“What to do in Detroit Michigan?” This is a common question that any new traveller to Detroit will ask.
Detroit, the largest city in Michigan with tons of diverse and fascinating things to do, never fails to make a quiet impression on tourists as well as locals there. From unique Detroit museums, incredible year festivals, Detroit education institutes, enthusiastic crowds cheering at sports like hockey, baseball, or baseball games, and not to forget about mentioning Riverwalk, which glances at neighbouring Canada.
What to do in Detroit Michigan? – Top 17 Things to do!
Visiting Detroit is never a bad option.
Whether it’s a visit to the Detroit Historical Museum to learn about national historical landmarks or exploring the Detroit Institute of Arts, you can take a stroll around the Contemporary art of Detroit, take walking tours along the riverfront, and much more.
Here are 17 things to do in Detroit, Michigan.
1. Make a Visit to Detroit Riverfront
When the season is favourable, flowers start blooming, and when the grass is greener, and the trees are leafier, that’s when Detroit Riverfront is one of the most visited places in Detroit. This place is famous for its Detroit river. Under the leadership of the Detroit Riverfront conservancy, the riverfront has gone through renovations.
The main aim of this non-profit conservatory is to improve, maintain and keep the security of the Detroit Riverwalk. Developing all five miles of the Riverfront from Ambassador Bridge to Gabriel Richard Park is also considered a major goal of the Detroit riverfront conservancy so that Detroit locals and travellers can enjoy their precious time with their loved ones or alone as preferable.
Not only this, people can take up yoga classes around, jogging and running are also on the list, taking walking tours, and much more. The environment around Detroit Riverfront is full of joy, with people soaking up the sun and taking romantic walks at night; the riverfront is for people of all ages.
There are several attractions like Mt. Elliot Park and Outdoor Adventure Center. During the visit, don’t forget to attend Motor City and Detroit International Jazz Festival.
The Detroit Riverwalk is open all 7 days a week from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm.
2. Detroit Institute of Arts
Next on your list of what to do in Detroit Michigan, you should visit the Detroit Institute of Arts, which is among the best art museums and a national historic landmark of Michigan, an excellent place for art lovers.
It’s situated on Woodward Avenue and was founded in 1885. Travellers can explore numerous human creative experiences in these museum houses.
The Detroit Institute of Arts is a huge art collection in the US and one of the foremost attractions in Detroit. It consists of about 100 Magnificent galleries and covers around 658,000 square feet. One of the most famous portraits present in the museum is Van Gogh’s self-portrait.
The Detroit Institute of Arts is cited for the collection of American Paintings from the 19th century. It offers free walking tours such as guided tours around the museum and galleries inside and youth audio tours. Also, one can enjoy performances inside, such as storytelling and live music, and attend workshops.
When visiting, don’t miss out on information regarding African American history at African Americans Art, a gallery inside the institute that showcases around 400 art pieces made by African American artists. The museum also consists of Oceanian, African, and Native American works and contemporary art in Detroit. In 2002, a new department was created called General Motors.
In 2001, a new department was created called the General Motors Center for African American Art, and in 2010 a new gallery was created which was dedicated to Islamic art. So when the question arises regarding ‘what to do in Detroit Michigan‘, the Detroit Institute of arts is a great place to explore.
The opening hour of the museums is from 9 am to 4 pm from Tuesday to Thursday, on Friday from 9 am to 9 pm and from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. The museum is closed on Monday.
3. Belle Isle Park
Belle Isle Park is the best answer to your question of what to do in Detroit Michigan. This park is blessed with scenic beauty and is full of history. Belle Isle Parks cover about 987 acres and consist of many notable attractions such as Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, Slides, James Scott Memorial Fountain, and Nature Zoon, considered one of the unique locations to visit.
One can also enjoy picnic areas, fields, and tennis courts in the Belle Isle Parks. This park is the best place for people of all ages to spend a wonderful time outdoors. The park consists of unique attainable features such as the Belle Isle track chair, which is helpful for visitors to stroll around the areas in the park where wheelchairs wouldn’t be accessible.
Also known for its aquarium, Belle Isle Aquarium is one of the oldest attractions in the country. While walking around, one can explore William Livingstone, James Scott Memorial Fountain, and Memorial Lighthouse. For all those historical and geographical enthusiasts, Belle Isle parks consist of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, which is a magnificent exhibition with all the geography and historical information regarding lakes.
Belle Isle Park is open all around the year from 5 am to 10 pm.
4. Michigan Science Center
The Michigan Science Centre is a place where each family member can use their scientific mind to explore. It’s a place where science blends with practical and insightful programs for people of all ages. The place is experimenting with STEM ( Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields.
One can explore space knowledge and life science here. When travelling with kids, don’t miss to check out the Toyota 4D Theater, where several captivating movies are displayed.
It’s a museum for all the curious minds out there. The Michigan science centre consists of 5 theatres. Science enthusiasts can also stroll around 220 exhibitions and live demonstrations inside the centre.
Michigan Science centre is open from 10 am to 4 pm from Monday to Sunday, except it is closed on Tuesday.
5. Motown Museum
Motown Museum is situated on West Grand Boulevard in Detroit. If you are a music lover and thinking about what to do in Detroit Michigan, you should not miss out on Motown Museum. This place is known for recordings of countless soul songs.
This museum is filled with Golden age Motown Photos, rare artefacts, and videos that will take you back to that era. Music lovers can have so much fun here.
One can not talk about music in Michigan without mentioning the Motown museum. It is one of the most visited Detroit attractions and a remarkable museum house in Detroit.
6. Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory
Wandering in a place to connect with the environment and want to feel nature around? Then your destination is none other than Anne Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory.
It’s a perfect place for peace of mind and to find serenity around you. The Anne Scripps Whitcomb conservatory is one of the oldest-running conservatories all over the world.
This place is covered with pleasant ferns, cacti, and palms from all around the world. The conservatory opened on 18th August 1904. The conservatory covers around an acre of areas, each with a different climate.
During the time of 1920s, the conservatory had around 1.5 million visitors in a year. In 1953, during summers, conservatory wooden frames were replaced with aluminium. It took about $500,000 for the renovation. In April 1955, Anna Scripps Whitcomb delivered the pack of 600 orchids to the conservatory, making the city of Detroit the city with the highest orchid collection in the country.
The Anne Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory is open from Wednesday to Monday from 10 am to 5 pm and is closed on Tuesday.
7. Henry Ford Museum
Enter a world where past creations will energize future generations’ imaginations. This is a must-visit place, as the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation allows you to experience the innovations made by the Great Minds of America.
Getting to know about Henry Ford’s experiences, such as learning about Ford motor company, ford rouge factory, means learning about fords vision and exploring Greenfield Village.
From entering the Rosa parks bus incident to exploring flight innovations, take a look at Buckminster’s Fuller’s Dymaxion House. A huge range of exhibitions at the henry ford museum informs, amuses, and inspires people in no way can any media.
The Henry Ford museum is open all 7 Days a week from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
8. Detroit Zoo
Detroit Zoo is situated at West 10 Mile Road, Royal Oak, two miles in north Detroit. The Detroit zoo covers about 125 acres and is one of the most visited zoos in Detroit. This was the first zoo in the US that showed exhibitions and provided a home to 300 species and about 3000 animals.
The exhibition inside the Detroit zoo includes wetlands, an Arctic ring of life, Dinosauria, Amphibville, and much more. This place is so much fun for kids as they can ride colourful trains inside.
So if the question arises about what to do in Detroit Michigan? Don’t forget to visit the Detroit Zoo.
The Detroit Zoo is open all year round from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
9. Fox Theater ( Downtown Detroit)
With around 5,000 seats, Fox Theatre is the largest running movie palace from the 1920s, opened in 1928. It is situated on Woodward Avenue, downtown Detroit.
It was considered a National Historic Landmark and documented on the list of National Historic Places. A lot of Hollywood movie premieres are held at the fox theatre.
Inside the theatre, there is a three-level seating adorned with Indian, Persian, and Chinese themes. Performers have always lit up the theatre with their performances.
Fox Theater is open 6 Days a week from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, except Sunday.
10. Eastern Market
Eastern Market is a historical market area that is also on the list of Historic Places and is one of the Michigan historical landmarks. Situated in the north of downtown Detroit. It was primarily opened in 1841 and has been expanded over the years.
Now, the eastern market is spread over 4.5 acres, also known as the most significant public market in the US. Eastern Market also gives a chance to local artists to showcase their talent.
The market sells items like fruits, meat, spices, and vegetables. It’s a must for your what to do in Detroit Michigan bucket list. Eastern Market is open from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on Tuesday, and on Sunday, the opening hour is 10 am – 4 pm.
11. Charles H. Wright Museum
Charles H. Wright Museum is located on Warren Avenue. It is essential for travellers who want to enhance their knowledge of African and American history.
The museum consists of some permanent exhibitions and temporary exhibitions. The museum was invented under the direction of Dr Charles Wright, who determined the importance of African Americans and their historical culture.
So, for getting some historical experience visit, Charles. H. Wright Museum. It should be a must-visit on your what to do in Detroit Michigan, checklist.
The Charles H. Wright Museum is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm from Wednesday to Sunday and is closed on Monday and Tuesday.
12. Detroit Historical Museum
The Detroit Historical Museum is a must-visit place when visiting Detroit, Michigan. The museum has various exhibitions which display the growth of Detroit over 300 years.
Situated near the Detroit historical museum, this place gives a lot of information about how Detroit, Michigan, developed into an industrial powerhouse.
These exhibitions include “Doorway To Freedom” and “America’s Motor Town,” which tell the Underground Railroad story. Museum also holds exhibitions and events.
This should definitely be on your what to do in Detroit Michigan checklist. The Detroit Historical Museum is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Thursday to Saturday, and from Sunday, it is from 1 pm to 5 pm.
13. Fisher Building
Fisher Building was built in the 1920s, which changed the downtown skyline forever.
It’s one of the most amazing of Detroit’s historic buildings. Fisher Building is a proud icon of Detroit’s history. It is widely acknowledged as one of the most exemplary art structures ever built. While visiting the gallery registering for the free tour can help to know a lot about the place.
This should be a must-visit on your what to do in Detroit Michigan, list. The Fisher Building is open 24 hours every day, all year round.
14. Detroit Princess Riverboat
The Detroit Princess Riverboat is a cruise ship that was built in 1993 and began in 2005; it offers various river tours, which include lunch and dinner. One can also host a type of event like weddings, birthday parties, and corporate functions. It’s one of the best Detroit attractions.
The Detroit Princess Riverboat consists of 4 decks and 1500 passengers capacity. Guests can enjoy meals like breakfast and lunch and also get dining options with activities such as live music. This place prefers a business casual dress code and gives a significant amount of time to spend.
This spot should be on your checklist for what to do in Detroit Michigan. The Detroit Riverboat is open from 9 am to 5 pm all days a week; sometimes, hours might differ.
15. Museum of Contemporary Art
It is located in the city’s centre with Detroit Institute for creative studies and other colleges for creative studies. The museum is spread over a 22,000-square-foot building. Primarily the building was used for auto dealerships but then architect Andrew Zago worked harked to preserve the historical atmosphere.
The museum promotes education through its various programs which consist of lectures, workshops, reading, and much more. It is one of the best art museums in Detroit. The museum consists of a few best contemporary art Detroit has.
It should be on the list of what to do in Detroit Michigan. The museum of contemporary art Detroit is open from 9 am to 5 pm all days a week except Tuesday.
16. Comerica Park
Next on your list of what to do in Detroit Michigan, should be Comerica Park.
Comerica Park is a must-visit fun place in Detroit Michigan. It’s a downtown Detroit park that hosts a baseball match for the Detroit Tigers. It doesn’t matter whether you are a baseball fan or not; this place has everything for everyone, such as taking tours, attending concerts, or watching a game.
If you are a baseball fan and thinking about what to do in Detroit Michigan, then this place should be considered at the top of the list. Comerica Park is one of the well-known buildings in downtown Detroit.
Visitors can check out light towers and stunning tiger sculptures. Comerica Park is open from 11 am to 6 pm from Monday to Friday.
17. Detroit Temple
The Masonic Temple is one the most stunning places to visit when in Detroit. Masonic Temples is full of unused and dramatic spaces. The primary areas in the Masonic Temples are the Ritualistic tower, Shrine club, and auditorium.
The masonic temple has been welcoming guests since 1926. It is majorly used as an event place. But unfortunately, most of the area is off-limits to the public.
The Detroit temple is open in the evenings during weekdays and opened in the morning and evenings during weekends.
Key Takeaways
These are a few simple solutions to your question about what to do in Detroit Michigan. This city has something or other for people of all ages; whether it is the Detroit historical museum, Detroit institute of arts, getting to know about henry fords experiences, visiting the greenfield village, and much more, one can never get bored in this city.
Last Updated on March 19, 2023 by Priya Das
