Where Farms Meet the City
Bring the family for a day of discovery at these five city farmers' markets in Pure Michigan.
As one of the most agriculturally diverse states in the country, Michigan is bursting with fresh ingredients. Apples and tart cherries are probably the most famous of the bunch, but there are thousands of family-owned farms, orchards and vineyards growing Michigan produce. The best part: You can enjoy a taste of the farm while you’re exploring in a city.
A bite of a fresh Michigan Honeycrisp apple; an energetic Taco Showdown pitting the best taquerias in Detroit against one another; a one-of-a-kind necklace crafted from semi-precious gems. With all this in one place, you’ll surely want to put Eastern Market on your must-visit list. Detroit’s covered public market first opened in 1891 and continues to attract tens of thousands of visitors. You can visit year-round on Saturdays, wandering among six sheds showcasing farm-fresh produce and prepared foods. Between June and September, a scaled-down market takes place on Tuesdays (including yoga and fitness classes!) and the Sunday Street Market spotlights locally made art, jewelry and other handcrafted goods. Look for seasonal holiday celebrations and night market festivities throughout the year.
Open all year, three times a week, the Flint Farmers’ Market brings flavors from the farm to Flint. Check out more than 100 vendors that celebrate all things local – like apple cider doughnuts made in an orchard bakery, Amish-grown produce, and fresh juices made from local fruits and vegetables. Make your own charcuterie board with home-cured cheese and smoked meats, browse the selections in a boutique wine shop, or meet the makers at an arts and crafts stall.
For more than 100 years, A2 locals have gathered at the Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market. In 1931, it moved to its current space in the Kerrytown District of Ann Arbor, and the covered market operates year-round (Wednesdays and Saturdays from May through December, and Saturdays only between January and April). Meet the growers and makers behind their tables, which are loaded with bounties of seasonal produce, flowers, fresh eggs and honey.
Roam around a classic market in Grand Rapids at the Fulton Street Farmer’s Market, which has been connecting farmers and artisans with city dwellers since 1922. It’s open three days a week between May and October, and every Saturday from November through April – plus special events like the BIPOC Night Market.
Experience the largest farmers market in the Upper Peninsula at the Marquette Farmer’s & Artists Market. You can take a stroll on Saturday mornings between mid-May and mid-November, visit on Wednesday evenings in summer months or pick up holiday-season goods in December. Immerse yourself in the spirit of Marquette with produce grown on organic farms, baked goods made from ancient grains, and Old World–style, barrel-aged ales and ciders, just to name a few. Crafts such as handmade macramé and wheel-thrown pottery complement your day of discovery.
Find your rural respite in the heart of Michigan’s cities, where families are always welcome and locals are happy to see you. Which farmers' markets will you visit first?