How To Save Money at Southeast Michigan Attractions {Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint and Lansing Areas}

There is nothing I love more than going on an adventure to a new place. Only thing is, my sense of adventure doesn’t always see eye-to-eye with my budget. With three kids, I’m quickly learning how to be highly aware of the costs to do everything from grocery shop to vacation, which is why I created this handy dandy guide for how to save money at southeast Michigan attractions.

I hope it helps your family save some moula too! 😉

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The Adventure Park {West Bloomfield and Rochester}

• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library for a $5 off discount online reservations

Ann Arbor Hands On Museum {Ann Arbor}

• Purchase a membership for free general admission for a year, plus special discounts, invitations to exclusive events and entry/discounts to more than 300 museums nationwide

Arab American Museum {Dearborn}

• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library for free admission for two
• Present your Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card and a picture ID on the first full weekend of every month for one free general admission

Arts & Scraps {Detroit}

• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library for a 20% discount to the Scrap Lab.

Automotive Hall of Fame {Dearborn}

• 20% off adult admission with the D Discount Pass

Belle Isle Park/Aquarium {Detroit}

• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library for FREE entry

Buick Automotive Gallery {Flint}

• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library and receive one free child with regular paid adult admission {also includes entry to Sloan Museum}

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History {Detroit}

• Present your Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card and a picture ID on the first full weekend of every month for one free general admission
• 20% off admission with the D Discount Pass
• AAA cardholders can get $1 off admission

Chi-Town Union Station and West Oakland Railroad Museum {Commerce Township}

• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library and receive a $1 per person discount.

City Tour Detroit {Detroit}

• Get 25% off a See The D Walking Tour with the D Discount Pass

Community Bowling Centers {Various Locations}

• Get buy one hour of bowling, get one free AND get 20% off of shoe rental with the D Discount Pass at the following locations: Bowl One – Troy; Century Bowl – Waterford; Plum Hollow Lanes – Southfield; Skore Lanes – Taylor; Sterling Lanes – Sterling Heights or Super Bowl – Canton

Cranbrook Art Museum {Bloomfield Hills}

• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library and receive four free general admissions per pass

Cranbrook Institute of Science {Bloomfield Hills}

• Visit on the first Friday each month for FREE entry after 5 p.m., courtesy of MASCO Corporation
• Get discounted admission by visiting from 5-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays
• Purchase a membership for free general admission for a year, plus special discounts, invitations to exclusive events and entry/discounts to more than 300 museums nationwide

Detroit Zoo {Royal Oak}

• If you go to the zoo more than two times/year, get a membership. This will also get you a discount to zoos and aquariums nationwide, including the Toledo Zoo.

Detroit Historical Museum {Detroit}

• FREE all day, every day! {We love the Streets of Old Detroit and the Glancy Trains!}

Detroit Experience Factory {Detroit}

• Get 20% off any walking tour with the D Discount Pass

Detroit Institute of Arts {Detroit}

• Oakland, Wayne and Macomb County residents get in FREE all day, every day
• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library and receive buy one general admission, get one free general museum admission
• AAA members can receive buy one, get one free admission

DNR Outdoor Adventure Center {Detroit}

• Buy one admission, get one free with the D Discount Pass
• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library for buy one admission, get a second admission free, up to six total guests per MAP pass.
• Visit on the last Thursday of the month from 6-8 p.m. for free

Farmington Hills Ice Arena {Farmington Hills}

• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library for buy one get one free open skate

Feet On The Streets Tour {Detroit}

• Get 20% off the Come Hungry, Leave Happy strolling brunch tour in Eastern Market with the D Discount Pass. Based on availability.

Flint Children’s Museum {Flint}

• $2 general admission on the first Tuesday of the month at the museum
• Purchase a membership for free general admission for a year, plus special discounts, invitations to exclusive events and entry/discounts to more than 300 museums nationwide
• Keep your eyes peeled on my monthly calendar for sponsored free days!

Flint Institute of Arts {Flint}

• FREE entry every Saturday thanks to Huntington
• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library and receive free admission for two adults and children 18 and under and a 10% discount in the museum shop
• Present your Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card and a picture ID on the first full weekend of every month for one free general admission

Ford Piquette Avenue Plant {Detroit}

• 20% off admission with the D Discount Pass

The Henry Ford/Greenfield Village {Dearborn}

• Be on the lookout for occasional free days {typically MLK Day}
• 20% off admission and/or buy one admission to any attraction, and get second admission 50% off with the D Discount Pass
• Present your Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card and a picture ID on the first full weekend of every month for one free general admission

Howell Conference & Nature Center {Howell}

• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library and receive up to 4 free admissions

Holocaust Memorial Center {Farmington Hills}

• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library for free admission for 2 people per pass and a 10% discount in the museum gift shop.

Impression 5 Science Center {Lansing}

• Purchase a membership for free general admission for a year, plus special discounts, invitations to exclusive events and entry/discounts to more than 300 museums nationwide

JIFFY Mix Plant Tour {Chelsea}

• Tours are always FREE and are scheduled between 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Kart 2 Kart {Sterling Heights}

Get 20% off on karting with the D Discount Pass. Offer not valid online, in person only.

Kelsey Museum of Archeology {Ann Arbor}

• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library and receive free admission and a 10% discount on gift shop purchases

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Michigan {Auburn Hills}

• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library and receive $7 off standard entry up to six total tickets
• Get 20% off admission with the D Discount Pass

Longway Planetarium {Flint}

• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library and receive one free child with regular paid adult admission

Meadow Brook Hall {Rochester}

• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library and receive $5 off tour admission for up to four people

Michigan Renaissance Festival {Holly}

• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library for a ticket discount

Michigan Science Center {Detroit}

• 20% off admission with the D Discount Pass
• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass for $3 off entry
• Purchase a membership for free general admission for a year, plus special discounts, invitations to exclusive events and entry/discounts to more than 300 museums nationwide
• Present your Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card and a picture ID on the first full weekend of every month for one free general admission
• AAA cardholders can receive buy one, get one free admission, plus save 20% on museum membership
• Show your high school or college student ID and receive 20% off general admission
• Present your educator or active military personnel I.D. and take 20% off regular membership rates when joining or renewing in-person
• Keep your eyes peeled on my monthly calendar for sponsored free days!

Michigan Firehouse Museum {Ypsilanti}

• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library and receive free admission for one person per group/family

Michigan State Parks/Recreation Areas {Statewide}

• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library for free entry to many of Michigan’s parks {many cost $10 for a daily pass otherwise}
• Purchase a Michigan Recreation Passport for $11 when renewing your driver’s license

Motown Museum {Detroit}

• 20% off admission with the D Discount Pass
• Present your Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card and a picture ID on the first full weekend of every month for one free general admission {subject to availability}

Museum of Contemporary Art {Detroit}

• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library and receive free admission to MOCAD and 10% discount that day at the MOCAD store

PuppetART {Detroit}

• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library for one child free admittance per adult ticket purchased and a 15% discount in the gift shop

Rainforest Cafe {Auburn Hills}

• AAA Members are eligible for 10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages

Riley Archery Range {Farmington Hills}

• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library and enjoy one FREE 1 hour of archery with equipment rental , when a second 1 hour is purchased.

Riverside Kayak Connection {Detroit}

• Get 20% off Detroit Historical Canal kayak tour with the D Discount Pass

Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm {Rochester Hills}

• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library and receive buy one admission, get one free

SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium {Auburn Hills}

• 20% off admission with the D Discount Pass {valid on up to four tickets}
• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library and receive $5 off standard entry up to six total tickets

Sloan Museum {Flint}

• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library and receive one free child with regular paid adult admission
• Purchase a membership for free general admission for a year, plus special discounts, invitations to exclusive events and entry/discounts to more than 300 museums nationwide

University of Michigan Museum of Natural History {Ann Arbor} 

• FREE entry {a $6 donation is suggested per person}
• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library for a 10% discount in the museum store
• Purchase a membership for general admission for a year, plus special discounts, invitations to exclusive events and entry/discounts to more than 300 museums nationwide

Wild Swan Theater {Ann Arbor}

• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library and get one free child’s ticket with a paid adult ticket to any production

Yankee Air Museum {Belleville}

• Check out a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library and receive one free adult and child admission

What other tips and tricks do you have to save on admission to area attractions? Let me know what I’ve missed!