This article is from 2016, but still has some great ideas for ways to experience Dexter! For updated event dates, click HERE.

Monet, Van Gogh, and O’Keeffe (just to name a few) found their deepest inspiration among rolling hills, calming streams, and vast meadows. Dexter, Michigan is the perfect getaway for people who enjoy bringing art and nature together. The city's beautiful landscape is accompanied by a strong arts community, so if your creative spirit thrives in the great outdoors - plan a trip to Dexter, Michigan. In the meantime, here are Dexter’s top outdoors activities, cultural outings, and everywhere in between!

Outdoors

Original photo by: @maestier

Beautiful outdoor scenery is easy to find in Dexter. Zingerman's Cornman Farms is a beautiful location for an outdoor wedding or special event. In the heart of Downtown Dexter, the 35 mile Border to Border Trail concludes on the gorgeous wooden bridge surrounded by trees, streams, and small critters! Leave your paints and canvases behind for the nearby canoe-launch, and take a trip down the mighty Huron River. Float down to the Dexter-Huron Metropark - the 122-acre natural beauty for further kayaking, fishing, and picnicking options. Last but not least, enjoy the taste of nature during the blueberry season at the Dexter Blueberry Farm! 

Arts

Once you have enjoyed the sights and sounds of nature, explore the vibrant arts and culture scene throughout the city! Encore Musical Theatre is home to year-round entertainment by professional theatre artists. With a specific focus on musical theatre, you can enjoy everything from Mary Poppins to Sondheim to live music performances by local musicians and bands. The beautiful venue accompanies the high-caliber talent - making an evening at the Encore something to remember forever. Don’t leave Dexter empty-handed, and visit Artistica - a downtown shopping hot-spot completely stocked with the works by local artists. Everything from intricate wall-hangings to utilitarian homemade mittens, Artistica is a one-stop-shop to support the local arts scene!

Outdoors + Arts

The outdoors are a great inspiration for creativity, and nobody knows that better than Dexter. The sculpture garden around the Border to Border trail makes a lovely nature walk inspiring to any type of artist or creative thinker. Every year, the River Gallery assists in adding four additional temporary pieces to compliment the permanent collection. In addition to the sculptures, a group of talented gardeners create a natural aesthetic to accompany the piece for the season! Dexter may be best known for the annual Dexter Plein Air event. Hundreds of artists and spectators travel to Ann Arbor’s neighboring city to participate in the four-day-long challenge in which artists paint around Dexter to have their masterpieces displayed at a silent auction and awards ceremony. This well-loved event provides amazing exposure to artists from around the country, and the beautiful scenery of Dexter, Michigan.

Tell us about your Dexter adventures by leaving a comment below! Be sure to share your travel photos of Dexter with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Thanks for reading!

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