The absorbing history, wildlife, lakes and year-round sporting activities make this southeast Michigan city an excellent spot for a vacation.
Museums, monuments and a battlefield commemorate Monroe’s history as the home of the famous military general George Armstrong Custer and the site of a major 19th-centrury conflict. Visit to learn about the history and to benefit from the city's location between Lake Erie and the River Raisin.
Start your trip by journeying back into Monroe's past. Go to River Raisin National Battlefield Park to tour the site where American forces suffered one of their worst defeats during the War of 1812. See original firearms and artifacts inside the visitor center. Visit Monroe County Historical Museum, built on the site of General Custer's former home. Browse collections that cover the history of southeast Michigan. Photograph the statue of General Custer, located at the corner of Elm Avenue and North Monroe Street.
Drive a few minutes out of Monroe for Sterling State Park, located on the shores of Lake Erie. Relax on the beach, swim or boat across the lake and hike the nature trails. Grab your binoculars to spot waterfowl and shore birds by the dikes and freshwater marsh at Pointe Mouillee State Game Area. Visit parks inside the city, including Father Cairns Field and others. Veterans Park has a river walk, memorials, playground and sensory garden.
At Munson Park, find a skate park, spray ground and picnic areas. Come here during winter for sledding and ice skating on its frozen pond.
Golfers can pursue their favorite sporting activity on more than two dozen golf courses throughout the Monroe County area.
Reach Monroe through Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, 25 miles (40 kilometers) away. From there, you can pick up a rental car. If you want to explore a little farther afield during your Monroe vacation, consider daytrips to Toledo, Ohio or Detroit. Both cities are less than an hour’s drive away.
Monroe is a good vacation spot, whether you want to play outdoors or pick up historical insights.
