Discover why Detroit is an up-and-coming destination with tons of things to do; enjoy everything from world class museums to outdoor adventures.

Things To Do In Detroit And Why You Need To Visit Now

When we announced that we would be visiting Detroit, we were not surprised when we were asked, “Why??” We were asked if there were fun things to do in Detroit and if it was safe. The way some people reacted, you’d think we were heading off to war! But that didn’t make us hesitate one bit; we wanted to get to know this misunderstood city.

 

You know how people always talk about going “off-the-beaten-path” and avoiding “touristy” areas? That’s how we felt about visiting Detroit. Why wouldn’t we want to visit a place that isn’t packed to the brim with tourists (yet)? We could tell that Detroit had a lot to offer, and once we were there, it did not disappoint.

 

Yes, there are areas that still need work. But overall, the city is expanding, developing, and there’s a buzz in the air that is contagious. A few times while sitting at local eateries, we started conversations with locals and inevitably the conversation always turned to the city itself. They all mentioned (quite proudly) how exciting it was to see their beloved city on the rise.

 

So we spent a few days exploring: checking out museums, parks, local attractions and, of course, where to eat. We managed to see quite a bit in a short amount of time! We’ve put this post together with the hope that it will show you why you need to visit Detroit now, before everyone else figures out how great it is.

 

Detroit Has World Class Museums

History, art, music, cars. You name it, they’ve got it. Imagine our surprise when we were standing in front of a Van Gogh painting or looking at the chair that Abraham Lincoln was shot in!

 

Detroit Historical Museum

This museum focuses on Detroit and the history of southeastern Michigan. There were many exhibits, but our favorite was The Streets of Old Detroit because it felt like we had gone back in time. You literally walk on cobble stone streets and are able to go into recreated stores and shops.

Things to do in Detroit - visit the Detroit Historical Museum

inside the Detroit Historical museum

 

Detroit Institute of Arts

The DIA has a huge collection! It’s galleries hold over 60,000 impressive artifacts, from ancient to contemporary art. It’s no wonder it’s considered one of the top ten museums in the US. The DIA is a must-see in Detroit. The pieces they have are incredible, and even the building itself is gorgeous to walk through.

Detroit Institute of Arts

inside the Detroit institute of arts, mummies, van gogh

 

Motown Museum

This was the original house where Berry Gordy lived and recorded his many hits. We were given a guided tour, where we learned about Berry and the history of Motown. We saw photos, costumes, and other memorabilia belonging to many of the greats, including The Temptations, Marvin Gay, and even Michael Jackson. We consider it one of the top things to do in Detroit. Fyi, no photos are allowed inside.

Motown Museum

 

The Henry Ford

Wow, we’re not even sure where to begin with this one. This is unlike any museum we’ve ever been to. The sheer size of it… Make sure you give yourself a whole day to be here. We’re not exaggerating! We saw some really fascinating historical pieces, including Rosa Park’s bus and JFK’s limo. Of course, there were other cars. And trains. And planes. And a stunning collection of furniture (we nerded out when we saw Edgar Allen Poe’s writing desk). Even a collection of agricultural equipment.

 

Besides the indoor area, there’s also Greenfield Village. This area has 90 historic buildings, including a recreation of Henry Ford’s childhood home, Thomas Edison’s lab, and the Wright brothers’ workshop. Ford was all about American innovation and ingenuity, so to see how he brought these significant events and people to life is really amazing. Oh, and you can ride around the village in a horse-drawn carriage!

things to do in detroit, visit the the Henry Ford Museum

Chair where Lincoln was shot, Rosa Park's bus, doll house inside Henry Ford museum

Cars inside the Henry Ford Museum

train inside Henry Ford museum

Greenfield Village historic buildings

 

Detroit RiverFront

We’d heard there was a nice river walk area in Detroit, so that’s actually one of the first things we checked out. It’s a few miles long, and there were people walking, jogging, biking, and hanging out. If you’re visiting Detroit with kids, the RiverFront is a fun area for kids too, as there is a splash pad and carousel. The carousel was handcrafted and features animals native to the Detroit River, like egrets and sturgeon.

 

There’s also a part of the RiverFront that was turned into wetlands. As visitors walk on the trails through the wetlands, they can read signs that explain how important wetlands are for the Detroit River because they naturally remove pollutants from the water.

 

The Detroit RiverFront is also a great place to catch a sunset!

Detroit riverwalk, carousel, people riding bikes

sunset at the detroit river walk

 

Detroit Brings The Outdoors, Indoors

Visitors can experience all kinds of outdoor activities indoors thanks to the many simulators at the Outdoor Adventure Center. Try kayaking down a river, catching fish, or even riding a snowmobile. It’s considered one of the best things to do in Detroit with kids, but don’t worry, adults are sure to have fun here too!

Outdoor Adventure Center

snowmobile, canoe, and plane inside Outdoor Adventure Center

Inside Outdoor Adventure Center

 

Eastern Market

At over 43 acres, Eastern Market is the largest outdoor farmers market in the US. It offers different food and products, depending on the day and season. There are three primary markets, but we were told the Saturday morning market is the best one to visit. It runs year round and has over 225 vendors, so visitors can find all kinds of goodies!

 

Another big draw for us to visit the market was the amount of street art in the area. Local and international artists have painted murals in all different styles, some whimsical and some with powerful messages. To see more of the murals, click on this post about Detroit Street Art.

Eastern market products in Detroit

eastern market street art

 

Belle Isle Park

This park is on an island that sits on the Detroit River, between the US and Canada. It is considered the largest city-owned island park in the US and was originally designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the famous landscape architect who designed New York City’s Central Park. The park has many attractions including a zoo, small beach, golf range, and memorial fountain.

When we were there, the park was getting ready to host the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix so some parts of the island were blocked off. We were still able to stop by a few attractions though. Fyi, it does cost a few dollars to get on the island but once you’re in all of the attractions are free.

 

Dossin Great Lakes Museum

This museum is all about Detroit’s role in national and regional maritime history and has a lot of really interesting exhibits, including one of the largest collection of model ships in the world.

exhibits inside the Dossin Great Lakes Museum

 

Belle Isle Aquarium

Famous for its lime-green tile and for being the oldest aquarium in the world, this aquarium has been open since 1904. It’s small, but still a fun attraction for kids. Fun fact: much of the water in the tanks was brought in directly from the ocean.

inside the Belle Island Aquarium

 

Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory

Also known as the Belle Isle Conservatory, it is the oldest continually-running conservatory in the US.  There are 13 acres designated for the conservatory and its botanical garden. The conservatory itself is divided into six sections: the Vestibule, the Palm House, the Tropical House, the Cactus House, the Fernery and the Show House (this section has a lily pond garden!).

Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory

 



 

Casinos

Try your luck at any of Detroit’s casinos! During our visit we stopped by the MotorCity Casino Hotel. This bright and impressive casino has over 2,800 slot machines, 59 table games, and a 12-table smoke-free Poker Room. Besides all that (as if that wasn’t enough!), the casino also has restaurants, live entertainment, and even a spa!

Gambling in Detroit

Inside Detroit casino

 

Sports

If you love sports, Detroit is a fun place to be. The city is home to the Lions, Red Wings, Pistons, and the Tigers. While we were in town, the Tigers were playing at Comerica Park. There was lots of great energy as people walked towards the stadium before the game. We didn’t have tickets, but we did watch the game from across the street at a local favorite called Hockeytown Cafe. This sports bar has big-screens and a ton of Red Wings memorabilia.

Tiger stadium in Detroit

 

Lighthouses

Do you love lighthouses? Ha! Who are we kidding, of course you do! Everyone loves lighthouses! Well, Detroit actually has a few. We stopped by the Milliken State Park Lighthouse (also known as the Tri-Centennial Park Light) while we were exploring the Detroit RiverFront. We heard there’s also a nice lighthouse on Belle Isle which is the only light in the US that is constructed of marble, but we weren’t able to see it.

Tri-Centennial Park Light, Milliken State Park lighthouse

 

Canada, eh?

Our usually northern neighbor is actually south of Detroit, just across the river. If you’d like to visit the Land of Maple, you can take the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, the Ambassador Bridge, or the Blue Water Bridge. Just make sure you have your passport or enhanced driver’s license.

 

Pro Tip: Click here for Tips To Help A First Time Traveler

 

Windsor, Canada

 

Detroit Has Amazing Food

Foodies will love Detroit! In the last few years, the food scene in Detroit has exploded, with many chefs and restaurants winning distinguished and prestigious awards. From fancy bistros to casual cafes, Detroit has something for everyone.

buddy's pizza, breakfast, sandwiches, and salmon dinner in detroit

 



Booking.com

 

So there you have it, the reasons why we think you should visit Detroit. We hope that this post of top things to do has inspired you to plan a trip to “The Comeback City.” We guarantee that you’ll have a great time!

 

standing over Detroit on sidewalk

 

Have you been to Detroit? Are there any other things to do that you’d add to the list? We’d love to read your comments below! 🙂

 

Like this post? Pin it for later!

Discover why Detroit is an up-and-coming destination! See our list of top things to do in Detroit; enjoy everything from world class museums to outdoor adventures.

**A big thank you to Visit Detroit for helping us arrange a fun-filled itinerary. Although we were given complimentary passes to some attractions, as always, all opinions are our own.**

 

Similar Posts

26 Comments

    1. Yay!! I think you’d really enjoy it Anna Marie! 🙂

  1. I definitely never associated the history of Motown with Detroit! I was surprised by your post…as I’m one of those who thought it didn’t sound like a great destination. Guess I was terribly wrong.

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed the post Tami! If you get a chance to visit, definitely check out the Motown museum. It’s very interesting and the guides make it a lot of fun!

  2. I read so many stories where people have travel to Detroit to follow the auto industry it’s a fascinating place with a lot of history I’d love to see some of the places you went.

    1. Yes, definitely a lot of history! I hope you’re able to visit some day! 🙂

  3. Great article, I could totally see the appeal of visiting Detroit prior to reading, but wow there are a lot of cool things to do. Love the Motown Museum.

  4. My cousin and her husband keep trying to get us to come up to visit them in Detroit! It certainly looks like we need to take her up on that offer soon. 😉 I have been hearing great things about the Detroit food scene too.

    1. The food scene in Detroit is incredible! Lots of great places for you to try Carrie!

  5. Detroit holds a special place in my heart because of Motown – all that fantastic music!! But it looks like there’s so much more to Detroit too. Thanks for sharing!

    Jane M

    1. Oh yes, such positive and inspirational music! I hope you’re able to visit soon Jane!

  6. seems like Detroit is a very family oriented city to visit. I can imagine my family enjoying all those and there is something for everyone.

    They would also enjoy the market.

  7. Detroit has never been high on my travel list but it looks like such a cool city with so much to offer! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  8. Plus you can always step over to Windsor and visit Canada. I didn’t realize there was this much to do in Detroit and I’ve been there. I was blown away by the Art Institute though. Absolutely world class.

  9. It’s really great to hear good things about Detroit! I love museums, so I’ll have to make an adventure here to check them out. Especially that art museum! I can’t wait to explore when I make it up here!

  10. If I am visiting Detroit the first place I want to check out is The Henry Ford. That looks like an amazing display of automotive history. I would then head out to the Detroit Waterfront, then go visit the Belle Isle Aquarium. I would finish up at one of the bistros or cafes.

  11. I had no idea the largest Farmer’s Market in the USA was in Detroit! What a fun fact! I know Detroit is getting a lot of bad press right now but you managed to highlight all the positives and the fact that this city was home to a number of American made institutions like the Ford car dealership which launched an era of prosperity in the USA and Motown!

  12. Next time, I go to Detroit for work, I need to spend some time exploring the city. I would love to explore the museum and see a few Egyptian museums.

  13. I really admire people who go out and see a place for themselves instead of listening to the judgment of other people who have not even been in the place recently. It helps the place to have a new image far from what it used to have. Continue to make a difference, Vicky!!! <3

  14. Wow! Never seen a blog on Detroit, this is so cool! Plenty of things to do there.

    1. Hi David! We think people will start hearing more and more about Detroit because there really is so much to do there! 🙂

  15. I live in metro Detroit about 40 minutes outside of the city! It has improved greatly and continues too. Try out some of the roof top bars also. The view of Detroit and Windsor is beautiful on these roof top bars.

    1. Ooooh, thanks so much for the suggestion Taylor! We’ll make sure to check them out next time we’re in Detroit. 🙂

  16. I am planning to visit Detroit next week and I was unaware about the Outdoor Adventure Center. This is definitely going in my to-do list.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.