What are the best summer events within a half day drive from the Detroit metro area?

As summer is approaching, it's time to start planning ahead to make sure the best stuff to do isn't missed (and invite friends to come along). If you know of an inexpensive (or free) festival or event within a few hours drive of Detroit, please let me know. Insider tips like where to park, best food, particular items not to miss would also be appreciated. Here are some of my favorites:





May 19,20 East Lansing Art Festival


May 26, 27 Doors Open Toronto


June 22-24 Michigan Challenge Balloonfest


June thru August Sundays Frankenmuth Free Concerts


July 18-21 Ann Arbor Art Fairs


August 10-12 Great Lakes Folk Fest


August 18 Woodward Dream Cruise


http://www.doorsopen.org/


http://www.elartfest.com/


http://www.michiganguild.org/art_fair_su...


http://www.michiganchallenge.com/


http://www.woodwarddreamcruise.com/


http://greatlakesfolkfest.net


http://www.michigan.org/travel/events/ev...





Thanks James J

What are the best summer events within a half day drive from the Detroit metro area?
I think parking is always the big issue for these types of events. I'm from Toronto, so I can only really comment on Doors Open Toronto. I think this is a great event. You get a chance to visit places you normally would not be able to. If you are coming to stay the night then definitely get a hotel downtown and just use public transit. The TTC offers day passes, for unlimited use. If you are coming for the day only I would suggest parking at Wilson station. It is right off the 401 (and the Allen Road), the parking is free on the weekends, ($3 during the week), and you will be downtown in about 20 minutes. I do it everyday!! I would definitely do the walking tour of the Danforth, or Greektown. You will be able to get some cheap food and nice views of the city. I checked out the website and there are a number of buildings that should not be missed. What are you looking for?? More the history of TO, or more into architecture? If you like both then check out anything in the Distillery District. Mill Street.





PS.





There is always something going on it T.O. Check out the website below.





And for late summer early fall check out the Niagara Wine Festival. Some of the best wineries in the world are in Niagara. Plus the Falls are not too far away.
Reply:I think Toledo (not even an hour south) has about every ethnic %26amp; church festival known to man throughout the summer months.
Reply:i love going to DTE concerts for $5.00 for lawn tickets


available at the window for purchase for NOT sold out shows


Telegraph cruise- the last Saturday of July


Woodward Dream Cruise- the 3rd Saturday of August
Reply:if you want a blast to the past, try the renaissance festival, its amazingly fun to dress up and go.


also check out kenzington theres horseback riding and a river you can tube in, or just wade its really peaceful and you can fish too.


check it out.
Reply:tigers game
Reply:For the A2 Art Fairs, you're definitely going to want to park some distance away and take a bus (I forget where the spots are, but they have places where you can park and take a shuttle to the art fair).


It is possible to find parking, but you're either going to have to pay around $30 to park on some entrepreneur's lawn, or you'll have to drive around the city 30 times to find an empty metered spot.


I don't know if you know all of that already, but I was going to suggest the Art Fair anyway, so... I guess it doesn't hurt.





There's always Top of the Park


http://www.annarborsummerfestival.org/
Reply:If you like amusement parks(yea!!) drive down to Sandusky, Ohio. Cedar point is an awesome place to spend all day and evening. Well, only if you like roller coasters. The website below will give you admission information as well as special events and so forth for the park. ( I used to love watching the Dream Cruise!!! I lived in Wyandotte for 5 years!) Now that I think of it, AAA can give you a ton of information on local events.
Reply:Carabana in Toronto, like in late august. A celebration of carribean culture, usually geared towards 20 somethings, but fun for the whole family, the bad part is that lots of people from new york like to go, and they are *******

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