Discover entertainment and activities in Farmington Hills, Michigan

The city of Farmington Hills, Michigan is part of the Detroit metropolitan area and has has many entertaining activities including museums, parks, and activity centers. Learn more about Farmington Hills and its points of interest for locals and tourists.

The Farmington Hills Nature Center offers Outdoor Recreation

The Farmington Hills Nature Center is a one-of-a-kind nature center that offers environmental education, outdoor recreation, and wildlife viewing. The center is located in the heart of Farmington Hills, Michigan.

The Farmington Hills Nature Center has a rich history of providing environmental education to the community. It was founded in 1975 by an educator who was committed to educating children about nature and ecology. The center now serves as a hub for all things nature related in the area with its 2 acres of natural land and indoor exhibits.

Dedicated to education of nature

The center is dedicated to educating the community and promoting awareness of local natural resources, while providing outdoor recreation opportunities. The outdoor recreation season runs from June through October. Common activities include hayrides, nature walks and picnics, bird watching, pond dipping, and more. There are also indoor exhibits that allow the public to experience a wide range of Michigan-based animals and ecosystems in a natural setting. These exhibits include the Great Lakes Aquarium, Tropical Frog House, and a 200-gallon fish tank with resident fish from the Detroit River.

The Farmington Hills Nature Center is an environmental education center that educates the community on local natural resources and outdoor activities in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The center was founded in 1975 by an educator and a conservationist committed to creating a state-of-the-art environmental education center.

History and Legacy

The Farmington Hills Nature Center was founded by David and Jan Hewitt, educators and conservationists, who are deeply committed to understanding the relationship between nature and humans in an effort to making our environment more sustainable. They established The Detroit Audubon Society in 1939, which later became The Detroit Nature Center.

The Farmington Hills Nature Center is a non-profit organization that promotes and provides educational, recreational and conservation opportunities in the Farmington Hills area of Oakland County, Michigan. The nature center offers engaging programs and outings for people of all ages during the summer months on its 300-acre campus, which includes 67 acres of forested land.

A Treasure of Farmington Hills

For a fun and relaxing afternoon with the family, head to Heritage Park in Farmington Hills. The splash pad will keep the kids busy (and cool!) in the warmer months, and the hiking trails let you take in the natural beauty of the area. With well-maintained facilities, a historical landmark, and an amphitheater, Heritage Park is a gem in Farmington Hills. It’s a favorite among locals and a great place to stop by if you’re visiting the area from out of town.

Things to Do and See in Heritage Park

Heritage Park may not be big, but it’ll keep you and your little ones busy. With 4.5 miles of scenic hiking trails, a large picnic area, playground, splash pad, and the Farmington Hills Nature Center, this charming little park is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. In addition to picnic amenities and hiking, there are also sand volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and even an inline hockey rink. On your visit to Heritage Park, you’ll also come across the historical Spicer House, Stables Art Studio, Riley Archery Range, Longacre House, and the Amphitheater.

On Thursday evenings in the summer you can attend a free concert series at the Heritage Park Amphitheater, and the Farmington Hills Nature Center always has educational programs going on. Be sure to check the websites for each building located in Heritage Park to see what’s coming up on the calendar.

Heritage Park is also an excellent place for children to learn about the environment and wildlife, as there are educational signs posted around the park. The Nature Center also has detailed dioramas along with tons of info about the biodiversity of this area in Michigan.

Plan Your Visit

Heritage Park is located at 24915 Farmington Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48336. The park is open every day from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm. The parking lot isn’t too big, so parking may be limited, but the park is easy to get to as it runs right along Farmington Road. The Farmington Hills Nature Center is open from Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and on Sunday from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Both Heritage Park and the Nature Center are free to enter. Keep in mind that pets are not permitted in the park, and bikes, scooters, skateboards, and in-line skates are not allowed on the trails.

Social and Recreational Fun at Costick Activities Center

Every community needs a place to gather for social, recreational, and cultural activities. In Farmington Hills, that space is the William Costick Activities Center. Locals can enjoy the well-maintained facilities at this community center and non-locals can use it as well for a small fee. The center is managed by the Farmington Hills local government and provided as a public service for everyone to enjoy. If you’re looking for somewhere to take swimming lessons, attend a community event, or even find support services as an older adult, then look no further than the Costick Activities Center.

Things to Do at Costick Center

The Costick Activities Center serves the residents and provides programs in Farmington Hills as a community-oriented, multi-purpose facility. It has a swimming pool, gymnasium with a stage, three soccer fields, and meeting rooms. One of the most popular activities is swimming lessons, which are offered for people of all ages. The pool and gym have free hours throughout the week, so you’ll have to check the schedule if you want to drop in to use either without a reservation. Various cultural activities, programs, and events are held there on a regular basis and you can sign up for the center’s email newsletter to get updates about upcoming events.

The Costick Activities Center is also the home of the Farmington Hills Adults 50 & Better Program, an activities, support, social, and travel group for older adults. The group started in 1974 as a small drop-in program only two days a week. Now, it provides recreation, travel, education, socialization, fitness, volunteer opportunities, nutrition, transportation, and outreach services.

Plan Your Visit

Costick Activities Center is located at 28600 Eleven Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48336. It’s open Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. It’s free to enter for Farmington Hills residents, with the gym, swimming pool, and outdoor fields able to be used by the public when they’re not already reserved. If you want to rent space at the Costick Activities Center for an event or program, you will have to pay a nominal fee. The classes and activities offered may charge a fee as well, so you should check the website or call the center to get more information. The Costick Activities Center is located right in the heart of Farmington Hills and is easy to get to from I696. There’s plenty of parking at the facility as well.

Learn About the Holocaust in Farmington Hills

In Michigan public schools, learning about the Holocaust is considered an important part of the curriculum. The Zekelman Holocaust Center in Farmington Hills helps to provide this education with content that focuses on the personal stories of the Holocaust’s victims and survivors. It’s not just a place for students, though. Anyone who wants to learn more about the Holocaust can find plentiful resources, engaging exhibits, and a significant experience at the Zekelman Holocaust Center.

The Story of the Zekelman Holocaust Center

The Zekelman Holocaust Center first opened in 1984, with the mission to educate people of all ages about the Holocaust. What started as a Holocaust Memorial Center located in the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield later became the extensive research library, archives, and gallery for art and history exhibits today known as the Zekelman Holocaust Center.

As the Center continues to grow and expand its educational efforts, it welcomes more than 100,000 people each year. It offers teacher trainings on the Holocaust in almost every county in Michigan, helping educators teach their students about the Holocaust.

Exhibitions and Events

The Zekelman Holocaust Center has several core exhibits that are installed permanently, including the Eternal Flame and Memorial Wall, the Boxcar, the Timeline, the Museum of European Jewish Heritage, the Descent into Nazism, the Camp System, the Abyss, the Postwar Period, and more. All the core and featured exhibits at the Zekelman Holocaust Center aim to teach visitors not only about the Holocaust, but also about what the victims experienced. Whether it’s your first visit to the Zekelman Holocaust Center or your tenth, the effect is sobering. You can also ask for a self-guided tour to learn even more about the exhibits and the center.

The Zekelman Holocaust Center also has a calendar of regular events, including presentations and lectures from authors and Holocaust survivors. It’s truly one of the more interesting things to do in Farmington Hills.

Plan Your Visit

The Zekelman Holocaust Center is located at 28123 Orchard Lake Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48334. It’s open Sunday-Thursday from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm on Friday from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm. Admission is $8.00 for adults, $6.00 for people 62+ and college students with ID, $5.00 for elementary and high school students with ID, and free for uniformed services members. There are docent-led public tours every week on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday at 1:00 pm. Every Sunday at noon there is also a Holocaust Survivor Speaker.

Get Closer to Nature at Woodland Hills Park

For the perfect place to go nature walking, bird watching, or take photographs in Farmington Hills, look no further than Woodland Hills Park. This beech-maple forest has a diverse array of plants and animals to make you feel like you’re off on a trek in the woods — right in the middle of the suburbs. Woodland Hills is a nice escape from the city, transporting you to forests and meadows filled with wildlife. If you’re a nature photographer, then Woodland Hills will be a real gem for you. Discover why residents of Farmington Hills and metro Detroit head to this park for a short, peaceful walk.

Things to Do and See at Woodland Hills

Woodland Hills is a small park, mostly used for its five nature trails, and is a great place to spend the day in Farmington Hills. The trails range from 0.2 miles with the Sumac and Wildflower Trails, to 0.4 miles with the Beech-Maple and Dogwood Trails. It’s possible to combine the trails to make a loop if you want to take a longer hike. The trails are mostly wooded, with a few open meadows and steep grades at various points.

At Woodland Hills, the native plants and animals take priority. The park is mainly preserved as a sanctuary for them, to help protect them and preserve the uniqueness of the area as well. The park’s managers expect visitors to respect the flora and fauna of the park as they use the trails. Some of the plants and animals you can find in Woodland Hills throughout the year include black raspberries, serviceberries, crabapples, beech, maple, black cherry, and oak trees, waterfowl, warblers, owls, hawks, egrets, blue and green herons, and more.

Plan Your Visit

Woodland Hills Park is located at 26655 Farmington Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48331. It’s open every day from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and doesn’t cost anything to enter. Keep in mind that pets are not allowed in the park, and bikes, skateboards, in-line skates, and scooters are not permitted on the trails. You can ride your bike to the park, though, as there is bike parking available. It’s also against park rules to feed or disturb the wildlife in Woodland Hills Park, as it disrupts their habitat. Also, use caution when going on the trails in winter, as ice and snow may make them a bit more hazardous.

Take a Stroll Through Mechanical History

For a unique, zany, unforgettable museum that you’re unlikely to find anywhere else, head to Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum in Farmington Hills. This hole-in-the-wall museum, machine collection, and arcade has been fascinating its visitors with coin-operated oddities for decades. It’s full of nostalgic machines and games that people of all ages will love. Discover what makes Marvin’s so original and why it’s a favorite among Farmington Hills residents.

The History of Marvin’s Marvelous Museum

Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum has a long history. It was started by pharmacist Marvin Yagoda, who created a museum to house his father’s collection of coin-operated machines. The collection was full of oddities, and anything Marvin found fascinating. Over time, the collection grew and became more and more unique. Marvin eventually became recognized as an expert in the field of mechanical and electrical game apparatus. One of the oldest machines in the place dates back to the early 1900s, and another notable piece is P.T. Barnum’s replica of the Cardiff Giant. Today, Marvin’s is a museum, arcade, and attraction unlike any other. The place is covered from the ceiling to the floor with movie posters, signs, gadgets, games, and zany machines of all shapes and sizes.

What to Do at Marvin’s

Marvin’s has a little something for everyone for entertainment in Farmington Hills, MI. With over 5,000 square feet of vintage machines, oddities, nostalgia, model airplanes, neon signs, collectibles, and all kinds of wacky gadgets, you can stay busy at Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum. There are coin-operated games, both vintage and modern, that award tickets you can cash in for awesome prizes. Kids can take rides, stop by the photo booths, and there are snacks and refreshments to enjoy. Marvin’s hosts kids’ birthday parties as well. With all the games and off-the-wall stuff at Marvin’s, it’ll be a memorable birthday.

Plan Your Visit

Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum is located at 31005 Orchard Lake Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48334. It’s open Monday-Thursday from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm, and Sundays from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm. Admission is free, but you will need quarters to operate the machines and play games. You can buy personal pizzas, chicken nuggets, fries, popcorn, and other similar foods there as well. If you want to book a party, you have to call in advance and choose a party package for each attendee.

Summer Fun for Kids

Need an easy, free way to keep the kids cool during the warm summer months? Head to the Heritage Park Splash Pad, a 2,000-square foot mini-park full of fountains, buckets, water guns, and soak arches. Kids of all ages will love playing and splashing in the water, and there are plenty of picnic tables and benches nearby so you can keep an eye on them. In the summer, the park also organizes Story Time By the Splash Pad for children ages three to six. The Splash Pad is also located inside Heritage Park, one of the nicest parks in Farmington Hills.

Things to Do at Heritage Park

The Splash Pad is sure to provide your kiddos with an hour or two of fun in Farmington Hills, but it’s not the only thing to do or see at Heritage Park. You can make an afternoon out of your visit by stopping at the Farmington Hills Nature Center, Riley archery range, or outdoor amphitheater.

The Farmington Hills Nature Center is free to enter and open every day. There are nature programs offered year-round that change seasonally, as well as activities and a few dioramas. The archery range is open for a few hours every Tuesday and Wednesday, and from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on weekends. You can also reserve an appointment online. The archery range offers open shooting times, classes, leagues, group lessons, private range rental, competitions, and more. The facility is well-maintained and the staff is friendly, making this community archery range a gem for locals. There are regular events held at the Heritage Park Amphitheater as well, including summer concerts held on Thursday nights starting at 7:00 pm.

Plan Your Visit

Heritage Park is located at 24725 Farmington Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48335. The Splash Pad is near the northeast corner of the park, not far from the playground and Farmington Hills Nature Center. It’s open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm every day in the summer, weather permitting. It’s completely free to enter the park and the Splash Pad, and parking at Heritage Park is free as well. There’s a restroom and changing shelter nearby, as well as a snack concession stand that is open from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. If you want to call ahead to make sure the Splash Pad is open, you can contact the park at 248-473-1800 to confirm.