Detroit homeowners who qualify for the Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE) can have some or all of their property taxes excused. Accounting Aid Society helps with eligibility and the forms at no cost; the 2026 deadline is Nov. 6. Call 313-556-1920 to schedule an appointment.
Verified Oct 27 · accountingaidsociety.org
Catch: Detroit homeowners who live in the home and meet HOPE income or hardship guidelines · Accounting Aid Society's no-cost services are for households making less than $69,000 a year · Appointment required: call 313-556-1920
A free family celebration of Día de los Muertos: children's storytelling (11am), arts and crafts, food trucks and vendors, live music with Luna (noon), Ballet Folklórico Moyocoyani Izel (1pm) and Mariachi Mexico de Detroit (2pm). Add a name or message for a loved one to the community ofrenda. Register for free online.
Verified Oct 27 · detroitriverfront.org
Catch: Free registration on the Riverfront Conservancy's site
Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat 10am–5pm; Fri 10am–6:30pm (studio tours 10am–4pm); Sun 11am–4pm
Pewabic Pottery · Detroit
Detroit's 1907 National Historic Landmark pottery is free to visit: see historic Pewabic tiles and vessels in the second-floor museum galleries and the courtyard tile fountain, and on Fridays from 10am to 4pm take a self-guided tour of the working studio to watch artists press tiles and glaze pots. Open Tue–Sun; parking is free.
Mon–Sat 10am–4pm, Sun noon–4pm (closed Mondays Dec–Mar and city holidays)
Farmington Hills Nature Center, Heritage Park
The city's nature center in Heritage Park is free during public hours, with nature interpretive staff on hand and trails in the surrounding park. Open Monday–Saturday 10am–4pm and Sunday noon–4pm; closed Mondays from December through March and on city holidays.
See fish from around the world under the green-tiled ceiling of the Belle Isle Aquarium, opened in 1904 and designed by Albert Kahn. Admission is free (a $5 donation is encouraged). Open year-round Thursday to Sunday, 10am–4pm.
Verified Oct 27 · belleisleconservancy.org
Catch: Driving onto Belle Isle needs a Michigan Recreation Passport (no cost on foot or by bike)
The Detroit Zoological Society's nature center on Belle Isle is free, programs included: animal habitats, exhibits, a nature play space and forest trails. Open daily 10am–5pm (last entry 4:30pm). Some programs, such as guided hikes, ask you to register ahead.
Verified Oct 27 · belleislenaturecenter.org
Catch: Driving onto Belle Isle needs a Michigan Recreation Passport (no cost on foot or by bike)
Residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties get into the DIA free every day it's open: Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry murals and more than 100 galleries. Show an ID at the front desk. Open Tue–Thu 9am–4pm, Fri 9am–9pm, Sat–Sun 10am–5pm; closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Juneteenth and Independence Day.
Verified Oct 27 · dia.org
Catch: Free only for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties (and members): show ID at the front desk
ServicesFree (worth about $200)For people who qualify
Accounting Aid Society's Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic gives no-cost legal representation to people in a dispute with the IRS: notices and letters, audits, tax court, property taken to settle a tax debt, a denied Earned Income Tax Credit, identity theft, injured or innocent spouse claims, tax debts and payment plans. It also helps people who speak English as a second language understand their taxpayer rights. Request a consultation by phone (313-394-7897) or email.
Verified Oct 27 · accountingaidsociety.org
Catch: Income at or below 250% of poverty guidelines ($39,125 for one, $80,375 for four), or English as a second language
Free itemsFree (worth about $100)Eligibility applies
Dearborn residents can ask the city to plant a tree in the easement in front of their home at no charge. You water and weed it; the city helps with trimming as needed. Request one through the Department of Public Works' online form.
Verified Oct 27 · dearborn.gov
Catch: Dearborn residents only · Planted in your residential easement: you're responsible for watering and care
Residents of Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park can get a Detroiter membership at no cost: it carries the Society's core member benefits, including free unlimited general admission to the Detroit Historical Museum and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle, for one named adult and the named children under 18 in their household. Activate it online; it stays pending until the membership team confirms your residency.
Verified Oct 27 · detroithistorical.org
Catch: Residents of Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park only: residency is confirmed before the membership is active · Covers one named adult plus named children under 18 in the same household
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