Located north-west of Detroit, Southfield is a historic township and residential suburb in Michigan’s largest city. At its heart are the contemporary skyscrapers of Southfield Town Center and Lawrence Technological University, which specialises in science, technology, engineering, architecture and design.
Things to do in Southfield
Art enthusiasts shouldn’t miss a visit to the Park West Gallery, which was established by Albert Scaglione in 1969 to showcase the work of historic masters and contemporary artists. Its collection includes paintings by Rembrandt, Picasso and Renoir, as well as Salvador Dali, Marcel Mouly, and Albrecht Dürer. The gallery’s Spotlight program presents the work of groundbreaking contemporary artists from the United States and beyond.
On the western edge of Southfield is the Carpenter Lake Nature Preserve, which encompasses a scenic tract of woodlands, wetlands and native meadows. You can stretch your legs on one of the nature trails dotted with interpretive signs or cast a fishing line from the lakeside platform where largemouth bass, channel catfish and bluegill can all be caught.
Southfield is an ideal base for visiting the Franklin Cider Mill, which was completed in 1837 as a grist mill. In 1914, James T. Flynn installed a water-powered apple press and cider has been produced here ever since. In addition to admiring its large waterwheel, you can feast on spiced donuts, caramel apples and freshly pressed apple cider, and purchase a range of Michigan-made products.
Getting around Southfield
Southfield is around 20 minutes’ drive from the centre of Detroit and 30 minutes from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, which has flights to destinations across North America. Buses travel through Southfield and connect most of its attractions while renting a car gives you greater freedom to explore the surrounding region.