Troy is a vibrant suburb located just north of Detroit in Oakland County, Michigan. With a population of over 80,000, Troy offers visitors a diverse range of attractions and activities to explore. From family-friendly museums and historic villages to beautiful parks and lively festivals, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Troy.
| No. | Attraction | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Troy Children’s Museum | Interactive exhibits focused on STEM education for children. |
| 2 | Troy Historic Village | A living history museum showcasing 19th-century life with historic buildings and demonstrations. |
| 3 | Boulan Park and Troy Sports Center | Outdoor and indoor recreational facilities offering various sports and activities. |
| 4 | Troy Farmers Market | A market offering Michigan-grown produce and artisan products. |
| 5 | Somerset Collection | Upscale shopping mall with high-end fashion and luxury goods. |
| 6 | Community Theatre | Local theater offering a variety of productions including musicals and plays. |
| 7 | Troy Traffic Jam | A quirky roadside attraction featuring large fiberglass sculptures of vehicles. |
| 8 | ‘Remember When’ Bronze Sculpture | Iconic bronze sculpture depicting a nostalgic scene outside the Troy Public Library. |
| 9 | Indian Springs Metropark | A large park with diverse ecosystems, offering wildlife viewing and recreational activities. |
| 10 | D Las Vegas Casino | A casino offering a variety of games, dining options, and entertainment. |
| 11 | Cranbrook Art Museum | An art museum within a historic campus showcasing contemporary art and architecture. |
| 12 | Erwin Orchards | A family-owned orchard where visitors can pick their own fruit. |
This article will highlight 12 of the top attractions that you must see when visiting this dynamic Michigan city. We’ll guide you through some of Troy’s most popular destinations, ranging from interactive children’s museums to a nature center situated on a sprawling wetlands preserve. You’ll also discover key pieces of the city’s history andseveral spots where you can shop for unique handcrafted goods. Read on to start planning your upcoming trip to Troy!
1.Family Fun at the Troy Children’s Museum
Name and Location: Family Fun at the Troy Children’s Museum
History and Significance: The Troy Children’s Museum opened in 2008 to provide hands-on learning experiences for children in Troy and the surrounding metro Detroit region. It adopts a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) focus to promote learning through play.
What to Expect: Three floors of interactive exhibits, STEAM activities, programs and events for kids up to age 12. Exhibits allow kids to role play adult occupations, engage in nature play, build and race sail boats and more. The museum also hosts field trips, camps, family nights and birthday parties.
Visitor Information: Open Tuesday-Saturday and select Sundays. Tickets are $9 for ages 1-59, $8 for ages 60+. Family memberships are also available.
The Troy Children’s Museum is one of the top attractions in Troy for families with young children. This lively museum provides hours of hands-on exhibits and activities focused on STEM education. The museum first opened its doors in 2004 and has enthralled families ever since with interactive multi-sensory play.
Some of the highlights at the Troy Children’s Museum include the Building Zone, where kids can construct towers, bridges and structures using real tools and building materials. The Light, Color and Sound zone features a shadow wall, kaleidoscope tunnel and interactive sound exhibits. Kids can also explore themes like nutrition, health, recycling and more in the Healthy Home, Troy’s Farmers Market, and Recycle City exhibits.
The Troy Children’s Museum hosts regular workshops and events as well, like story times, music classes and science experiments for kids. Families appreciate that exhibits appeal to a wide age range, from toddlers to elementary school-aged children. With reasonable admission prices and membership options, the Troy Children’s Museum makes for an easy and educational day out with kids in Troy.
2.Step Back in Time at the Troy Historic Village
Name and Location: Step Back in Time at the Troy Historic Village
History and Significance: The Troy Historic Village spans 28 acres with over 60 historic buildings and structures, showcasing local history from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. It offers an immersive look into life in Troy and southeast Michigan spanning over 100 years.
What to Expect: Self-guided tours of period homes, shops, barns and schoolhouses. Changing exhibits, regular events, crafts and programming. Opportunities to interpret local history via architecture, furnishings and immersive settings. The village also hosts field trips, school programs and scout overnight adventures.
Visitor Information: Open year-round 7 days a week. There is free admission and parking. Group tours need to be booked in advance. There is an annual membership program for return visitors.
Immerse yourself in 19th century life with a visit to the Troy Historic Village, spanning over 60 acres right in the heart of Troy. This outdoor living history museum transports visitors back to the year 1860 through its collection of historic homes and buildings that have been relocated and restored here from across southeast Michigan.
Some standouts at the Troy Historic Village include the Johnson Blacksmith Shop, where you can watch a real blacksmith demonstrate tools and techniques from the 1800s. Visit the Ladies Aid Society Quilt Barn to see beautiful antique quilts up close. The village also offers multiple historic homes you can tour like the Morley Covered Log Home and the Asa Fales House, filled with period furnishings. Kids love visiting the one room Cherry Hill Schoolhouse too.
Throughout the year, the Troy Historic Village puts on regular events and festivals bringing 1860s history to life. Popular annual events cover themes like quilting, spinning and weaving, maple sugaring, the Civil War era, traditional arts and crafts and more from the 19th century. Touring the pastoral setting of the Troy Historic Village truly feels like going back in time to Michigan’s early pioneer days.
3.Get Active at Boulan Park and Troy Sports Center
Name and Location: Get Active at Boulan Park and Troy Sports Center
History and Significance: Boulan Park is a 90-acre outdoor recreational park while the Troy Sports Center is an indoor sports complex, together offering a wide range of fitness and sports options for Troy residents and visitors.
What to Expect: Boulan Park has hiking trails, sports fields, an aquatic facility, skate park, picnic areas and playgrounds. The Sports Center offers ice arenas, basketball, volleyball, classes and leagues for youth and adults, as well as indoor turf field rentals. The two facilities host sports camps, tournaments, classes, public skates and family events.
Visitor Information: Boulan Park is a public park while the Troy Sports Center requires facility fees and memberships depending on activity. Group rates, lessons, camps and parties can also be booked in advance at the Sports Center. Both locations have online web sites detailing hours and upcoming programming.
For recreation and fitness buffs visiting Troy, head over to Boulan Park or the Troy Sports Center. At Boulan Park you can enjoy activities like disc golf, skateboarding and baseball on a newly renovated 80 acre park conveniently located right near downtown Troy.
The park offers an 18 hole disc golf course, a skate park with ramps, rails and obstacles for skaters and bikers, picnic grounds, a splash pad, a playground and multiple baseball/softball diamonds. Walking paths wind through the park as well if you want to enjoy a relaxing stroll surrounded by nature.
Just a mile away, the Troy Sports Center provides indoor recreation space with multiple pools, gymnasiums, an indoor track, fitness center, and ice rinks for hockey and ice skating. The Troy Sports Center is one of the best facilities in Metro Detroit catering to competitive swimmers with training clubs and teams. Families also appreciate open swim times in the lazy river pool and family pool which feature slides and spray playground equipment.
Whether you choose to test your frisbee skills or fitness level, Boulan Park and the Troy Sports Center offer premier active recreation options in Troy.
4.Shop for Fresh Produce and More at Troy Farmers Market
Name and Location: Shop for Fresh Produce and More at Troy Farmers Market
History and Significance: Founded in 2008 in partnership with Michigan State University Extension and operated seasonally from June to October. It provides access to Michigan-grown, picked-that-day fruits and vegetables, as well as artisan products, breads, sweets, flowers and more from local vendors.
What to Expect: 80+ farmers/vendors, food trucks and assorted programming like cooking demos and children’s activities. Open Saturdays 8AM to 2PM rain or shine, allowing visitors to buy direct from a diverse group of local growers and producers. Cash, credit, SNAP/Double Up Food Bucks accepted.
Visitor Information: Free admission. Parking available in surrounding downtown Troy lots, with additional Lots A,B designated for Farmers Market visitor parking . Bike racks available. No pets allowed per city ordinance. ATMs nearby.
For almost 40 years, the Troy Farmers Market has provided the community with access to Michigan-grown produce straight from family farms. If you’re visiting Troy in the summer and fall, add this bustling farmers market to your must-see list.
Over 85 local farmers and artisans set up shop each week at the Troy Farmers Market, selling fruits, vegetables, flowers, cheeses, meats and other specialty food products and crafts. Highlights include ripe juicy berries in summer, sweet corn, heirloom tomatoes and peaches in early fall. With so many vendors, you’re bound to find tasty seasonal ingredients at their peak freshness for meals or snack while exploring Troy.
Beyond fruits and vegetables, market-goers will discover artisan breads, farm fresh eggs and cheeses, maple syrup, honey and handmade crafts like soaps, candles and artwork. There are always free weekly kids craft activities too, along with chef cooking demos and live music performances.
A trip to Troy, Michigan isn’t complete without experiencing the bustling atmosphere and community vibes of the Troy Farmers Market on a Saturday morning.
5.Luxury Shopping at Somerset Collection
Name and Location: Luxury Shopping at Somerset Collection
History and Significance: Opened in 1969, Somerset Collection features over 180 luxury retail stores, including 40 stores exclusive to the Midwest market. It draws visitors internationally as a premier shopping destination.
What to Expect: An upscale shopping experience with high-end retailers like Nordstrom, Saks 5th Avenue, Cartier and Kate Spade housed in a spacious, open-air setting. Also offers dining, concierge services, valet parking and family amenities.
Visitor Information: Open all week 10AM-9PM, with extended holiday hours. Located at the intersection of Big Beaver and Coolidge Highway in Troy. Website lists all stores, services, sales and seasonal events.
For visitors looking to splurge on luxury retail therapy, the Somerset Collection is a premier upscale shopping destination located conveniently in Troy. This sprawling indoor shopping mall spans over 1.5 million square feet housing 180 top high-end brands for fashion, jewelry, beauty, home goods and gifts.
Shopping standouts at Somerset Collection include:
- Bloomingdale’s & Nordstrom – upscale department stores anchoring each end of the luxury mall space
- Standalone boutiques like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Tory Burch and Kate Spade showcasing their latest seasonal collections
- Luxury jewelry retailers like Tiffany & Co., David Yurman and Pandora with dazzling diamond jewelry cases
- Specialty shops for cosmetics, fragrance, shoes, handbags and men’s fashion rounding out all your high-end retail needs
Even if your budget doesn’t allow for much luxury shopping, Somerset Collection offers incredible window shopping as you gaze at the chic displays from iconic luxury brands all housed under one gorgeous skylight-filled atrium.
6.Catch a Show at the Community Theatre
Name and Location: Catch a Show at the Community Theatre
History and Significance: Opened in 1957, this 217 seat theater is operated by the non-profit Troy Community Theatre group to provide high quality theatrical productions to the region utilizing local talent. Over its history, performers of all ages have graced its stage.
What to Expect: A welcoming, intimate performance space showcasing a mix of musicals, comedies and thought-provoking dramas. Upcoming shows, tickets and audition announcements can be found on their web site.
Visitor Information: Located in downtown Troy. Tickets available online or at the Box Office. Subscriptions, student and senior discounts available. Convenient parking in nearby public lots and garages.
Troy’s very own Community Theatre company puts on an exciting season of musicals, comedies and thought-provoking dramas each year. Housed within the Troy School District’s Performing Arts Center, this local theatre troupe entertains over 10,000 audience members annually with its diverse productions.
The intimate 200-seat Kensington Black Box Theatre allows audiences to feel up-close with professional talent gracing the Troy Community Theatre stage. Popular shows have included classic musicals like Fiddler on the Roof and Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella along with regional premiers of Broadway shows like Disney’s Newsies.
For theatre fans, the Community Theatre makes for a wonderful low-key evening taking in a lively musical or engrossing character-driven play right in downtown Troy. The Theatre offers reasonable ticket prices on par with movie theatres along with flexible single tickets or season subscription packages. Support Troy’s fantastic pool of creative talent while being entertained at the Community Theatre’s next production.
7.Tour the Quirky Roadside Attraction, The Troy Traffic Jam
Name and Location: Tour the Quirky Roadside Attraction, The Troy Traffic Jam
History and Significance: Created by sculptor Gary Kulak in 1987, this larger-than-life bronze sculpture depicts a recognizable suburban traffic snarl – eleven cars frozen bumper to bumper. It has become an iconic local roadside oddity and photo destination.
What to Expect: A chance to view and snap photos interacting with the sculpture located in a small roadside park. Interpretive sign details background on the artists inspiration and fabrication of the piece. Traffic Jam branded merchandise also available.
Visitor Information: Free outdoor art installation located at the intersection of Crooks and Wattles Roads, open 24 hours a day year round. Metered street parking available nearby.
One of Troy’s quirkiest hidden gems is the Troy Traffic Jam – a free roadside attraction featuring larger-than-life fiberglass sculptures of cars and trucks humorously stuck in a mock traffic jam. This outdoor sculpture exhibit opened in 1999 and continues to delight locals and visitors curious to see these colossal fake vehicles up close.
Standing in front of the Troy Traffic Jam, creative sculptures put a twist on iconic American cars like antique Ford Model Ts, a colossal 20 foot long Coupe Deville, a taxi cab stuck behind an overturned truck and more in this faux jam. Information plaques share background on the fiberglass artwork and the Michigan artist who created them.
Positioned along a side road near the intersection of Crooks and Maple, the Troy Traffic Jam makes for a quick, free and very Insta-worthy detour while exploring downtown Troy for its humorously gigantic sculptures.
8.Pose with the Iconic ‘Remember When’ Bronze Sculpture
Name and Location: Pose with the Iconic ‘Remember When’ Bronze Sculpture
History and Significance: Dedicated in 2004, this larger-than-life bronze tableau depicts young boys playing a pick-up game of baseball, representing nostalgia for simpler times and community connection through America’s favorite pastime. It has become an iconic Troy photo spot.
What to Expect: A chance to view and pose interacting with the bronze sculpture, located in a landscaped pocket park downtown. An inspirational plaque details the artist’s vision behind the piece.
Visitor Information: Free outdoor art installation located at Stoner Park downtown, open 24 hours a day year round. Close to shops, restaurants and parking garages.
One of Troy’s most iconic landmarks is the Remember When bronze statue group commemorating Troy’s historic past. This beloved sculpture is located outside the Troy Public Library and depicts a charming scene with a young girl listening to an elderly man’s stories in days gone by. The girl rests her hand on an antique radio while images of women doing laundry and working farms in Troy’s early pioneer era swirl above as imagination takes hold of the elder’s tales.
This popular work of public art encapsulates nostalgia for simpler times long ago. As such, the Remember When sculpture has become a symbolic landmark representing Troy’s bygone early history as a rural farming community before growing into a suburban destination it is today.
Visitors young and old can’t resist posing by the evocative Remember When statue, making it a must-see photo-op in downtown Troy. Artists will also appreciate the craftmanship of sculptor Patrick Shannon who created this iconic Troy sculpture.
9.See Exotic Wildlife at Indian Springs Metropark
Name and Location: See Exotic Wildlife at Indian Springs Metropark
History and Significance: Opened in 1952, this park encompasses nearly 2,000 acres of forests, wetlands, lakes, creeks and grasslands in White Lake Township north of Troy. It provides abundant opportunities to experience nature and see Michigan wildlife.
What to Expect: 15 miles of hiking trails, educational programs, canoe/kayak/paddle boat rentals, fishing, nature play area, scenic picnic spots and year round wildlife sightings – including birds of prey exhibits.
Visitor Information: Open daily from 8AM-10PM, with extended hours in summer. Yearly and daily entrance passes available. Interpretive center open on weekends. Website provides maps, events and amenity details.
For nature lovers visiting Troy, you won’t want to miss Indian Springs Metropark spanning over 800 acres with ecosystems ranging from forests to wetlands, ponds and prairie habitats. The park centers around a lake bearing its namesake – Indian Springs Lake – with ample recreational opportunities for boating, fishing and miles of scenic hiking/biking trails to explore.
Yet the highlight for many visitors is Indian Springs Metropark’s wildlife, most notably the free-roaming bison and elk herds. As part of managed conservation grazing projects to restore native habitats, these exotic large mammals inhabit fenced areas of the park accessible via guided tour or self-driving safari-style tour.
Visitors can get surprisingly up-close with the iconic American bison only found in this region within Indian Springs. Beyond the famous bison, keep eyes peeled for white-tailed deer, wild turkeys and even trumpeter swans gliding across Indian Springs Lake.
Offering equal parts recreation and wildlife spotting, Indian Springs Metropark makes for one of the more unique nature attractions to fill your itinerary while visiting Troy and the surrounding metro Detroit region.
10.Test Lady Luck at D Las Vegas Casino
Name and Location: Test Lady Luck at D Las Vegas Casino
History and Significance: This downtown Vegas hotspot brings nonstop gaming action across 34,000 square-feet, with a lively bar and entertainment venue – open 24/7 for those looking to try their luck on slots, table games and more into the early morning hours.
What to Expect: A modern interior bathed in natural light, 1,270 slots/video poker machines, 40 table games, William Hill Sportsbook and the’:live_dj:’ dance club pumping high-energy DJ beats. Website details gaming odds and promotions.
Visitor Information: Located on Fremont Street in vibrant downtown Las Vegas. Self/Valet parking available in on-site garage. Players card allows points/comps across parent company Golden Gate Casino properties. ATMs and cash advances available 24/7.
Touring Troy’s varied attractions is bound to stir up an appetite, making the D Las Vegas Casino a perfect dining and entertainment stop conveniently located right off I-75. Billing itself as a “little taste of Vegas in Detroit,” this lively casino destination transports visitors to a bit of Sin City glamour right here in southeast Michigan.
The lively 50,000 square foot casino floor at D Las Vegas buzzes with slots, table games and weekly poker tournaments for visitors feeling lucky. Craving Las Vegas flair at mealtime? Satisfy cravings at three distinct on-site restaurants:
- Andiamo Italian Steakhouse overlooking the casino floor and showroom stage with upscale Tuscan-inspired dishes
- The Bufferfly Steakhouse & Lounge for perfectly cooked steaks alongside live music
- The laidback 24-hour Vegas-Style D.Diner open around the clock for American classics
Beyond gambling and eating, D Las Vegas hosts regular comedy shows, musical acts, boxing matches and more headline entertainment in their intimate 400-seat showroom.
With neon-lit glamour plus savory eats and entertainment, D Las Vegas Casino brings a convenient taste of the Vegas strip to liven up any Troy travel itinerary without leaving Michigan.
11.Wander Through Modern Architecture at Cranbrook Art Museum
Name and Location: Wander Through Modern Architecture at Cranbrook Art Museum
History and Significance: Opened in 1942, the museum is located within an architectural treasure – the Cranbrook Educational Community campus, featuring buildings designed in the 1930s by famed Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen. The integration of art, architecture and nature is unparalleled.
What to Expect: Changing exhibitions of contemporary art within Saarinen-designed galleries, 315 acre grounds dotted with sculptures and fountains, guided architecture tours available. Upcoming exhibits/tours detailed on web site.
Visitor Information: Located on Woodward Ave in suburban Detroit. Open Tues-Sun year round. Adults $10, discounts for seniors/students. On-site store and tea room. Limited free parking, overflow lot available.
Art and architecture aficionados can’t miss one of Troy’s most acclaimed attractions – the Cranbrook Art Museum located within an historic 315-acre campus originally designed by legendary Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen. Beyond appreciating striking architecture as you wander Cranbrook House and Gardens, the Art Museum here presents a stellar collection of contemporary pieces that rotate through intriguing exhibitions.
The museum first opened in 1930 but underwent recent renovations in 2011 by noted architect Hugh Newell Jacobsen who artfully incorporated glass, stone and wood elements honoring Saarinen’s initial ornate architectural vision. Visitors are treated to a peaceful self-guided tour viewing Jacobsen’s serene blend of indoor and outdoor spaces housing five galleries for permanent collections and temporary exhibits.
Highlights of the collections include hand-crafted furniture by famed designer George Nakashima plus paintings, sculptures, textiles and ceramics representing talented 20th century artists aligned with Cranbrook Academy of Art. Don’t miss the Cranbrook Art Museum store afterwards showcasing handmade jewelry and crafts by local Detroit artists only available onsite.
With striking architecture plus world-class modern art, the Cranbrook Art Museum ranks among Troy’s top indoor cultural attractions.
12.Pick Your Own Fruit at Erwin Orchards
Name and Location: Pick Your Own Fruit at Erwin Orchards
History and Significance: Family owned and operated since 1837, Erwin Orchards is a certified Michigan Centennial Farm that welcomes visitors seasonally to pick fresh fruit straight from their trees and bushes using sustainable growing practices.
What to Expect: Pick strawberries, cherries, blueberries, peaches and apples in-season from both organic and conventional farm sections. Baked goods, cider, playground and picnic area also on site. Check web for picking conditions.
Visitor Information: Open late June to October, dawn to dusk for U-Pick. Located on 26 Mile Rd near Romeo, MI. No admission fee but fruit quantities must be purchased by pound. Pets allowed on grounds if leashed; not allowed in fruit fields.
No trip to Troy is complete without indulging in the area’s bounty of fresh fruit straight from the orchard, especially in late summer and early fall. Family-owned and operated Erwin Orchards has supplied the region with mouthwatering fruit for over 175 years from their working farm and U-Pick orchards right in Troy.
Visitors can stop by Erwin Orchards year-round to shop pre-picked produce and baked goods in their farm market store. But from July through October, the highlight is getting out into the orchards yourselves to fill baskets with ripe cherries, apples, peaches, pears, plums and pumpkins warm from the autumn sun. Kids especially love wandering the orchard rows searching for the perfect fruit while families relish in gathering healthy, affordable ingredients for cobblers, cider, preserves and other homemade treats.
Beyond picking fruit by hand, Erwin Orchards delights families with tractor-led orchard tours, a corn maze and even zombie paintball adventures set amidst the farmland each fall. For five generations, the Erwin family has extended warm hospitality plus fantastic fruit to the Troy community. Don’t leave town without stopping by their orchard to embrace the harvest season through U-Pick fruit fun for all ages.
Conclusion
From world-class museums and historic villages to farmers markets, nature trails and lively entertainment, the Detroit suburb of Troy offers visitors a plethora of fantastic attractions. Families, couples, artists and outdoor enthusiasts alike will all discover memorable activities catered to their interests when exploring this vibrant Michigan city.
Use the 12 attractions highlighted in this article to jumpstart your travel plans, then dive deeper into all the sights, sounds, flavors and local experiences Troy has to offer. Whether you’re seeking educational enrichment or just plain fun, Troy makes for an excellent getaway full of hidden Midwestern charms waiting to be uncovered during your next Michigan road trip adventure.