trip. Planning a date or a just a sparkling night out with loved ones? A popular idea among metro Detroiters is to ring in the holiday season with a stroll through Downtown Rochester for every year’s Big, Bright Light Show. The buildings will be twinkling and glittering every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5 p.m. to midnight, Nov. 21-Jan.7. It’ll be lit. The 2018 Fire & Ice Festival is Jan. 19-21. Photo via Instagram user @localcelebrity
Rochester Where to grab a bite or fill your glass: With so much going on in Rochester, there’s certain plenty of eats and drinks to satisfy any palate. There are a number of local favorites, including The Meeting House, Lipuma’s Coney Island, Kruse & Muer On Main, Rochester Mills Beer Company, Rochester Chop House & Bar and more. Photo via Instagram user @the_meeting_house_

Have something to share?

SEND US A NEWS TIP

Since 1980, Metro Times has been Detroit’s premier alternative source for news, arts, culture, music, film, food, fashion and more from a liberal point of view.