Places to exploreMuseums, parks, neighborhoods and icons
Metro Detroit mapWhat Metro Detroit is, and what every town is about
The Henry FordRosa Parks’ bus, Greenfield Village and the Ford Rouge Factory
RenCen: live trackerThe Renaissance Center’s past, present and future, up to the minute
Gordie Howe BridgeThe new bridge to Canada: live waits, tolls, and yes, you can walk it
ToursBy boat, by bike or on foot, with a local guide
Escape roomsOne hour, one lock and your crew
Plan a meetingVenues, hotels and what’s on in town on your dates
Metro Detroit Wayne County City
The big west-side suburb that became a city because of a racetrack
01 / Why it matters
Livonia is Detroit's western neighbor, sitting right below 8 Mile. For about a century it was farm country: sheep, dairy cows, vegetables and grain. Then General Motors and Ford showed up in the late 1940s and the place never slowed down again.
How it became a city is a very American story. On May 23, 1950, the whole township voted itself into a city, because that was the only way to get a cut of the new Detroit Race Course. The track opened two days later and ran horses until 1998.
Today Livonia is one of the big, tidy hubs of the western suburbs: Laurel Park Place mall, Madonna University, Schoolcraft College, and the green ribbon of Hines Park winding along the Middle Rouge on the south side. Every late June the city throws itself a week-long birthday party, the Livonia Spree, with rides, live music and fireworks.
02 / Known for
Becoming a city in 1950 so residents could share in the Detroit Race Course revenue
The 1953 Hydra-Matic fire, when GM's transmission plant here burned down in one of the most destructive industrial fires in US history
Greenmead, Joshua Simmons' pioneer farm with its 1841 farmhouse and the township's first barn, built in 1829
The Livonia Spree, the city's week-long birthday bash every late June
Madonna University, founded by the Felician Sisters in 1937
03 / What’s on
Oct 1, 2026, 11:00 AM12066 Merriman RoadLivonia · The City of Livonia hosts the 2026 Awards of Excellence Luncheon and Michigan Auto Heritage Day on Thursday, October 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 12066 Merriman Road in Livonia.
Oct 1, 2026, 7:00 PMThis event is a meeting of the Public Safety, Health & Environment Committee held in Livonia, where committee members discuss issues related to public safety, health, and environmental concerns.
Oct 2, 2026, 8:45 AM32001 Five Mile RoadLivonia · The Detroit Symphony Orchestra's "Viva Las Vegas" concert, organized through the Livonia Senior Wellness Center, took place at 32001 Five Mile Road and was fully booked. The event featured main floor seating and included transportation and refreshments.
Oct 4, 2026, 10:00 AM35000 Seven Mile RoadLivonia · The Livonia Fire & Rescue Open House offers insight into the operations and equipment of the local fire department and rescue services. The event takes place at 35000 Seven Mile Road in Livonia.
Oct 5, 2026, 5:00 PM12973 Farmington RoadLivonia · A Water & Sewer Board meeting takes place in Livonia at 12973 Farmington Road. The event focuses on discussions related to local water supply and sewer service matters.
Oct 7, 2026, 8:00 AM32001 Five Mile RoadLivonia · The Livonia Senior Wellness Center organized a motor coach trip to Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids featuring indoor and outdoor exhibits, including a narrated outdoor tram tour and the Dale Chihuly installations. Attendees could purchase additional tickets for the Chihuly: Radiant Forms exhibit. Lunch options and extensive walking were part of the outing.
Oct 7, 2026, 6:00 PM15100 HubbardLivonia · The Parks & Recreation Commission meeting takes place in Livonia at 15100 Hubbard. Discussions focus on the development of parks and recreation opportunities, as well as community programs.
Oct 8, 2026, 7:30 PM33000 Civic Center Drive Livonia · The Traffic Commission meeting takes place in Livonia at 33000 Civic Center Drive, addressing local transportation matters. The event focuses on discussing traffic-related issues affecting the city.
Oct 10, 2026, 10:00 AMMeet at the Plymouth Arts and Recreation 650 Church StreetPlymouth · The Alliance of Rouge Communities organizes a fall bug hunt on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meet at Plymouth Arts and Recreation, 650 Church Street in Livonia for a community nature event.
Oct 10, 2026, 11:00 AMLivonia · The City of Livonia hosts Faith and Blue, a community event, on Saturday, October 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Livonia, MI.
04 / Places
Courtyard by Marriott Detroit Livonia17200 North Laurel Park Drive, Livonia, MI 48152
Days Inn by Wyndham Livonia/Canton/Detroit36655 Plymouth Road, Livonia, MI 48150
Detroit Marriott Livonia17100 Laurel Park Drive North, Livonia, MI 48152
Livonia Pride18600 Haggerty Rd. (Schoolcraft College, green space between Liberal Arts and Forum buildings), Livonia, MI
O'Malley's Irish Pub (Livonia)15231 Farmington Rd, Livonia, MI 48154
Residence Inn by Marriott Detroit Livonia17250 Fox Drive, Livonia, MI 48152
Stables Bar & Grill14950 Middlebelt Rd, Livonia, MI 48154
TownePlace Suites by Marriott Detroit Livonia17450 Fox Drive, Livonia, MI 4815205 / What to do
Livonia's own time machine at Eight Mile and Newburgh: Joshua Simmons' 1841 farmhouse, the 1829 barn, a historic village of relocated old buildings, gardens and a nature trail.
Official site ↗The long county park along the Middle Rouge runs through Livonia's south end. Newburgh Lake has a fishing pier, and the path beside Hines Drive takes walkers and bikers all the way from Northville to Dearborn.
Official site ↗The mall at Six Mile and Newburgh, open since 1989, with a Von Maur, restaurants and a movie theater, just off I-275.
Official site ↗06 / History
On March 17, the Michigan Territory legislature sets the boundaries of Livonia Township.
On May 23, the entire township incorporates as a city; the Detroit Race Course opens two days later.
On August 12, GM's Hydra-Matic plant on Plymouth Road burns down; production moves to the former Willow Run bomber plant.
The city buys the Greenmead farm and turns it into a history park.
Laurel Park Place mall opens.
The Detroit Race Course closes and the land is sold for redevelopment.
07 / Born here
08 / People
Population and area are Census Bureau figures (Livonia city).
Change since 2020, per the Census Bureau estimate: −3.1 percent.
