Detroit’s great outdoors — from small downtown parks amid skyscrapers to the wilderness trails of Belle Isle — offer plenty of natural calm and opportunities to get active. This summer, there’s no shortage of classes, events and opportunities to get active in the city’s green spaces. Better yet, many are free.
The Detroit RiverFront Conservancy has been hosting classes along the water for more than 15 years, with activities for people of all ages and skill levels, Director of Communications Marc Pasco told Outlier in an email.
“For people who have never done yoga before, an introductory class in a beautiful setting might help them fall in love with the practice,” Pasco said. “These classes are free or low cost, with an extremely low barrier to entry and most importantly, they build community.”
And, of course, they come with a view.
“There is something about participating in the classes along the riverfront that is very special. The instructors are incredible, the views are breathtaking and the friendships that are made are priceless,” he added.
Use our roundup of this summer’s free and cheap classes to try a new activity, from roller skating to line dancing; plan your own summer yoga intensive with classes almost every day; or explore parks and greenways by yourself or with a group.
Free and low-cost yoga
Summer means free yoga season in Detroit, when studios and teachers offer classes at outdoor spaces around the city. Find options around town every week through September.
Mondays
City Glow Yoga
Beacon Park
Select Mondays through Aug. 21, 7:30-9 p.m.
$5, registration required
Tuesdays
Yoga by the River with Imani Janée
Erma Henderson Park
Tuesdays through July 25, 6-7 p.m.
Free
Yoganic Flow Hatha Yoga Class
Eastern Market Shed 3
Tuesdays through Sept. 26, 11 a.m.-noon
Free, registration required
Wednesdays
Sunset Vibes Yin Nights with The Trap Yoga & Massage Studio
Spirit of Detroit Plaza
Wednesdays through Sept. 13, 8-9:30 p.m.
Free
Mindfulness and Yoga for Families with Good Vibz Yoga
Eliza Howell Park
Wednesdays through Aug. 16, 6-7 p.m.
Free, registration required
Yoganic Flow Hatha Yoga Class
Clark Park
Wednesdays through Aug. 30, 6-7 p.m.
Free, registration required
Community Yoga with Citizen Yoga
Capitol Park
Wednesdays through Aug. 30, 6-7 p.m.
Free
Thursdays
Yoganic Flow Hatha Yoga Class
Outside Belle Isle Aquarium
Thursdays through Aug. 31, 6-7 p.m.
Free, registration required
Yoga in the Park with Urban Solace Yoga & Wellness
Milliken State Park
Thursdays through Sept. 28, 6-7 p.m.
Free, registration required
Gentle Soul Flow Vinyasa Yoga with Nataraja Detroit
Coriander Kitchen and Farm
Thursdays through Sept. 28, 10-11 a.m.
Donation-based
Fridays
Soulful Vinyasa Flow with Debrina Morris
Coriander Kitchen and Farm
Third Fridays of the month through Sept. 15, 10-11 a.m.
Donation-based
Yoga in the Park with Urban Solace Yoga & Wellness
Milliken State Park
Fridays through Sept. 29, 10-11 a.m.
Free, registration required
Saturdays
Yoganic Flow Hatha Yoga Class
Chandler Park
Saturdays through Sept. 2, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Free, registration required
Yoganic Flow Hatha Yoga Class
Palmer Park
Saturdays through Aug. 26, 9-10 a.m.
Free, registration required
Asana Yoga
Detroit Abloom
Saturdays through September, 10-11 a.m.
$10 suggested donation
Yoga by the River with Imani Janée
Erma Henderson Park
Saturdays through July 22, 10-11 a.m.
Free
Sundays
Community Yoga with Citizen Yoga
Grand Circus Park
Sundays through Aug. 27, 7-8 p.m.
Free
Yoganic Flow Hatha Yoga Class
Rouge Park
Sundays through Sept. 25, 9-10 a.m.
Free, registration required
Other fitness classes
While yoga classes are the most prolific, you can find all sorts of exercise events hosted in Detroit parks and outdoor spaces. Here’s just a sampling.
Mondays
Walking Club
Palmer Park
Mondays through July 24, 6-7:30 p.m
Free
Tuesdays
Tai chi with Peter Guenther
Palmer Park
Tuesdays through Sept. 5, 7-8 p.m.
Free
Motown Roller Club Riverwalk Skate
Robert C. Valade Park
Select Tuesdays through Sept. 5, 6-9 p.m.
Free
Detroit Riverwalkers
Cullen Plaza
Walking and fitness classes for ages 50 and up
Tuesdays through Aug. 22, 8-10 a.m.
Free
Barre by the Beach
Robert C. Valade Park
Select Tuesdays through Aug. 15, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Free, registration required
Wednesdays
Workout Wednesdays with First Responders 4 Fitness
Cadillac Square
Wednesdays through Aug. 23, 5-6 and 6-7 p.m.
Free
Tai chi with Urban Solace Yoga & Wellness
Milliken State Park
Wednesdays through Sept. 27, 10-11 a.m.
Free, registration required
Mindful Movement Practice with Kristina Pruccoli
Coriander Kitchen and Farm
Wednesdays through Sept. 27, 10-11 a.m.
Donation-based
Thursdays
Fitness After Dark – KickAbs with Coach Kiwi
Cardio kickboxing and ab work
Beacon Park
Select Thursdays through Aug. 24, 8-10 p.m.
Free, registration required
Walking Club
Palmer Park
Thursdays through July 20, 6-7:30 p.m.
Free
Detroit Riverwalkers
Walking and fitness classes for ages 50 and up
Cullen Plaza
Thursdays through Aug. 24, 8-10 a.m.
Free
Saturdays
Hustle and Flow with the N’Namdi Center
Non-partner dance basics: hustle, line dancing and ballroom
Beacon Park
Saturdays through Aug. 19, 3:30-5 p.m.
Free
Sundays
Morning Combo with Tracie LG Fitness
Cardio boxing and strength
Beacon Park
Select Sunday mornings through Aug. 20, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Free, registration required
Other ideas
Fill summer days with park activities: The Pistons Neighbors Program hosts drop-in sports clinics, dance classes and more activities organized by Come Play Detroit at 10 Detroit parks, six days a week, July 5 through Sept. 4. See the full schedule. Free.
Run, walk or ride: Get your steps or pedals in with other people. Join Downtown Detroit Runners and Walkers for Tuesday strolls, We Run 313 for Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday runs, and RunDetroit for Saturday morning sessions. Find your biking brethren at Wednesday Night Ride Detroit or Bike Dearborn’s Slow Rollin’ Wednesdays, and Cruise: Detroit hosts a semiregular queer community ride. You can also use Detroit Greenways Coalition’s map to plan your own route.
Shoot hoops and skate: The Monroe Street Midway downtown has free basketball courts and mini golf, plus $13 skate sessions, skate rental included. It’s open Thursdays through Sundays until Sept. 4.
Other courts and lesser-known sports: Use the city’s park map to find parks with fitness equipment, pickleball, trails, horseshoes and more. There’s also handball at Palmer Park, disc golf at Palmer Park and Hope Playfield, and several skateparks around town. BYO equipment, but it’s free!
Learn a skill in nature: The Outdoor Adventure Center by the RiverFront offers weekly classes and activities like fishing, hiking, archery and kayaking. Prices vary; some events are free.
Not all outdoors, but a great deal: The City of Detroit is offering free recreation center memberships for youth ages 13-24 through Sept. 30. Find a rec center near you and check out the schedule of programming and activities, including swimming, tennis, basketball and more.