Mother's Day Scavenger Hunt Ideas in Detroit
When it comes to having the best time of your life with your entire family, Detroit is a great city to spend this Mother's Day. This sprawling metropolis spans 370 square kilometers and is the largest city in the midwestern state of Michigan. Its rich history as the hub of auto manufacturing in the US, hence the nickname, the "motor city", and modern revitalization have given it a host of attractions that you should not miss out on. This particularly makes it the perfect stage for a Mother's Day scavenger hunt.
From the Dearborn Neighborhood, which is associated with the automotive legend Henry Ford, to the suburban Oakland district, you can never run out of places to tour in Detroit. All along you will encounter amazing restaurants and shops. Here are 6 of the top things to do on Mother's Day in Detroit.
Visit the Detroit Institute of Arts
The Detroit Institute of Arts displays a wide range of contemporary art that dissects man's artistic pursuits from the ancient days to the modern times. In its permanent collection, there are more than 100 galleries that contain more than 65,000 works of art. This includes artistic creations from medieval Europe, the indigenous Americas, Oceania, and Africa; American art and culture; and art of classical antiquity and the Near East.
European painting masterpieces are some of the most popular displays at the Detroit Institute of Arts. This includes pieces done by Van Gogh (self-portrait), Picasso, Matisse, and Rembrandt. There is also a gallery dedicated to African American art that comprises various media and an expansive collection of Islamic art with stone, bronze, pottery, and other ancient to modern works.
Other than traditional art, the museum hosts a variety of performing arts, including theater memorabilia and film, as well as the Paul McPharlin Puppetry Collection.
Explore the Eastern Market
The Eastern Market is an enormous marketplace where locals sell jewelry, foods, artisan crafts, and art. Occupying a space of 43 acres, the market is the biggest historic public market district in the US, having been in existence for 150 years.
There are three different days of the week when you can visit the Detroit Eastern Market: Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. However, on any of the days, you will come across a wide variety of merchandise that you could even take back home as souvenirs. You will also interact with different types of local merchants and get to interact with Detroit through its local wares. Saturdays are particularly busy, with farmers flocking the market with their fresh produce, livestock, and poultry.
Tour the Motown Museum
"Hitsville USA" as the Motown Museum is nicknamed due to its iconic sign is a small single-clad building that sits on 2648 West Grand Boulevard in Detroit, Michigan. It served as the studio where the records of the "Motown sound" were produced. The studio used the house from 1957 to 1972 and visitors can relive how the classical records came to be.
A tour of the Motown Museum will give you and your family an opportunity to see the place where the iconic Marvin Gaye and others worked their magic to produce songs that became famous all over the world. You will also get to see the apartment where Berry Gordy Jr., the founder of Motown, lived with his family.
This museum is the perfect place to see the recording studio's history and relive the historic period of Detroit's ascension to fame as the origin of some of the biggest hit songs of all time. With admission selling out quickly, visitors to the museum have to call ahead and make reservations.
Check out the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant
As the Birthplace of the iconic Model T which revolutionized the automotive industry and inspired the future of personal transportation, the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant is arguably one of Detroit's most iconic museums. It once served as the manufacturing hub for the world's then most popular car and is currently a National Historic Landmark.
You can visit the plant to walk on its original worn floorboards while admiring the dozens of ancient vehicle models that have been beautifully maintained. This includes cars manufactured by Ford and even those from the company's competitors. The trip will also include a peek through the "experimental room" which still looks as it looked when Ford and his team were working on starting and testing novel automotive ideas. The room comprises a drafting table, tools, and the rocking chair belonging to the legend's mother.
Relax at Belle Isle
As an islet sitting in the Detroit River, Belle Isle consists of sports facilities, hiking trails, and beautiful parkland. It is up to one mile in width and approximately three miles long, meaning that you could spend an entire day exploring its varied attractions. It hosts the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, whose exhibits include plenty of ship models that illustrate the Great Lakes' shipping history. The exhibits also are a reminiscence of the period of the grand Great Lakes cruises, such as the S.S. City of Detroit III's restored Gothic Room.
The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, which offers free admission, is one of the island's main attractions. The serene botanical garden spans 13 acres of tropical plants, cacti and arid plants, a lily lagoon, and palms.
Belle Island also has other attractions, such as an aquarium and a nature Zoo, that you can visit. If you want to spend more time on the island, you could also consider its recreational opportunities, which include boat and bicycle rentals, hiking trails and swimming holes, and a giant slide.
Visit the Detroit Historical Museum
Dedicated to celebrating the motor city's thrilling history, the Detroit Historical Museum offers a quick glimpse into how the city got its name. It also allows you to explore Detroit's historical reputation as the hub of automotive manufacturing. It has numerous exhibits, including model railways, reconstructions of Detroit's ancient streets, and dioramas that offer a wholesome view of the city and the occurrences that influenced its rise.
Additional exploits at the Detroit Historical Museum include the information about other defining features of the city, the city's part in the Underground Railroad, and the crucial role that Detroit's people and factories played during World War II. The Detroit Historical Society also operates Belle Isle's Dossin Great Lakes Museum.
Book a Mother’s Day Scavenger Hunt
If you have an adventurous mom that loves to explore new places, have fun, and enjoys games then a Mother’s Day Scavenger hunt is a great option to celebrate. The entire family is in for a fun-filled experience, packed with art, culture, history, and lots of laughs. All you need is a charged smartphone that has a camera, GPS, and internet access.
You’ll embark on an epic mission with mind-boggling clues and travel-inspired challenges guiding you through the city’s best sights and secrets.
Here at Alley Kat Adventures we love hosting and creating unique and custom scavenger hunts that will help you and your family make memories that will last. We especially love hosting such experiences in magical cities like Detroit to ensure that you learn a lot and have fun as you go along. Contact us today to customize a scavenger hunt that will leave your family thrilled this Mother's Day.
