Skip to content
77°F
0
Saved
Navigation
  • Plan Your Visit
    • Getting Around
    • Weather & Average Temperatures
    • Detroit Travel Guide
    • Newsletter Sign-Up
    • Explore Detroit Pass
    • International Visitors
    • VISITEURS INTERNATIONAUX
    • Contact Us
  • Things to Do
    • Detroit Auto Culture
    • Arts & Culture
    • Live Music
    • Cruises & Tours
    • Family Fun
    • Outdoors
    • LGBTQ
    • Shopping
    • Entertainment & Nightlife
    • Sports
    • Spas & Wellness
    • Itineraries
    • Detroit Experiences
  • Events
    • Annual Events
    • Submit Your Event
  • Destinations
    • Downtown Detroit
    • Macomb
    • Oakland
    • Wayne
    • Windsor, Canada
  • Food & Drink
    • Breweries, Wineries & Distilleries
    • Eats in the D
  • Where to Stay
  • Detroit Stories
  • Meetings & Groups
  • Partnership
  • Who We Are
  • Media Resources
  • Home

How to Spend a Day in Dearborn/Wayne

Story by Michelle Fusco | Photos by Arab American National Museum, Ford Rouge Factory

Filling a day in Wayne County — part of metro Detroit — is an easy task.

It’s finding the time to fit it all in that’s the challenge. Here are some suggestions for making the most of your day in Wayne County.

What's the attraction(s)?

You'll find metro Detroit's most popular tourism attraction, The Henry Ford, located in Wayne County—Dearborn, to be exact. The Henry Ford consists of the expansive Henry Ford Museum, The Henry Ford Giant Screen Experience, the outdoor Greenfield Village (open seasonally April through December) and the Ford Rouge Factory Tour. Visitors come from all over the world to tour the museum and village, which bring 300 years of American history and innovation to life. A tour of the Ford Rouge Factory, where the Ford F-150 pickup truck is produced, offers a glimpse of American auto manufacturing in action. These attractions on their own can easily fill your whole day. But wait, there's more...

The Arab American National Museum marked its 10th anniversary in 2016. A new 4,700 square foot addition was a great way to celebrate. This is the only museum in the United States that tells the story and celebrates the contributions of Arab Americans.

Eat It Up

Speaking of Arab American contributions, you'll find some of the most authentic and delicious Middle Eastern cuisine around in restaurants and bakeries along Dearborn's Warren Avenue. Detroit's landmark Dakota Inn Rathskeller has been serving up German fare with a side of entertainment for more than 80 years. And Giovanni's Ristorante, a Detroit staple for Italian food since 1968, is worth the trip for house made pasta and fresh seafood in an intimate atmosphere.

Shop Around

Fun and unique places to shop in Wayne County include The Glass Academy, a working artist studio that sells both functional glassware and glass sculptures. Michigan's only IKEA store is located in Canton. And Fairlane Town Center in Dearborn is a large shopping mall full of national retailers.

More to Explore

More stops in Wayne County to add to your travels: Wyandotte boasts art galleries, quaint shops, restaurants and beautiful waterfront parks, outdoor sculptures, street fairs and other special events. Weather willing, a bike ride on a trail through three of the Huron-Clinton Metroparks is an ideal way to spend an afternoon. The trail, which loosely follows the Huron River, runs through Oakwoods Metropark, Willow Metropark and Lower Huron Metropark and allows users to travel uninterrupted for a 30-mile round trip. Save time to check out a skate park, disc golf, a butterfly trail, and nature center along the way.

Read more about places to visit in Detroit.

Mentioned Attractions And Venues

  • Rouge Factory Tour
    The Henry Ford
    Get Directions (313) 982-6001

    3 must-see attractions. 250 acres of unexpected. 1 awe-inspiring experience. At The Henry Ford, discover…

    Learn More
  • Arab American National Museum
    Get Directions (313) 429-2535

    The Arab American National Museum (AANM) is the first and only museum of its kind…

    Learn More
  • Dakota Inn Rathskeller
    Get Directions (313) 867-9722

    The Dakota Inn's kitchen turns out sauerbraten, sausage and schnitzel while the regulars offer raucous…

    Learn More
  • The Glass Academy
    Get Directions (313) 561-4527

    A teaching facility and event space that specializes in the glass arts. Selling functional and…

    Learn More
  • Huron Clinton Metroparks boat
    Huron-Clinton Metroparks
    Get Directions (810) 227-2757

    Explore 13 parks, some with beaches, golf courses and water parks, including Turtle Cove Family…

    Learn More

You May Also Like

These Hidden Gems in Wayne County are a Must-Visit

Wayne County is the largest in Michigan, and there are so many places to eat…

Learn More

23 Things To Do in Wayne County in 2023

With the calendar flipped to 2023, cities throughout Wayne County have their events ready to…

Learn More

Must-try Dearborn Restaurants

Dearborn is a quick a 15-minute drive from downtown Detroit. It has deep roots with…

Learn More
Start Planning Your Trip
Get The Detroit
Visitor Guide
Learn More
  • Plan Your Visit
    • Getting Around
    • Weather & Average Temperatures
    • Detroit Travel Guide
    • Newsletter Sign-Up
    • Explore Detroit Pass
    • International Visitors
    • VISITEURS INTERNATIONAUX
    • Contact Us
  • Things to Do
    • Detroit Auto Culture
    • Arts & Culture
    • Live Music
    • Cruises & Tours
    • Family Fun
    • Outdoors
    • LGBTQ
    • Shopping
    • Entertainment & Nightlife
    • Sports
    • Spas & Wellness
    • Itineraries
    • Detroit Experiences
  • Events
    • Annual Events
    • Submit Your Event
  • Destinations
    • Downtown Detroit
    • Macomb
    • Oakland
    • Wayne
    • Windsor, Canada
  • Food & Drink
    • Breweries, Wineries & Distilleries
    • Eats in the D
  • Where to Stay
  • Detroit Stories
  • Meetings & Groups
  • Partnership
  • Who We Are
  • Media Resources

211 W. Fort Street
Suite 1000
Detroit, MI 48226

800-DETROIT (338-7648)

  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2023 Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau. All rights reserved.
Cookies & Privacy

We ask that you read the following terms of use, which constitutes a license that covers your use of this website and any transactions that you engage in through this website (“AGREEMENT”). Legal/Privacy Policy

Experience Builder
Quick Search
Search
Top Stories

Detroit Auto Culture

The whole world knows it – Detroit is THE Motor City. From Henry Ford to…

Learn More

Live Music

Aside from being known as the Motor City, Detroit is also commonly known as Motown…

Learn More

Cruises & Tours

Yacht cruises, pub crawls, home tours, bike rides and beyond. Set yourself up with hassle-free…

Learn More

Family Fun

Bring the whole family to Detroit for an educational and fun vacation. Museums, zoos, parks…

Learn More
Location Map
Email Newsletter

Would you like to get the insider’s scoop on the best things to do and experience in Detroit? Take the first step and sign up for the Detroit Vibe email update.

Sign Up