Discover Oakland: Zoo, Culture and Nature Trails

The Detroit Zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals from over 200 species. This gives you several ways to plan your trip to Oakland: wildlife, architectural history, collections and nature trails. The destinations below differ not only in their themes, but also in their specific visitor conditions and the ways you can plan your day.

Zoo and Science

You can enter the Detroit Zoo from either Woodward Avenue or 10 Mile Road. Check road conditions before setting out. General access to the Erb Discovery Trails is included with zoo admission; the trail area covers 7 acres. The trails have paved, ADA-accessible paths, including a paved section in the Goat Encounter Yard. This lets you add a walk along the trails to your zoo visit without paying a separate fee for general access to the trail area.

The Cranbrook Institute of Science also combines exhibits with outdoor offerings. Its exhibits are housed in 16 permanent galleries. General admission includes access to all permanent exhibits, the Outdoor Science Garden and the nature trails. Admission to the Cranbrook Observatory is also free during operating hours. If you plan to visit the observatory, check its operating hours in advance; the other attractions mentioned are included with general admission.

Architecture, History and Gardens

Meadow Brook Hall was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2012 and is considered one of the country's finest examples of Tudor Revival architecture. The historic house contains more than 75,000 artifacts. Both the architecture and the extensive historic collection are highlights here. To spend time outdoors, explore the gardens and grounds with a Grounds Pass, available daily. They are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Check seasonal details before your visit.

With its combination of interior rooms, collections and garden visits, Meadow Brook Hall offers a different kind of destination from a zoo or nature trail. If you plan your day around opening hours, the gardens' daily visiting hours provide a useful point of reference; the Grounds Pass is also available daily. For architecture enthusiasts, its Tudor Revival style offers a distinctive perspective, while the number of artifacts conveys the scale of the historic collection.

Trails and Landscapes

The Paint Creek Trail is 8.9 miles long and runs through Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township, Orion Township and the Village of Lake Orion. It can be used for cycling, hiking, horseback riding, jogging and cross-country skiing. The trail is for daytime use only and is closed from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. When choosing this trail, consider both the activity you have in mind and the applicable hours of use.

Kensington Metropark is located on the Huron River along the border between Oakland County and Livingston County. A 8.5-mile paved hiking and biking trail runs around Kent Lake. The nature trail area covers more than 700 acres of woodlands, fields, wet meadows and marshes. Unlike the Paint Creek Trail, this park has a paved trail described for two specific uses; the Paint Creek Trail lists a wider range of activities and passes through several communities.

Another option is the 7.5-mile Michigan Air Line Trail, a multi-use trail through Wixom, Walled Lake and Commerce Township in western Oakland County. Trail conditions and access may change, so it is a good idea to check before your visit. Haven Hill Natural Area is located within Highland Recreation Area in Oakland County. Activities there include bird-watching, viewing wildflowers, hiking, environmental education and nature study. Conditions for wildlife and flower viewing vary by season.

Market and Collections

The Oakland County Farmers Market offers fresh produce direct from growers, flowers and handmade goods. The offerings vary by date. The Zekelman Holocaust Center adds to the cultural attractions with a public library archive containing more than 20,000 volumes. The selection thus ranges from nature and trail experiences to architecture, exhibits and collections; the opening hours, usage limits and seasonal conditions listed for each destination can help you plan your day.

Discover more destinations: Bloomfield Hills, Clarkston, Ferndale, Rochester Hills, Southfield, Madison Heights, Auburn Hills, Walled Lake, Lake Orion, Farmington Hills, Holly, Waterford, Clawson, Novi, Wixom, Troy, Pontiac, Birmingham, Royal Oak, White Lake Township.

For the regional travel overview: Michigan.