If you’re visiting Sterling Heights and find yourself with a day or two on your hands, but don’t feel like going much further afield, you may be wondering about the entertainment options and activities nearby. Here are six ways to keep you occupied without leaving the city.
Check out special events and seasonal attractions
Whenever you’re visiting somewhere new and have time to spare, it’s a good idea to look up current attractions and events. You might just get to enjoy a free diversion, learn a little more about the area’s heritage and culture, and see what residents get up to for their seasonal entertainment.
Locals are particularly proud of Sterlingfest, a three-day summer festival of food, music, and art, with a 5k race and kid-friendly activities. It’s considered one of the biggest and best local events, but there are others you could catch during your stays here, such as the Stars & Stripes Festival or the American Polish Festival.
Tour the GM Heritage Center
Fans of automobiles or the history of the American industry, in general, will surely appreciate the chance to visit this unique venue with its exclusive collection of cars from different periods of General Motors’ past. Do note that it is a private collection and not normally open to the public. If you’re not visiting as part of a special event, such as a conference, you’ll need to book them for a group tour, so plan.
Go shopping
Even with the Metro Detroit area nearby, you can probably satisfy your shopping needs at one of the local malls. The secret is to know when the stores go on sale. If you frequently pass by Lakeside Mall along Hall Road, for example, you could keep an eye out for sale notices and take advantage of discounted prices as they come.
Play some games
Sterling Heights offers some fun gaming experiences for kids of all ages, and adults who remain young at heart. There’s indoor racing at Kart 2 Kart, an air trampoline and game park, and bowling at Sterling Lanes. The Zap Zone Fun Center also offers up laser tag, an obstacle course in the style of American Ninja Warrior, and other activities for a day’s worth of entertainment.
Enjoy local parks
If you’d rather experience a taste of nature for your day’s activity, head out to the Nature Center to view some live reptiles and amphibians. There are also dozens of local parks where you can explore nature trails, go birdwatching, or spread out and have a picnic. Many of them also offer facilities where you can play tennis, soccer, baseball, and basketball, among others.
Hang out in a café
If you’d like to take a break from activities and find somewhere indoors where you can sit down, relax, and maybe get some work done while surrounded by a different ambience, there are many cafes to choose from. International chains like Starbucks, Tim Horton’s, and Dunkin’ have a foothold here. But several local entrepreneurs have set up cafes, pastry, and coffee shops to offer you a café experience unique to Sterling Heights. Look along Dequindre, 18 Mile and Mound Roads for various establishments where you can pass a few hours while treating yourself to sweets and sipping beverages.
Many people see Sterling Heights as a place to settle down with their families. Still, if you look around, you’ll find there’s quite a lot to do and enjoy within the area.
