Want to experience Motor City heritage, local arts, and fun events just outside Detroit? Head to Pontiac! This revitalizing city blends automotive history with modern entertainment, walkable downtown streets, and exciting music and car culture. It's a great weekend escape or stop on a Detroit-area road trip.
Pontiac, MI Highlights:
- Erebus Haunted Attraction: One of the world’s largest haunted houses, delivering spooky thrills every fall season.
- The Crofoot: A vibrant live music venue hosting concerts, comedy shows, and festivals downtown.
- M1 Concourse: Watch car events, races, or even drive luxury vehicles at this world-class motorsports facility.
- Downtown Pontiac: Explore historic architecture, art murals, coffee shops, and local dining along Saginaw Street.
- Wisner Stadium: Cheer on local football games or attend community events at this historic stadium built in the 1940s.
Best Time to Visit Pontiac, MI
The best time to visit is from late spring through early fall (May through October). Warm weather is perfect for walking tours, live concerts, and automotive events at M1 Concourse. Fall is also prime time for Erebus Haunted House and seasonal festivals.
How to Get to Pontiac, MI
- If you are traveling by car: Located along I-75, Pontiac is about 30–40 minutes north of downtown Detroit and accessible from major Michigan highways.
- By Train: Amtrak’s Wolverine line stops in Pontiac, offering direct service to Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Chicago.
- By Plane: Fly into Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), then rent a car or take regional transit to Pontiac (about 50 minutes).
Where to Stay in Pontiac, MI
- Residence Inn Detroit / Pontiac Auburn Hills – Suite-style rooms with kitchens, pool access, and free breakfast.
- Crowne Plaza Auburn Hills – Just minutes away, with indoor pool, modern amenities, and on-site dining.
- Airbnb Downtown Lofts – Stylish loft rentals near the Crofoot and walkable downtown attractions.
Best Things to Do in Pontiac, MI
⮕ Find Spiritual Peace at Devi Parashakthi Ma (Eternal Mother) Temple
Parashakthi Temple in Pontiac, Michigan was established in 1999 as a spiritual destination for devotees from all over the US. The mission of the temple is to share the grace of Divine Mother with people so that they can experience the Divine. Primary temple Deity is Parashakthi Karumari Amman, Divine Eternal Mother. This temple is also known as Eternal Mother Temple and is designed as a pilgrimage in the West. Devi Navaratri or Dasara is the major event celebrating the Mother. The celebration lasts nine consecutive nights in the Month of Aswayujam, starting on the first and ending on 10th phase of waxing Moon.
551 W Kennett Rd, Pontiac, MI 48340, Phone: 248-322-4731
⮕ Catch Indie Vibes and Live Shows at The Crofoot
The Crofoot Presents is a private independent event promotion company located in Pontiac, Michigan. The Crofoot, together with its affiliated companies, produces every year over 750 live events such as concerts, corporate events, festivals and more. The Crofoot Presents specializes in matching events with the appropriate location and facility. The building known today as the Crofoot was built in 1830, at the center of the Pontiac’s then fast growing business district, the corner of Pike and Saginaw. It was also at the heart of Michigan’s first inland city, where the Saginaw Indian Trail, today Woodward Avenue, crossed the Schiawassee Indian Trail, today Orchard Lake Road.
1 S Saginaw St, Pontiac, MI 48342, Phone: 248-858-9333
⮕ Brave Four Stories of Terror at Erebus Haunted Attraction
Erebus is a four-story 100,000 square-foot haunted house attraction in Pontiac, Michigan, open only on Halloween. From 2005 to 2009 it held the Guinness World Record for biggest haunted house attraction. The attraction opened its door in 2000 in an abandoned parking garage by Edward and Jim Terebus. Their events change from time to time but the main theme is sending patrons by scientists through time to different eras of history. They create scary situations by using actors, props, animatronics and huge puppets. In one of their big events, a six-foot dragon comes from the fog and eats the patron. Some of the other events use mirrors, a moving wall pushing patrons into a bottomless pit, or burying them alive. Erebus is not recommended for children under the age of 13.
18 S Perry St, Pontiac, MI 48342, Phone: 248-332-7884
⮕ If You Enjoy Bold Brews and Cool Atmosphere, Visit Fillmore 13 Brewery
Fillmore 13 is a brewery and restaurant in downtown Pontiac, Michigan. They serve a range of different lagers and ales brewed in-house in their seven-barrel system, as well as great brick oven pizzas, sandwiches and much more. The brewery is located in a former art gallery that had a few offices. The gallery has been painstakingly restored and transformed into a large open plan space with a bar and dining room. The offices are now home to the brew house and kitchen. The space seats about 100 guests and has a bar made from 200-year old barn wood, 30-year old taps found at an auction, handmade tabletops and beautiful blue lights above the bar made at the Glass Academy in Dearborn.
7 N Saginaw St Suite 1D, Pontiac, MI 48342, Phone: 248-977-3972
Where to Eat in Pontiac, MI
- Fillmore 13 Brewery – Craft beer, pub eats, and a cool industrial setting in downtown Pontiac.
- Liberty Bar – Gastropub-style food and creative cocktails in a relaxed downtown spot.
- Antojitos Southwest Grill – Mexican-American fusion with tacos, burritos, and flavorful sauces.
If you are interested in local events:
- Arts, Beats & Eats Preview Shows – Live performances and pop-up art events hosted throughout Pontiac before Labor Day weekend.
- Haunted History Tours (October) – Historical ghost tours and storytelling in the city’s oldest neighborhoods.
- Downtown Car Cruises & M1 Car Shows – See vintage rides, muscle cars, and exotic vehicles throughout the warmer months.
If you are looking for unique day trips within 30 Minutes of Pontiac, Michigan:
- Detroit (30–35 min) – Explore the Motor City’s museums, Motown history, riverwalk, and sports venues.
- Rochester (15–20 min) – Charming town with trails, cider mills, and a walkable downtown district.
- Meadow Brook Hall (15–20 min) – Tour this stunning historic mansion and gardens on the Oakland University campus.
- Great Lakes Crossing Outlets (10–15 min) – Huge indoor shopping and entertainment complex with aquarium and LEGOLAND.
- Waterford Oaks Waterpark (15 min) – Family-friendly summer waterpark with slides, lazy river, and splash zones.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Where is Pontiac located?
- Pontiac is a city in Oakland County, Michigan and part of Metro Detroit.
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What is the historical significance of Pontiac?
- Located on the Clinton River, Pontiac was Michigan's first inland settlement.
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What religious site is located in Pontiac?
- Pontiac is home to the Eternal Mother Temple, a regional pilgrimage site for people in the West.
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What entertainment options are available in Pontiac?
- The Crofoot Presents is an event promotion company that produces over 750 live events every year.
At a Glance:
Best Time to Visit
Places to Stay
Tips for Visiting
Spring (March-May) – Mild temperatures and fewer crowds.
Auburn Hills Marriott Pontiac – A comfortable stay near major attractions.
Visit the Cranbrook Art Museum – Explore contemporary and historic art exhibits.
Summer (June-August) – Warm weather, ideal for outdoor events.
Courtyard by Marriott Detroit Pontiac/Auburn Hills – A centrally located and modern stay.
Enjoy concerts at Pine Knob Music Theatre – A great venue for live performances.
Fall (September-November) – Crisp air and vibrant autumn foliage.
Residence Inn by Marriott Pontiac Auburn Hills – A cozy and extended-stay option.
Explore the Erebus Haunted Attraction – One of the top haunted houses in the country.
Plan Your Trip