Sometimes one just needs to get into your car and take a day trip somewhere. If you live in Highland Park, Michigan, there are many interesting places you can visit in surrounding areas. Here are just a few ideas.
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Toledo
About an hour’s drive from Highland Park lies the city of Toledo. Situated at the Western tip of Lake Erie, this city is home to the Toledo Museum of Art that houses a vast collection of art works, ranging from Renaissance to modern pieces, by famous artists such as Paul van Klee, Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, and Pablo Picasso. In the Glass Pavilion, one can view thousands of glass works that represent the city’s rich glass legacy.
If you have children, drop by at the Imagine Station, which is a science museum where they can learn about science, technology, and engineering through interactive exhibits. The Toledo Zoo and Aquarium, which is home to over 720 different kinds of species, also offers lots of entertainment for kids. The more adventurous can zip line across 760 feet of the Africa! exhibit, which includes animals like giraffes, wildebeest, and Watusi cattle.
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Detroit
As Detroit, which is a stone’s throw from Highland Park, is the biggest city in the state of Michigan, it has a lot of sights and activities to offer. The city has a rich musical history, as it played a major part in the development of jazz, hip-hop, pop, and punk in the U.S., and is the place where Motown music was first developed.
To get a feel of the spirit of this exciting musical period and gain insight into the lives of Motown legends, pop in at the Motown museum where you can view photos, artwork, costumes, and listen to music. If art is more your thing, be sure to visit the Detroit Institute of Arts, which houses art from the earliest human cultures to modern times, including pieces by greats such as Van Gogh and Picasso.
Or, if you like cars and technology, the Henry Ford Museum will be of interest. This museum showcases technological and industrial innovations in U.S history, including the first steam locomotive built in 1829 and the first Ford vehicle ever built.
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Cleveland
Cleveland, which is situated on the southern shore of Lake Erie, is about two and a half hours’ drive from Highland Park. This city offers a lot of attractions and interesting places to see, so it’s well worth the drive. As the first official rock ‘n’ roll concert in the U.S. was held in Cleveland in 1952, it is only fitting that the city should be home to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. Here you can view an impressive collection of rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia, including John Lennon’s guitar, as well as exhibits about famous stars such as Elvis and U2.
Treat the kids with a visit to the Children’s Museum, which is housed in the Stager-Beckwith mansion. In The Wonder Lab, the kids can play around in water or get lost in Adventure City, a two-story city-themed playground.
If you need some time away from home, these places near Highland Park offer loads of entertainment and fun for the whole family.
Image via Flickr by Xuan Che used under CC By 2.0
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