Overview
Southeast Michigan is the region of Michigan closest to Ohio and the Canadian province of Ontario. Although the name is commonly used to mean "the Detroit area", and the state's megalopolis is an important presence, it contains considerably more than the Motor City.
2 things to do
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Southeast Michigan
Palazzo di Bocce
In Orion Township, about 40 minutes north of Downtown, is the largest and most elaborate bocce facility in the United States, and perhaps the world. You can play bocce on one of 10 indoor tournament-sized courts with cou…
Skiing and Snowboarding in Metro Detroit
See also, Alpine Valley ski area, Apple Mountain Ski Resort, Baki Maountain Cross Country Ski Trails, Mt. Holly ski area, Pine Knob ski area.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Jul. (climate data from nearby Detroit)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Detroit — 28 mi away (major hub). Directions
- FNT Bishop International Airport, Flint — 34 mi away. Directions
Sample 3-day trip
- Day 1: Port Huron — St. Clair River, Thomas Edison Depot Museum, Port Huron Museum.
- Day 2: Jackson — Ella Sharp Museum of Art & History, Jackson County Airport, The Cascades Falls.
- Day 3: Lenawee County — Walker Tavern, Gamaliel Thompson House, Southern Michigan Railroad Society.
Built from the best-covered destinations in this region; open each for its own day plan.
Food for you
Wild grapes for one's pick-me-'round, especially in and around the River Raisin's water shed while exploring the river.
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Places in Southeast Michigan
Regions
Cities
- Ann Arbor — home to the University of Michigan, has a vibrant downtown and arts scene
- Detroit — largest city in Michigan, the Motor City
- Jackson — home of the largest walled prison in the world
- Port Huron – the county seat and largest city in St. Clair county
- Southfield
- Wyandotte
Get in
By plane
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) in Romulus
- Bishop International Airport (FNT) in Flint
Get around
By train
For starters, visit the website of the Southern Michigan Railroad Society for a basic gist if needed.
AMTRAK runs daily trains on the east - west line that go from their station downtown Detroit to Ann Arbor to Chicago and vice versa.
Another popular train ride is north to the Canadian city of Toronto for weekend trips.
By bus
Lake Erie Transit is head-quartered in Monroe.
Do
- Beaches, Canoeing, Kayaking, and more Metro Detroit's popular destinations include Metropolitan Beach in Harrison Township., Stony Creek Beach, and Kensington Beach. Detroit's Huron Clinton Metro Park system is a great source of fun. Enjoy canoe trips on the Huron River .
- Golf Metro Detroit has many golf courses. Try Detroit's Metro parks , St John's Resort in Plymouth, and more.
- Horse Racing Hazel Park Raceway, Northville Downs, and Windsor Raceway.
- Michigan International Speedway 12626 US-12, Brooklyn, MI. Home to annual ARCA, NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series races. Also hosts the annual Faster Horses 3 day country music festival.
Do Palazzo di Bocce
In Orion Township, about 40 minutes north of Downtown, is the largest and most elaborate bocce facility in the United States, and perhaps the world. You can play bocce on one of 10 indoor tournament-sized courts with court hosts and hostesses to help if you don't know the game. You can have cocktails and eat courtside while playing, or later in the restaurant, which serves authentic Italian food. Palazzo was the site of the 2005 U.S. national tournament, and hosted the 2005 Singles World Bocce Championships attended by athletes from 17 nations in September. Very popular for group events; Friday and Saturday nights are more crowded.
Eat
Wild grapes for one's pick-me-'round, especially in and around the River Raisin's water shed while exploring the river.
Stay safe
If you feel unfamiliar with the rest of the region (at least when it comes to highways), the Monroe County Library System could be your best bet.
Go next
Nearby
Pontiac
City / town · 7 listings · 2 mi away
Bloomfield Hills
City / town · 6 listings · 3 mi away
West Bloomfield
City / town · 6 listings · 6 mi away
Birmingham
City / town · 11 listings · 6 mi away
Auburn Hills
City / town · 6 listings · 6 mi away
Franklin
City / town · 7 listings · 6 mi away
Troy
City / town · 27 listings · 8 mi away
Rochester Hills
City / town · 18 listings · 8 mi away
My experience
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