The newest travel trend isn’t from social media—it’s getting off social media! Increasingly, people are attempting to scroll less and un-glue themselves from their phones, for both their mental health and relationships. There’s no better time to disconnect from your phone and reconnect with the world around you than during your trip to Detroit.
From curated digital detox hotel experiences to forest bathing in the city’s green spaces, here are the best screen-free activities in Detroit.
1. Digital Detox at Shinola Hotel
Shinola Hotel, a luxury hotel in the heart of Detroit, has launched a Digital Detox experience, which aims to redefine luxury travel in our hyper-connected modern-day world.
Just select the experience when you make your booking in any premium suite or penthouse, and your stay will be curated with a screen-free focus.
When you check in, you’ll be offered to stow your phone in a secure vault (don’t worry, a 24/7 Guest Experience team is on call to assist with transportation, reservations, directions, and local recommendations).
Shinola’s special screen-free hotel rooms feature analog experiences like:
- Classic board games
- Selection of books
- Authentic Shinola turntable with a tailored vinyl library
- Shinola journal complete with prompts for reflection
Guests are also gifted a Camp Snap camera, which is a special screen-free digital camera. You can still record your trip to Detroit, but without the stress (and distraction) of newsfeeds, For You Pages, and notifications.
2. Go for a Bike Ride
It’s hard to scroll when your hands are busy gripping your handlebar!
Detroit has many paths and trails that are ideal for a leisurely bike ride. Take a ride down the Riverwalk or Dequindre Cut Greenway (with a stop at Eastern Market, of course!).
Alternatively, explore Detroit on a guided bike tour with Wheelhouse Detroit, or just rent your bike from this local Detroit business.
3. Try Forest Bathing
Forest bathing is a Japanese wellness practice that uses time spent in nature to support mindfulness and peace. All you have to do is visit a forested area, put away your phone, and soak up your surroundings.
Head to one of the 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks for a stroll among the trees. You can also take a hike along a segment of the Great Lake-to-Lake trail, which runs across Michigan (from South Haven to Port Huron) with many great forested trails in the metro Detroit area.
4. Catch a (Live) Show
Head to a matinee or a night at the theatre, where your phone will need to be silenced (helping you beat the urge to scroll!).
Detroit has numerous theatres. Check out what’s on at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, featuring classical concerts and pops performances, or head to the Fisher Theatre or Fox Theatre, where you can frequently get tickets to touring Broadway plays.
5. Get on the Water
Leave your phone at home (or in your hotel) and head out on the water in Detroit—your phone will be safer on dry land, anyway!
Between the Detroit River, canal district, and nearby lakes, there are plenty of opportunities to go boating. One of the most fun and uniquely Detroit activities, though, is a kayak tour through the Jefferson Chalmers canals with Detroit River Sports.
6. Draw in the Galleries
Immerse yourself in the arts instead of the internet at the renowned Detroit Institute of Arts.
Detroit’s beloved art museum offers a truly special opportunity to sketch your own masterpiece while surrounded by world-class art. Their “Drawing in the Galleries” events take place regularly on weekends, and are free to the public with easels, pencils, and all art supplies provided. This activity is perfect for anyone, ages six and up.
The museum also frequently offers drop-in art making workshops on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
7. Go Star Gazing
It can be tempting to doomscroll at night, so turn to the vastness of the night sky instead. Detroit may be a city, but you can still see the stars, especially in the city’s many green spaces.
Some of the best stargazing spots in metro Detroit include the many Huron-Clinton Metroparks, as well as indoor planetariums like the Michigan Science Center, Wayne State University, and Cranbrook Institute of Science.
8. Paint Some Pottery
Unplug for an hour with pottery painting—another activity that requires full focus, and no phones!
The iconic Pewabic Pottery offers beginner-friendly tile glazing workshops every weekend. Try your hand at glazing and take home a piece of Detroit history with you.
In Royal Oak, Creative Arts Studio offers relaxed pottery painting sessions, and in Dearborn, Speckles and Splatter offers both pottery wheel taster sessions and pottery painting.
9. Hands-On Activities for the Kids
Adults aren’t the only ones who can benefit from putting their phones down. If you want to encourage your kids to spend some screen-free time in Detroit, then there’s an abundance of hands-on activities.
Kiddos will love exploring the Outdoor Adventure Center, Michigan Science Center, Peppa Pig World of Play, and more.
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