20 things to do in the Detroit area when it's cold and dark outside

By on Sat, Nov 9, 2019 at 10:42 am

The days are getting shorter and shorter, the sky is gray, and there is a biting chill through the air — but that doesn't mean you have to dread the winter days ahead. If you are looking to stay active, warm, and cheerful, click through to find ways to ignore these dark days in the Detroit area.

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Planet Rock Climbing Gym 1103 W 13 Mile Rd., Madison Heights; 248-397-8354, 83 Aprill Dr. C, Ann Arbor; 734-827-2680; planet-rock.com With locations in Madison Heights and Ann Arbor, Planet Rock is a convenient place to cure cabin fever with some indoor rock climbing. Don’t be intimidated if you’re a newbie — Planet Rock is perfect for anyone from first-timers to experienced climbers.   Photo via Planet Rock Gym / Facebook

Planet Rock Climbing Gym

1103 W 13 Mile Rd., Madison Heights; 248-397-8354, 83 Aprill Dr. C, Ann Arbor; 734-827-2680; planet-rock.com
With locations in Madison Heights and Ann Arbor, Planet Rock is a convenient place to cure cabin fever with some indoor rock climbing. Don’t be intimidated if you’re a newbie — Planet Rock is perfect for anyone from first-timers to experienced climbers.

   Photo via Planet Rock Gym / Facebook
WSU Planetarium 4841 Cass Ave.; 313-577-6455; planetarium.wayne.edu Forever bridging the gap between art and science is the WSU Planetarium. Seek divine intervention from the stars, pray to the muses, or just enjoy the show. Photo via GoogleMaps

WSU Planetarium

4841 Cass Ave.; 313-577-6455; planetarium.wayne.edu
Forever bridging the gap between art and science is the WSU Planetarium. Seek divine intervention from the stars, pray to the muses, or just enjoy the show.

Photo via GoogleMaps
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Wayne State Planetarium 4841 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-577-2107; planetarium.wayne.edu The Wayne State Planetarium offers free public shows almost every Friday night, as well as talks by scientists and fulldome films. This is a great place to escape the chilly temperatures while learning about outer space, space travel, and physics. Photo via Wayne State University Planetarium / Facebook

Wayne State Planetarium

4841 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-577-2107; planetarium.wayne.edu
The Wayne State Planetarium offers free public shows almost every Friday night, as well as talks by scientists and fulldome films. This is a great place to escape the chilly temperatures while learning about outer space, space travel, and physics.

Photo via Wayne State University Planetarium / Facebook
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Lexus Velodrome 601 Mack Ave., Detroit; 313-265-6725 The Lexus Velodrome is one of only two indoor cycling tracks in the country. Operated by the Detroit Fitness Foundation, the Velodrome offers an indoor venue for exercising when it’s too cold to be outside. From bike polo to roller derby to speedskating, this is a great spot to get your blood flowing.  Photo via Lexus Velodrome / Facebook

Lexus Velodrome

601 Mack Ave., Detroit; 313-265-6725
The Lexus Velodrome is one of only two indoor cycling tracks in the country. Operated by the Detroit Fitness Foundation, the Velodrome offers an indoor venue for exercising when it’s too cold to be outside. From bike polo to roller derby to speedskating, this is a great spot to get your blood flowing.

  Photo via Lexus Velodrome / Facebook
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Lexus Velodrome 601 Mack Ave., Detroit; 313-265-6725 The Lexus Velodrome is one of only two indoor cycling tracks in the country. Operated by the Detroit Fitness Foundation, the Velodrome offers an indoor venue for exercising when it’s too cold to be outside. From bike polo to roller derby to speedskating, this is a great spot to get your blood flowing.  Photo via Lexus Velodrome / Facebook

Lexus Velodrome

601 Mack Ave., Detroit; 313-265-6725
The Lexus Velodrome is one of only two indoor cycling tracks in the country. Operated by the Detroit Fitness Foundation, the Velodrome offers an indoor venue for exercising when it’s too cold to be outside. From bike polo to roller derby to speedskating, this is a great spot to get your blood flowing.

  Photo via Lexus Velodrome / Facebook
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Topgolf 500 Great Lakes Crossing Dr., Auburn Hills; 248-904-1032; topgolf.com/us/auburn-hills Topgolf is great for golf lovers who want to continue playing when the course is covered in snow. Located in Auburn Hills, the venue includes over 100 climate-controlled hitting bays, over 200 televisions, free WiFi, a full bar and restaurant, and a rooftop area with fire pits.  Photo via Topgolf / Facebook

Topgolf

500 Great Lakes Crossing Dr., Auburn Hills; 248-904-1032; topgolf.com/us/auburn-hills
Topgolf is great for golf lovers who want to continue playing when the course is covered in snow. Located in Auburn Hills, the venue includes over 100 climate-controlled hitting bays, over 200 televisions, free WiFi, a full bar and restaurant, and a rooftop area with fire pits.

  Photo via Topgolf / Facebook
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Topgolf 500 Great Lakes Crossing Dr., Auburn Hills; 248-904-1032; topgolf.com/us/auburn-hills Topgolf is great for golf lovers who want to continue playing when the course is covered in snow. Located in Auburn Hills, the venue includes over 100 climate-controlled hitting bays, over 200 televisions, free WiFi, a full bar and restaurant, and a rooftop area with fire pits.  Photo via Topgolf / Facebook

Topgolf

500 Great Lakes Crossing Dr., Auburn Hills; 248-904-1032; topgolf.com/us/auburn-hills
Topgolf is great for golf lovers who want to continue playing when the course is covered in snow. Located in Auburn Hills, the venue includes over 100 climate-controlled hitting bays, over 200 televisions, free WiFi, a full bar and restaurant, and a rooftop area with fire pits.

  Photo via Topgolf / Facebook
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Studio88 Pole Fitness 27865 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-991-7436; studio88polefitness.net This studio includes classes in pole and aerialist fitness as well as chair dancing. They also have sultry stretch classes, core-targeting programs, climbing and inverting courses, and pole tease instruction. The studio focuses on helping participants tone muscles while also encouraging confidence, making this a great place to have fun during your workout.  Photo via Google Maps

Studio88 Pole Fitness

27865 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-991-7436; studio88polefitness.net
This studio includes classes in pole and aerialist fitness as well as chair dancing. They also have sultry stretch classes, core-targeting programs, climbing and inverting courses, and pole tease instruction. The studio focuses on helping participants tone muscles while also encouraging confidence, making this a great place to have fun during your workout.

  Photo via Google Maps
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Studio88 Pole Fitness 27865 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-991-7436; studio88polefitness.net This studio includes classes in pole and aerialist fitness as well as chair dancing. They also have sultry stretch classes, core-targeting programs, climbing and inverting courses, and pole tease instruction. The studio focuses on helping participants tone muscles while also encouraging confidence, making this a great place to have fun during your workout. Photo via Google Maps

Studio88 Pole Fitness

27865 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-991-7436; studio88polefitness.net
This studio includes classes in pole and aerialist fitness as well as chair dancing. They also have sultry stretch classes, core-targeting programs, climbing and inverting courses, and pole tease instruction. The studio focuses on helping participants tone muscles while also encouraging confidence, making this a great place to have fun during your workout.

Photo via Google Maps
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Sea Life Aquarium 4316 Baldwin Rd., Auburn Hills; 248-409-6009; visitsealife.com/michigan This indoor aquarium is Michigan’s largest, with 250 species and 2,000 total animals. The aquarium also features an interactive touch tank, an underwater ocean tunnel, and exhibits about shipwrecks and freshwater lakes. Located in Auburn Hills, this a great place to learn about aquatic life in the Great Lakes and oceans. Photo via SEA LIFE Aquarium (Michigan) / Facebook

Sea Life Aquarium

4316 Baldwin Rd., Auburn Hills; 248-409-6009; visitsealife.com/michigan
This indoor aquarium is Michigan’s largest, with 250 species and 2,000 total animals. The aquarium also features an interactive touch tank, an underwater ocean tunnel, and exhibits about shipwrecks and freshwater lakes. Located in Auburn Hills, this a great place to learn about aquatic life in the Great Lakes and oceans.

Photo via SEA LIFE Aquarium (Michigan) / Facebook
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Sea Life Aquarium 4316 Baldwin Rd., Auburn Hills; 248-409-6009; visitsealife.com/michigan This indoor aquarium is Michigan’s largest, with 250 species and 2,000 total animals. The aquarium also features an interactive touch tank, an underwater ocean tunnel, and exhibits about shipwrecks and freshwater lakes. Located in Auburn Hills, this a great place to learn about aquatic life in the Great Lakes and oceans. Photo via SEA LIFE Aquarium (Michigan) / Facebook

Sea Life Aquarium

4316 Baldwin Rd., Auburn Hills; 248-409-6009; visitsealife.com/michigan
This indoor aquarium is Michigan’s largest, with 250 species and 2,000 total animals. The aquarium also features an interactive touch tank, an underwater ocean tunnel, and exhibits about shipwrecks and freshwater lakes. Located in Auburn Hills, this a great place to learn about aquatic life in the Great Lakes and oceans.

Photo via SEA LIFE Aquarium (Michigan) / Facebook
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Schvitz Health Club 8295 Oakland St., Detroit; 313-871-9707; schvitzdetroit.com This historic health club offers a sauna, massages, heat therapies, holistic healing, and a food bar with juices and healthy bites. The steam room and dry sauna are especially good for warming up on a cold winter day. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even take a dip in the cold water pool.  Photo via Schvitz Health Club / Facebook

Schvitz Health Club

8295 Oakland St., Detroit; 313-871-9707; schvitzdetroit.com
This historic health club offers a sauna, massages, heat therapies, holistic healing, and a food bar with juices and healthy bites. The steam room and dry sauna are especially good for warming up on a cold winter day. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even take a dip in the cold water pool.

  Photo via Schvitz Health Club / Facebook
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Schvitz Health Club 8295 Oakland St., Detroit; 313-871-9707; schvitzdetroit.com This historic health club offers a sauna, massages, heat therapies, holistic healing, and a food bar with juices and healthy bites. The steam room and dry sauna are especially good for warming up on a cold winter day. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even take a dip in the cold water pool.  Photo via Schvitz Health Club / Facebook

Schvitz Health Club

8295 Oakland St., Detroit; 313-871-9707; schvitzdetroit.com
This historic health club offers a sauna, massages, heat therapies, holistic healing, and a food bar with juices and healthy bites. The steam room and dry sauna are especially good for warming up on a cold winter day. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even take a dip in the cold water pool.

  Photo via Schvitz Health Club / Facebook
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Planet Rock Climbing Gym 1103 W 13 Mile Rd., Madison Heights; 248-397-8354, 83 Aprill Dr. C, Ann Arbor; 734-827-2680; planet-rock.com With locations in Madison Heights and Ann Arbor, Planet Rock is a convenient place to cure cabin fever with some indoor rock climbing. Don’t be intimidated if you’re a newbie — Planet Rock is perfect for anyone from first-timers to experienced climbers.   Photo via Planet Rock Gym / Facebook

Planet Rock Climbing Gym

1103 W 13 Mile Rd., Madison Heights; 248-397-8354, 83 Aprill Dr. C, Ann Arbor; 734-827-2680; planet-rock.com
With locations in Madison Heights and Ann Arbor, Planet Rock is a convenient place to cure cabin fever with some indoor rock climbing. Don’t be intimidated if you’re a newbie — Planet Rock is perfect for anyone from first-timers to experienced climbers.

   Photo via Planet Rock Gym / Facebook
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Pinball Pete’s 1214 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-213-2502; pinballpetes.net An Ann Arbor staple for over 30 years, Pinball Pete’s offers 10,000 square feet of arcade games and old-fashioned fun. You can also play pool, air hockey, video games, and redemption games. Photo via Pinball Pete’s / Facebook

Pinball Pete’s

1214 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-213-2502; pinballpetes.net
An Ann Arbor staple for over 30 years, Pinball Pete’s offers 10,000 square feet of arcade games and old-fashioned fun. You can also play pool, air hockey, video games, and redemption games.

Photo via Pinball Pete’s / Facebook
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Pinball Pete’s 1214 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-213-2502; pinballpetes.net An Ann Arbor staple for over thirty years, Pinball Pete’s offers 10,000 square feet of arcade games and old-fashioned fun. You can also play pool, air hockey, video games, and redemption games. Photo via Pinball Pete’s / Facebook

Pinball Pete’s

1214 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-213-2502; pinballpetes.net
An Ann Arbor staple for over thirty years, Pinball Pete’s offers 10,000 square feet of arcade games and old-fashioned fun. You can also play pool, air hockey, video games, and redemption games.

Photo via Pinball Pete’s / Facebook
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Michigan Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Adventure Center 1801 Atwater St., Detroit; 844-622-6367; michigan.gov/oac Located on Detroit’s riverfront, this family-friendly hands-on museum offers a variety of interactive simulations and activities. Visitors can touch a waterfall, catch a fish, explore a bur oak tree, and hop on a bike or snowmobile. There are also exhibits about how the Department of Natural Resources manages and preserves Michigan’s parks and wildlife.  Photo via Google Maps

Michigan Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Adventure Center

1801 Atwater St., Detroit; 844-622-6367; michigan.gov/oac
Located on Detroit’s riverfront, this family-friendly hands-on museum offers a variety of interactive simulations and activities. Visitors can touch a waterfall, catch a fish, explore a bur oak tree, and hop on a bike or snowmobile. There are also exhibits about how the Department of Natural Resources manages and preserves Michigan’s parks and wildlife.

  Photo via Google Maps
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Northland Roller Rink 22311 W. Eight Mile Rd., Detroit; 313-535-1666; northlandrink.com Northland Roller Rink is Detroit’s oldest and largest inline skating rink. Since 1950, this rink has been a destination for indoor skating enthusiasts of all ages. The rink is also open to private parties and offers daily lessons for newbies. Photo via Google Maps

Northland Roller Rink

22311 W. Eight Mile Rd., Detroit; 313-535-1666; northlandrink.com
Northland Roller Rink is Detroit’s oldest and largest inline skating rink. Since 1950, this rink has been a destination for indoor skating enthusiasts of all ages. The rink is also open to private parties and offers daily lessons for newbies.

Photo via Google Maps
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Northland Roller Rink 22311 W. Eight Mile Rd., Detroit; 313-535-1666; northlandrink.com Northland Roller Rink is Detroit’s oldest and largest inline skating rink. Since 1950, this rink has been a destination for indoor skating enthusiasts of all ages. The rink is also open to private parties and offers daily lessons for newbies. Photo via Google Maps

Northland Roller Rink

22311 W. Eight Mile Rd., Detroit; 313-535-1666; northlandrink.com
Northland Roller Rink is Detroit’s oldest and largest inline skating rink. Since 1950, this rink has been a destination for indoor skating enthusiasts of all ages. The rink is also open to private parties and offers daily lessons for newbies.

Photo via Google Maps
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Modern Skate & Surf 1500 N. Stephenson Hwy., Royal Oak; 248-545-5700; modernskate.com Founded in 1979, this indoor skate park and shop allows both skateboarders and inline skaters to explore its 1-acre arena of ramps, rails, and a wooden bowl. They also offers bike night, as well as walk-in lessons and snowboard rentals. Photo via Modern Skate & Surf Royal Oak / Facebook

Modern Skate & Surf

1500 N. Stephenson Hwy., Royal Oak; 248-545-5700; modernskate.com
Founded in 1979, this indoor skate park and shop allows both skateboarders and inline skaters to explore its 1-acre arena of ramps, rails, and a wooden bowl. They also offers bike night, as well as walk-in lessons and snowboard rentals.

Photo via Modern Skate & Surf Royal Oak / Facebook
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