Novi, MI, is a city located within Oakland County, approximately 8 miles northwest of Detroit. According to a 2020 census, Novi is a city of 66,243 inhabitants.
The city was first organized in the year 1832 but was not incorporated into the country as a city until 1969. The name Novi came from the wife of a local resident looking for a name. Since its establishment as a city, it has continued to rank high in Michigan as the fastest-growing city.
It is known for being the main shopping center in the area and has made several lists in terms of being one of the best cities in the country. With this growth and national attention, this city has been working hard to attract people into its city, and so far, it has worked as the population has been rapidly expanding within the last three decades.
If you plan a visit here, here you have the list of the best 15 things to do in Novi, Michigan during your visit.
Things to Do in Novi, MI
1. Spend some money at Twelve Oak Mall
This huge mall has close to 185 stores and restaurants lining its walls, making it one of the largest shopping malls in all of Michigan. It has all the major stores you would expect to find in a mall of this size, including Macy’s and JCPenney. Walking inside this mall could easily lead to an adventure you would not expect to have in a mall.
However, this mall can show you new and exciting stores that will keep you guessing what will come next and make you hold on to your wallet because budgets will go out the window in a mall like this.
Once the shopping is done, go to the food court, rest your feet, and grab some good food. This shopping center was the mall that made Novi what it is today, walk inside and see why it has acquired such a title.
2. Have one of a kind experience at Emagine Theatres Novi
Two of the biggest movie theater chains are Regal and AMC. Most people are aware of these household movie theatres, but you can hit the jackpot with Emagine Movie Theatre in Michigan. This movie theatre is built for luxury and will provide you with the best experience you have had at a movie theatre.
First, get lost at the concessions stand where they serve stone-fired pizza and have a full bar. Then when you walk into the movie theatre, it is another experience as well. They have D-Box seats that move along with the movie to make you feel you are actually in the movie. Then they have seat-side food and drinks service; if that is not enough, they even have valet parking.
This movie theatre goes out of there way to make sure you know you matter. So ditch the AMCs and Regals, and make your way over to Emagine Theatres.
3. Meet some locals at Bar Louie
Bar Louie has many locations, but only one is in Novi, and looking at their menu will show you where you are. This bar emphasizes customer satisfaction, so they critique their menus to what the public likes.
Get lost in their fried chicken flatbread or go on the wild side with the blue wedge with seared chicken; either selection will leave you satisfied.
Then don’t forget to grab a drink, which this bar does not lack. This bar can make for a good family night out and can be that one place that stands out when you look back because a night out with the family is often the one moment that lives on forever in your mind.
4. Go karting at Paradise Park
With Novi becoming the centerpiece of Michigan, they have invested in having an attraction to bring people in, and Paradise Park is one of those attractions. This park comprises 11 individual attractions, a full-service bar, and party packages. This park is not only for children but for adults as well. They have Go-Karts, Laser Tag, a fun slide, and much more to be seen at this park.
It can help bring out the childish side of you as an adult. There is no limit to how much fun someone can have at this park, so grab the family and take them to Paradise Park; this location will keep you busy all day and night. It’s the true fun center of Paradise Park.
5. Have fun with your friends at the WhirlyBall
This indoor bumper car location hosts corporate meetings, block parties, and family reunions. This location is a fun destination for adults looking to find some relief.
If you are feeling stressed from a vacation, nothing feels better than driving in a car that is too small for you and ramming into other people, and it also doesn’t hurt that they have two full bars.
Then when you are done with the cars, you could grab some food as they offer full catering, and then play some billiards. It can be an excellent team-building location but also a family bonding experience.
This little indoor fun zone is the place that needs to be in the top five of your list when it comes to sites just to let loose.
6. Challenge your family at the Escape Room in Novi
Everyone loves a moment to be a little afraid or channel their inner Scooby-Doo. The escape room in Novi has ten different escapes that you and your family could try, each with its themes and difficulty level. It’s a great place to build teamwork and trust amongst each other because everyone’s heads will have to come together if you escape these rooms.
This escape room even goes one step further with the fun by offering two different mini-games you could indulge in. They work hard to throw curve balls your way and keep you guessing so that if you finally do escape, you can feel like you truly accomplished something.
7. Explore Novi Town Center
Novi is growing in population size and becoming a more attractive place to live, but it is still a small city compared to most. So while it is still small, take the chance to go to their town center.
This town center opposite the Twelve Oak Mall is small and intimate, so if large crowds are not your thing, then this may be the place for you.
What makes this center different from the mall is it provides more of a chance to support Novis small businesses and find items unique to Novi and Michigan. So don’t be afraid to make your way to the center and find that one item that could last you a lifetime.
8. Play indoor golf at Putting Edge
This mini-golf location is guaranteed to be a different experience than most locations. Not only do they offer an 18-hole black light experience, but they also have an arcade. You could find yourself going from playing some mini-golf to playing a classic game of Pacman in no time.
The course not only has black lighting, but it plays up-to-date music that will keep your ears ringing through your experience and have excellent images littered throughout the course to keep you laughing and making the task of getting the ball in the hole all the more difficult.
This course has so many bells and whistles that you could feel you are in this never-ending fun house. Then, of course, grab some food and relax for the rest of your stay when it is all said and done. Could you imagine a better way to end a night out?
9. Enjoy a locally brewed beer at the Ascension Brewing Company
Ascension Brewing Company is a microbrewery located in Novi, MI, established in 2015. This family-owned and operated brewery offers visitors a unique and flavorful experience, with a focus on quality craft beer and locally sourced ingredients.
One of their most popular beers is the Tarty Slip, a sour ale that is refreshing and tart, with notes of citrus and passionfruit.
The brewery uses traditional brewing methods and sources local ingredients whenever possible, resulting in unique and flavorful beers that are a must-try for any beer enthusiast.
10. Spend some family time during a picnic at Maybury State Park
With an area of 944-acre this park offers visitors the perfect setting for a relaxing day outdoors, surrounded by nature. As visitors enjoy their picnic lunch, they can take in the beautiful scenery, including rolling hills, meadows, and forests.
There are several designated picnic areas throughout Maybury State Park including amenities such as picnic tables, grills, and restrooms.
Feel free to bring your own food and drinks, but make sure you are responsible for cleaning up after yourself to help keep the park beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
11. Get tanned at the Lakeshore Park
If you happen to visit Novi during summer time, then this is the right activity for you to enjoy some vitamin D. You can go get a tan at Lakeshore Park in Novi, MI, as the park offers several areas for sunbathing.
This park also offers access to Walled Lake, where you can swim, boat, and fish. With a sandy beach area, a designated swim zone, and lifeguards on duty during the summer months, if you have a child this is a safe area where he can learn to swim.
Other amenities at the park include restrooms, a concession stand, and a paved walking and biking trail that winds through the park’s scenic woodlands and wetlands. With so many amenities to choose from, Lakeshore Park is a great place to spend a day enjoying the outdoors with family and friends.
12. Try some local produce at Novi Farmers Market
Usually taking place each Saturday from May through October, Novi Farmers Market is the right place to add to your list if you usually enjoy exploring local markets and trying some local produce.
This is a community-based market that offers a variety of fresh, locally grown produce, artisanal foods, and handmade crafts, where you can bring some souvenirs back home.
13. Have fun playing bowling at Novi Bowl
Being in the Novi community for more than 30 years, the facility offers 32 lanes for bowling and hosts a variety of leagues, tournaments, and events throughout the year.
If you are not really into bowling, you can have some fun playing arcade, and billiards, or even enjoy a drink at the bar and have a bite.
14. Learn to skate at Novi Ice Arena
Being a year-round for ice skating and ice hockey you can enjoy this activity regarding the outside weather. Indoor ice skating is a fun activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels.
The price for 1 hour and 50 minutes of indoor skating cost about $5 per admission for weekday noon skates and $10 for afternoons and weekends.
If you are new to this sport, skating lessons are available at Novi Ice Arena and may include group lessons, private lessons, and figure skating lessons. Skaters can learn the basics of ice skating or improve their skills and technique with the help of experienced coaches and instructors.
15. Attend the annual comic book at Motor City Comic Con
Motor City Comic Con is a popular annual comic book and pop culture convention that was first established in 1989 and has grown in popularity over time.
Each year, it attracts tens of thousands of visitors from all over the country. Motor City Comic Con features a variety of events, including comic book and celebrity guests, artist panels, cosplay contests, and vendor booths selling comic books, toys, and other pop culture memorabilia.
The event usually takes place each year during May, but make sure to check their website for more accurate information.
Conclusion
Novi is quickly exploding in Michigan and the country as a destination to live, but they are also quickly becoming a tourist destination. There is endless shopping that can be done, but there are plenty of places to have fun, which takes the children and just relaxation. The city itself is like a funhouse.
Once you get off the plane, you will find yourself on your feet a lot; that is just how much stuff there is to do in Novi. Michigan is sometimes known for its cold year-round temperatures or for being more of a blue-collar state, but even blue-collar workers sometimes need some fun and relaxation, which is what Movie is trying to provide.
So make your way out to Novi, don’t forget to pack your heavy jacket, of course, and see the fun and excitement this city has to offer. It will be an experience that you will never forget.
