Day Trip to West Bloomfield: Guide You Can Share With Visitors to Our Town

We wrote this little daytrip guide to West Bloomfield for a summer series called Patch Passport. The other Patch sites in Michigan — from St. Clair Shores to Dexter and two dozen in between — have done the same. 

All summer long, we'll offer up a weekly daytrip guide to another southeast Michigan destination, so if you decide to take a short road trip with the family to one of our Patch cities, you'll know how to get there and where to go.

But to start, here's what you helped us come up with for our own daytrip guide. Have more suggestions? Add them in the comments.

Sports parks in town

Get away from the crowd by hitting on Hiller Road, north of Commerce. Well before the complete renovation of the park 2009-10, Marshbank was a popular choice for outdoor activities enthusiasts and families with children alike. Now, the park offers amenities including a hill for winter sledding and summer concerts as well as a fishing pier.

is well-known by locals for its skateboarding ramps, while has long been a home for soccer, tennis, and more.

Finally: no lake access, no problem. Visit the to get your swimming fix. 

As always, please contact for more details on hours and availability before planning your day around parks.

'It's a scene, man'

If your athletic side favors trail blazing as opposed to competitive sports, you're in luck. As a Rails-to-Trails project, offer visitors the option to walk, bike, or ski across wetlands, woodlands, and wildflowers.  The trail currently covers more than four miles, not including a trail extension project under construction which add another two miles.

The west trailhead, known as the , is designated an Urban Wildlife Sanctuary.

Shopping and fun

West Bloomfield has something fun to offer fashion lovers in , a consignment store known for its shoes, purses, jewelry and clothing. For visitors looking to relax, it sometimes seems as though you can't throw a rock on Orchard Lake Road without coming close to a spa or salon. Find your favorite and leave a comment on their Directory page.

is known as one of the top libraries in the entire country. Grandparents can bring visiting grandchildren to the youth room to play in the activity center, attend a program, play educational games on computers and enjoy other activities.

Of course, don't forget to see the which takes place July 27-29.

Best dinner spots

All that outdoor activity would make anyone hungry. I would suggest heading to Orchard Lake Road for dinner since there is such a wide variety of really good restaurants:

• (save yourself a trip to Woodward Avenue for their famous burgers)
•  (see Hollywood stars of yesteryear adorn the walls as you enjoy yourself)
• (great pizza) 
• (real deal sushi)
• (I say it's the best Chinese food this side of the Ambassador Bridge)

Where else?

Let potential visitors know where else they should visit by posting a comment on this story.