When

You’re In Rochester

Whether you’re visiting, thinking of moving here or are lucky to call Greater Rochester home, take advantage of the wonderful gardens, parks, galleries, museums, and community theater groups that seem to be “just around the corner”. Enjoy the next few pages of favorite venues and others that may take you on a new adventure. Check if there are any admission fees and hours of operation, since many attractions are seasonal and adjust their hours appropriately. But most of all, get out and go – you need them, they need you – a match made in heaven – HAVE FUN!

Events IN DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER

Downtown Rochester hosts signature events throughout the year. For 2023 events or the most up to date listing of events go on to www.DowntownRochesterMI.com and check their calendar of events. Also, make sure you stay up to date on any health details and protocols you may need to follow.

Downtown Rochester 431 S. Main Street, Rochester, MI 48307 248-656-0060 • www.DowntownRochesterMI.com

Avon Players

1185 Washington, Rochester Hills 48306 (248) 608-9077 • www.avonplayers.org

Community theatre September - May. Youth theatre in the summer. Call or log on for performance and ticket information.

Emagine Rochester Hills 200 Barclay Circle, Rochester Hills 48307 • (248) 243-3456 www.emagine-entertainment.com/theatres

Theatre featuring stadium seating (including luxury seats, cuddle chairs and DBOX motion seats), reserved seating and other upscale amenities.

2023 Arts & Apples Festival

(by the Paint Creek Center for the Arts) 407 Pine St., Rochester 48307 (248) 657-4110 • www.pccart.org

Each year, artists from all over the country come to Rochester Municipal Park the weekend after Labor Day to showcase their work in a variety of mediums. The Art & Apples Festival® consistently ranks in the Top 50 Fine Art & Design Festivals in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine and was ranked #9 in 2021 for the publication’s Best of the Decade (2010-2020).

Festival Hours - Friday, September 8: 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Saturday, September 9: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Sunday, September 10: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Main Street Downtown Rochester

Annual Christmas Parade and Big Bright Light Show –Nov. 20 – January 21, 2024 • www.downtownrochestermi.com

The parade is a televised event running down Main Street in Rochester in early December. Stake out your space early! The light show involves all buildings lit up with lights strung every six inches. A wonderful sight at night.

Meadow Brook

(on Oakland University campus)

Adams and Walton, Rochester, 48309 Amphitheatre –(313) 471-7000 • www.313presents.com

May through September serves as a popular outdoor entertainment venue. Pavilion and lawn seating. Home to Meadow Brook Gardens as well. Meadow Brook Hall(248) 364-6200 • www.meadowbrookhall.org

The Matilda Dodge Wilson Estate (widow of auto baron John Dodge) is a beautiful 100-room Tudor revival style mansion built in 1929. It boasts 23 fireplaces, 39 chimneys and 3 kitchens. It is the 4th largest historic house museum in the country. For special events and tours please call. Open daily year-round. Fee.

Meadow Brook Theatre

Adams and Walton, 207 Wilson Hall, Rochester, 48309 (248) 377-3300 • www.mbtheatre.com

Meadow Brook Theatre is Michigan’s largest professional theatre company. Over the years it has won awards and critical acclaim for the high quality of the comedies, mysteries, dramas and musicals; from its accomplished actors to the lavish sets and beautiful costumes. They also have a series for children. Located on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MBT’s theatre provides an intimate experience. Handicapped seating and free parking.

In Macomb County

All The World’s a Stage

66130 Van Dyke, Washington Township 4809 (586) 243-2253 • http://atwas.org

With a belief that the arts are central to the educational, social, and aethetic development of children, this award-winning theatre arts education program offers youth an opportunity to experience theatre both on and off the stage.

407 Pine St., Rochester 48307 • (248) 657-4110

• www.pccart.org

Paint Creek Center for the Arts (PCCA) helps people in our region explore, experience, and share their creativity through art classes, exhibitions, outreach programs, community projects, and the annual Art & Apples Festival® – which consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top art festivals year after year.

Macomb Center for the Performing Arts

Macomb Community College

44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Township 48038

(586) 286-2222 • www.macombcenter.com

This is the cultural hub of the county. There is much to do including concerts, musicals and dance, live theatre, workshops and an art gallery.

Michigan Lottery Amphitheater at Freedom Hill

14900 Metro Parkway, Sterling Heights 48312

586-268-9700 • www.313presents.com

This is an indoor and outdoor music and movie theatre surrounded by Freedom Hill County Park. It has pavilion and lawn seating.

Michigan Military Technical & Historical Society

16600 Stephens, Eastpointe 48021

(586) 872-2581 • www.mimths.org

Dedicated to portraying and preserving the story about Michigan's civilian and military efforts during the conflicts of the 20th Century, this unique collection showcases products produced by Michigan’s “Arsenal of Democracy.”

Michigan Transit Museum

200 Grand Ave., Mount Clemens 48043 (586) 463-1863• www.michigantransitmuseum.org

Train rides are available June thru October on Sundays from 1:00-4:00p.m.

Rochester Hills Museum

1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester 48306 (at Van Hoosen Farm) (248) 656-4663 • www.rochesterhills.org

(Click on “Things to Do”)

Open year-round Friday and Saturday, 12:00-3:00 p.m. or by appointment. Tours available. Admission charge. Located in an 1840s Greek Revival farmhouse listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it was home to five generations. It features period furnishings and artifacts. Located within historic Stoney Creek Village, the area includes the 1848 Stoney Creek School, farmhouses and Greek Revival homes built before the Civil War. A self-guided tour brochure is available at the museum. Streets bordering the area are Tienken, Washington and Runyon.

Tree Runner Adventure Park and Mini Golf (2 Locations) www.treerunnerparks.com/westbloomfield

7553 Meadow Brook Rd., Rochester 48309 on OU Campus (248) 759-5222

6200 Drake Rd., West Bloomfield 48322 (248) 419-1550

Over 250 obstacles and zip lines, numerous courses at a variety of levels. Seasonal park. Check website for hours. Also, one in Rochester Hills on the campus of Oakland University at Walton and Adams Road.

Anton Art Center

Historic depot was built for the Chicago, Detroit & Canada Grand Trunk Railroad. It is also where Thomas Edison learned telegraphy and picked up “railroads” as a short career. Depot open every Sunday 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Shadbush Tract

Located within Shelby Township’s River Bends Park. Its unique 80-acre natural area has a wide variety of habitatshardwood forests, cattail marsh, cedar swamp, and riverside meadows. A wide range of birds, animals, and plant life can also be found. The Burgess - Shadbush Nature Center is located at 4101 River Bends Drive. Call 586-323-2478 for information on upcoming events. www.shelbytwp.org

Richmond Community Theatre

69619 Parker Street, Richmond 48062 (586) 727-9518 • www.richmondtheatre.com

For over 50 years, this community gem produces five shows per year involving a wide circle of actors, stage crafters, costume makers and the other creative talents that combine to create a magical experience.

Selfridge Military Air Museum

Selfridge Air National Guard Base

M-59 and Jefferson, Harrison Township 48045 (586) 239-5035 • www.selfridgeairmuseum.org

Indoor and outdoor exhibits, with Navy and Air Force planes. Call for hours and tour information.

Starkweather Arts Center

219 N. Main Street, Romeo 48065 (586) 752-5700 • http://starkweatherarts.com

This gallery, housed in a historic home built in 1865, offers classes, open mic and music concerts, and gift shop. Call for days and hours of operation.

125 Macomb Place, Mount Clemens 48043 (586) 469-8666 • http://theartcenter.org

Housed in a “Carnegie Library,” this premiere organization offers cultural experience year-round including exhibitions by local, regional and national artists; adult and youth classes; a gift shop featuring locally produced art; and special events.

Crocker House Museum

15 Union St., Mount Clemens 48043

(586) 465-2488 • www.crockerhousemuseum.org

Restored Victorian Italianate, built in 1869, it is fully furnished and was home of the first mayor of Mount Clemens. Tours by appointment only.

Grand Pacific House Museum

51065 Washington, New Baltimore 48047 • (586) 725-4755

Built in 1881 as a hotel and saloon, it is now a museum with an active membership, meetings and workshops for all ages. Call for days and hours of operation.

Lorenzo Cultural Center

44575 Garfield Rd., Clinton Township 48038

(586) 445-7348 • www.lorenzoculturalcenter.com

Call for hours of operation, varies at different times of year. Adjacent to the Performing Arts Center, featuring multi-dimensional programs relating science, history, culture and the arts.

In Oakland County

Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center 1516 S. Cranbrook, Birmingham 48009 (248) 644-0866 • www.bbartcenter.org

The center offers studio classes, workshops, art history classes for all ages, art camps for children, juried exhibitions, the Michigan Fine Arts Competition and Fine Arts Festival and more. Works may be purchased at the Gallery Shop. Closed Sundays.

Birmingham Village Players 34660 Woodward, Birmingham 48009 (248) 644-2075 (tickets) www.birminghamvillageplayers.com

A 100-year old community theatre presenting 5 major productions. A youth theatre featuring 2 musicals. Also, a summer theatre arts camp and playwright’s work program.

Clarkston Village Players

4861 White Lake Road, Clarkston 48346 (248) 625-8811 • www.clarkstonvillageplayers.org

Community theatre runs year round, includes summer youth theatre.

Cranbrook Educational Community 39221 Woodward Ave. Bloomfield Hills 48304 www.cranbrook.edu

Cranbrook Art Museum –(248) 645-3323 • www.cranbrookartmuseum.org

This contemporary art museum built by Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen in 1942, houses permanent and changing exhibitions and features a state-of-theart Collectors Wing. A store selling works by students, faculty, books, prints, giftware, etc. also on site.

Cranbrook House and Gardens –(248) 645-3147 • www.housegardens.cranbrook.edu

Designed by Albert Kahn in 1908 for the founders of Cranbrook (George and Ellen Booth), it is the oldest surviving manor home in Metro Detroit. The 40 acres of diverse gardens were originally designed by Mr. Booth. House tours June through October.

Cranbrook Institute of Science(248) 645-3200 • www.science.cranbrook.edu

Explore science, technology and natural history through exhibits, hands-on activities and planetarium. For hours, ticket prices and other information log on to their website.

Saarinen House –(248) 645-3307 www.center.cranbrook.edu

Built in 1930, it is considered an Art Deco masterwork

It was the home and studio of Eliel and Loja and their son Eero. Open May through October for public walk-in and private tours. Call the center for exact dates and times.

Smith House –(248) 645-3307 www.center.cranbrook.edu

Frank Lloyd Wright “Smith House” located in Bloomfield Hills; this classic Usonian home is open for tours from May through October. Call the Center for more info.

Detroit Zoo

Woodward Ave. at Ten Mile, Royal Oak 48067 (248) 541-5717 • www.detroitzoo.org

Open 362 days a year. Features 125 acres of open natural habitats that are home to 230+ species. There are numerous attractions including the world’s largest Penguinarium, Reptile Conservation Center, Arctic Ring of Life, Australian Outback, Wildlife Interpretive Gallery, Carousel, Railroad, Simulator Ride, and 4-D Theater. Admission and Parking Fees. The zoo also operates the Belle Isle Nature Center on Belle Isle in Detroit.

Flagstar Strand Theatre Pontiac

12 N. Saginaw St., Pontiac 48342 (248) 309-6442 • www.FlagstarStrand.com

Offering a diverse selection of high-quality arts programming, the Flagstar Strand Theatre hosts a wide variety of events each year from international touring artists to local favorites and performances by the STArt Youth Theatre company. Housed in a three-story Renaissance-style building in the heart of downtown Pontiac, Flagstar Strand Theatre has 2 internal per formance venues – the historic 900 seat Grand Theatre and the more intimate Second @ Strand Stage. In 2020 it opened a third performance space using their iconic marquee as a performing space.

Holly Dickens Festival

Late November/Early December each year. www.hollydickensfestival.org

Lose yourself to the “Spirit of Christmas” by being part of a very real, very unique “A Christmas Carol” immersion. Be part of the oldest and longest running Dickens Festival in the United States.

Holocaust Memorial Center

28123 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills 48334 (248) 553-2400 • www.holocaustcenter.org

This is an opportunity to learn about the Holocaust, European Jewish communities and Jewish visitors can research their roots in the world’s largest collection of books and resources. There are lecture series, travel opportunities, teacher seminars and a speakers’ bureau. Numerous exhibits and gift shop. Call for hours.

Lego Discovery Center (Great Lakes Crossing) Baldwin Rd., Auburn Hills 48326 • (248) 409-6001 www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/michigan

This indoor family attraction is perfect for children ages 3 -10. There is a large play area, creative workshop, models of Detroit landmarks, Lego rides and 4-D theater. Tickets may be purchased online.

Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum

31005 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills 48334 (248) 626-5020 • www.marvin3m.com

Listed as one of the most unusual museums in the country, there are thousands of toys, machines, and one-of-a-kind collectibles.

Michigan Renaissance Festival

12600 Dixie Highway, Holly, 48442 (248) 634-5552 • www.michrenfest.com

A truly unique entertainment experience with knights in armor, joisting, strolling musicians, themed feasts and weekends, specialty acts and active marketplace. Runs from mid-August through September. Check the website for information about activities, events and festival fees.

Oakland County Fair

PO Box 365, 12451 Andersonville Rd., Davisburg 48350 (248) 634-8830 • www.oakfair.org

This annual fair was founded in the 1880’s. 4-H fair memberships and event applications are available online.