Outdoor Adventure Center, 1801 Atwater St., Detroit, MI 48207

Parking is free on the east side of the OAC. Guest parking is located at the gated lot off Atwater, west of St. Aubin Street.

We recommend getting to the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center from Jefferson Avenue by heading south on Chene Street. Then head west on Atwater. The Outdoor Adventure Center entrance is off Atwater, on the east side of the building (where the bright green DNR logo is visible). Get driving directions below.

You also can get to the OAC by bicycle with MoGo (Metro Detroit's nonprofit bike-share organization) or by bus with the Detroit Department of Transportation's #9 Jefferson bus route.

An annual membership can be purchased for $50 for up to five members of the same household. For an additional $25, you can bring up to two guests any time you visit the Outdoor Adventure Center.

Purchase membership »

Benefits of membership:

• Free admission for one year from the date of purchase.
• Early admission to select special events.
• Adventure packs (for use during your visit).

Adventure packs are available for loan to OAC family membership holders for a one-day use. Each pack will be filled with supplies to help guide you in your own outdoor experience, from birding to animal track identification and more - there is an adventure pack for all interests! Check in with our front desk staff to learn more or to check one out during your next visit.

Gift memberships

Gift memberships can be purchased online by clicking on the OAC Membership tab at https://secure.rec1.com/MI/michigan-dnr/catalog. After the purchase is processed, a certificate will be mailed to the address of your choice. The certificate can not be delivered electronically.

The membership will go into effect once it is redeemed at the OAC.

Gift a visit

A $20 gift visit can be purchased online by clicking on the OAC Membership tab at https://secure.rec1.com/MI/michigan-dnr/catalog.  After the purchase is processed, a certificate will be mailed to the address of your choice. The certificate can not be delivered electronically.

Children

Children must be under the direct supervision of an adult at all times. Only those over 18 years old may supervise minors. Staff will redirect unsupervised minors back to their grown-ups throughout the building.

Cafeteria

• Round tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserving tables or monopolizing all tables is not permitted.
• Guests are able to bring snacks and drinks to be enjoyed in the cafeteria and cannot be carried throughout the building.
• The cafeteria closes one hour before the building closes.
• The cafeteria does not serve food other than snacks and drinks from vending machines.
• Bagged lunches are permitted for individual families.
• Food cannot be cooked or prepared in the cafeteria.
• Individuals cannot serve homemade food to groups; a licensed vendor or restaurant is required for group meals.

Parties

COVID protocols

We are committed to providing visitors with a safe environment. Currently, we have implemented the following changes to our building procedures and environment. We will continue to update our protocols to reflect the current expectations of the State of Michigan.

• Mask zones have been added where social distancing with staff is impeded by the activity.
• Floors are washed or vacuumed daily.
• CDC-approved disinfectant wipes and cleaners are used on hard surfaces (such as counters, railings and other common touch points).
• An electrostatic disinfectant unit is used daily in spaces with irregular surfaces.
• Restroom doors are propped open to alleviate the need to touch door handles.
• Drinking fountains are disabled.
• All staff members are required to wear masks and maintain 6-foot social distancing.
• Hand sanitizer stations have been placed throughout our exhibit areas.
• The interactive toys we usually have out are kept secured for the time being.
• Sneeze guards are in place at the front desk.
• When crafts are offered, children get their own supplies - no sharing.

Mobility

• Although the parking lot at St. Aubin and Atwater has accessible parking spaces, the parking lot is about 190 feet from the entrance to the OAC. In 2022, a paved walkway was installed to replace the gravel. If the distance from the lot to the building is too far, we recommend that guests with limited mobility be dropped off near the entrance from Atwater Street.
• Electronic-assist doors are available at the entrance and exit.
• An elevator is available to access all three floors of the building.
• Ramps are installed behind the sustainable home and behind the hunting exhibit on the second floor.
• All restrooms are equipped with an accessible stall.

Hearing

• Every attempt will be made to provide a sign language interpreter if requested. Please provide at least two weeks’ notice if possible.

Sensory inclusion

• The OAC has partnered with KultureCity to improve our ability to assist and accommodate guests with sensory needs. Our objective is to provide an inclusive and seamless experience for all guests for all events, including those with sensory needs. Our team members get annual training, and we offer our guests the following resources and accommodations.
• A family restroom is located on the second floor.
• A room with a rocking chair is available on the second floor. Any staff member can help guests gain access to this room.
• A space is designated in the gift shop/preschool area, with a soft chair and quiet activities, for guests who need a break from stimulation.
• A limited number of sensory bags – containing special KultureCity VIP badges, fidget tools, noise-canceling headphones and other resources – are available for checkout (at no cost by leaving an ID) at our front desk on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Weighted lap pads are also available upon request (at no cost by leaving an ID) at our front desk.
• A visual tour of our building is available to view at home to prepare for a visit. This “walk-through” of our facility gives guests, along with their families, teachers and leaders, the opportunity to review what a visit through the Outdoor Adventure Center will include. You also can view our exhibit map.
• The KultureCity Sensory Inclusive App is available to view our social story to help you plan your visit. Get it on the App Store (Apple devices): http://bit.ly/KCiphone or Google Play (Android devices): http://bit.ly/KCandroid.
• We offer Sensory-Friendly Days throughout the year, when we welcome friends and families with sensory processing differences to our sensory-friendly building hours.

English as a second language

• Facility maps are available printed in Arabic, Spanish, German, French, Chinese and Japanese. These maps are available in the entrance lobby.

Family needs

• A family restroom is located on the second floor.
• A secure room for nursing mothers is available on the second floor. It has a rocking chair and can be used by any guest to nurse or just spend a few quiet moments. Any staff member can help guests gain access to this room.
• Baby-changing tables are available in all multiple-toilet restrooms. They are installed in the accessible stalls.
• The entire building, except for a few exhibits such as the rope bridge, is stroller-accessible, and you may also park strollers in the locker area.