As we say so long to summer, today on the blog, I’m sharing ten fun things we did this summer in Detroit. We enjoyed the BLKOUT Walls Mural Festival, the Sidewalk Detroit Summer Festival, the African World Festival, hanging out in Downtown Detroit, and more!


10 Fun Things We Did This Summer in Detroit

Happy first day of fall!

Today, Zhen got a little weepy when I told her it’s the first day of fall and summer is now over.

“I’m not ready for summer to end,” she whispered wiping a fallen tear from her cheek.

I gave her a hug and I told her it was okay to be sad that the summer is ending. We had so much fun this summer so I completely understood why it was so hard for her to say goodbye to the summertime.

Despite some limitations because of taking safety precautions for COVID, we still found creative ways to enjoy our summer in Detroit.

We enjoyed visiting the BLKOUT Walls Mural Festival in the North End community of Detroit. The kids loved seeing all of the beautiful murals and dancing at the BLKOUT Walls Block Party.

Cashiesh's mural in the BLKOUT Walls Mural Festival in Detroit, Michigan
The kids standing in front of Cashiesh’s mural, which is part of the first annual BLKOUTWalls Mural Festival.
Five young children hanging out at the BLKOUT Walls Mural Festival are standing in front of Sydney G. James' mural "The Girl with the D Earring" in the North End Community of Detroit.
Three young children admire the Wyland "Whale Tower" mural on the side of the David Broderick Tower in Downtown Detroit.
Photo of the kids admiring Wyland’s “Whale Tower” mural on the side of the David Broderick Tower in Downtown Detroit.

We also loved our time at two of the Sidewalk Detroit summer festivals. Zhen even made a few new friends that she ended up seeing a few more times throughout the summer.

The African World Festival was another big favorite for the kids, and hanging out in Downtown Detroit to enjoy the city views, Buddy’s Pizza, and cold treats at the Detroit Ice Factory was a great way to enjoy our summer in the city.

To help cheer Zhen up, I reminded her of all the fun things she loves about the fall: apple picking, decorating pumpkins, Halloween, and her birthday! So she’s happy for the fall now, and I am, too!

What about you? Are you ready for the fall?

Here are a few cute photos I took of the kids this summer in Detroit.

Sentrock mural for BLKOUT Walls Mural Festival in Detroit (North End community)
The kids visiting artist Sentrock’s mural for BLKOUT Walls Mural Festival in North End, Detroit.
Two young boys hold up screen print signs made by Talking Dolls and One Custom City at the third Sidewalk Detroit summer festival in Detroit, Michigan.
The boys were excited to show off their new screenprint signs by Talking Dolls and One Custom City at the third Sidewalk Detroit Festival.
Talking Dolls and One Custom City screen print at the third Sidewalk Detroit Festival in Detroit
Zhen loved her sign so much that she hung it up over her bed.

SUMMER IN DETROIT: 10 THINGS WE DID FOR SUMMER 2021

A family poses for a photo at the Arts and Scraps summer festival in Detroit in 2021.
We kicked off the summer with the first Arts & Scraps summer festival event.
Three young children hold their shopping bags filled with goods at Arts and Scraps in Detroit.
The kids were so excited to visit Arts & Scraps again. The first summer event also marked the reopening of Arts & Scraps. It had been previously closed for limited public business times because of COVID.
Two children play with blocks at Sidewalk Detroit's first summer festival in Detroit.
The first Sidewalk Detroit summer festival– Zhen was excited to make a new friend. We ended up seeing Egypt a few more times during the summer at other Detroit family events.
Children help paint a mural at Sidewalk Detroit's third summer festival.
The kids enjoyed helping Detroit artist Phil Simpson paint a mural at one of the Sidewalk Detroit summer festivals.
Two children pose next to Phil Simpson's mural art at the Joy-Southfield CDC location in Detroit.
Zhen and Zechariah got to help Detroit artist Phillip Simpson paint his beautiful mural at the Joy-Southfield CDC. This was during the third Sidewalk Detroit Festival. They helped paint the lemon yellow (seen here in the photo).
Enjoy summer in Detroit at the Belle Isle Conservatory
After a year of missing the beloved Belle Isle Conservatory, we were excited to visit Detroit’s historic city greenhouse. It was also Zaya’s first time visiting the conservatory!
Belle Isle Conservatory in Detroit, Michigan
Thanks for capturing our photo together, Kayce!
Belle Isle Conservatory
Custard Hut Detroit
What’s summer without a cold ice cream treat from your favorite Detroit ice cream restaurant?!
The kids love getting ice cream in Detroit. Zhen had even nicknamed the city “Ice Cream City” because we get ice cream so much in the summertime. Haha!
A superhero-themed birthday party in Highland Park (Detroit) for a dear family friend
Zephaniah and Zaya enjoying a summer swing at the party.
One hot summer day we visited Buddy’s Pizza in Downtown Detroit on a weekday. We had the patio area to ourselves! It was perfect!
Hanging out at Detroit Water Ice Factory is another one of our favorite things to do in Detroit in the summer.
We had a GREAT summer this year!
Checker Bar Detroit mural located in Downtown Detroit
So long, Summer!

Thank you for following along this summer! I hope you’ll stick around to see what we’re up to this fall. xoxo


All photographs are courtesy of Jennifer Hamra for Good Life Detroit. This post was updated on February 14, 2022.

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Written by

Jennifer Hamra

Freelance creative Jennifer Hamra created her blog Good Life Detroit in 2015 after relocating from Tennessee to Southeast Michigan.

Inspired by her love for personal blogging and photography, Jennifer likes to share her favorite Detroit things, from cool places to visit (the hidden gems are her favorite!) to the amazing people she has connected with over the years.

When she's not busy juggling family life and her creative projects, you can find her at an art gallery, community event, farmers market, or spending quiet time at home with a good book and cup of tea.

Jennifer lives in the metro Detroit area with her husband Travis and their six children.

Connect with Jennifer on social media @goodlifedetroit on all social media platforms or via email at [email protected].