Visiting Plymouth for Concours d'Elegance? Check Our Patch Passport

Concours d'Elegance of America will bring a variety of classic vintage automobiles to this weekend, but the Plymouth-Canton area has plenty of gems of its own.

Here is a day trip guide to Plymouth and Canton for a summer series called Patch Passport. The other Patch sites in Michigan — from St. Clair Shores to Saline and two dozen in between — are doing the same. So no matter what Patch town you visit, you'll have a guide.

If you're in town this weekend for , we hope this guide can point you toward some cool things off the beaten path. We also hope that whatever you don't get to doing this weekend, you'll plan for on a future trip to the area!

Recreation

Looking for an afternoon stroll? Kellogg Park is the centerpiece of downtown Plymouth. Located adjacent to Plymouth's biggest shopping and dining destinations, Kellogg Park is the perfect spot to enjoy some quiet downtime. It's also bustling with activity during the summer. At noon on Wednesdays you can catch children's concerts, on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. you can catch the Plymouth Community Band and on Fridays at 7 p.m. you can catch a variety of rock, pop, blues and R&B musical acts in the park — all for free.

Tonight, Gia Warner is performing at 7 p.m. at the park, while classic automobiles are on display.

Plymouth Township Park is a sprawling park that offers fun for all seasons. Complete with a sprayscape (splash pad), playscape, ball diamonds and located alongside the Hilltop Golf Course, the township park is a huge recreation destination.

Heritage Park in Canton offers spacious grounds and gorgeous ponds for a peaceful daytime stroll. Home of the recent Canton Liberty Fest event, the park still is an entertainment destination throughout the summer. At 7:30 p.m. each Thursday, live bands can be see for free at the park amphitheater. 

Summit on the Park boasts plenty to do and plenty of space: A 13,340-square-foot aquatic center, 7,600-square-foot gymnasium, 6,000-square-foot fitness center and a 2,200 square-foot aerobics studio. Fitness amenities include a steam room and sauna. A racquetball court is available, as is a "kids corner." An upstairs track features walking, running and passing lanes -- and just outside the building is a walking-running-biking path.

Voted Plymouth-Canton's best staycation destination by Plymouth-Canton Patch readers this year, the Inn at St. John's is both home to the Concours d'Elegance of America this weekend and a travel destination for guests near and far. During non-Concours weekends, it offers a golf course and plenty of other recreational amenities, as well as a luxury hotel, so you won't have to go far to hit the links or get some fresh air touring the breathtaking grounds. Located just minutes from Plymouth's downtown and Old Village and downtown Northville, the location couldn't be better. 

Looking to just tour downtown Plymouth? Rent a Segway from in downtown Plymouth and get exploring!

Art and entertainment

One thing you'll notice about Plymouth and Canton is that it's an arts-friendly area.

If the theater is your brand of fun, the in Canton is a great option.

If cinema is your cup of tea, be sure to check out movies the old-fashioned way at the in downtown Plymouth or the in Plymouth Township.

The nonprofit, 1940s-era Penn Theatre is screening The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel this weekend. All tickets are always $3.

You can create pottery works to take home at on Ann Arbor Trail in Plymouth.

There's plenty of live music available most days of the week in both Plymouth and Canton, including , where popular jazz artists perform at various shopping centers along Ford Road in Canton and , a big-draw weekly concert series at in downtown Plymouth. For a full list of all the summer concerts in both towns, check our and plan your trip accordingly!

This weekend, you can check out in Plymouth's Old Village, a classic automobile-themed event with live music and plenty of fun. A free shuttle will take guests from Concours d'Elegance festivities to Old Village and Downtown Plymouth throughout the weekend, so if you're in town for Concours, it could be worth the trip!

Food and Drink

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

was voted the best lunch spot by Plymouth-Canton Patch readers in our Readers' Choice contest.

For lunch or dinner, the trio of (steak and seafood), (Italian) and the newly opened (raw bar) in downtown Plymouth, all adjacent to one another, offer coveted sidewalk dining and high-quality menu items.

in downtown Plymouth, a new addition to town, offers an edgy, big city-like experience in a small, close-knit community.

In Canton, offers great atmosphere and casual dining; offers a great Thai selection, while Desi Pizza Curry on Crust offers pizza with Indian flair.  

If you're more interested in grabbing a pre-meal or post-meal drink, check out in Plymouth's historic Old Village to try a house brew, or try one of 's more than 600 available beers in downtown Plymouth. For wine aficionados, offers a wide wine selection and woodfired pizza and offers floor-to-ceiling selections of wine. 

To catch a tasty sandwich, you can hit in downtown Plymouth or on Ford Road in Canton.

Looking for dessert? There are plenty of sweets options. In Plymouth, there's , , and . In Canton, there's , ice cream and .

Shopping

There are many small businesses in the downtown Plymouth area to appeal to a variety of shopping interests. Several boutiques line the street of downtown Plymouth with clothing options. operates two distinct stores in downtown Plymouth, while offers classy clothing options for men.

If you're shopping for children, be sure to check out , a girls' clothing store in downtown Plymouth or on Ford Road in Canton.

Canton offers plenty of commerce along both Ford Road with more than 300 businesses. Perhaps its biggest draw is , the popular home furnishing destination with European flair. Canton is home to the chain's only Michigan location and its spacious facilities must be toured, as the free IKEA catalog you've all ordered doesn't really do it justice.

Outside of new couches and shelves, the Ford Road corridor also offers retail options, including , and .