15 Best Things To Do In Oxford, Michigan
Oxford is one of the most charming and picturesque towns in Michigan. Nestled in the northern part of Oakland County, Oxford offers a unique blend of small-town charm with modern amenities.
Oxford, Michigan, in North Oakland County
One of the highlights of Oxford is its historic downtown area. The village is filled with quaint shops, restaurants, and cafes and hosts several fun events throughout the year. The charming architecture and friendly atmosphere make it the perfect place to spend an afternoon browsing the local boutiques, grabbing a bite to eat, or enjoying its entertainment.
Downtown Oxford hosts many events throughout the year, such as Summer Concerts in the Park, Open Air Farmer and Artisan Market, Scarecrow Festival, Soup and Sweet Stroll, and many more. For current events to help plan your visit, check the Oxford DDA Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DowntownOxford/
For outdoor enthusiasts, Oxford has several beautiful parks and nature trails. One of the most popular is the Polly Ann Trail, which offers scenic views of the surrounding area. There are also several lakes in the area, which provide ample opportunities for swimming, fishing, and nature watching.
Below is our top list of things to do in Oxford, Michigan. To help you navigate, below is a list of the items so you can jump to the section that interests you most.
- Oxford’s Social District
- Seymour Lake Township Park
- Legacy 925 Center
- The Axe Social
- Oakwood Lake Township Park
- Stony Lake Park (and paddleboard rentals!)
- The Polly Ann Trail
- Powell Lake Township Park (Oxford has great parks!)
- Oxford Public Library
- Mr. Zeros Arcade and Quarter Café
- Pan Equus Animal Sanctuary
- Northeast Oakland Historical Museum
- Warstler Farm
- Summer Dreams Farm
- Strawbale Studio Tour
1. Oxford, Michigan’s Social District
Oxford, Michigan, invested in a new social district over the past few years. The main street got a complete rebuild and facelift in 2020, and the Social District was put in place shortly after that in the following spring, with the newest addition, “The Patio,” added in the summer of 2023. It’s an excellent way for you to enjoy the atmosphere of this historic Michigan downtown.
2. Seymour Lake Township Park Oxford, Michigan
Seymour Lake Township Park in Oxford, Michigan, is a favorite destination for our family. We have visited the park many times and found it a great place to explore and enjoy various activities. The park offers something for everyone, with a wide range of facilities and attractions available year-round. Our favorite, by far, has been the disc golf course, but other popular options are pickleball, tennis, splash pad, sledding, and ice skating.
3. Legacy 925 Family Entertainment and Event Center
The Legacy Center houses various businesses, including restaurants, entertainment venues, event rental services, shopping options, health and wellness facilities, etc. Each business is independently owned and operates on its own schedule and pricing. There is no “one size fits all” approach regarding hours and costs. To plan your visit, please check out each business you are interested in and make arrangements with them beforehand, as some venues require advance scheduling. Since it is more like a mall, with individual businesses renting space inside, there is no entry fee to go in and look around before deciding what you would like to do. Feel free to wander and explore all the options. You will find go-karts, axe throwing, indoor trampolines, pizza, coffee, bowling, curling, darts, and more inside this unique setting.
4. The Axe Social – A Recreation Center Packed with Fun in Oxford, Michigan
The Axe Social is so much more than a social axe-throwing space. It is in the Legacy 925 building mentioned above. The atmosphere, the games, and the staff make your time spent there a night to remember. There are so many activities here, and it connects with G’s sports bar, so you can enjoy your drinks or food while participating in the following: axe throwing, street curling, darts, billiards, and bowling.
5. Explore Oakwood Lake Township Park Oxford
Oakwood Lake Township Park is a 300-acre park owned and maintained by Oxford Township Parks and Recreation Department. Park hours are from dawn to dusk all year round. Entrance to the park is free and offers hiking, birding, fishing, and disc golfing. This is one of our regular disc golf parks because the traffic here is light, and we often have the place to ourselves when we go.
6. Stony Lake Park in Oxford, Michigan
Stony Lake Park is an Oxford Township park that is a hidden gem full of surprises. It is free to the public and open year-round from dawn to dusk. The best and most prominent aspect of this park is the beach! The clean sandy beach with a clearly designated swimming area is a favorite. You can also fish on the pier or use the park to launch your watercraft. The beach also has a small building for renting paddle boards and kayaks.
7. Walking the Polly Ann Trail in Oxford, Michigan
One of Oxford’s most popular outdoor activities is walking and biking on the Polly Ann Trail. The Polly Ann Trail is one of our favorite places to walk. The walking is easy and flat. The trail is wide and well-kept. You can immerse yourself in nature and also find conveniences along the way. Numerous picnic areas and scenic overlooks along the trail are perfect for a relaxing afternoon with family and friends. Within the village limits, restaurants are within easy reach of the path. Just a few steps off the trail, there are several quick eateries: a coffee shop, an ice cream shop, a pizza place, a convenience store, and a sandwich shop. For the slightly more adventurous, you are only a few short blocks from downtown and many dining and shopping storefronts. In the winter, the path is open for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
8. Powell Lake Township Park
Powell Lake Park is a lovely park we often use as our starting point for accessing the Polly Ann Trail. Still, it is beautiful in its own right for walking, fishing, sitting in nature, playing on the distinctive playground, or any combination of these activities. There is a 1-mile walking loop that has blacktop and boardwalk sections. There are a few extra loops in the trail if you want to make it a little longer, or you can join the Polly Ann trail and extend your walk as much as you would like.
9. Discovering the Oxford Public Library
If you have some time to spare while traveling, try the Oxford Public Library. You can spend some quiet time relaxing, reading, playing games, or building a puzzle. With their vast resources and services, there is something for everyone. We encourage you to visit the library and explore all it offers. You never know what magic you might discover!
10. Mr. Zeros Arcade and Quarter Café in Downtown Oxford
Don’t miss Mr. Zeros Arcade and Quarter Café. Grab your quarters (and your Social District drinks and food) and find some old-school fun at the arcade. There are good throwbacks here, like Ms. Pac-Man, Centipede, Donkey Kong, and many more.
11. Pan Equus Animal Sanctuary (PEAS) Saving Animals in Oxford, Michigan
This rescue focuses mainly on farm animals and gives the public a chance to get up close and personal with them about once a month, spring through fall. They host Open Barn days most months and have an annual Fall Festival in October. The events are free; dress appropriately and prepare for a close-up animal adventure. Check out their website for more information: https://peasbarn.org/
12. Learn some Local History at the Northeast Oakland Historical Museum
The Northeast Oakland Historical Museum is in an old bank building in the center of downtown Oxford. The museum is free and open to the public on Thursdays and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The staff are knowledgable and can answer many of your questions about the area. The building is full of history, so check it out.
13. Take an adventure at Warstler Farm
Warstler Farm has so much to offer for the adventurous. They are a working hay farm that offers many activities and events. The owners purchased the farm when it became available to preserve its rich history. The owners have been working on restoring the large hay barn and milk house, which are beautiful. They also have a stunning horse-drawn carriage and rescued trolley sections from The Detroit Zoo. They offer horse, tractor, and unicorn parties, horse-drawn carriage rides, history tours through the local area on the trolley pulled by a tractor, Santa trolley events through the weeks leading up to Christmas, and more. The farm and activities are enchanting.
14. Pick Beautiful Flowers at Summer Dreams Farm
U-Pick Farms have been around for quite a while, but new kinds of U-picks are popping up. Oxford has a great one just around the corner. Summer Dreams Farm in Brandon Township. Summer Dreams is a Flower Farm that grows mainly Dahlias and Zinnias, Rudbeckia, Yarrow, and more. We enjoyed wandering the 7 acres of beautiful flowers, picking a large bundle to bring home, and making memories with fellow flower pickers. We encourage you to give flower picking a try at Summer Dreams Farm.
15. Strawbale Studio Tour
Strawbale Studio is a bit off the beaten path in terms of both location and living style. It is only 6.5 miles from downtown Oxford. This Charming tour is a delight. Your guide is gentle, encouraging, and soft-spoken, with lots of wisdom to share. The tour is mainly outdoors with short trips into the various buildings, so dress for weather and somewhat uneven ground. Be prepared to share just a little bit about yourself in the beginning. The tour starts with a short personal introduction to help break the ice and encourage people to ask questions and share information as the tour proceeds. The handmade buildings and ovens are intriguing, and you will learn how they are made. Sign up for a tour or workshop today
Overall, Oxford is a wonderful place to visit. With its charming downtown, beautiful parks, and enjoyable entertainment, it’s no wonder that so many people choose to visit every year.
As an added bonus: Keonig Sand and Gravel does a community appreciation day every year where they offer free lunch and tours at their Oxford Gravel Pit. We learned a lot and had a great time. Keep an eye out for their next one in the summer.