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Detroit is a bustling city with an intriguing past and an exciting future, quickly rising to the top of the list of must-see places in the USA.
It is commonly referred to as “Motor City,” and tourists go to the famed Henry Ford Experience because it is best recognized as the birthplace of the modern automobile.
However, because of the vibrant arts, music, sports, and nightlife culture, Detroit is more than just automobiles.
Many things to do in Detroit include:
- Visiting world-class museums in the morning.
- Cycling Belle Isle Island in the afternoon.
- Attending a world-class baseball game at night.
- Discovering the origins of Motown Records
- Browsing the renowned Detroit Institute of Art,
- And performing at The Fox Theatre are just a few attractions available to music and art enthusiasts.
If you’re searching for a bustling, active city, head over to things to do in Detroit. Here is a list of things to do in Detroit that is maximum fun:
15 Amazing Things to Do in Mesume:
1. Visit the Charles H. Wright Museum of African
The Museum of African-American History provides historical context for black Americans’ place in the country and Detroit.
A look at notable African American scientists and technological pioneers is one of the many topics covered in the exhibits, as is Detroit’s Underground Railroad, which helped enslaved people escape from Michigan into Canada.
The museum offers a wide range of activities, such as lectures, conversations, and films that address social, political, and other themes, in addition to its permanent and changing exhibits.
2. Visiting the Detroit Historical Museum
The Motor City’s intriguing heritage, including how it earned its nickname and status as the epicenter of the automotive industry, is celebrated at the Detroit Historical Museum.
Model railroads, dioramas, and reconstructions of historic Detroit streets are among the exhibits that give a comprehensive overview of the city and the occasions that shaped it.
Additional exhibits cover information regarding Detroit’s involvement in the Underground Railroad, the city’s industry and residents’ crucial role during World War II, and other salient aspects of the metropolis.
The Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle, which highlights the city’s maritime history, is also run by the Detroit Historical Society.
3. Explore the Detroit Zoo
One of the things to do in Detroit is to visit the Detroit Zoo, located on 125 acres just outside of downtown Detroit and is home to a remarkable variety of animals from all over the world. The Detroit zoo is divided into many habitat types, with the African habitat being one of the most well-liked.
These habitats are home to exotic favorites like rhinos, lions, zebras, giraffes, and a choice of South Americans, the sloth. The four-acre ape habitat housed in this area contains three silverback gorillas and twelve chimpanzees.
There are camels, tigers, lemurs, and red pandas in the Asian Forest habitat, while kangaroos and wallabies are in the Australian Outback habitat.
Additionally, there are sections devoted to North American animals and an Arctic sector with polar bears, Arctic foxes, and several penguin species.
The indoor butterfly garden, the free-flight aviary, and the reptile conservation center, which is home to several snake, frog, and turtle species, are other tranquil attractions open to visitors.
Visiting the zoo is one of the best things to do in Detroit. Visitors can interact with various animals, such as feeding giraffes and meeting and greeting penguins.
Moreover, there are several playgrounds, a train ride, a 4-D theatre, picnic spots, and a low-sensory area for easily overstimulated children.
4. Michigan Science Center
The Michigan Science Center, situated in Detroit’s Cultural District, provides a wide range of engaging exhibits, performances, and activities for visitors of all ages.
An IMAX dome cinema, a planetarium, and an immersive 4-D theatre are some of the center’s primary attractions. Additionally, there are live stage performances and over 220 interactive exhibits spread across its collection of galleries.
The Smithsonian Spark! Lab and STEM Playground are two of the most well-liked museums’ hands-on exhibits for children. Others cover the subjects of weather, arithmetic, health, and space exploration, and even have an exhibit on automated steel manufacture.
The location does not have a restaurant, but guests are welcome to bring food and “picnic” in specified areas.
5. Take a Day Trip to Belle Isle Park
Belle Isle Park is a Detroit treasure and a Michigan state park rich in history and natural beauty.
The 987-acre island park contains the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, Belle Isle Aquarium, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, enormous slide, sports fields, picnic areas, Belle Isle Nature Zoo, James Scott Memorial Fountain, and other well-liked attractions for people of all ages and interests.
The park is home to three lakes, 150 acres of forest, and stunning views of the skylines of Detroit and Windsor. Rentable items include bicycles, boats, and snow sports.
At the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, admire the palm trees.
The Dossin Great Lakes Museum, located on the island, also houses several ship models and other artifacts that illustrate the history of shipping on the Great Lakes.
It also features relics from opulent Great Lakes cruises, such as the Gothic Room from the S.S. City of Detroit III, which has been restored. Other attractions include the freshly renovated Belle Isle Aquarium and the Belle Isle Nature Zoo, where guests can feed deer.
A driving range, bike and boat rentals, a large slide, numerous swimming holes, and hiking routes surrounding the three lakes of Belle Isle Park are just a few of the island’s many recreational amenities.
6. Take a Stroll Around the Detroit Riverwalk
There is no better area in Detroit than the Detroit Riverfront neighborhood for a stroll or some alone time. It is a well-known destination that is open all year round.
From Belle Isle to Rosa Parks Boulevard, its region, which spans more than 3 miles, is rather large.
Free concerts and holiday festivities are occasionally conducted along the Detroit River waterfront, along with other special events.
The Riverwalk begins at Mt. Elliot Park, with water play areas suitable for children, a café, restrooms, and a fishing pier.
The wide route continues west along the water’s edge after crossing Harbortown Marina and provides numerous benches sheltered by trees. The William G. Milliken State Park, a magnificent place with a lighthouse, shaded picnic areas, and several public art projects, is further west along the Riverwalk.
The Cullen Family Carousel and the Riverfront Community Playground are just beyond this point, where visitors can take detours to wander through a wetland area. Families will appreciate the playground at Robert C.
Valade Park and jazz fans will want to attend a performance at the Aretha Franklin Amphitheater. Tourists can discover the International Memorial to the Underground Railroad behind the G.M. Renaissance Center.
Behind it is a sizable, picturesque public area that serves as the venue for many of the Riverwalk’s major events. The trek continues west past Huntington Place to the Detroit Princess Riverboat pier.
The stroll continues west through Huntington Place to the Concrete Pyramid, passing the Detroit Princess Riverboat port. The promenade will be connected to Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park (West Riverfront Park), which now offers a sizable green space where events are hosted as part of the park’s planned westward extension.
7. Take a Trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts
The Detroit Institute of Arts is where works by many human artists, from antiquity to the present, are on display.
More than 65,000 works of art are shown in more than 100 galleries as part of the Detroit Institute’s permanent collection.
This location showcases artwork and works by artists from several continents, including Africa, Medieval Europe, Oceania, America, and Indigenous America.
You may also view the collection of Islamic art, which consists of pieces made of stone, metal, pottery, and other materials, as well as a gallery showcasing a variety of media in African American art.
Among the most popular artworks at the museum are masterpieces of European painting by Rembrandt, Van Gogh (self-portrait), Matisse, and Picasso.
Along with conventional art genres, the museum also houses the Paul McPharlin Puppetry Collection and a performing arts collection that includes film and theatrical artifacts.
8. At the Detroit Public Library, Become an Avid Reader
The Detroit Public Library had 5,000 books in its collection when it opened its doors in 1865, and they were all housed in one room of the former Capital High School.
The Library relocated and did so in 1921, almost exactly one hundred years ago. Since then, it has become a source of pride for Detroit and a well-liked tourist destination.
The Library is home to an incredible quantity of books, but the major attraction is the building, which is spectacular both inside and out.
The Detroit Public Library has a rightful place on the National Register of Historic Places in the United States.
9. Discover the Birthplace of Motown Music at the Motown Museum
Legends like Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson started at the tiny Motown Museum.
After taking the hour-long tour, you will completely comprehend the significance of the words “Hitsville USA” being etched into the former studio-turned-museum. A 20-minute video honoring Berry Gordy, the studio’s founder, serves as the tour’s introduction.
The history of the Motown style and the development of groups like The Temptations and The Supremes is then told. Music lovers will adore the tour’s finale, which visits the studio where hits like Ain’t No Mountain High Enough were created.
10. Visit the Henry Ford Museum and Ford Piquette Avenue Plant
Start your journey in Detroit with the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. A visit to the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation is a must-do in Detroit, also known as the Motor City.
This enormous, 250-acre museum, located in Dearborn, is devoted to demonstrating invention and improvement on a much larger scale and the legacy and accomplishments of one of America’s most significant businesspeople.
The accomplishments of the Wright brothers are displayed through life-size aircraft and enlightening educational exhibitions, but that is just the tip of the iceberg.
The Driving America exhibit features vintage technologies like the Model T automobile and the 1865 Roper. The Rosa Parks Bus honors a different kind of innovation that played a crucial role in the American Civil Rights Movement.
This is an attraction where it’s simple to get caught up in the thrill, with over 300 years’ worth of items to explore, not to mention rotating exhibitions that keep things fresh and exciting for repeat visitors!
The Ford Museum’s incredible collection of American artifacts is a great place to cap off your experience. The Henry Ford museum is conveniently situated in Dearborn, halfway between the airport and downtown Detroit.
Of all the things to do in Detroit, one must visit the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, Michigan, and travel back in time.
The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant is a must-see if you love automobiles! It is not only one of the oldest car factories in the world, but it also produced the Model T.
With the floorboards scratched from the production of 12,000 cars and many stories etched into its walls, this historic landmark, first opened in 1904, has faithfully preserved its former glory.
Fords and other cars on display provide visitors with an intriguing look into American industry history.
11. Go to Fox Theater
Experience a thrilling live concert at this Detroit landmark. In the center of Detroit downtown, the Fox Theater presents plays, concerts, comic acts, and orchestral performances.
The premier event venue in Detroit features a huge hall with elaborate decorations and plush crimson cushions covering glossy oak benches. The beloved Nutcracker is always presented at the Fox Theatre over the winter holidays, making this the ideal time to go.
The setting is comparable to a sports arena, with more than 5,000 seats accessible. Although bars and concession stands are spread out throughout the theatre, eating a substantial lunch before a concert is preferable.
12. Attend a Baseball Game at Comerica Park
Watching a baseball match in Comerica is one of the best things to do in Detroit. Comerica Park combines a baseball stadium, a theme park, and a baseball museum.
The Comerica park is best known for housing the Detroit Tigers baseball team, whose history is commemorated along the main concourse in several exhibitions that emphasize the franchise’s triumphs and significant moments, as well as a “Walk of Fame” that honors its most illustrious players.
Families may take a relaxing spin on the Comerica park carousel behind the first base, and the third-base area features a 50-foot Ferris wheel with seats shaped like enormous baseballs.
Comerica park is not your typical ballpark; it is the home of the Detroit Tigers. Combining a theme park, a ballpark, and a baseball museum, it has enormous tigers statues, a Ferris wheel, a carousel (of course with tigers), and a fountain that plays music and flashes different colors for each home run.
If you can go to a game or event there, you may witness the park’s renowned “liquid fireworks” on the center-field wall, where a brightly lit fountain punctuates home runs and dazzles the crowd.
13. Visit the Fisher Building
The Fisher Building, a lighthouse for Detroit, is a wonderful illustration of architectural wonder.
Visiting the Fisher Building is one of the nicest things to do in Detroit. The Fisher Building is more than just a historical site; it is a tribute to Detroit and its residents.
It stands for both a proud past and a bright future. The structure dubbed “Detroit’s largest art object” “has left New Center residents in awe for more than 90 years.
Built by the Fisher brothers of “Body by Fisher,” the Fisher “famous — debuted in September 1928 at Grand Boulevard and Second Avenue.
The 441-foot tower, formerly known as the Cathedral to Commerce, is adorned with elaborate marble, mosaics, soaring, painted ceilings, and a tonne of brass and bronze.
The National Park Service describes this complex as “a magnificently designed complex which showcases some of the best craftsmanship of any Art Deco style building created in the United States in the 1920s,” It is the work of renowned architect Albert Kahn.
One of the most iconic landmarks in Detroit’s skyline is, without a doubt, the Fisher Building’s golden tower.
14. Visit Eastern Market in Detroit to do Some Shopping
Since it first opened in 1891, the 4.5-acre Eastern Market has expanded progressively to fill many city blocks near downtown Detroit.
Every Saturday throughout the year, fresh local vegetables and animal products, preserves, baked goods, and other farmers’ market delicacies are sold by sellers at the market.
Many handcrafted things are available, and artists sell jewelry, apparel, and other distinctive items. The market is open Tuesdays and Sundays from June through September, with Sundays reserved for regional artisans and crafters.
The market stores are in several “Sheds” structures, numbered and located along Russell Street between Wilkins and Winder Streets. Before moving on, visitors should start at the Welcome Center in Shed 3 on Adelaide Street to get a map and use the ATM.
Of all the things to do in Detroit, tourists may find many fantastic local stores, eateries, and cafés on the streets around the market, in addition to the 200+ sellers housed in the sheds.
The murals adorn various buildings in the Market area and are particularly well-known for their public art; visitors may find most of them along Orleans and Erskine Street, close to Shed 6.
15. Campus Martius Park is Worth a Look
Of all the things to do in Detroit, Detroit’s Campus Martius Park is regarded as the city’s core, and it acts as such. Campus Martius Park is a must-see downtown destination and a true Detroit showcase.
No vacation to downtown Detroit is complete without a stop at Detroit’s headquarters, which is Campus Martius Park thanks to the year-round programming, concerts, and other events, as well as the activities at neighboring restaurants and attractions.
Since the city’s founding in 2004, this 8-acre public plaza has served as its focal point. It now hosts various events, from ice skating in the winter to concerts and festivals in the summer.
You’ll come across Parc Detroit, a Restaurant of the Year Award winner, and the Cruzan Rum Shack, which throws a beach-like party when the temperature is high. The Michigan Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument and Detroit’s Point of Origin Marker are notable locations worth visiting.
The former is a 6-foot-tall pole that is subterranean and marks the location where Detroit was rebuilt following a fire in 1805 at the intersection of Woodward Avenue and Michigan Avenue. The latter pays tribute to the 90,000 Michigan soldiers who served as Union soldiers during the Civil War.
Closing Thoughts
We sincerely hope that you’ve enjoyed reading about the fascinating, fun, and unusual activities there are to do in Detroit, Michigan!
There are so many wonderful attractions and fascinating historical tidbits in Detroit. The suburbs, royal oak Detroit masonic temple, downtown Detroit, and another national historic landmark, as well as contemporary art Detroit areas, all provide an excellent experiences. So, plan your trip to Detroit now!
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty
