10 Best Things to Do in Detroit

Spending a day exploring the 3 parts of the Henry Ford Experience is the quintessential Detroit activity all visitors must indulge in. The full experience takes you on an adventure through America’s past, from touring a modern-day manufacturing plant to perusing a museum showcasing the country’s greatest inventions.

The Ford Rouge Factory is the main attraction, as you get to walk through a working automobile assembly line. Take a step back in time into the 18^th-century open-air museum of Greenfield Village, where Disney World meets vintage American culture. Finish your experience by browsing a phenomenal collection of American artifacts at the Ford Museum. Located in Dearborn, the museum is ideally positioned between downtown Detroit and the airport.

The modest Motown Museum was where legends like Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson gotten their start. After enjoying the hour-long tour, you will truly understand why the words 'Hitsville USA’ are carved into the former studio-turned-museum.

The tour starts with a 20-minute video that pays homage to the studio’s founder, Berry Gordy. This is followed up with the story of the Motown genre and cultivation of acts such as The Supremes and The Temptations. Music aficionados will love the ending of the tour, which stops in the recording studio where hits such as Ain’t No Mountain High Enough were produced.

Belle Isle has evolved from the playground of the rich to a stunning state park available to all. The 3-mile island teems with activities for outdoor lovers such as hiking, fishing, sunbathing and golf. Check out the Belle Isle Aquarium to admire the impressive collection of colorful reef fish and electric eels.

If you are interested in the history of the region, the Great Lakes Museum is a great place to spend a rainy day. Belle Isle is located right in the center of the Detroit River – access is free if you bike or walk over the bridge but requires a paid permit if you drive.

Detroit is one of the few cities in the USA that's home to teams in all 4 major professional sports, meaning an exciting ballgame takes place almost nightly. 24 championships have been won combined by the Lions, Tigers, Pistons, and Red Wings, so you know world-class sports is always on display.

Detroit is commonly referred to as ‘Hockeytown’ because of the Red Wings dominance in recent decades. A playoff game at Little Caesars Arena – shared with the Pistons – is a must-see. Comerica Park, home of the Tigers, takes the cake as the coolest sports venue in town with a carousel and Ferris wheel inside the stadium.

The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), across from the Main Public Library, houses an unmatched collection of art collected from across the world. Motivated by a massive influx of creatives, Detroit is becoming a thriving art hub and DIA is helping to propel the city’s reputation globally.

From ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs to towering murals created by prominent Mexican painter Diego Rivera, art aficionados will be locked in inspiration for days. The highlight of the museum is a 16^th-century chapel that was relocated from a French chateau after WWI. Painstakingly taken apart stone by stone and shipped to Detroit, the chapel and its well-preserved stained-glass windows are a sight to behold. It’s a good idea to plan at least 2 days to explore the entire museum.

The Eastern Market has been a staple of Detroit life for over 150 years, bringing together farmers, vendors and eager consumers. When visiting the district, you can shop for everything from fresh produce to clothing, art, jewelry and items you might not even know existed.

Along with over 225 different vendors, hip cafes and restaurants are mixed in among the mural-covered city blocks. Make sure to bring your camera to capture the amazing street art. Finish a day of shopping with a visit to Bert's Warehouse Theater, where live Motown music plays deep into the night. Eastern Market is busiest on Saturdays, with upwards of 40,000 people visiting, so visit a different day to avoid crowds.

The main Detroit Public Library, located just across from the Detroit Institute of Art, is an excellent place for bibliophiles and families. Home to a staggering number of books, you are sure to find something worthy of reading on a rainy day. However, the real highlight of this library is the grandiose interior with colorful patterned trim and massive paintings adorning every archway.

To really dive into a new novel, head to the map room or peruse ancient texts in the Burton Historical Collection section. The Library also has a rotating number of featured exhibits on display, so keep an eye out when visiting. Closed on Mondays, the best way to reach the library is off the Warren Avenue streetcar stop.

The Belt is one of Detroit's best-kept secrets – a nondescript alley in the heart of downtown that has been transformed into a work of art and a collection of bars. Named because of its location in the former downtown garment district, The Belt is a hip place to spend a weekend night.

Two bars stand above the rest as the centerpieces of the district. The Skip is a tropical-themed indoor/outdoor cocktail lounge with a colorful bar and delicious flatbread options. Standby offers a more refined night out with a creative cocktail list in a dingy, red-brick warehouse setting – a favorite happy-hour spot for locals. Revel in the beautiful street murals as you make your way home.

The Fox Theater hosts productions, live musicians, comedic acts, and orchestral performances in the heart of downtown. Detroit's marquee event space has an ornately decorated grand hall with plush red cushions adorning shiny wooden seats.

With over 5,000 seats available, the atmosphere rivals that of a sports arena. The best time to visit the Fox Theater is during the winter vacations when the much-loved Nutcracker is performed almost nightly. Bar and concession stands are located throughout the theater, though it’s best to fill up on a big meal before a show.

The vibrant Greektown was formed when a large population of Greek immigrants moved to Detroit in the 20^th century. All restaurants and bars offer traditional Greek cuisine with a lively atmosphere that could easily be confused with Greece itself.

Pegasus Taverna and the Greek are the signature restaurants you must try. Start with a mixed olive appetizer followed by a fresh Greek salad and a hefty serving of moussaka. Do not leave either restaurant without biting into a flaky bougatsa pastry for dessert. Along with being a great place to eat, Greektown is a popular nightspot, with the Greektown Casino drawing gamblers from all over the country.