Actually Cool Things to Do in Detroit When Someone Visits
Watch the sunset from Belle Isle
Belle Isle Park
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For the quintessential Detroit sunset photo, hit the southern tip of Belle Isle; lying in the middle of the Detroit River, this island is now a protected state park with all manner of wildlife and activities. You can take a dip in the river or hike around to the north end of the island. If you live in the city, it’ll feel good to get out into nature. For your guests, they’ll be impressed at the magnitude of the island and the impressive river encompassing it. Not to mention the fact that there’s some beautiful architecture to be found on Belle Isle, from the James Scott Memorial Fountain to the lighthouse to a defunct casino, all designed by the same landscape architect who designed New York’s Central Park: Frederick Law Olmsted. Plus, the gorgeous conservatory is even open on weekends in the winter, for when you want to remember what a “flower” is.
Hop across the border into Canada
Downtown Detroit (Tunnel) and Southwest Detroit (Bridge)
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While Canada is lovely to gaze upon from afar, why not pop over and check it “oot”? Windsor is loaded with bars and restaurants, including some Italian, Ethiopian and Vietnamese standouts. The youngins (legal drinking age in Canada is 19, if you didn’t know) usually find the numerous full-nude, booze-slinging strip clubs to be enticing. I mean, who doesn’t? But you should know that the sweetest view of Detroit can be seen from the parks that line Windsor’s waterfront along Riverside Drive. Just bring money for the bridge and tunnel tolls -- oh, and a valid passport or enhanced driver’s license to get across the border.
View outdoor art installations unlike any you’d find elsewhere
Dabls Mbad African Bead Museum / The Heidelberg Project
Free
The mass exodus from Detroit was part of a very difficult, tumultuous chapter of our city’s history. As a way of working through that hardship, two large-scale outdoor art installations arose in abandoned or destroyed areas. One is Dabls Mbad African Bead Museum, which -- in addition to the already-impressive African Bead Gallery, N’Kisi Iron House, and African Language Wall -- contains a Sculpture Garden of 18 buildings. The other is the Heidelberg Project, which was started when artist Tyree Guyton returned to his childhood home in 1986 and found the whole area in shambles. Believing art could be medicine, The Heidelberg Project grew to incorporate the houses, sidewalks, trees, and everything else into a giant, immersive installation.
Grab an unforgettable brunch
Various locations
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Brunch is a big deal everywhere, and you might be tempted to say that if you’ve had brunch in one city, you’ve had it everywhere. This is, of course, complete foolishness: Detroit’s brunch scene is undeniably powerful -- myriad local influences combine to make something greater than the sum of its Benedicts. Hit up Sweet Potato Sensations or Kuzzo’s for some chicken & waffle goodness, Townhouse for sourdough French toast, Red Dunn for almond-ricotta pancakes, The Dime Store for a Cheesesteak Benny, or Toast for some… well, toast. Or just check out our brunch guide for more inspiration.
See what a million books looks like
John K. King Used & Rare Books
Free
John K. King Used & Rare Books is housed in a gigantic, four-story building that used to be a glove factory -- and its collection of over a million books actually fills it. In fact, John King (the proper one, not the outlets) is the fourth-largest bookstore in the world. The collection, which features some truly rare treasures, is so sprawling and impressive that you'll be handed a map by an employee the second you walk in. Definitely plan to spend the whole afternoon here.
Check out an outdoor music festival...
All across Detroit
Free-$$$
With a population of roughly 700,000, we may be a small potato in the greater scheme of American cities, but there is always a festival going on. Spring and summer abound with options, like the Detroit International Jazz Festival (which is FREE by the way), Movement (very not free), Concert of Colors, Dally in the Alley, and more. There’s even indoor ones before the weather’s reliably warm, like the Hamtramck Music Festival and the new Ferndale Spring Fever. The list goes on, and it’s extensive -- for a full rundown, definitely check out our outdoor festival and concert guide.
... or listen to some indoor live music
Various locations
Free-$$
Detroit has a long history of being a music city, and it’s well deserved. Aside from being the home of Motown, techno, J Dilla, and some choice blues and R&B, it’s also known as a garage rock mecca, and has a rich jazz history. Check concert listings and see what’s coming up; huge artists are always passing through, and the local scene is well worthing checking out. For a totally unique Detroit experience, pay a visit to Cliff Bell’s, Small’s, El Club, Marble Bar, the Ghost Light (part of Planet Ant), Deluxx Fluxx, Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, or Trinosophes.
Eat some excellent Middle Eastern food
Dearborn
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You’ll find excellent Middle Eastern cuisine all around suburban Detroit, thanks to the area being home to the largest population of Arabic peoples in the country. If you’re committed to sticking to the city, try one of the Bucharest Grill locations, or sample the Yemeni cuisine in Hamtramck. If you’re willing to venture just a skip to the west, though, you’ll find the fabulous city of Dearborn: home of Ford Motor Company, and arguably the shawarma capital of the United States. The best thing is, you pretty much can’t go wrong. Every place is good.
Visit Eastern Market
Eastern Market
Free
A trip to Eastern Market is a tour of historic Detroit; the late 19th- and early 20th-century architecture shows a city that was once on the verge of a boom, and you can shop there for everything from antiques to the best cuts of meat in town. On Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays (and some Thursday evenings), the open-air market explodes with fresh (seasonal) produce, meats, flowers, trees, coffee, sweets -- all locally produced, and all for sale at fair prices. There are also excellent dining options if you’re into pizza or BBQ, and if you wanna say “eff all that noise” and just do some kung fu, well, you can do that too.
Check out the Diego Rivera murals at the DIA
Midtown
Free to residents of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb County
Mexican muralist Diego Rivera was one of the most sought-after artists of his time, but there’s only one work Rivera claimed to be the most successful of his career -- and it’s in the Detroit Institute of Arts’ atrium. Rivera came to Detroit with his wife (another mildly noteworthy painter named Frida Kahlo) shortly after painting a Marxist mural for the Rockefellers in New York, which was soon chiseled off the wall. The couple spent 11 months living across the street from the DIA at the Park Shelton apartments, with Rivera taking frequent trips to the Ford complex. The end result is the 27-panel mural Detroit Industry which completely engulfs the atrium. It’s a sight to behold, and a National Historic Landmark to boot.
Go see a movie in a unique theater
Various locations
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From classic box office hits to arthouse and independent films, you’ve got a few choices to select from that deviate significantly from the norm. Few theaters in the country can beat the majesty of the impeccably preserved Redford Theatre, which was saved from demolition for its unique 1928 pipe organ -- get to any Redford show early for a concert! The Senate Theatre is also well-preserved and pipe organ-touting. If you want international and indie films, head to the auditorium-style Detroit Film Theatre, to the Main Art Theatre, or to Cinema Detroit, which sells Faygo. In bottles.
Visit a brewery...
Around Detroit and the suburbs
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Michigan’s arguably the best beer state in the country -- the now nationally famous Bell’s Two-Hearted is just the tip of the iceberg. Go anywhere, and you’re bound to find great craft beer being made. A number of those wonderful breweries are located around Metro Detroit, or have opened outposts here. Check out Atwater Brewery, Jolly Pumpkin, Founders, Motor City Brewing Works, Batch Brewing Works, and others (the list keeps growing). Or go to Hopcat and sample beer from across the state.
... or visit a distillery
Around Detroit
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If small-batch whiskey, gin, and vodka are more your thing, you’ve got options too. We like our booze in this town, and despite the downfall of manufacturing, that urge to create is still very much in the hearts of Detroiters. Check out Two James Spirits, Our/Detroit, The Whiskey Factory, and Detroit City Distillery, or take a trip up Woodward and visit Valentine Distilling Company in Ferndale. You won’t be disappointed.
... or discover a world-class meadery
Various locations
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Lastly, did you know that metro Detroit is largely considered the best place to get high-quality mead in the country?! If you’ve never had mead, you’re in the right place to try it -- and mead is made by fermenting honey, so why wouldn’t you want to give it a go? Head to B. Nektar, Cellerman’s, or Schramm’s Mead for some truly unique creations and sweet bubbly delights.
Take a tour of the Guardian Building
Downtown
Free
This is more of a self-guided pop-in than a formal tour, but you get the picture. The Guardian Building is a reflection of the style of the Roaring '20s, as well as of Detroit’s affluence and prominence as an international commercial powerhouse during that time. The 40-story building was completed in 1929 and features impeccable craftsmanship and exquisite tilework that honor the artistic stylings of Native Americans and Aztecs.
Attend the coolest events of the season
Various locations
Free-$$
Beyond outdoor music fests and indoor concerts, there are plenty more worthwhile events going on in Detroit throughout the year, like Hamtramck Labor Day Festival, the MLK Jr. Day Peace Walk, the Thanksgiving Day Parade, (just to name a few). How can you keep on top of all these events? Simple: check out our must-do events calendar, updated seasonally and stacked with powerhouse activities.
Kayak the Detroit River
Fisherman’s Marina
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Detroit River Sports first became famous for its guided tours of the canals around historic mansions, as well as its full moon tours and paddles through Belle Isle. It’s a unique way to see the city, and ideal for anyone looking to get their heart rate up while they learn about Detroit.
Go to literally any sports game
Downtown
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We now officially have major league baseball, hockey, football, basketball, and minor league soccer games happening all within walking distance. Pretty impressive. The relatively new Detroit City Football Club has given soccer lovers an outlet for their passion, while fans of the Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons, and Lions stay true to their colors regardless of the outcomes. Out-of-towners love a chance to see the local teams in action, and if you’re a local who hasn’t caught a live sporting event here yet... well, what are you waiting for?
Visit Detroit's greatest bars
Various locations
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Detroit’s known for its rich spread of classic dives, like Jumbo’s, Whiskey in the Jar, or the oldest bar in Detroit, The 2-Way Inn, which has been open since 1876. We’ve got our share of creative cocktail bars as well, such as Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails, Standby, and The Sugar House. Or go to The Ghost Bar for an excuse to check out the insanely lavish interior of the Whitney. We’ve highlighted the best of the best watering holes in our Detroit bar guide -- there’s bound to be a place you haven’t tried on there, so go ahead and try it already!
Go vinyl shopping
Around Detroit
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If there’s one thing Detroit’s not lacking, it’s music addicts -- specifically, vinyl addicts. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more knowledgeable and well-rounded group of music snobs and elitists than the ones you’ll see digging through the crates at places like UHF, Hello Records, Found Sound, Peoples Records, Record Graveyard, Dearborn Music, or Stormy Records; I’d write more, but it’s a never-ending list.
... or press your own vinyl at Third Man Records
Midtown
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When Jack White pondered where to place the second store for his record company, Third Man, he naturally chose his hometown. Beyond the cool record selection and merch to peruse, there’s a record booth that allows you to make a 2-minute long, 6-inch phonograph disc, which shoots out to you right when you’re done recording. If you write songs like the Misfits, that might be enough time for you, but some people use it as an audio postcard, or just as an excuse to hear the sound of their voice or instrument.
Get a photo taken of your aura
Southwest Detroit
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Aura Aura does some magic. “Through a double exposure process of capturing your bio-magnetic, vibrational energy, we make the metaphysical visible, resulting in awe-inspiring, one-of-a-kind portraits,” as their website reports. What this means is that you get a photo of yourself surrounded by your aura, or energy field. Check out the #humanatmosphere hashtags on Instagram to see what to expect.
Roam around town on a bike
All around Detroit
Free
Detroit is a very flat city, with very little traffic. Its streets are also intuitively designed for transport, in either a wheel shape or perfect parallels that make it very difficult to truly get lost. Cycling the city is a great way to see hidden treasures and notice things you normally wouldn’t as you dodge potholes in your car. Pick a destination, or just meander. But you should definitely have a patch repair kit and know how to use it, speaking from experience.
Eat Detroit-style pizza
Around Detroit
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Detroit-style is typically square, thick (but not as deep as Chicago’s deep-dish), crunchy, and delicious; that’s the kind of pie you’ll find at Buddy’s, Loui’s, Green Lantern, and Niki’s Pizza. Hell, even the fast take-out version you'll get at Jet’s is good. Sit back, get ready to pack on a few pounds, and enjoy a unique pizza experience.
Savor the best soul food you've ever had
Around Detroit
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Detroit saw an influx of black southerners who came for work in the auto factories during the early 20th century, and the food they brought with them has become one of the city’s most underrated treasures. You haven’t lived until you’ve had fried pork chops with collard greens and mac & cheese ordered through the bullet-proof glass at Motor City Soul Food. Nor have you lived before you’ve stopped on the side of a random westside street for some fresh grilled BBQ pork ribs and homemade cornbread -- soul food restaurants are open year round, but families also make a bit of extra cash by cooking up the classics streetside. Just look for the smoke rising and the sweet, unmistakable smell of barbecued meat. There’s even the highly lauded Detroit Vegan Soul for… well, vegans.
See some amazing street art
Various locations
Free
There are new commissioned and non-commissioned works going up all the time, so even if you’ve checked out Detroit’s street art before, odds are the landscape has changed since then. Eastern Market is well known for its Murals in the Market tour -- though you can easily walk around on your own and admire the jaw-dropping, touring murals on the buildings. There’s also murals lining The BELT, a newly revitalized strip tucked away downtown. Read our article on the subject for more info, or get in your car (or on your bike) and do some exploring on your own.
Drink some fantastic coffee
Around Detroit
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The Detroit coffee scene has exploded in recent years -- and many of the best coffee houses typically have some excellent eats as well. Grab some caffeinated gold at Trinosophes, Astro, Germack, Motor City Java House, Chazzano, Red Hook, Roasting Plant, Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company -- the list goes on and on.
Eat Coney Island dogs
Around Detroit
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Coney Island restaurants are one of those ubiquitous, completely unique Detroit institutions. Coney Dogs were (almost certainly) created in Michigan, so you can’t visit (or live in) Detroit without downing a luscious, loaded, and cheap Coney: a hot dog loaded with chili on top. Unless you’re vegetarian or vegan, I guess. Barring that, you can have an impromptu Coney judging contest by visiting American, Lafayette, Red Hots, or Anthony Bourdain’s favorite, Duly’s Place, though there are many, many Coney Islands to check out around the city.
Eat at the best restaurants in Detroit
Various locations
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Detroit has always had great restaurants, but times have changed and many closed. Years later, during what some call the city’s renaissance and others call gentrification, we have been witnessing a lot of new restaurants with relatively high price points opening up. And they’re really, really good. There’s Lady of the House, Grey Ghost, Wright & Co., The Dime Store, The Apparatus Room, etc.
Stroll the expanded Dequindre Cut
Eastern Market to Detroit Riverfront
Free
The Dequindre Cut is a two-mile greenway leading from north of Eastern Market down to the Detroit River. It’s a place to walk, ride your bike or run, skate, whatever. The point is, it’s lovely, it’s outside, it’s clean, it’s safe, and it’s free. With commissioned street art from some of the best artists in Detroit (and beyond) lining the walls, this magnificent use of an old railway is just another excuse for you to show off Detroit’s multifaceted beauty to your friends.
Visit cool museums unique to Detroit
Around Detroit and Dearborn
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Detroit’s museum game is strong even beyond the world-class DIA. Chief for music fans is Hitsville USA, aka the Motown Museum, where you’ll get to stand inside the studio where the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye made their first hits. The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History touts among its collection the impressive 22,000-square-foot interactive exhibit “And Still We Rise: Our Journey Through African American History and Culture,” which is unlike anything you’ll see outside of Detroit. At The Henry Ford Museum complex, you can go to old-timey Greenfield Village, take a tour of the Rouge auto plant, or see the bus where Rosa Parks made her infamous protest. Then there's the Detroit Historical Society, which has a painstaking recreation of the Streets of Old Detroit in its lower level.
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Detroit’s packed with excellent activities… here are our favorites.
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