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 Oakland County City
Twelve Oaks, the Michigan State Fair and a big Japanese community on Walled Lake
01 / Why it matters
Novi split off from Farmington Township in 1832, and legends still swirl around its name. The village became a city in 1969 and has been one of Michigan's fastest-growing cities ever since, sitting where I-96, I-696, I-275 and M-5 all come together.
It's a shopping capital: Twelve Oaks Mall, open since 1977, is one of Michigan's biggest malls and is often credited with kicking off 40 years of growth. The expo center on Grand River, called Vibe Credit Union Showplace since 2026, has been home to the revived Michigan State Fair since 2012.
Novi is also a hub for metro Detroit's Japanese community, with Japanese company offices, the Japanese School of Detroit's Saturday classes since 2011, and Michigan's largest Japan festival every October. In summer, Lakeshore Park on Walled Lake has a swim beach and bike trails, and next door Pavilion Shore Park sits on the site of the old Walled Lake amusement park and casino.
02 / Known for
Twelve Oaks Mall, one of Michigan's largest malls since 1977
The Michigan State Fair: held at the Novi expo center since 2012; in 2026 it ran over Labor Day weekend, September 3 to 7
Michigan's largest Japan festival every October, and the Japanese School of Detroit, which moved here from Birmingham in 2011
Little Sweden: former Red Wings coach Mike Babcock's nickname for Novi, thanks to all the Swedish players living here; a street was even named for Nicklas Lidström
03 / What’s on
Sep 30, 2026, 7:00 PMNovi Public Library · Jeremy Dimick, Director of Collections and Curatorial at the Detroit Historical Society, speaks Wednesday, September 30, at 7 p.m. at the Novi Public Library about the Detroit Lions’ story—from Portsmouth Spartans roots to Honolulu Blue. Free admission.
04 / Places
Emagine Novi44425 West Twelve Mile Road, Novi, MI 48377
Escape Room Novi44325 W 12 Mile Rd, Suite H175, Novi, MI 48377
Five Senses Escape Rooms40440 Grand River Ave, Suite IJ, Novi, MI 4837505 / What to do
The giant mall at 12 Mile and Novi roads, anchored by Macy's, JCPenney and Nordstrom.
Official site ↗Novi's biggest park, with a swim beach on Walled Lake and a roughly 10-mile mountain bike trail; next door is Pavilion Shore Park, opened in 2013 with a fishing pier on the site of the old amusement park and casino.
Official site ↗Metro Detroit's second-largest convention center, on Grand River Avenue (formerly the Suburban Collection Showplace), home of the Michigan State Fair and plenty of expos.
Official site ↗06 / History
Novi Township is organized from part of Farmington Township.
The Holly, Wayne & Monroe Railroad builds its Novi depot; part of it still stands.
After several failed attempts, the Village of Novi becomes a city; the charter takes effect on February 24.
Twelve Oaks Mall opens.
The Novi expo center becomes home of the revived Michigan State Fair.
Pavilion Shore Park opens on August 24 on the former site of the Walled Lake amusement park and casino.
07 / Born here
08 / People
Population and area are Census Bureau figures (Novi city).
Change since 2020, per the Census Bureau estimate: +1.6 percent.
