Detroit: what's actually worth it
Detroit, once the thriving heart of American industry, now pulses with a resilient spirit that echoes through its vast landscapes of revival and decay. The city feels like a canvas where every abandoned building tells a story of resilience and hope, and neighborhoods like Corktown buzz with the energy of street art and live music. Today, Detroit is a vibrant blend of industrial heritage and modern renewal, offering visitors a unique mix of historical depth and urban innovation.
Top things to do in Detroit
Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
Museum · ★ 4.8 (31,485 reviews)
Sprawling space dedicated to American life & ideas, includes the Rosa Parks bus & JFK's limo.
Check tours & tickets →Detroit Institute of Arts
Art museum · ★ 4.8 (13,884 reviews)
Museum featuring 100+ galleries with American & global art on display, from ancient to modern eras.
Check tours & tickets →Campus Martius Park
City Park · ★ 4.7 (13,253 reviews)
City square with concert space & seasonal ice-skating, plus a bistro amid fountains & trees.
Check tours & tickets →Greenfield Village
Educational Institution · ★ 4.8 (5,824 reviews)
Sprawling open-air history museum founded by Henry Ford with artifacts & homes of famous Americans.
Check tours & tickets →Motown Museum
Museum · ★ 4.7 (6,648 reviews)
Collection of the label's art & memorabilia plus the famous studio A & The Supremes' costumes.
Check tours & tickets →Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Museum · ★ 4.8 (3,697 reviews)
Exhibits explore African-American history from the Middle Passage to the Underground Railroad.
Check tours & tickets →Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
Museum · ★ 4.7 (3,889 reviews)
Colorful, 4-story space invites children to play & learn through 250+ science-focused exhibits.
Check tours & tickets →Michigan Central
Historical Landmark · ★ 4.8 (2,969 reviews)
Opened in 1913, then abandoned for years, this former train station now has office & retail space.
Check tours & tickets →C.J. Barrymore's
Amusement Center · ★ 4.4 (5,873 reviews)
Indoor & outdoor amusement park features water rides, self-serve eatery & a bowling alley.
Check tours & tickets →Where to eat
Lafayette Coney Island
Hot Dog Restaurant · ★ 4.6 (5,803 reviews)
Legendary hot dog diner offering a no-frills menu of chili-topped dogs, burgers & fries.
Zingerman's Delicatessen
Restaurant · ★ 4.5 (6,901 reviews)
Locals line up for generous deli sandwiches at this funky, longtime market with specialty groceries.
Website →Experience Zuzu, Detroit
Asian Restaurant · ★ 4.7 (4,535 reviews)
Website →Green Dot Stables
American Restaurant · ★ 4.5 (6,589 reviews)
Slider joint with a chill vibe serves bite-sized eats with global flavors & bottled beers.
Website →HopCat
Restaurant · ★ 4.4 (6,366 reviews)
Woodwork-filled brew pub with a massive beer list offering creative pub fare & brunch items.
Website →Parc
American Restaurant · ★ 4.5 (4,660 reviews)
Elevated Detroit cuisine with a vast wine list offered in a chic, modern space in an urban park.
Website →ADELINA
Italian Restaurant · ★ 4.8 (2,396 reviews)
Website →Dime Store
Brunch Restaurant · ★ 4.6 (3,330 reviews)
Hip, airy spot offering creative spins on brunch favorites, plus craft beer and classic cocktails.
Website →Get outside
Stony Creek Metropark
Park · ★ 4.7 (7,932 reviews)
Massive park featuring year-round activities from canoeing & picnics to workshop events.
Website →Island Lake Recreation Area
State Park · ★ 4.7 (3,894 reviews)
Sprawling 4,000-acre park with meadows & mature woodlands features a hot air balloon launch point.
Website →Maybury State Park
State Park · ★ 4.8 (3,132 reviews)
Trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding & cross-country skiing, plus a working educational farm.
Website →William C. Sterling State Park
State Park · ★ 4.5 (5,076 reviews)
Lake Erie's only state park offers 1 mile of lakeshore with campsites plus wildlife walks & hiking.
Website →Proud Lake Recreation Area
State Park · ★ 4.6 (2,446 reviews)
State park with campsites, cabins & trails, plus boating & fishing on 2 lakes & the Huron River.
Website →More guides
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