Location: Lansing, Michigan Years Active: 1920 – Active Potter Park Zoo isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s a little gritty, a little old-school – the perfect antidote to those polished, big-name zoos. They do things differently here. Forget mega-exhibits with elephants or polar bears – this zoo is about the underdogs of the animal…
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan Years Active: 1891 – Active Forget those stuffy zoos where animals look bored. John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids is a whole different experience. It’s been around forever (since 1891!), so they know how to make your visit worthwhile. Yeah, there are over 1,300 animals, but it’s not just about staring…
Location: Auburn Hills, Michigan Years Active: 2015 – Active Look, if you’re expecting Sea Life Michigan Aquarium to be some kind of high-tech, futuristic aquarium… you might be disappointed. It’s got a bit of that old-school charm (read: slightly dated exhibits). But honestly, that’s part of what makes it fun. The Ocean Tunnel is the…
Location: Muskegon, Michigan Years Active: 1956 – Active Michigan’s Adventure isn’t your standard amusement park. It’s got history – the place started small as Deer Park Funland back in 1956. Now, this Michigan institution sprawls out near Lake Michigan. Picture roller coasters whipping through the trees! They’ve got a mix of everything: old-school rides, a…
Location: Detroit, Michigan Years Active: 1898 – 1993 Boblo Island Theme Park, located in the Detroit River, closed its doors in 1993. Since its 1898 opening, it had been a beloved destination, capturing the early 20th-century entertainment spirit with vintage charm and preserved architecture. This historic amusement park showcased the golden age of amusement parks, featuring…
