100 Things To Do in the Brighton Howell Area

January 1, 2025

Discover the allure of Michigan’s Brighton Howell Area as your ideal destination for a memorable getaway this year. The region offers many activities, sights, and experiences every season. Explore our curated list of 100 exciting things to do in the Brighton Howell Area in 2025 for adventure seekers, families, food enthusiasts, and beyond.

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Events:

1. Take a hike through Island Lake Recreation Area on a lantern-lit trail in the winter

2. Find cute handmade local items at the Howell Opera House Winter Markets

3. Play carnival games and eat cotton candy at Hamburg Family Fun Fest

4. Enjoy the music at the Concerts at the Courthouse series in downtown Howell

5. Shop till you drop at Brighton’s Ladies Night Out

6. Watch the floats go by and honor our fallen soldiers at one of the many Memorial Day Parades

7. Bring the family to enjoy the kick-off to Spring at the Kensington Metropark Spring Festival

8. Watch the Rodeo, ride the Ferris Wheel, and pet farm animals at the Fowlerville Family Fair

9. Try melon ice cream at the Howell Melon Festival

10. Grab a drink from a downtown Howell restaurant to go and enjoy live music during Rock the Block

11. Shop, dine, and listen to live music in the town square at Pinckney’s Art in the Park

12. Put on your best derby hat to sip some bourbon and watch a live Polo Match at the Hartland Polo Classic

13. Watch hot air balloons take flight at the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest in Howell

14. Grab your spooky friends and head to Downtown Howell for Witches Night Out

15. Visit Santa’s cottage for the best photo ops at Spicer Orchards

16. Cruise by vintage cars at the Great Pumpkin Classic Car Show

17. Grab your lederhosen and beer stein to celebrate Howell’s Oktoberfest

18. Bundle up to see the sky light up at Christmas in the Ville

19. Watch floats with over 10,000 lights cruise through Downtown Howell at the Fantasy of Lights Parade

20. Watch 4th of July Fireworks over the waters of Whitmore Lake

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Food & Drink:

22. Get flexible while drinking beer at Aberrant Ales in Howell

22. Get yourself a sweet treat from this itinerary

23. Cool off this summer with Screams Ice Cream in Hell

24. Order tacos from El Arbol from the Taco Window located right outside the restaurant

25. Stop by Aberrant Ales to enjoy an in-house brewed craft beer while playing cornhole

26. Sit on the patio at Zukey Lake Tavern to watch the boats on the water while enjoying an ice-cold drink and delicious pizza.

27. Indulge in a freshly brewed Hard Cider from Ore Creek Craft Cidery & Tap Room

28. Spend your birthday at Diamonds Steakhouse & Seafood for a free piece of carrot cake

29. Grab the girls for a night out on the town to enjoy craft cocktails

30. Try a variety of wines with a choose-your-own flight from Spicer Orchards Winery

31. Watch your candy get handmade right in front of you at Oh My Lolli!

32. Carbo load on the best buttery breadsticks from Tomato Brothers or Gus’s Carry-Out

33. Warm up with winter comfort food like Shepards Pie, juicy burger, or Mac ‘N Cheese

34. After a day of adventure, head to an area restaurant for happy hour

35. Start your day with an award-winning breakfast from Cheryl’s Place

37. Dig into a freshly made custard from Village Pizza & Custard

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Outdoors:

38. Explore the Brighton Howell Area great outdoors on horseback at the Brighton Recreation Area Riding Stables

39. Rent a canoe or kayak and cruise down the Hell Creek

40. Go ziplining or rock climbing at the Howell Nature Center

41. Explore the miles of trails in the Island Lake Recreation Area

42. Paddleboard or kayak on Kent Lake in Kensington Metropark

43. Bring your buddies to play a round of paintball at Hell Survivors Playfield

44. Hit the Potawatomi Trail in the Pinckney Recreation Area on a bike or foot

45. Spend a night under the stars at the many campgrounds in the area

46. Hit the links on the many golf courses in the area

47. Go skydiving to see the Brighton Howell Area from above

48. Cast your fishing reels in Bishop Lake in the Brighton Recreation Area

49. Take a horseback riding lesson at Brighton Equestrian Club

50. Hit the slopes of Mt. Brighton

51. Lace up your snowshoes to hit the trails of one of the Brighton Howell Area State Recreation Areas

52. Cool off on a hot summer day on Bishop Lake in the Brighton Recreation Area

53. Cruise down the sledding hills at Genoa Charter Township Park

54. Beat the heat at one of the 13 public beaches in the area

55. Pack your picnic basket and follow this recipe for the perfect day in the Brighton Howell Area

56. Adventure through the 1,000+ acre Huron Meadows Metropark

57. Spend a ski-filled weekend full of downhill skiing and cross-country skiing

58. Grab your kayaks and paddleboards to float on more than 20 lakes

59. Rent a canoe or kayak for the day to paddle through Pinckney Recreation Area

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Shopping:

60. Shop name brands at discount prices during sidewalk sales and on Black Friday at Kensington Valley Outlets in Howell

61. Go antique hunting at Livingston Antique Outlet

62. Find the cutest seasonal home decor from Simply Charming Too in Downtown Howell

63. Grab the ultimate souvenirs in Hell at Screams Souvenirs from Hell & Helloween

64. Find all your favorite brands on a day at the Green Oak Outlet Mall

65. Find your next great read at 2 Dandelions to read on the patio

66. Spend a shopping day in Brighton

67. Snag the perfect gift for anyone on your list at an area boutique

68. Shop local stores for unique gifts

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Seasonal Favorites:

69. Stock up on farm-fresh veggies from the Howell, Hartland, and Brighton Farmers Markets (May through October)

70. Pick blueberries or raspberries from Hazens Blueberry Farm

71. Take a guided tour through the historic streets of Downtown Howell to try and encounter friendly ghosts on a Haunted Howell Ghost Tour

72. Listen to live music at the AMP! in Downtown Brighton

73. Spend Friday the 13th in Hell

74. Go pumpkin picking at an area Pumpkin Patch

75. Find out what comes out after dark by adventuring through the Terrorfied Forest

76. Go fall color chasing and experience peak colors

77. Visit Parshallville Cider Mill, one of the oldest working water-powered mills, to enjoy cider, donuts, and other sweet treats

78. Welcome spring (or continue to celebrate winter) with Woody the Woodchuck on Groundhog Day at Howell Nature Center

79. Visit Hell when it freezes over in the winter

80. Take a walk through a Winter Wonderland

81. Find the perfect Christmas tree

82. Celebrate the spooky season with haunted houses, ghost tours, and more

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Attractions:

83. Walkthrough fields of sunflowers and capture the perfect photo

84. Have an Instagram-worthy photo shoot with downtown murals

85. Get the most out of rainy days and head inside for fun indoor activities like Escape Room Brighton, and Airborne Adventure Park

86. Wander around and enjoy the art of the Brighton Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit

87. Bring the whole family to have a fun-filled day of learning and exploring at Stemville

88. Swing your club on a rainy day at Tap-In’s indoor golf

89. Burn off excess energy at Michigan’s largest indoor playscape, Castaway Cafe

90. Catch a live concert or performance at the Brighton Center for Performing Arts

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Family Fun:

91. Grab dinner in Hartland, then head to a show at Emagine Hartland

92. See wildlife up close and adventure through the woods at the Howell Nature Center

93. Bring the kids to the 10,000 square feet Imagination Station in Brighton and let your imagination run wild

94. Spend a day at Castaway Cafe, where the kids run and play

95. Spend a day at Spicer Orchards for a hayride, petting farm, apple picking, and let’s not forget about donuts

96. Catch a movie or independent film at the Historic Howell Theatre

97. Bring your furry friend with you on your adventures through downtown, on a patio, or on the trails

98. Burn off excess energy at Airborne Adventure Park

99. Purchase a wristband and hit the carnival rides at the Fowlerville Family Fair, Hamburg Family Funfest, and Michigan Challenge Balloonfest

100. Explore the 70+ rehabilitated animals at the Howell Nature Center

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Explore the Brighton Howell Area this year and use this list to fill your itinerary for your next getaway. Don’t forget to request your visitor’s guide first! Remember to tag us in photos of your adventures using #explorebha or @explorebrightonhowellarea!

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