Posh Hotels.
Once a landmark firehouse and fire department headquarters, Detroit Foundation Hotel now serves as an homage to the city’s industrial and automotive legacy. It’s cozy and warm, with just 100 rooms, and is home to award-winning The Apparatus Room restaurant. There’s also the The Siren hotel, which tops many “best” lists as well. Housed in the old Wurlitzer Building, this stylish, 13-story hotel provides glorious views of downtown and offers four distinctive dining and lounge options, including the Candy Bar cocktail lounge with its floor-to-ceiling pink décor. Synonymous with luxury, the iconic Shinola watch brand extends its elegance to the lavish Shinola Hotel in the heart of downtown. It’s bedecked with local art, including a sculpture by Nick Cave, and is known for its exceptional amenities.
Fun Find: The Inn on Ferry Street, just a block from the DIA and within the Cultural Center Historic District, is a series of restored mansions and carriage houses that make up a bed & breakfast. Each room is unique and the breakfast is the star of the show, with local baked goods, fresh fruit, rich coffee, and more.
Pro Sports.
Detroit’s home teams exemplify the Motor City’s enduring spirit, weathering (or celebrating) ups and downs over the decades with grit and determination. The same could be said for their fans! Whether it’s a Pistons or Red Wings game at Little Caesars Arena, a Lions game at Ford Field, or a Tigers game at Comerica Park, there’s an exciting matchup for any sports aficionado. The stadiums are all situated right in downtown, and many out-of-town fans opt to stay at one of the nearby hotels for convenience and ease of transportation.
Fun Find: Don’t forget the ladies! The Detroit Prowl is an American Women's Football League (AWFL) tackle football team that plays most of its home games at Allen Park High School. They were the 2024 AWFL champions and are currently recruiting for the 2026 season.
Bars + Nightlife.
There are so many options for going out on the town in Detroit, it’s impossible to cover them all. However, there are plenty of standouts, such as Kamper's Rooftop Lounge on the 14th floor of the 38-story, Italian Renaissance-style Book Tower. They serve Basque-style tapas and pintxos, and an impressive selection of wines and cocktails—all with a side of majestic skyline views. There’s also Cadieux Cafe in the Morningside neighborhood, which features Belgian cuisine, live music, and feather bowling. And, located in a renovated building in Mexicantown is El Club, a music venue and concert hall that’s hosted big names and received attention from Rolling Stone and The New York Times.
Fun Find: While Kamper’s may rule the top of the Book Tower, The Aladdin Sane quietly dominates the subterranean level. A speakeasy-style, Japanese-inspired bar with David Bowie themed cocktails and rare whiskeys, it’s mysterious, intimate, and strikingly designed.
Diverse Cuisine.
Much like the bar and club scene in Detroit, the culinary offering is broad and sweeping. From traditional American, to fusion, to global treats, there are establishments that cater to every palate. Among the favorites is Baobab Fare, with an East African menu created with passion by Burundi refugees. Look for their Waka food truck around town, too. Bar Pigalle, inside The Carlton Lofts in Brush Park, provides a playful taste of Paris in an inviting, yet upscale atmosphere. The cocktail menu is noteworthy as well, and they also serve some N/A concoctions. In addition, there’s Selden Standard, a James Beard Foundation semi-finalist for Outstanding Restaurant two years running. Its seasonal menus change regularly thanks to their work with local farms and producers, and guests can expect mindfully crafted, rustic, small-plate style meals.
Fun Find: Those looking try a little bit of everything will find just that at Detroit Shipping Company’s food hall within the larger venue that also has retail shops, an art gallery, and a performance stage. It has a wide variety of tastes from every corner of the world.
Art Everywhere.
Detroit is so well known for its murals, graffiti, and street art that Visit Detroit created a comprehensive guide to help visitors and residents alike discover it all. While the entire city and surrounding neighborhoods are dotted with towering artworks, there are several areas with large collections. Grand River Creative Corridor has close to 100 murals between Rosa Parks Boulevard and Warren Avenue, while the Eastern Market area has more than 100, with new works added every year as part of the annual Murals in the Market festival. There are also the
Z Lot parking garage and adjacent The Belt alleyway featuring public art, sculptures, and installations.
Fun Find: Head to Southwest Detroit to find the works of Elton Monroy Durán; specifically Bagley Street where there are five Alebrijes statues made out of car parts, as well as murals throughout the Mexicantown district.
Museums Galore.
Recognized two years in a row as the number one art museum in the country by the USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) is one the 313’s signatures. In addition to the famous Diego Rivera murals, it houses 65,000 works of art and is an architectural masterpiece in itself. For more cutting-edge and experimental work, visit Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MoCAD), not far from the DIA.
Another Detroit must-see is Motown Museum inside Hitsville U.S.A.—the original headquarters and music recording studio for Motown Records. With programs, exhibits, memorabilia, and, of course, music, it showcases the sounds and happenings that shaped a generation. And, in a completely different mode of interest is Michigan Science Center (Mi-Sci), a STEM hub with a variety of engaging galleries, shows, and exhibits for all ages.
Fun Find: Museum of Illusions is a mind-bending adventure into the world of visual and sensory perception. Filled with mysterious rooms, installations, and optical illusions, it’s a wonderland for curiosity seekers.
Rich History.
From automobiles, to music, to the civil rights movement, and more, Detroit holds an important place in the Nation’s past. Much of this is on display at The Henry Ford, comprised of four attractions: Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation®, Greenfield Village, Ford Rouge Factory Tour, and the Giant Screen Experience. Detroit Historical Museum is also a top spot to delve into the culture, industries, and stories of the city’s bygone days. And, a visit to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is also in order to get the full picture of Detroit’s roots.
Fun Find: Take a walking or bus tour with Detroit History Tours. Well-versed guides provide informative and entertaining tours on a wide variety of topics, from mobsters and oddities, to food, LGBTQIA pride, and architecture—to name a few.
Green Spaces.
Though Detroit is decidedly metropolitan, it manages to fit in plenty of areas to enjoy nature and the outdoors. Belle Isledates back to the late nineteenth century and, at nearly 1,000 acres, it’s the largest city island park in the country. On site is a nature center, aquarium, conservatory, and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, plus trails, picnic areas, a golf course, and more. There’s also the Dequindre Cut Greenway, a two-mile pedestrian and bike-traffic path connecting Eastern Market to the Detroit Riverwalk—located within William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor, which is also a popular spot for outdoor recreation.
Fun Find: An urban garden and public space, Lafayette Greens is not only a pollinator’s paradise, it’s also a relaxing oasis for downtown city workers, residents, and visitors. They host events and provide community education as well.
Live Theater + Performance.
When thinking about “The Big Three,” automaking might come to mind. But Detroit’s other significant trio is its acclaimed theaters and performance halls. Beyond the Fox Theatre’s infamous, photo-worthy marquee is a 5,000-plus seat, three-level movie house turned multi-genre performance venue. They primarily host musicians, comedians, musicals, holiday shows, and theater productions. Detroit Opera House is a place to see opera and dance performances, as well as an occasional Broadway play. Most touring Broadway shows are put on at Fisher Theatre, which also has special events, such as concerts, live game shows, and author conversations.
Fun Find: Midtown’s Detroit Public Theater (DPT) brings bold plays and programs to the stage, focusing on complex stories and topics relevant to the human experience. Of note is their Shakespeare in Prison program.
Boutique Shopping.
A fixture in Cass Corridor neighborhood of Midtown for 20 years is City Bird. This beloved shop carries greeting cards, jewelry, gifts, apparel, and local goods from 200-plus Great Lakes region makers and artists. More recently opened is their sister store, Nest, located next door. Nest has everything from plants and garden-related décor to candles, soaps, kitchen accessories, and other specialty items for the home. At Detroit vs. Everybody, find their eponymous gear (and spinoffs), whether it’s tees, hoodies, or hats. And, shop vintage clothing, antiques, apothecary items, handmade jewelry, and mystical treasures at Corktown’s enchanting El Dorado General Store.
Fun Find: With two locations, one in the Fisher Building and the other in Midtown’s Park Shelton, The Peacock Room oozes glamour and glitz with size-inclusive dresses, as well as jewelry, accessories, and other retro-inspired fashions and items.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
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