You know the old saying, March comes in like a lion and leaves like a lamb. But around here it sometimes comes in like a polar bear, then spends a few days like a platypus before morphing into a wild horse for a week, except for the one day it’s like an iguana… you get the idea: Michigan weather in March can be all over the place.
But regardless of whether you’re facing a wintery mix or an unseasonably warm spring day, there is plenty to do this month, both inside and out. Here are some suggestions.
Late February and early March are key times for maple syrup production in Michigan. There are a lot of places you can visit to tour or take part in making maple syrup, as well as a number of festivals.
Join us at the library on Saturday, March 7, from noon to 5:00 PM, for an afternoon of board gaming fun open to all ages and skill levels. Bring your favorite board game or join in on someone else’s game.
Visit the Village Arts Factory in Cherry Hill Village on Sunday, March 15 from 10:00 AM-1:00 PM to support different local food growers and producers.
Come to the library on Sunday, March 15 from 1:00-2:00 PM, where kids aged 6 and up can join this fun-themed building challenge. There is a brief instruction, then open building, and everyone gets to show off their creations at the end.
Plymouth's Kellogg Park
On those days that feel more like spring, this is a perfect place to get your bike out for a few practice laps around the outer loop. There are also good options for shopping and people watching nearby.
Indoor laser tag, bumper cars, arcade, ninja warrior jr. course, escape rooms and glow mini golf make this a fun time for the whole family when you need to escape unpredictable March weather.
Kids have some energy they need to burn off as winter wanes? This trampoline park with freestyle jump and dodgeball might be just the ticket!
Special Events
Enjoy the kids’ production of The Lion King, March 5-8, 2026, at the Village Theater at Cherry Hill. This special adaptation features classic songs from the Broadway musical and animated movie.
On Saturday, March 14, from 6:00-8:00 PM, your family can enjoy a night of music and dancing with the Easter Bunny at the Summit on the Park. Pictures will be taken during the first hour, but in the second hour, the Easter Bunny will be hopping around the dance floor with you. Preregistration is required.
Detroit St. Patrick’s Day Parade
One of the largest in America, Detroit’s St. Patrick’s Day parade is celebrating its 67th year in the Corktown neighborhood on Sunday, March 15 at 1:00 PM. The parade features floats, marching bands, color guard units and more.
Feel like going for a run? Another St. Patrick’s Day tradition is this race through Corktown to benefit the St. Patrick Senior Center, held on Sunday, March 15. Registration opens at 9:00 AM, with a Kid’s Quarter Mile run starting at 10:30 AM and the Emerald Mile race starting at 10:40 AM. At 11:00 AM, the Corktown 5KM begins.
Handcrafters Spring Fling Craft Market
On Sunday, March 22, come explore one of the nation's top 50 craft fairs with over 80 handmade artists from 11:00 AM-5:00 PM at PARC in Plymouth. Find handcrafted gifts for Easter or Mother’s Day, spring décor, boutique fashion and even artisan foods. Plus, the Rising Stars Marketplace, featuring young makers and emerging talent.
Family Exploration
Starting March 1, you can experience the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition in the country at the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory in Grand Rapids. As you walk through the five-story, 15,000-square-foot glass house, you can see more than 60 species of butterflies from Africa, Asia, and Central and South America.
On those March days that are more lion (or polar bear) than lamb, take a stroll through time at this local museum with an impressive collection of history. Open Wednesdays, and Fridays through Sundays, from 1:00-4:00 PM.
Museum of Natural History at the University of Michigan
Enjoy all three stories of this recently renovated museum, which features life-size fossils, natural life exhibits and a planetarium. There are also hands-on components, such as textures or touch screens. The museum is open every Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. Parking is free in Ann Arbor on Sundays, and general admission is always free.
Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory at Belle Isle
Did you know this is the oldest conservatory in the country? It boasts quite a collection of exotic and rare plants from around the world—beautiful backgrounds for some family photos. It is divided into five sections: a Palm House, a Tropical House, a Cactus House, a sunken Fernery and a Show House.
The Conservatory is open every Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required to drive on Belle Isle. You can park and walk onto the island for free, and admission to the Conservatory is free.
This is America’s oldest aquarium and a great place to visit in combination with the Conservatory listed above. The aquarium is open every Thursday through Sunday from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required to drive on Belle Isle. Admission is free, but a $5 donation is encouraged.
Michigan State University Tollgate Farm
Tollgate Farm in Novi has animals but also features trails and ornamental gardens. See the horses, cows, goats and chickens from a distance. A children’s garden also includes an observation area and a maze. The farm is open every day from dawn to dusk. Admission is free, but a $5 donation is encouraged.
Farmington Hills Nature Center
Featuring a life-sized animal habitat, a backyard habitat bird-viewing area, native fish aquariums, a nature library, an activity table, a hands-on touch table and Discovery Cove, this could be a beautiful place to take the family on nicer March days. Admission is free every Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM and Sundays from noon to 4:00 PM. (Closed Mondays through March.)
The DIA is a rich resource for history and culture. Drawing in the Galleries and Drop-In Workshops are wonderful ways for children to enjoy free hands-on fun. The museum is open every Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM, Fridays from 9:00 AM-9:00 PM and every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. Admission is free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties.
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