Nestled in the rolling hills of Oakland County, just north of Detroit, lies the charming city of Troy, Michigan. This thriving suburb has steadily developed into a hub for businesses and families looking for a high quality of life without leaving the metro area.
| No. | Attraction | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Troy Historic Village and Kidstation | A historical site with 19th-century Midwest living exhibits. |
| 2 | Stage Nature Center | A 150-acre nature area with diverse ecosystems. |
| 3 | Great Lakes Crossing Outlets & SEA LIFE Aquarium | A combined shopping and aquatic experience. |
| 4 | Somerset Collection Shopping | An exclusive shopping destination with luxury retailers. |
| 5 | Detroit Zoo | A zoo dedicated to conservation with diverse animal exhibits. |
| 6 | Paddleboarding & Pedal Boating at Stony Creek | Water activities at Stony Creek Metropark. |
| 7 | Stagecrafters Baldwin Theatre | A community theatre with a variety of productions. |
| 8 | Farmer Jack Statue Selfie Stop | A tribute to the Michigan grocery franchise. |
| 9 | Bubble Bistro | A trendy spot for bubble tea and unique beverages. |
| 10 | Troy Museum | Exhibits on local history and cultural programming. |
| 11 | Boulan Recreation Center & Park | A recreational facility with a range of indoor/outdoor activities. |
| 12 | Sweet Treats at Cantoro’s & Pernickety Sweets | Local spots for desserts and sweet treats. |
Beyond the corporate parks and picturesque subdivisions, Troy offers visitors plenty of cultural, recreational, and entertainment options. The affordable cost of living here also means your dollar stretches further when enjoying the city’s ample amenities. Whether you call Troy home or find yourself visiting for business or pleasure, there is something for just about everyone among these 12 quintessential things to do in Troy, Michigan.
1.Troy Historic Village and Kidstation
Name and Location: Troy Historic Village is located at 60 W Wattles Road in Troy, MI. The Kidstation children’s area is within the village.
History and Significance: Spanning 10 acres, this village brings 300 years of Michigan history to life through restored historic buildings and interactive programming. Kidstation offers hands-on activities for kids.
What to Expect: Guests can tour antique log cabins, a railroad depot, churches, shops and a one-room schoolhouse. Seasonal events, summer camps, and living history days provide immersive education.
Visitor Information: The village is open Wed-Sun year-round. Hours and event details at troyhistoricvillage.org or call 248-524-3570.
Immerse yourself in 19th century Midwest living at the Troy Historic Village, spanning over 60 historic structures collected from around the region. This is one of the nation’s largest open-air museums where you’ll discover homes, churches, schools, and businesses that have been faithfully restored and relocated to these sprawling grounds. Costumed guides offer engaging tours while special events and festivals held here throughout the year provide additional opportunities to learn through immersive activities.
Within the Troy Historic Village you’ll also find Kidstation, an indoor playground perfect for rainy days or cold weather. Let the kids run wild on multi-level equipment, including a pirate ship and medieval castle. Special toddler areas cater to different age groups. Parents can take a break in the lounge or join in the fun through climbing structures and slides. With reasonable admission prices, Kidstation makes an ideal year-round activity in Troy.
2.Stage Nature Center
Name and Location: Stage Nature Center is located at 6685 Coolidge Hwy in Troy, MI inside Stagepark.
History and Significance: Founded in 1982, this wildlife refuge provides environmental education through nature trails, habitats and rehabilitation programs focused on native Michigan plants and animals.
What to Expect: Visitors can hike wooded trails to spot birds, turtles, foxes and deer, tour the lodge, or attend special events like craft shows, summer camps, story times and owl prowls.
Visitor Information: Free access daily 8am-30 minutes before sunset. Details at stagediscovery.org or call 248-688-9703.
Tap into your wild side at Stage Nature Center, where over 150 acres of diverse ecosystems set on the banks of the Rouge River offer discovery for nature lovers of all ages. Sign up for naturalist guided programs and events like beaver pond hikes, native plant workshops or owl prowling.
With 8 miles of trails open year-round, you can explore on your own through wetlands, meadows and woodlands, keeping your eyes peeled for deer, fox, mink and even river otters along the way.
Inside the center, hands-on educational exhibits highlight the flora, fauna and geology of the region with mounted wildlife displays, a bird viewing area and a turtle pond. Enjoy daily creature features as naturalists introduce special animal guests. Rent snowshoes in winter or meander through wildflower filled fields in spring and stop to identify specimens with an onsite plant guide. From wood chip trails suited even to stroller explorers to more rugged terrain for avid trekkers, the diversity here invites you back again and again.
3.Great Lakes Crossing Outlets and SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium
Name and Location: Great Lakes Crossing Outlets and SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium are located at 4000 Baldwin Rd in Auburn Hills, just north of Troy, MI.
History and Significance: Open since 1998, Great Lakes Crossing offers 185 designer outlet stores while SEA LIFE Display Lake Michigan native aquatic life in a family-friendly indoor setting.
What to Expect: Shoppers can browse discounts at name-brand stores and dine at restaurants before exploring a 360-degree ocean tunnel to see otters, sharks, turtles and over 2,000 creatures up close in SEA LIFE’s interactive exhibits.
Visitor Information: Mall and aquarium hours vary. Directory at greatlakescrossingoutlets.com. SEA LIFE tickets at visitsealife.com/Michigan.
You may not expectOutlet mall meets aquatic adventure at Great Lakes Crossing, a shopping and entertainment destination conveniently located right off I-75, less than 15 minutes north of downtown Troy. With LEGO themed sculptures welcoming guests, don’t be surprised when the kids want to make a beeline for the SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium to discover over 2,500 creatures including sharks, sea turtles and stingrays swimming about in massive tanks surrounding guests with their marine habitats. Interactive rock pool touch experiences allow visitors to connect with rehabilitated wildlife.
With award winning dining options and over 185 brand name outlets spread across both indoor and outdoor shopping promenades, parents can justify a visit while crossing items off the to-do list. Luxury is more affordable at Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th while everyday family fashion finds discounted styles at Gap Outlet, GUESS Factory Store and Carter’s. Splurge a little at Kate Spade New York or Coach. Electronics at Best Buy and home goods at Bed Bath and Beyond round out the eclectic offerings under one very convenient roof.
Outside, explore Michigan Icons Park with larger-than-life sculptures celebrating state landmarks and history. Have the kids’ pictures taken with 16-foot tall replica penny presses representing the automotive plants crucial to Detroit’s legacy.
4.Somerset Collection Shopping
Name and Location: The Somerset Collection is an upscale shopping mall located at 2800 W Big Beaver Rd in Troy, Michigan.
History and Significance: Developed in 1969, the Somerset Collection spans over 2 million square feet housing 180 luxury retailers, boutiques and dining spots. It draws visitors globally as a premier shopping destination.
What to Expect: Guests can browse signature brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co. while appreciating museum-quality artworks displayed across glass walkways under signature blue skylight ceilings.
Visitor Information: Open daily 10am-9pm, restaurants until 11pm. Map at thesomersetcollection.com or call 248-643-6360.
You can’t miss the Blue Martha Stewart Sculpture marking the entrance to Somerset Collection North. As metro Detroit’s most exclusive shopping destination, nowhere else in the region will you find such an incredible array of luxury retailers housed under soaring skylights.
From Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom to Neiman Marcus, over 180 specialty stores fill this sprawling indoor complex. High-end names like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo and Tory Burch fill robust boutique spaces. Contemporary fashions from Anthropologie to lululemon line the breezeways, while salons like Drybar make it easy to refresh during full day retail therapy sessions. With no sales tax on clothing, take advantage of the savings.
Connected via walkway lies Somerset Collection South, adding over 100 more retailers like Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma for elevated home goods and the U.K. based Reiss among other international imports specific to this location. Combined, the two distinct complexes offer the most diverse collection of upscale shopping found in Michigan.
When hunger strikes, refuel over creative cuisine along the Santorini-inspired skies painted across the MediterraneanAmbiance at Seasons 52. More casual fare like burgers and milkshakes hit the spot Uptown where lights crafted from recycled Somerset fixtures dangling above. Parking here spans over 7,500 spaces connected by free shuttles, helping make unloading hauls seamless.
5.Detroit Zoo
Name and Location: The Detroit Zoo is located at 8450 W 10 Mile Rd in Royal Oak, about 20 minutes from Troy, MI.
History and Significance: Founded in 1928, the Detroit Zoo sits on 125 acres with award-winning habitats for 230 animal species including the Arctic Ring of Life polar bear exhibit and the National Amphibian Conservation Center.
What to Expect: Visitors can visit gorillas, kangaroos, butterflies and tigers while riding a wildlife carousel or train. An after-hours sunset event series offers music, drinks and illusionist shows for adults.
Visitor Information: Open daily 9am-5pm. Admission fees apply. Details at detroitzoo.org or call 248-541-5717.
Lions and tigers and bears may be running through your head, but at the Detroit Zoo situated in nearby Royal Oak (less than 30 minutes from Troy), visitors flock here not just for expected inhabitants; over 238 acres are dedicated to endangered and threatened species focusConservation programs. State-of-the-art habitats give Arctic foxes, Amur tigers, kangaroos and gorillas room to roam using natural elements native to their regions, providing fuller pictures of these captivating creatures in settings closely replicating their natural territories.
The Arctic Ring of Life wraps guests in effectively simulated tundra terrain, while the three acre Great Apes of Harambee habitat offers swinging vines and climbing platforms through rain forest representative spaces allowing chimpanzees to showcase their phenomenal athletic abilities. Scale the rope bridges connecting islands designed specifically for agile lemurs leaping through the air. From naked mole rats to mighty polar bears, discover favorite wildlife and unexpected exotic species traversing expertly assembled living environments.
Special events like Zoo Boo around Halloween bring trick-or-treating among glowing jack-o-lanterns lighting the paths after dark when bats, owls and nocturnal dwellers awaken. Summer concerts allow combining live music with exploring the grounds. Whenever visiting the Detroit Zoo, plan ample time to cover all corners of this world class facility rightly claiming fame as one of the region’s premier attractions.
6.Paddleboarding & Pedal Boating with SkipperBud’s at Stony Creek Metropark
Name and Location: SkipperBud’s boat rentals operates inside Stony Creek Metropark at 4300 Main Park Rd in Shelby Township, about 30 minutes from Troy, MI.
History and Significance: Stony Creek Metropark encompasses 4,500 pristine acres while SkipperBud’s has offered non-motorized boat rentals on the lake for decades, allowing visitors easy access to water recreation.
What to Expect: Guests can rent stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, rowboats and pedal crafts by the hour to explore and fish the calm lake waters. Beginner lessons and eco-tours offered as well.
Visitor Information: SkipperBud’s open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day. Reservations at skipperbuds.com/stony-creek or call 586-781-3900.
Among over 4,800 acres of Stony Creek Metropark less than 20 minutes from Troy, SkipperBud’s Stony Creek provides ample access to the expansive inland lake defining this playground. Here families and adventure seekers alike connect with the expansive water through stand up paddleboards and pedal boats available to rent. Paddle out in human-powered watercraft suitable for beginners through advanced paddlers gliding across glass-like flat conditions or riding the wakes tracing motorboats criss-crossing the lively summer waters.
Outfitted with gear to hit the beach after working up an appetite, grill burgers on provided stand-up charcoal grills near the rental facilities and sandy shore entry lending easy launching point access. Gazebos offer shade for relaxing picnics when not playing beach volleyball on site courts.
From lush rolling parklands perfect for peaceful hikes and bike rides along the crushed stone path to lush Inwood Trails, Stony Creek Metropark offers a full menu of seasonal recreation complete with an 18-hole disc golf course threading through the woods. Water lovers flock back again and again to make the most of the liquid asset central to this dynamic park less than 15 minutes from downtown Troy.
7.Stagecrafters Baldwin Theatre
Name and Location: Stagecrafters Baldwin Theatre is located at 415 S Lafayette Ave in downtown Royal Oak, 20 minutes from Troy, MI.
History and Significance: Built in 1948 for theatre arts, the Baldwin presents comedies, dramas and musicals performed by the non-profit Stagecrafters troupe continuously for over 70 years.
What to Expect: Patrons can enjoy award-winning community theatre productions in an intimate setting. The lobby artwork also pays tribute to Baldwin’s rich creative history.
Visitor Information: Showtimes and tickets available at stagecrafters.org. Call 248-541-6430 for more details.
Among performance arts venues in southeast Michigan, the long running Stagecrafters Baldwin Theatre offers audiences memorable community theatre experiences within the intimate setting of this century old vaudeville playhouse. Located in downtown Royal Oak, less than 20 minutes south of Troy, feature productions run year round including comedies, dramas and musicals bringing veteran actors together with newcomers testing their talents across the historic stage.
Enjoy classics like Chicago sharing creative sets under iconic spotlights that have illuminated decades of distinctive local productions. Annual youth productions give local students the opportunity to develop onstage skills under the mentorship of seasoned theatre veterans.
Performance calendars balance blockbuster hits with thought provoking obscure works giving exposure to playwrights beyond Broadway. Reasonable ticket prices make experiencing the community arts scene here accessible to culture seekers across metro Detroit.
8.Farmer Jack Statue Selfie Stop
Name and Location: The Farmer Jack statue is located along Maple Rd west of Stephenson Highway in Troy, MI.
History and Significance: Unveiled in 2017, this 8-foot tall bronze statue commemorates the beloved former grocery chain Farmer Jack and founder Tom Borders’ connections to Troy. It has become a popular public art display.
What to Expect: The cheery Farmer Jack statue depicting the store mascot, farm crops and a shopping cart serves as a fun free photo opportunity along a commercial corridor.
Visitor Information: The statue is freely accessible year-round at the roadside pull-off area.
Swing by Two Cities Plaza in downtown Troy to pay tribute to the iconic Michigan grocery franchise with a keepsake selfie alongside the Farmer Jack statue. Honoring the beloved local market chain bought out in 2007 after over 50 years stapling metro neighborhoods, this larger than-life figure commemorates the friendly faces and downhome service that turned grocery shopping into weekly community gatherings.
Positioning founder Tom Borders bagging customer’s groceries at a vintage cash register, the scene spotlights Troy hometown pride with the former flagship location occupying the plaza site from 1966 until 2003. Besides nostalgic snapshots with outdated grocery boxes, the platform surrounding the bronze statue makes a perfect prop for jumping shots with Farmer Jack himself, offering visitors and returning locals an unexpected slice of Troy history right in the heart of downtown.
9.Bubble Bistro
Name and Location: Bubble Bistro is located at 3441 E Maple Rd in Troy, MI.
History and Significance: Opened in 2018, Bubble Bistro specializes in Taiwanese-inspired bubble waffles and teas. Their unique hot and crispy bubble waffle cones stuffed with ice cream and toppings have made them an Instagrammable dessert destination.
What to Expect: The bubble waffle menu offers inventive flavor combos alongside customizable Hong Kong egg waffles, milk teas, coffee, and fruit smoothies in a modern café setting.
Visitor Information: Open daily 12-9pm. Menu at bubblebistrotea.com and call 248-677-5350 for takeout.
Bringing Taiwanese bubble tea trendsboba to metro Detroiters, Bubble Bistro’s Troy location dishes out inventive house creations starring tapioca pearls as the signature ingredient. Beyond traditional black and green milk teas, an extensive customizable menu spans fruit blends, coffee hits your taste buds between the eyes with unexpected flavor bombs starring Michigan favorites like the Mackinac Island Fudge flavor swirling with chocolate chips and cherries or the Superman packing a blue raspberry and vanilla punch.
Health conscious sips include refreshingUnsweetened Green Tea blended with lychee jelly cubes plus a daily assortment of slushies and organic options expanding offerings.
Seating fills fast in this epicenter of Generation Z hangouts crowned by rainbow neon signage with hanging swings, arcade games and plenty of USB ports for staying digitally connected through the constant social media check ins happening on site.
When only the namesake bubbles will do, add a combo of pearls and jellies to any milk, yogurt, or juice base. Beyond intensely inclusive vibes and trend-setting drinks cranked out by expert baristas, what really pops at Bubble Bistro Troy are the over-the-top photo ops starring bokeh wall murals made for snapping dreamy selfie backdrops.
10.Take in Art & Exhibits at the Troy Museum
Name and Location: The Troy Museum is located inside the Troy Historic Village at 60 W. Wattles Rd. in Troy, MI.
History and Significance: In addition to its historic buildings, the village campus houses a museum exhibiting antique furniture, textiles, toys and appliances along with contemporary art relevant to regional history.
What to Expect: Museum patrons can explore decorative arts collections spanning 300 years while special exhibits highlight automotive design, native wildlife artwork, or profiles of influential local women for example.
Visitor Information: Included with village admission, $5-10. Hours at troyhistoricvillage.org or call 248-524-3570.
Dive into the unique history shaping metro Detroit’s present day at the Troy Museum, an intimate local history hub focused on showcasing this specific pocket through compelling exhibitions and cultural programming designed to engage visitors with the communities defining southeast Michigan. Excellently curated rotating displays explore aspects from 19th century domestic life to the rise of the automotive industry indelibly forging regional identity to this day.
Interact with a General Motors robot exhibit demonstrating behind-the-scenes technology driving Motor City assembly lines. Learn about prominent citizens like shopping mall pioneer Alfred Taubman who left an indelible local footprint. Schedule your visit to catch limited run national exhibits like “A City Transformed: Picturing Detroit 1937-1967” offering an evocative visual chronicle defining eras in our state’s story.
With regular artist receptions, talented creatives gain a platform among the contemporary Statue of Liberty works greeting guests in the front gallery. Don’t miss the permanent Story of Troy display encapsulating the journey defining this community’s heritage including a replica 1860s barn marked by real horse shoes tossed to bring good luck, hinting at the rich narratives waiting to captivate culture seekers here.
11.Boulan Recreation Center & Park
Name and Location: Boulan Park Recreation Center & Sports Park is located at 1898 Boulan Park Dr. in Troy, MI.
History and Significance: Situated on 150 green acres, Boulan Park provides recreational facilities including a year-round ice arena, sports fields, pools, courts, trails, playgrounds and a senior/community center.
What to Expect: Visitors enjoy sports programs, open skating, adult leagues, fitness classes, summer camps, and amenities like vending machines and locker room facilities to support activities onsite.
Visitor Information: Park open daily 6am-10pm. Center hours, schedules and fees listed at troymi.gov/boulan or call 248-524-3484.
If you’re looking for ways to stay active indoors during Troy travels, locals head to Boulan Recreation Center nestled within Boulan Park’s 120 acres just over 5 miles from downtown. Attached to Troy High School south of Long Lake Road near Livernois Road, the sizable rec center offers an indoor walking and running track circling gymnasiums dedicated to basketball, volleyball and pickleball courts accommodating most indoor recreation cravings beyond highly popular fitness classes like yoga, Zumba and cycling keeping residents moving year-round.
The outdoor aquatic park features several pools, a diving well with platforms plus a 182 foot waterslide twisting around for endless summer fun when temperatures peak. Spacious park grounds include handball courts, baseball diamonds, a skateboard park and disc golf keeping kids busy through nonstop play during extended stays. Rent pavilions for hosting family reunions or retreats within the peaceful lakeside picnic grounds made for grup gatherings.
12.Grab Sweet Treats at Cantoro’s or Pernickety Sweets
Name and Location: Cantoro’s Italian Market (155 W 14 Mile Rd) and Pernickety Sweets (2450 Rochester Court) are dessert shops located in Troy, MI.
History and Significance: Cantoro’s has served Italian pastries, cappuccinos and gelato since 1958. Pernickety offers artisan chocolates, caramels and baked goods using natural, locally sourced ingredients.
What to Expect: Visitors can order cappuccinos, tiramisu, cannolis, biscotti and 30+ gelato flavors at Cantoro’s old world style cafe or choose from 200 types of chocolate confections and giftable sweets at Pernickety’s patisserie counter.
Visitor Information: Cantoro’s is open Tuesday-Sunday. Details at cantoros.com or call 248-458-8680. Pernickety open Monday-Friday. Learn more at pernickety-sweets.com or 248-815-3879.
Finally, no visit to Troy is complete without grabbing dessert from a couple locally owned sweet spots. Classically trained master gelatier, Ken Elmer whips up over 40 gelato and sorbetto flavors like tiramisu, blood orange chipotle or honey lavender from scratch at Cantoro’s Gelato.
This little slice of Italy shines through specialty options highlighting regional ingredients like Michigan cherry and cinnamon candy cap mushroom, a local delicacy lending hints of maple syrup essence to the creamy custard-style gelatos and fruit studded sorbets.
Just down the street in a Victorian style house, Pernickety Sweets serves up nostalgic candy shop vibes through old fashioned handmade confections. Relive childhood with shelves packed with penny candies and novelty sugar sticks perfect for gift giving.
Cases overflow with fudge, brittles, caramels and barks made in-house using premium ingredients free of preservatives. It’s thanks to places like these that Troy retains its small town charm even while continuing to grow as an entertainment destination for both residents and tourists.
Conclusion
From world class shopping and dining to cultural attractions steeped in regional history, the 12 experiences detailed here give visitors a well rounded overview capturing quintessential things to do in Troy, Michigan. Families find no shortage of recreation and entertainment options suitable for vacationers of all ages and interests. Outdoor adventurers tap into the area’s abundant natural playground while indoor enthusiasts uncover arts and activities energizing mind and body.
Wherever your Troy travels take you, a warm Midwestern welcome full of hometown hospitality promises visitors comfortable, smooth travels allowing deeper destination immersion. By highlighting this Detroit suburb’s unique character, the activities shared here intend to showcase Troy’s distinctive personality, inviting guests to come explore both tourist oriented gems along with local establishments favored by longtime residents. When passing through the metro area, take time to venture just north of the city and uncover for yourself why Troy makes a fabulous Detroit home base full of charm.