Auburn Hills, Michigan Travel Guide

Auburn Hills is a city in Oakland County, in the U.S. state of Michigan. The landscape of The City of Auburn Hills is a kaleidoscope of many natural features, water being one of them and there are tons of rivers, lakes, and streams. Of all the water features in the city, the Clinton River is the most famous. The city takes pride in having two parks located along the Clinton River where residents and visitors can take the time to kick back and relax by the water.

Things to Do in Auburn Hills, Michigan

When in Auburn Hills, you have to visit the Palace of Auburn Hills, which is the home of the Detroit Pistons, as well as a host of music concerts and various events throughout the year. An extra cultural fix can be found at Meadowbrook Theater, which is an outdoor theater that hosts events and concerts throughout the summer, and an indoor theater which hosts art shows, stage plays, and comedians.

While in town, why not check out Oakland University, which is a beautiful campus. It has a lovely clock tower, pretty landscaping with ponds and hammocks, a food court, and tons of different events taking place throughout the year.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a nature fix, head to Hawk Woods Nature Center. It’s home to groomed nature trails, a marsh boardwalk, a covered picnic shelter, a two-story log cabin lodge with five overnight camping cabins.

Another top activity is to pay a visit to the Sea Life Aquarium. It’s the largest aquarium in Michigan and is located within Great Lakes Crossing Mall (which should give you an idea of the size of the mall if it is large enough to have a full aquarium in it…) The aquarium is kid-friendly and has over 5,000 sea creatures including sharks, manta rays, octopus and turtles. There’s also a cool aqua tunnel and an area where you can interact with some of the sea creatures.

And when it’s time to relax, head to Downtown Auburn Hills. You’ll find loads of shops, restaurants, and cafes. During the summer in Downtown, there are small concerts and community events such as kayaking, 5k runs and group fishing excursions. Be sure to check out Parkside Tavern, which is an American Bistro with some pretty good food and craft beers.

You can also head to Rochester, which is a nice downtown area with lots of unique shops, restaurants, and art galleries. In December they decorate all of the buildings with Christmas lights from top to bottom which is quite a sight! Also be sure to check out Rochester Mills Brewing Company if you like craft beer, good food, and very cool restaurant atmospheres. The Rochester Mills Brewing Company is housed in a historic knitting mill.

Best Places to Stay in Auburn Hills, Michigan

Some of the best places to stay include the Hyatt Place Detroit/Auburn Hills or the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Detroit Auburn Hills.

Best Time to Visit Auburn Hills, Michigan

The best time of year to visit Auburn Hills for hot-weather activities is from early July to mid August, when you can enjoy the city's outdoor activities.