Explore: Oswald’s Bear Ranch in Newberry, Michigan

Addison Twp / Lakeville / Leonard, All Stories, Animals/Pets, Auburn Hills, Berkley, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, Birmingham, Bloomfield Area Communities, Brandon Twp / Ortonville, Clarkston/Independence Twp., Clawson, Commerce Twp., Explore!, Farmington/Farmington Hills, Fenton, Ferndale, Franklin, Groveland Twp., Hazel Park, Highland Twp., Holly, Huntington Woods, Keego Harbor, Lake Angelus, Lake Orion/Orion Twp, Lathrup Village, Lyon Twp / South Lyon, Madison Hts., Milford, Northville, Novi, Oak Park, Oakland Township, Orchard Lake, Oxford, Pleasant Ridge, Pontiac, Rochester/Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, Royal Oak Township, Slide, Southfield, Springfield Twp/Davisburg, Sylvan Lake, Troy, Uncategorized, Walled Lake, Waterford, White Lake Township, Wixom, Wolverine Lake

There are also observation decks, and the bears may come below the decks to raise on their hind legs to beg for apple slices, which they try to catch in their mouths mid-air.

Explore: Parks, Trails, Downtowns, and Other Destinations in Oakland County (and Beyond)

Addison Twp / Lakeville / Leonard, Auburn Hills, Berkley, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, Birmingham, Bloomfield Area Communities, Brandon Twp / Ortonville, Clarkston/Independence Twp., Clawson, Commerce Twp., Explore!, Farmington/Farmington Hills, Fenton, Ferndale, Franklin, Groveland Twp., Hazel Park, Highland Twp., Holly, Huntington Woods, Keego Harbor, Lake Angelus, Lake Orion/Orion Twp, Lathrup Village, Lyon Twp / South Lyon, Madison Hts., Milford, Northville, Novi, Oak Park, Oakland Township, Orchard Lake, Oxford, Pleasant Ridge, Pontiac, Rochester/Rochester Hills, Rose Township, Royal Oak, Royal Oak Township, Slide, Southfield, Springfield Twp/Davisburg, Sylvan Lake, Troy, Walled Lake, Waterford, White Lake Township

Oakland County Times has a growing list of parks, trails, family-friendly destinations and more in our area and beyond.

Explore: GarLyn Zoo in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Addison Twp / Lakeville / Leonard, All Stories, Animals/Pets, Auburn Hills, Berkley, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, Birmingham, Bloomfield Area Communities, Brandon Twp / Ortonville, Clarkston/Independence Twp., Clawson, Commerce Twp., Explore!, Farmington/Farmington Hills, Fenton, Ferndale, Franklin, Groveland Twp., Hazel Park, Highland Twp., Holly, Huntington Woods, Keego Harbor, Lake Angelus, Lake Orion/Orion Twp, Lathrup Village, Lyon Twp / South Lyon, Madison Hts., Milford, Northville, Novi, Oak Park, Oakland Township, Orchard Lake, Oxford, Pleasant Ridge, Pontiac, Rochester/Rochester Hills, Rose Township, Royal Oak, Royal Oak Township, Slide, Southfield, Springfield Twp/Davisburg, Sylvan Lake, Troy, Walled Lake, Waterford, White Lake Township, Wixom, Wolverine Lake

Just 40 minutes west of St. Ignace is a family-owned zoo with animals to delight, amaze, and educate guests.

Explore: Parks, Trails, Downtowns, and Other Destinations in Oakland County (and Beyond)

Addison Twp / Lakeville / Leonard, Auburn Hills, Berkley, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, Birmingham, Bloomfield Area Communities, Brandon Twp / Ortonville, Clarkston/Independence Twp., Clawson, Commerce Twp., Explore!, Farmington/Farmington Hills, Fenton, Ferndale, Franklin, Groveland Twp., Hazel Park, Highland Twp., Holly, Huntington Woods, Keego Harbor, Lake Angelus, Lake Orion/Orion Twp, Lathrup Village, Lyon Twp / South Lyon, Madison Hts., Milford, Northville, Novi, Oak Park, Oakland Township, Orchard Lake, Oxford, Pleasant Ridge, Pontiac, Rochester/Rochester Hills, Rose Township, Royal Oak, Royal Oak Township, Slide, Southfield, Springfield Twp/Davisburg, Sylvan Lake, Troy, Walled Lake, Waterford, White Lake Township, Wixom, Wolverine Lake

Oakland County Times has a growing list of parks, trails, family-friendly destinations and more in our area and beyond.

Explore: A Springtime Visit to Dow Gardens in Midland

Auburn Hills, Bingham Farms, Explore!, Favorites, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Holly, Huntington Woods, Novi, Oak Park, Oakland Township, Oxford, Pleasant Ridge, Pontiac, Slide, Southfield, Springfield Twp/Davisburg, Troy, Uncategorized, Walled Lake, Wixom

Last spring we returned to see more of the gardens themselves, and are happy to share the pictures now as readers may look forward to planning their own visit.