Detroit, Michigan has a lot to offer for all ages and interests.
You’ll find professional sports teams, great restaurants, incredible architecture, art, local shops, outdoor adventure, and great music at the birthplace of Motown.
I’m sharing more about the outdoor recreation, hidden gems and unique things to do in Detroit during your next visit.
Portions of our visit were hosted by Visit Detroit, others were not. As always all opinions are my own. This article contains affiliate links.
Explore The Detroit Riverfront And Beyond With Bike Rentals From Wheelhouse Detroit
1340 Atwater St, Detroit, MI (Free parking lot adjacent to the store)
Wheelhouse Detroit has bike rentals, guided tours, and a bike shop near the park systems along the Detroit Riverwalk. They can even deliver bikes to your hotel or vacation rental.
There are a variety of bike rentals to choose from including cruisers, BMX, and tricycles.
For families, there are bike accessories to make it enjoyable for the whole family including baby seats, trailers, and tag-a-longs.
Guests can explore along the Detroit River and beyond on wide bike paths.
Book lovers may want to take a detour over to John K. King Books, a 7-minute bike ride from the Detroit Princess Riverboat Landing that has over one million used and rare books. (901 W Lafayette Blvd)
Kids may want to stop at the Cullen Family Carousel at Cullen Plaza.
Another point of interest along the river is the Milliken State Park Lighthouse, a 63-foot replica of the Tawas Point Lighthouse on Lake Huron.
Visit the Outdoor Adventure Center
1801 Atwater St, Detroit, MI (William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor)
You can easily bike to the Outdoor Adventure Center after enjoying the riverfront.
The former Globe Building dates back to the 1860s and has been given new life by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources into the Outdoor Adventure Center (OAC).
Kids and adults will enjoy the interactive exhibits that bring the outdoors, indoors.
Highlights of the Outdoor Adventure Center include:
- Walk behind and touch a waterfall
- Climb the roots and explore the canopy of a massive bur oak tree
- Go inside a real airplane
- Walk across a suspension bridge
- Step into a fishing boat and reel in a big fish
- Hit the trail on a mountain bike or snowmobile
- See fish native to Michigan in a giant aquarium and much more!
Bike from the Dequindre Cut to the Eastern Market
The Riverfront bike trails are close to the entrance to the Dequindre Cut Greenway if you want to extend your biking adventure.
The former Grand Trunk Western Railroad line is now converted into a walkable and bikeable greenway.
The 1.6-mile bike trail is relatively flat and easy for riders of all ages.
Be on the lookout for incredible colorful graffiti and The Dequindre Cut Freight Yard, a unique outdoor bar along the Cut (located near the Wilkins Street entrance on the greenway).
There are entrance ramps to the Dequindre Cut at Atwater Street, Franklin Street, Woodbridge Street, Lafayette Street, Gratiot Avenue, Wilkins Street, and Mack Avenue.
Explore Eastern Market
The Eastern Market is open on Saturdays – 6 AM- 4 PM Weekly Year-Round.
We visited the Eastern Market via the bike trail with our bike rentals.
If you plan on biking to the market I’d recommend bringing bike locks to secure your bikes before exploring the market.
Fun Facts about the Eastern Market:
- The Eastern Market dates back to 1891
- It’s currently the largest open-air flowerbed market in the United States
- Eastern Market is the largest historic public market district in the United States, covering 43 acres
- 150+ food and specialty businesses are located within the market district selling all types of goods including produce, meat, spices, jams, flowers, and poultry
Take a Guided Kayak Tour With Detroit River Sports
Fisherman’s Marina at 14601 Riverside Boulevard in Detroit, Michigan
Who knew Detroit had canals??!! I didn’t until our guided kayak tour.
The guided kayak tour takes you through waterfront neighborhoods of Detroit’s east side.
The 2.5-hour tour includes time for check-in, gear distribution, safety talk, and boat loading.
You’ll want to wear a hat, polarized sunglasses, and sunscreen. If you’re sensitive to the sun you may consider a rash guard to protect you from the sun.
You can leave your shoes on the dock or wear water shoes inside the kayak.
Highlights of the guided kayak tour include:
- Learning about the history of the river and the Eastside Canals
- Visiting Greyhaven Island (wind/ weather permitting)
- The Historic Fisher Mansion
- Paddling on the Detroit River
The tour ends after you paddle through the canals in southern Jefferson Chalmers.
We enjoyed learning more about the local history, and ecology, and experiencing the waves on the Detroit River.
Admire the Architecture – The Guardian Building
500 Griswold St, Detroit, MI
The Guardian Building is a stunning Art Deco skyscraper located in
downtown Detroit.
You’ll immediately be drawn to gaze upward at the colorful vibrant ceiling when you step into the building.
The 40-story skyscraper started construction in 1928 and was completed in 1929.
If you want to see areas of the building that aren’t accessible to the public consider booking a guided tour.
The building is nicknamed “Detroit’s Cathedral of Finance” and was originally named Union Guardian Building.
Make sure you check out both the lobby and the banking hall. There is a lot of detail to take in. Take your time to truly appreciate this architectural gem.
See the Tallest Indoor Waterfall in the United States
One Campus Martius Building – 1 Campus Martius, Detroit, MI
Look for the 17-foot bronze statue, “Waiting” by contemporary artist Kaws outside the building.
The indoor waterfall inside the atrium of the One Campus Martius Building holds the record for the tallest indoor waterfall in the United States.
The indoor waterfall inside the lobby of the Internation Center measures 34.75 meters tall/ 114 feet tall.
Parker’s Alley
Parkers Aly, Detroit, MI (Next to the Shinola Hotel – 1400 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI)
The alley was named in honor of Thomas Parker. He was a free black man who became one of the first black landowners in Detroit.
The Shinola Hotel Parker’s Alley has unique shopping options featuring global brands and local Detroit businesses.
- Madcap – Michigan-based coffee roastery
- Rebel Nell – Mission-driven jewelry company made from repurposed materials
- Bon Bon Bon – Responsibly sourced chocolate
- The Aroma Labs – Create a signature scent
- Shinola – Timepieces and leather goods
- TLB – Vegan and cruelty-free beauty brand
The Belt
1274 Library Street (Alley), Detroit, MI (Between Broadway and Library Street)
The Belt’s name is a nod to its physical orientation in a former downtown garment district.
Liberty Street Collective, a Detroit-based art gallery. curated and conceptualized The Belt project.
You’ll want to stroll up and down the alley a few times to take it all in.
You may not notice several pieces unless you double back to walk in the opposite direction of the alley.
I instantly recognized the work by Portuguese artist Alexandre Farto under the name of ‘Vhils.” He has created murals in Cincinnati in a similar unique style known as his destroy to create technique.
The parking garage next to The Belt also has great street art inside.
The Spirit of Detroit
2 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI
The sculpture by Marshall M. Fredericks dates back to 1958 and at the time the 26-foot bronze monument was the largest cast statue made anywhere in the world since the Renaissance.
Find “The Fist“
5 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI
No visit to Detroit is complete without stopping by the monument to Joe Louis “The Fist.”
The Fist sculpture by artist Robert Graham was a gift from Sports Illustrated and was dedicated on October 16, 1986, for the Detroit Institute of Art’s centennial anniversary.
The bronze statue is 25 feet 6 inches × 24 feet 6 inches.
Joe Louis was one of the greatest American heavyweight boxers of all time.
He was the world heavyweight champion from June 22, 1937 – March 1, 1949, defending his title 25 times.
Visit the Sports Stadiums and Arenas
Detroit has multiple professional sports teams for fans to choose from year-round.
Little Caesars Arena
2645 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI
home of the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Pistons, and countless other sports, entertainment, and community events
Save on Detroit Red Wings hockey tickets here.
Ford Field (Home of the Detroit Lions)
2000 Brush St, Detroit, MI
There has been a new energy and excitement around the Detroit Lions NFL team in recent years.
Currently, stadium tours aren’t available due to stadium scheduling at Ford Field.
You can save on tickets for a Detroit Lions football game here.
Comerica Park (Home of the Detroit Tigers)
2100 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI
The Detroit Tigers are the oldest American League Baseball team as a continuous one-name, one-city franchise dating back to 1894.
A unique feature at Comerica Park is the dirt strip between the pitcher’s mound and home plate which is a nod to earlier ballparks.
Save on tickets to a Detroit Tigers baseball game here.
The Corner Ballpark (Historic Tiger Stadium)
1680 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI
Detroit Tigers baseball fans can visit the former site of Historic Tiger Stadium in the Corktown Neighborhood.
The Detroit Tigers played at this stadium from 1912-1999 drawing generations of baseball fans.
The Detroit Lions also played football here from 1938 to 1974.
Corktown Neighborhood
This neighborhood in Detroit has great bars, restaurants, and shops to explore.
Detroit Dye House
1418 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, MI
A unique shop to point out is Detroit Dye House where you can take a tie dye class to create one-of-a-kind wearable art.
Try Detroit Style Pizza at The Original Buddy’s Pizza
17125 Conant, Detroit, MI
If you want to try Detroit-style pizza, you might as well go to the original source.
Buddy’s original Detroit Style Pizza was established in 1946. Buddy’s is known for signature square pizzas baked in forged steel pans borrowed from local automotive plants.
We opted for half “Original” as the classic and half the “Detroiter” for the modern pizza, as a nod to the past, and the present evolution of their pizza.
The rectangular-style pizza has a thick, buttery crust that’s crispy on the bottom with crunchy cheese edges.
Buddy’s Pizza is the inspiration for other restaurants and chains around the US introducing their pizza-loving patrons to Detroit-style pizza.
Take the Detroit Coney Dog Challenge
Decide which Detroit-style coney is better between restaurant rivals American Coney Island vs. Lafayette Coney Dogs.
You don’t have to travel far to take the Coney Dog challenge because the restaurants are next door to each other.
American Coney Island
114 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226
American Coney Island is the largest restaurant of the two in the Coney Dog Challenge and has been family-owned and operated since 1917.
The inside is bright and cheery with lots of natural light and plenty of seating.
We thought that the hot dogs tasted similar at both restaurants but the chili tasted slightly different.
Lafayette Coney Island
118 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI
Lafayette Coney Island is a bit more of a diner dive vibe.
The restaurant is smaller and unassuming except for pictures on the wall of well-known celebrity patrons who have graced it with a visit.
We again ordered the classic Coney dog topped with chili, diced onions, and mustard.
Which coney dog did we like the best?
We enjoyed both experiences and I’d recommend trying both for yourself.
Overall we liked the chili at Lafayette Coney Island a little better and the overall vibe at American Coney Island.
Admire the Detroit Fox Theatre
2211 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI
The Detroit Fox Theatre was built in 1928. You can admire the architecture outside day or night.
If you want to see the inside during non-event times you can book a public tour of Fox Theatre.
Lafayette Greens Urban Garden in Downtown Detroit
132 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI (Next door to the famous Coney Islands)
Locals and visitors can enjoy the beauty of this urban garden in the middle of downtown.
Each year the urban garden boasts a certified pollinator garden with chemical-free vegetables, fruits, flowers, and herbs.
The pollinator plants in the garden attract honey bees, butterflies, and birds.
Be on the lookout for community education programs offered starting in the spring.
E-Scooters in Downtown Detroit
We found that Detroit is very e-scooter-friendly with wide sidewalks and flat streets. E-scooters made it easier to cover more ground exploring downtown than walking.
You can easily find e-scooter rentals sporadically along the sidewalks throughout the city.
We brought our own e-scooters and bike locks for when we went to dinner, explored shops, etc.
You may notice manhole covers showcasing other names for Detroit including The Big D, The Motor City, Day-twah (Detroit used to be owned by France), and Dee-Troit.
Discover Street Art Downtown Detroit
There are incredible murals to discover throughout downtown Detroit.
One of my favorites was the Stevie Wonder Mural at 1434-1436 Brush Street in downtown Detroit.
Check out the mural map for mural locations in Detroit and more info about the artists.
Enjoy a Downtown Urban Beach at Campus Martius
800 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI (May- October)
Another fun discovery in the center of downtown Detroit was the Urban Beach at Campus Martius.
The urban beach has bright comfortable seating, string lights, and 400,000 pounds of sand!
Kids will love building sandcastles and adults can enjoy kicking back with a bite to eat or a fun frozen cocktail at Brisabar or listening to live music during a special event.
We ordered our breakfast to go one morning and even enjoyed it at this park one morning.
Explore the Beauty of Belle Isle Park
7200 Jefferson Ave., Detroit
Did you know that Detroit has a 982-acre island park?
The popular park is on the Detroit River between the United States and Canada and is frequented by locals and visitors drawing more than 5 million visitors annually.
One of my first observations was the amount of people enjoying the outdoor activities throughout the park in a good way.
It’s the second most visited state park in the United States, behind Niagara Falls in New York State.
It’s nice to see parks being used as they were intended to connect the community to nature and each other.
A Recreation Passport is needed to drive on the island.
As an out-of-state visitor, I recommend purchasing the Recreation Passport annual pass if you want to visit multiple Michigan state parks in the future throughout the year.
Public transit is available to the island on the #12 Conant Bus line that stops in front of the Aquarium/Conservatory complex.
*There is no entry fee if you enter the park as a pedestrian or by bicycle.
Things to See and Do Belle Isle Park
Belle Isle Park provides visitors with an abundance of recreation and learning opportunities.
The park has plenty of hiking trails, picnic areas, and photo ops at every turn.
We brought our e-scooters but bikes would also be a fun way to explore the park if you don’t want to park your vehicle multiple times while exploring the park.
Fun Facts About Belle Isle Aquarium
- When the Belle Isle Aquarium opened in 1904 it was the third-largest Aquarium in the world! Saltwater was shipped in directly from the ocean
- Today the aquarium is home to one of the world’s largest collections of air-breathing fish (they have the only known collection of all 7 species of gar in North America)
- The aquarium features aquatic life from the Great Lakes and from waters around the world.
Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory – (currently closed in 2024 for major renovations)
Dossin Great Lakes Museum– A 16,000 historical maritime museum highlighting the region’s maritime history.
Belle Isle Nature Center is located on 5 acres of the park and has free admission and programming.
The James Scott Memorial Fountain was completed in 1925 and cost $500,000 to make at that time.
It’s 510 feet across and the history of its namesake honor, Mr. Scott, is fascinating, as a socialite known for great wealth… and questionable choices.
William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse is 58 feet tall sculpted out of Georgia marble and designed in 1930 by Hungarian sculptor Geza Maroti.
Belle Isle Park has a large half-mile swimming beach that’s very popular in the summer.
Swimmers can also enjoy a nice view of downtown Detroit in the distance.
Play at the First Fowling Warehouse at Fowling Warehouse Hamtramck
3901 Christopher St, Hamtramck, MI
Have you heard of Fowling?
Fowling is a hybrid game of Cornhole and bowling…with a football.
Fowling is a bowling pin football game and the players are known as the fowlers.
The goal is to knock off all the other team’s bowling pins on their board. Each player gets a turn tossing the football to attempt to knock off their opponent’s bowling pins on the board.
If a player’s first throw of the game takes the center pin off of the board or leaves the rest of the pins, they immediately win the game and have a BONK!
It’s harder than it looks to knock down those pins but it’s also fun! I’d recommend aiming for the middle pin to knock more pins off the board.
There are now Fowling Warehouses in five locations across the US including Cincinnati Fowling Warehouse where we tried fowling for the first time.
The bar offers a wide range of drinks including local craft beers on tap.
If you order a draft beer watch them fill it up from the bottom in a special cup. No outside drinks are permitted but you can bring your own food.
Hitsville USA Motown Museum
Berry Gordy Jr. Boulevard – 2648 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI
Learn more about the history of Motown music where it all began at the original location of Motown Records’ established by Berry Gordy in 1959.
The museum has exhibits with memorabilia, artifacts, costumes, and photos giving you a window into that period.
A highlight of a visit to the museum includes standing in Studio A where legendary artists once recorded.
Those names include Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, The Jackson 5, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, The Marvelettes, Gladys Knight and the Pips, and Lionel Richie.
Admire the Book Tower
1265 Washington Blvd., Detroit, MI
The Book Tower is a beautifully restored building now used as a mixed-use space where people can live, work, dine at multiple restaurants, or stay in their hotel.
The building opened in 1926 and was designed by architect Louis Kamper. It was 38 stories tall, the tallest structure in the city at that time.
A few fun facts about the Book Tower Architecture:
- 29 Caryatids (a stone carving of a draped female figure used as a pillar to support the entablature of a Greek or Greek-style building)
- 7,000 Rotunda Skylight Jewels
- 2,483 Windows
The evolution of the building is on display in a room near the entrance.
Take a Tour of Michigan Central Train Station
2001 15th St, Detroit, MI
The historic train station that dates back to 1913 was recently renovated and you can learn more about the history, restoration, and future while viewing the exhibits on the ground floor.
Download the free Smartify app and bring your headphones for an interactive, guided audio experience that enhances each exhibit.
You can take a free self-guided tour of the first floor of Michigan Central Train Station on select dates and times from June 21 to Aug. 31, 2024.
No reservations or tickets are required but you’ll need to plan on arriving at least 30 minutes before closing.
Hours of Operation:
- Fridays 5 PM to 9 PM
- Saturdays 10 AM to 5 PM
Get Inspired at The Henry Ford
20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI 48124
The Henry Ford has multiple attractions at one location.
- Museum of American Innovation – Experience one of the largest collections of its kind ever assembled and learn about the breakthroughs big and small that have made our world what it is today.
- Greenfield Village – an 80-acre adjacent outdoor museum, offers visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the living history of America, with reconstructed historic buildings and skilled artisans demonstrating traditional crafts and trades
- Ford Rouge Factory Tour – five-part experience at a legendary factory — Ford Motor Company’s Dearborn Truck Plant
- Giant Screen Experience – Experience some of the most entertaining and enlightening stories of America’s past, present and future ever told through state-of-the-art 4K digital, 2D & 3D projection
There is a lot to see and do on the 250 acres!
If you want to experience all of it, consider a multi-day visit.
We chose the indoor option of exploring the Museum of American Innovation because we wanted a break from the heat.
There are interactive exhibits throughout the museum that will appeal to all ages.
This is a great museum to visit as a multi-gen adventure because it sparks curiosity, conversation, and a dose of nostalgia.
Where to Stay in Downtown Detroit
525 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI
We stayed at the DoubleTree Hotel Fort Shelby in downtown Detroit. Guests with vehicles can pay for valet parking or pay for self-parking in a lot across from the hotel.
We found the self-parking more convenient because we drove to several places during our visit. We also wanted quick access to our e-scooters in the trunk for when we explored downtown.
One of the best perks of staying at a DoubleTree Hotel is their complimentary warm nutty chocolate chip cookies. They are so good!
We stayed in a 2 Queen Bed Suite that sleeps up to 6 people with the sofa bed in the separate living area.
This is a great option for families with younger or older kids who tend to sleep at different times.
