Take a Day Trip to Brighton: Patch's Guide to Food, Entertainment and Fun

We wrote this little daytrip guide to Brighton for a summer series called Patch Passport. The other Patch sites in Michigan — from St. Clair Shores to Dexter and two dozen in between — have done the same. 

All summer long, we'll offer up a weekly daytrip guide to another southeast Michigan destination.

But to start, here's what you helped us come up with for our own daytrip guide. Have more suggestions? Add them in the comments.

Explore downtown

Downtown Brighton is thriving. For the first time in several years, people can walk down Main Street and see businesses in just about every storefront.

Parking is free and plentiful, most businesses have back entrances leading to and from parking lots for convenience.

For more about Brighton's downtown, visit the Downtown Brighton page on Patch.

How about lunch?

When you resurface from the short stroll, walk a few steps to one of the most-often-recommended downtown dining suggestions: T Try one of their delicious sandwiches with some ice cream for dessert!

Not in the mood for a sandwhich? There are more than a dozen downtown restaurants. Browse menus and read reviews in our Patch directory.  

Shopping, touring

After lunch, keep heading down sidewalk until you come to .

The Mill Pond is one of downtown Brighton's greatests assets. Walk the tridge along the pond and stop to feed the ducks, if you wish. If you have the kids with you, don't forget to swing by the playground, next to the pond. Then head back onto Main Street for some more shopping.

Check out some of our more unique shops like , , , , and .

Where to have dinner?

Here are the restaurants that consistently receive thumbs up from Patch readers; click on the links for in-depth reviews and more:

• (Italian fine dining - be sure to make a reservation)
•  
• (check out the just opened rooftop dining)

Other options, depending on how late you stay, include , , and .

Festival Season

There's nothing downtown Brighton loves more than a good party with good friends, great music and better food. Here's the summer festival schedule:

• July 13-14: Americana Music Festival & Summerfest Sales - Summerfest features great sales and deals offered by downtown businesses while music includes local and national talent.
• Aug. 3-5: Fine Art & Acoustic Music Festival - Visit one of the most prestigious juried art festivals, featuring approximately 100-125 artists that will line Main Street.
• Sept. 7-8: Smokin' Jazz & Barbecue Blues Festival -  Visit Main Street and enjoy the taste of ribs infused and mounted with the tastiest and tangiest of barbecue sauce while listening to the sassy sounds of blues and jazz from musicians that trek to Brighton from across the country.

Did you see?

• Outdoor Sculpture Walk: You may notice numerous scultped pieces throughout the city. Here's a guide and map.
• Brighton Farmer's Market (if you happen to visit on a Saturday morning.)
• (hiking and boating locations along with horeseback riding stables and trails).
• (Art gallery that specializes in selling artwork of special needs students).

Where else?

Let potential visitors know where else they should visit by posting a comment on this story.