Canton Public Library cardholders can use the Michigan Activity Pass program to score free or discounted admission at 470 parks, museums and recreation sites across the state, and the library just published a top-10 list to help families squeeze in late-summer adventures before school starts.

The pass is free.

The library spotlighted the program in a blog post Tuesday, Aug. 11, noting that MAP covers cultural destinations, campgrounds and state parks. Cardholders visit miactivitypass.org, choose a destination and date, and receive a digital pass. Each library card can check out one pass every seven days, and passes can be reserved up to two weeks ahead.

The library's top 10

Canton Public Library's top picks lean heavily on spots within an easy drive of Plymouth and Canton:

  1. Michigan Flight Museum (Belleville) — one free adult admission ($15 value) and one free child admission ($11 value)
  2. Kensington Metropark (Milford) — 4,481 acres surrounding Kent Lake, with biking, boating and year-round activities
  3. Lower Huron Metropark (Belleville) — 1,258 acres along the Huron River, accessible from I-275 and I-94
  4. Outdoor Adventure Center (Detroit) — interactive exhibits run by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources
  5. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Michigan (Auburn Hills) — two rides, 10 LEGO Play Zones and a 4D cinema
  6. SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium (Auburn Hills)
  7. Howell Nature Center (Howell) — 230 acres with a wildlife rehabilitation clinic and teaching zoo
  8. Maybury State Park (Northville) — nearly 1,000 acres of rolling terrain, meadows and mature forest, the closest pick to Canton and Plymouth
  9. University of Michigan Museum of Natural History (Ann Arbor) — dinosaur exhibits, a planetarium and live science demonstrations
  10. Belle Isle Park (Detroit) — a 985-acre island park on the Detroit River with an aquarium, conservatory and the James Scott Memorial Fountain

Free rides available this summer

MAP and The Library Network are partnering with Wayne Metro through September to provide free roundtrip transportation for qualifying residents in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties who book a MAP ticket. Riders can call (313) 388-9799 with seven days' notice to schedule a trip.

How to get started

Any Canton Public Library cardholder can use the program. Residents who don't yet have a card can sign up at the library. The pass is an ongoing benefit listed on the library's All Around Canton community resource page alongside Detroit Zoo discounts and 313 Presents deals.

Plymouth-Canton Community Schools students return Monday, Aug. 31, for a half-day, giving families about 19 days to put the pass to use.