11 Detroit Locations That Belong on Every Movie Lover’s Bucket List

Story by Bryan Shelmon

Are you a movie buff visiting the Motor City?

Grab your Motor City Popcorn because your next Detroit visit will be a movie—literally! Detroit has long been a favorite among filmmakers captivated by the city’s raw and gritty ambiance, buildings that transcend eras, and even tax incentives that helped bring major film projects right here to the D.

After finishing your watchlist of movies filmed and set in Detroit, it’s time to experience the movies in real life! Channel your main character energy with this itinerary built for movie buffs visiting Detroit.

1. Vibe “8 Mile-style” at a live music show at The Shelter

All it takes is for that iconic “dum dum DUM” guitar to start to instantly “Lose Yourself.” Eminem’s ‘8 Mile’ exposed the gritty underground rap scene brewing beneath a city known for its Motown soul. The come-up story of the main character B-Rabbit (played by Eminem) isn’t just a plot for the 2002 box office hit. It’s a musical journey that artists undergo while chasing money, fame, and musical legacy. See the newest emerging artists from the Detroit music scene at The Shelter, where Eminem’s witty freestyle landed him his first rap battle “W.”

The Shelter is an underground music venue hosted in the basement of Saint Andrew’s Hall. Up to 400 people can pack into this intimate venue where you’ll find Detroit’s true audiophiles and music purists. Check out the venue lineup during your visit to see who’s playing next!

See The Shelter featured in this 8 Mile ‘rap battle’ scene clip.

2. Take a scenic Gran Torino-inspired drive around Lake St. Clair

Get off my lawn!” Who would’ve thought that Walt Kowalski, played by Clint Eastwood, would go from grumpy neighbor to unlikely neighborhood hero? And every time that sleek 1972 Ford Gran Torino makes an appearance, we can understand Kowalski’s love for his coveted masterpiece of Detroit auto engineering—and why everyone wanted it! Although Thao, his troubled teen neighbor, finally got his hands on the car keys, you can recreate your own iconic end-of-the-movie driving scene down one of Detroit’s most scenic drives.

Set your GPS to Grosse Pointe Farms, located just 20 minutes from Downtown Detroit. Rev up your engine and cruise Lake Shore Road, hugging the banks of Lake St. Clair. Plan your trip to Detroit in August for our Woodward Dream Cruise to see what other beautiful classic cars are cruising the streets in the D.

Get inspired by the movie’s ending scene (spoiler alert):

3. See priceless artwork at the DIA featured on “Fake or Fortune”

Art enthusiasts already have the Detroit Institute of Arts on their bucket list while exploring Detroit’s Midtown. Tucked inside the American Art gallery is a colossal painting by Benjamin West, one of the great American artists from the 18th Century. It was used to determine whether an earlier sketch was real or fake in the TV series “Fake or Fortune.”

The DIA holds Benjamin West’s “Last Supper” painting that was commissioned in 1786 by King George III. In the show, a sketch of this very painting was purchased unknowingly on an eBay auction for just £50. After discovering the similarities between the finished piece, which was acquired by the DIA in 1980, and the same sketch, it was attributed to Benjamin West and valued at over £50,000!

Stop by the DIA’s American Art exhibit to see other works from Benjamin West. Check out the episode online reposted by the DIA:

4. Walk through the Detroit 67 riot exhibit at the Detroit Historical Museum

The beautiful, revitalized Downtown Detroit you see today is a far cry from what the city was once known for. Rewind to the mid-60s and you’ll find a growing urban metropolis rooted in civil unrest. Based on a true story, “Detroit” retells the story of the infamous Detroit riots that happened in the summer of 1967. If the emotionally-charged film sparked something in you, continue learning more about a “city at war” at the Detroit Historical Museum.

Descend the steps to the museum’s lower level, where you’re instantly transported back in time to Detroit of the past. Detroit 67: Perspectives is a walk-through exhibit that explores Detroit 50 years before, during the summer riots, and its transformation 50 years after. Listen to stories from Detroiters recapping their experience living through the city-turned-war zone. Archive photos put a face to the madness. News reports make you feel like you’re reliving the events in real-time.

Watch the trailer for Detroit:

5. Michigan’s Central Station brings The Island’s Sci-fi to life

For decades, the destitute Michigan Central Station was a magnet for underground graffiti artists, abandoned building hunters, and—apparently—movies! This beautiful, yet run-down building was a go-to set for filmmakers like Michael Bay’s “The Island,” seeking a post-apocalyptic setting. Soak up those scenes of the building’s ruins while you can because the Michigan Central Station has an entirely new makeover awaiting you when you visit it in person.

Sci-fi lovers who stan over The Island will fancy the techy scene cultivated inside the former train station. The lobby that once held patient passengers awaiting their train now hosts an exhibition gallery spotlighting the station’s history and preserved building sections hinting at its derelict past. Tours are available through Detroit Historical Tours to learn more about the Michigan Central Station.

Here’s the official trailer for The Island:

6. See architectural wonders that transformed Detroit into Gotham City

If you could have any superpower, what would it be? The gift of flight for a bird’s-eye view of the Detroit skyline? Or how about the power to transport to all of the Detroit film locations featured in Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice? Trust us, there are plenty!

Movie magic transformed Motor City’s architectural wonders into the city of Gotham. The Guardian Building was used as the Wayne Building. The Masonic Temple was used for the underground MMA fight scene. The museum gala scene was hosted at the Detroit Public Library. Belle Isle was reimagined as Heroes Park, where the Superman Statue was vandalized. You’ll spot many of these locations while sightseeing in the D.

7. Visit the Ford Rouge Factory Tour for car factory scenes from Beverly Hills Cop

You can always count on Detroit to instantly captivate movie audiences. The opening scene in the Beverly Hills Cop film, starring Eddie Murphy, features one of the best clip montages spotlighting the Detroit lifestyle. From neighborhood streets showcasing Detroit youth at play to highlighting our undeniable fashion and revealing how the hardworking people of the D make it happen every day.

The Ford Rouge Factory is Ford’s largest single industrial factory complex. The car factory assembly line operations are beautifully captured in the movie’s opening scenes. Tours at the factory take visitors behind the scenes of the facilities to inspire an appreciation of the city’s manufacturing heritage.

Check out the opening scene of the Beverly Hills Cop and see what other Detroit locations you can spot:

8. Listen to live jazz at Cliff Bells spotlighted in The Ides of March

Political drama seems to happen as much in real life as it does on the silver screen, but the plot line of The Ides of March is a refreshing take on life on the campaign trail. It follows the political campaign of George Clooney, aided by Ryan Gosling. In less than two hours, it takes viewers on a roller coaster of drama, betrayal, lies, action, and an unforgettable scene of one of Detroit’s most legendary music venues.

There’s nothing like the soothing sounds of jazz to discuss politics. And when in Detroit, Cliff Bells is the go-to for live jazz! In the film, the club is reimagined as the Ninth and Vine nightclub; however, the jazz ambiance is something that can still be experienced in real life. Check out the musician lineup at Cliff Bells to attend their next dinner show.

9. Explore Detroit’s Theater District inspired by It Follows

It’s time to break the fourth wall in Detroit’s theater district, highlighted in the film, “It Follows.” The stunning marquee of the Redford Theater gets its big screen debut in ‘It Follows,’ but the theater has long been a community staple for live shows and film screenings.

Detroit boasts a notable theater district, featuring everything from major Broadway productions to critically acclaimed local productions. The film features the Redford Theater in a date scene that kicks off the plot. If you’re planning a date night in the D, you can find exciting shows at The Fillmore, the Fox, Fisher Theatre, and many others.

Learn more about the local theater scene here and check out the Redford theater scene.

10. Taste the iconic Coney dog from Whip It’s diner scene shot at Lafayette Coney Island

The coming-of-age movie Whip It follows the main character, Bliss, as she navigates her teenage identity, torn between her mother’s influence on beauty pageants and her true passion for roller derby. Detroit was a primary filming location, but one downtown corner is one you don’t want to miss!

A food fight ensues during the film in none other than Detroit’s Lafayette Coney Island! Lafayette Coney Islandand its neighbor, American Coney Island, are a running city debate over who has the best coney dogs in the city. If you’re a fan of the movie’s competition-driven plot, you’ll love having your own local competition to see which coney you prefer.

Check out the food fight scene and snag the same seat when you stop by!

11. Admire the Foundation Hotel’s luxurious updates from its appearance in Real Steel

If you’re dreaming of movie fame, it’s time to awaken in the very spot where one of Detroit’s big-budget films was shot. Detroit served as the grungy backdrop to the sci-fi sports film ‘Real Steel.’ It’s an underdog story of a fighting robot who goes from scrap metal to the “people’s champion.” The pivotal scene of repairing the robot and realizing his fighting potential took place right in the Foundation Hotel.

During filming, the hotel was still the former Detroit Fire Department, the oldest in Michigan. The Foundation Hotel opened a few years after the film, where it renovated the historic building into charming boutique accommodations. The film’s scene takes place in the current Apparatus Room. Stop by to enjoy a signature Detroit Sour handcrafted cocktail in this stylish New American restaurant flush with natural light beaming through the building’s iconic arched windows.

See those same arched windows in the “Get him a fight” scene.

Bonus: head to the Detroit Riverwalk to see the Renaissance Center, whose façade was used for the “New York Big Arena” where all the movie’s championship matches took place.

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Author

Bryan Shelmon
Bryan Shelmon is a travel writer living the digital nomad lifestyle for more than 5 years to regions including the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, and Southeast Asia. While traveling, he enjoys daily writing sessions with his favorite chai latte, making CULTURE art paintings, and discovering trendy thrift shops.