Pontiac, MI

Travel Guide

Photo by Jeff White

Enjoy historical sightseeing, trendy art galleries and dynamic attractions for the whole family in a fun and friendly city in the Metro Detroit area.

Visit the city of Pontiac, the seat of Oakland County, for an entertaining glimpse into a lesser-known part of Metro Detroit. The historic town was once the destination for pioneers heading west in America and still bears the hallmarks of those first explorers. Today it is a compact city offering varied attractions for families exploring the Detroit region.

Get a sense of Michigan’s rich history as a frontier state at the Pine Grove Museum. This sprawling, 4.5-acre (1.8-hectare) museum consists of several smaller attractions, including the Governor Wisner Historical House, a Greek revival-style mansion built in the mid 1800s.

Learn about the region’s first European settlers at the Pioneer Museum, which displays farming artifacts from the early 19th century. Farmers first established homes here in 1818, marking Pontiac as one of Michigan’s first inland settlements.

Discover the city’s artistic spirit in the Pontiac Creative Arts Center. The center hosts changing exhibitions dedicated to the work of painters, sculptors and photographers from Oakland County.

Enjoy active fun with the whole family at Waterford Oaks County Park. Hike along scenic trails or take part in BMX racing and volleyball matches. Nearby, Planet Rock offers thrilling climbing walls at different heights to suit climbers of all abilities.

Pick up fresh, seasonal groceries at the Oakland County Market. This vast shopping space hosts more than 100 vendors and welcomes over 300,000 visitors every year.

Brave the terrors of the Erebus Haunted Attraction, a four-story building that is said to actually be haunted. The fun, fear-filled attraction is a 0.5-mile (0.8-kilometer) journey with creatures jumping out, grabbing and terrifying visitors.

Drive north of downtown Detroit for 30 minutes to reach Pontiac or take a train to the centrally located Amtrak station. Oakland County International Airport is a 20-minute drive west of the city center. For cooler and less humid weather than in summer months, visit the Detroit metropolitan area in late spring and early fall.

The Westin Southfield Detroit
The Westin Southfield Detroit
4 out of 5
1500 Town Center, Southfield, MI
The price is ₩162,074 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
₩162,074
₩184,765 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Southfield. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,042 reviews)
"Good property"

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

The Westin Southfield Detroit
Wingate by Wyndham Troy
Wingate by Wyndham Troy
2.5 out of 5
2537 Rochester Ct, Troy, MI
The price is ₩103,082 per night from Jul 24 to Jul 25
₩103,082
₩116,652 total
Jul 24 - Jul 25
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Troy. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.4/10 Good! (702 reviews)
"Friendly staff, only complaint is the there was a weird smell in the hotel. The smell made me nauseous."

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

Wingate by Wyndham Troy
Hampton Inn Detroit/Madison Heights/South Troy
Hampton Inn Detroit/Madison Heights/South Troy
2.5 out of 5
32420 Stephenson Hwy, Madison Heights, MI
The price is ₩134,027 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
₩134,027
₩148,100 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Madison Heights. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

Hampton Inn Detroit/Madison Heights/South Troy
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Affordable Suites of America Detroit-Warren
Affordable Suites of America Detroit-Warren
3 out of 5
30180 North Civic Center Dr, Warren, MI
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Warren. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour business center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,329 reviews)
Made my birthday special
"The room was the first plus to this stay. Everything was clean and accessible, and we loved the bed. We will definitely look for this hotel again in other places."

Reviewed on Jul 5, 2025

Affordable Suites of America Detroit-Warren
Modern Retreat Near Henry Ford
Modern Retreat Near Henry Ford
3.5 out of 5
1800 W Bethune St, Detroit, MI
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Detroit. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and premium bedding. Popular attractions Little Caesars Arena and MGM Grand ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (8 reviews)
"Was clean and tidy"

Reviewed on Jun 6, 2025

Modern Retreat Near Henry Ford
Detroit Vacation Rental
Detroit Vacation Rental
3.5 out of 5
8638 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck, MI
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly apartment in Hamtramck. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Little Caesars Arena ...
"Lots of fun."

Reviewed on Oct 11, 2023

Detroit Vacation Rental
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Pontiac

3.7
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
8
5 - Excellent 14%
4 - Good
26
4 - Good 46%
3 - Okay
19
3 - Okay 34%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 4%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 2%

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler

The city of Pontiac was a sad, depleted town. The city officials should be ashamed of themselves for allowing Pontiac to fall under like that.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Was there for a wedding

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Nice community.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Did not go into the city of Pontiac itself . Spent a lot of time on the Cranbrook grounds and the Cranbrook Art Museum.

3/5 - Okay

Gabriella

You need a car to visit Pontiac. The downtown is very nice with restaurants and other facilities. Great food!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

No

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