5 winter activities to check out at Detroit’s Outdoor Adventure Center

DETROIT, MI — From autos to archery, the Outdoor Adventure Center has a family-friendly calendar to fill your winter.

Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources revived the historic Globe Building on Detroit’s riverfront in 2015 with the mission to bring an “up north” feel to downtown through hands-on activities, exhibits and simulators.

The outdoors are invited inside with a towering rock formation, a 36-foot waterfall and a 40-foot man-made tree hollowed out for playing.

Kids can also get a taste of outdoor recreation through simulators of off-road vehicles, kayaks, canoes, snowmobiles and fishing boats.

A 3,000-square-foot freshwater aquarium brings wildlife in to the experience and an indoor archery range brings the adventure.

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Admission is $5 for all visitors 13 and older and $2 for children and seniors. Children younger than 2 are free.

The 41,000-square-foot facility keeps a robust calendar of activities throughout the week. Here’s what to check out in January.

Auto Show 5k, mini track and “Cars” movie showing

The adventure center is revving its engine for its own events as the Detroit Auto Show roars back and opens up to the public on Saturday, Jan. 11.

Also returning is the Detroit Auto Show 5k, a fundraiser for the Outdoor Adventure Center.

The race begins 9 a.m. Saturday and takes place along the Detroit Riverfront starting and ending at Huntington Place, where the Auto Show is happening.

When the race ends at 11 a.m., the adventure center will celebrate fast cars and speedy runners with wooden mini-cars. The first 100 children can decorate and race mini-cars along the indoor track.

At 1 p.m. there will be a showing of Disney’s “Cars.”

All registered 5k runners in the Auto Show 5K will enjoy complimentary admission to the adventure center.

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Archery

The center’s indoor archery range offers a free introductory class for visitors 8 and older.

From there, you can take more in-depth classes, including four-week course starting in February. Participants can also register for target practice with paper and 3D animal targets.

Archery courses vary on time and price range. The center has seven open range archery dates listed so far in its 2025 calendar.

Open range archery is available to both past participants of archery programs and the general public for $12.

This program allows returning archers and new participants the opportunity to practice their skills. Archery games may be available to archers upon request.

Pre-registration for the one-hour timeslot is required.

Open range archery dates include: Jan. 17, Jan. 28, Feb. 14, Feb. 25, March 14, April 11 and April 29.

Snow science

January’s Wild Science drop-in event is focused on the art and science of snowflakes.

Participants will create a snowflake, make a snow poem and learn about the natural phenomenon of snow.

This free event is included in the price of admission and does not require registration.

Wild science sessions will run 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 and 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19.

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Birding on Belle Isle

This monthly series takes birders to different parts of Belle Isle to observe and identify birds within the state park.

January’s event will take place 9-11 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 19.

The starting location may vary by month, according to where the birds are. Some trips will involve a caravan to multiple stops. The exact location will be shared upon registration

All skill levels are welcome but a limited number of binoculars are available for loan.

Later this month, the DNR is hosting an “owl prowl” on Belle Isle.

The Nature at Night event, which includes a toasty bonfire to keep warm, is 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23. This event also requires registration beforehand.

A recreation passport is required to enter Belle Isle.

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Yoga with a Creature Feature

The center is bringing its summer yoga series indoors 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan 21.

Before the yoga class, one of the DNR’s wildlife ambassadors will join the class and there will be a short presentation and Q&A.

This is a beginner friendly class with limited yoga mats available for loan.

Preregistration is required. Cost is $10 per person.

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You can find more information about the Outdoor Adventure Center at michigan.gov/oac/visit.

Look through the full calendar at michigan.gov/oac/experience/event-calendar.