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Patch Passport: A Visitor's Guide to Dexter

Here is a list of must-do and must-see things in the area for a summer day trip, including Dexter Daze this weekend.

 

Here's a day trip guide to Dexter for a summer series called Patch Passport. The other Patch sites in Michigan — from New Baltimore to Fenton and two dozen in between — are doing the same. So no matter what Patch town you visit, you'll have a guide!

Recreation

Dexter Daze

The Village of Dexter will transform into a community party this weekend as the 40th annual Dexter Daze takes over Main Street. Organized by local businesses and artisans, the festival starts Friday and runs through Saturday. Dexter Daze will feature food, games, tours of Gordon Hall, artist booths and live music.For a complete schedule of events just a short drive from Plymouth and Canton, visit dexterdaze.org. For more Dexter Daze stories, check out Dexter Patch.

Community Park

Looking for a place to take the kids? Community Park is full of fun things to do outdoors. Community Park is located behind LaFontaine Chevrolet and is a public park. The park includes a 1/4-mile walking trail, play equipment, a basketball court and a geocache trail. Community Park is a great location for family reunions or small neighborhood parties.

Monument Park

Located adjacent to Dexter's biggest shopping and dining destinations, Monument Park is the perfect spot to enjoy some quiet downtime. It's also bustling with activity during the summer. At 6:30 p.m. on Fridays during the summer, you can catch nightly music concerts, and in the winter, you can enjoy ice skating on the village's ice rink — all for free.

Mill Creek Park

Mill Creek Park is currently under construction and will be completed summer 2012. The park includes a system of boardwalks and trails, a fishing and observation deck, nonmotorized boat launch, and an amphitheatre for summer concerts. The park will have many opportunities to reconnect with nature. The park is located adjacent to the BP Gas Station on Main Street.

Mill Creek Park (formally Warrior Creek Park)

Warrior Creek Park is located downtown behind the Dexter Fire Station. The park includes the beginning of the Washtenaw County Border-to-Border trail and in late fall 2012 a regional trail connection to the Hudson Mills Metropark.  The park includes play equipment, picnic tables, benches, portable toilets and a stairway to the Dexter Farmers Market and Dexter District Library. The park also includes a non-motorized boat launch and a fishing and observation deck.

Hudson Mills Metropark

Year-round activities are offered at this 1,549-acre park. It has picnic facilities, swings and slides, softball diamonds, hike/bike trails, a nature trail, fishing sites, and an activity center with disc golf, tot lot, baseball diamond, tennis, basketball, volleyball, and shuffleboard. Also, there is a trail totaling 12.9 kilometers marked and groomed for novice and intermediate skiers. Amenities include eating facility, rental equipment on weekends, a warming shelter and trail maps. In addition, there is a 6,634-yard, 18-hole, par 71 golf course that is both scenic and challenging.

Spring Valley Trout Farm

Spring Valley sits on 20 acres of carefully maintained grounds in a park setting. Visitors can stroll the park, which includes nine spring fed ponds ranging from a 1/2 acre to an acre in size. On these grounds are located two covered picnic pavilions which seat up to 100 people each, a children's play area, and an authentic American log cabin, used as a fishing lodge with handicap restrooms. The cabin is available for your groups visit and is a replica of fishing cabins from the north.

Art and entertainment

One thing you'll notice about Dexter is that there's plenty of ways to enjoy an evening out on the town.

If the theater is your brand of fun, the Encore Musical Theatre in Dexter or the Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea are great options.

If cinema is your cup of tea, be sure to check out movies the old-fashioned way at the Michigan Theatre in downtown Ann Arbor or the Quality 16 Theater on Jackson Road.

If you're a fan of art, you might want to check out the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair (July 18-21) or Dexter Daze in downtown Dexter (Aug. 10-11).

For art lovers, check out the Side Door Gallery or Artistica in downtown Dexter for some Michigan-made artwork.

Food and Drink

When you're ready to take a break from all of that sight-seeing, there are several restaurants around Dexter to appeal to a variety of tastes.

Alpha Coney Island was voted the best breakfast spot by Dexter Patch readers in our Readers' Choice contest.

For lunch or dinner, try Aubree's Pizzeria, which offers coveted sidewalk dining and high-quality menu items. Other popular eateries include Terry B's, and the Red Brick Kitchen & Bar.

Loraine's Village Cafe, in downtown Dexter, a new addition to town, offers a variety of menu items and daily specials, while Jake's Barbecue Shack located next to Dexter Flowers, serves up homemade barbecue daily.

To grab a tasty sandwich or cup of coffee, you can hit Foggy Bottom Coffee House or Joe & Rosie's in downtown Dexter. Dexter's Pub is also a popular spot for the lunchtime crowd, with daily specials to satisfy most patrons.

Looking for dessert? There are plenty of sweets options. Try a fresh doughnut at the Dexter Bakery, or head over to Dairy Queen or Stucchi's for a cool ice cream treat. If you are a chocoholic, head over to the Gourmet Chocolate Cafe, 312 North St., in Chelsea for a selection of handmade treats.

Shopping

There are many small businesses in the downtown Dexter area to appeal to a variety of shopping interests. If you are looking for home decorations, try Nichols & Stafford. For gift ideas, browse the selections at Artistica, or Life is Good. Scrapbook lovers can purchase everything they need from Polly's Paper Studio. The perfect gift for moms, grandmas and fiances can be found at the Jewelry Box Boutique, which boasts a selection of handmade necklaces, bracelets, and purses. Christine's is a hidden gem for Dexter. This charming little store sells a variety of baby, children's and home goods and gifts, including knitted toys, books, baby keepsakes, serving trays and handmade jewelry.

If you're shopping for relatives, be sure to check out the selection of Dexter souvenirs at the Dexter Pharmacy. For last-minute grocery stops, you can also find a selection of food and other essentials at Busch's and Country Market. There's also a lot of shopping options through the Jackson Road corridor, including Meijer, Walgreens, and Adventures in Home Brewing.

Related Topics: Dexter and Dexter Daze
What places in Dexter would you recommend to visitors? Tell us in the comments.

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