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Things to Do in Detroit (2026)
Begin at Campus Martius Park, the city's lively central square with seasonal events and a skating rink in winter. The Detroit Institute of Arts, a short walk away, houses Diego R… 🏛️ Start Downtown
Begin at Campus Martius Park, the city's lively central square with seasonal events and a skating rink in winter. The Detroit Institute of Arts, a short walk away, houses Diego Rivera's famed Detroit Industry murals and is open Tuesday through Sunday, with general admission at $14 for adults.
🏭 Explore the Motown Museum
Hitsville U.S.A., the original Motown Records headquarters at 2648 West Grand Boulevard, offers guided tours that dive into the label's golden era. Book tickets in advance as slots fill quickly; admission is $15 for adults and includes a short film and studio visit.
🚗 See the Automotive History
The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, a 20-minute drive from downtown, showcases American innovation with exhibits on cars, trains, and planes. Combine your visit with a ride in a Model T or a tour of the Ford Rouge Factory, open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
🎵 Catch Live Music
Detroit's music scene thrives at venues like the historic Fox Theatre (2211 Woodward Avenue) and the intimate Cliff Bell's (2030 Park Avenue). For jazz and blues, head to Baker's Keyboard Lounge (20510 Livernois), the oldest jazz club in the world, with shows most evenings.
🌳 Visit Belle Isle Park
This 982-acre island park in the Detroit River offers the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, the Belle Isle Aquarium, and miles of walking trails. Entry is free for Michigan residents with a state park pass, or $11 for non-residents per vehicle.
🍽️ Eat Like a Local
Try a classic Coney Island hot dog at Lafayette Coney Island (118 West Lafayette Boulevard) or American Coney Island (114 West Lafayette Boulevard), both open 24 hours. For upscale dining, book a table at Selden Standard (201 Selden Street), known for its seasonal small plates.
🎨 Discover the Eastern Market
Every Saturday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eastern Market (2934 Russell Street) transforms into a massive farmers market with local produce, art, and food stalls. On non-market days, explore the surrounding galleries and murals, especially along Gratiot Avenue.
🚌 Getting Around
The QLine streetcar runs along Woodward Avenue from downtown to New Center, with a single ride costing $0.75. For broader coverage, the DDOT and SMART buses connect neighborhoods, but renting a car is best for reaching Dearborn or the outer suburbs.
That's a really well-organized guide. One thing I'd throw in is that the Detroit Historical Museum on Woodward is free for everyone, not just locals, and it has a great exhibit on the city's underground railroad history and a full-size replica of an old Detroit street from the 1800s. It's right across from the DIA and usually way less crowded, so it's an easy add if you're already in the cultural center. Also, for a quick lunch near the museums, the Bucharest Grill on the corner of Canfield and Woodward has a shawarma plate that's cheap and filling, and they're known for their garlic sauce.
I've done the Motown Museum tour three times now and it's one of those rare places that actually gets better with repeat visits. The guides are usually former Motown employees or their kids, so you get different stories each time depending on who's leading your group. The studio itself is smaller than you'd expect from the photos, but standing in the actual room where Marvin Gaye recorded "What's Going On" still gives me chills. If you're a music nerd, the 45-minute tour feels short, so I'd pair it with a drive over to the Motown Historical Museum annex across the street, which has rotating exhibits on the Funk Brothers and the label's later years.
This is a solid rundown. I'd add that if you're at Eastern Market on a Saturday, get there early and bring cash for the produce vendors. The line at Russell Street Deli for their corned beef sandwich can stretch down the block by 10 a.m., but it's worth the wait. Also, the DIA is free for residents of Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties on Wednesdays, so locals should plan around that.
Best Food in Detroit (2026)
Start your food tour with a Detroit-style square pizza from Buddy's Pizza (17125 Conant St, Detroit, MI 48212). A large cheese pizza costs around $22 and is known for its cr… 🍽️ Iconic Detroit Eats
Start your food tour with a Detroit-style square pizza from Buddy's Pizza (17125 Conant St, Detroit, MI 48212). A large cheese pizza costs around $22 and is known for its crispy, caramelized crust. For a classic Coney dog, head to Lafayette Coney Island (118 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226) where a chili dog with mustard and onions is just $3.50.
🥟 Eastern Market Gems
On Saturdays, visit Eastern Market (2934 Russell St, Detroit, MI 48207) for fresh produce and prepared foods. Try the pierogies from Pierogi Palace (stand inside the market) for $8 a plate, or grab a lamb shawarma from Bucharest Grill (inside the market) for $10. The market is open from 6 AM to 4 PM, but arrive early to avoid crowds.
🌮 Mexican Town Favorites
In the heart of Mexicantown, Taqueria El Rey (3920 Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48209) serves authentic tacos al pastor for $3 each. For a sit-down meal, try El Barzon (3710 Junction Ave, Detroit, MI 48210) which offers Italian-Mexican fusion entrees ranging from $15 to $25. Both are on Vernor Highway, easily accessible by bus route 1.
🍔 Burgers and Brews
For a gourmet burger, visit The Stand (2610 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216) where a classic burger with fries costs $12. They also offer a rotating selection of local craft beers. In Corktown, Mercury Burger & Bar (2163 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216) serves a juicy lamb burger for $14 and has a full bar with Detroit-made spirits.
🥘 Soul Food Staples
Get soul food at Mrs. Morgan's Kitchen (8500 W McNichols Rd, Detroit, MI 48221), where a fried chicken dinner with two sides costs $15. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 7 PM. For oxtails and mac and cheese, try The Kitchen by Cooking with Que (14340 Livernois Ave, Detroit, MI 48238), with entrees around $18.
🍰 Sweet Treats
For dessert, stop at Sister Pie (8066 Kercheval Ave, Detroit, MI 48214) for a slice of salted maple pie for $6. They are open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 AM to 4 PM. Another option is Good Cakes and Bakes (19363 Livernois Ave, Detroit, MI 48221), known for its vegan red velvet cupcake at $4 each.
🚗 Getting Around
Detroit is car-centric, but the QLine streetcar runs along Woodward Avenue from downtown to Midtown, connecting many food spots. A single ride costs $1.50. For areas like Mexicantown or Eastern Market, rideshare services are convenient and typically cost $8 to $12 within the city.
💰 Budget Tips
Many restaurants offer lunch specials for under $10, especially in Eastern Market and Mexicantown. Happy hour deals at bars like The Stand include $5 appetizers from 4 PM to 6 PM. For a cheap meal, grab a slice of pizza from Supino Pizzeria (2457 Russell St, Detroit, MI 48207) for $4.
I've lived in Detroit for about eight years now and this guide is solid. One thing I'd add is that if you're hitting Buddy's for the first time, get the antipasto salad with their house dressing before the pizza. It's a weird combo that sounds like something your grandma would order but the dressing is tangy and cuts through the grease of that caramelized crust perfectly.
Also, the guide mentions The Kitchen by Cooking with Que but doesn't say you need to order ahead on weekends. I showed up at 2 PM on a Saturday once and they were sold out of oxtails. Call in your order by Friday afternoon if you want to be sure. Their mac and cheese is worth the planning.
Nice write up. I'd add that if you're already at Eastern Market on a Saturday, don't skip the breakfast place inside the shed. The food is decent but the real reason to go is the line of regulars who've been coming for decades. You'll hear more Detroit history in ten minutes there than in any museum.
One thing the guide missed is that the QLine is free if you have a DDOT or SMART bus transfer within the last two hours. Most people don't know that and it saves you a couple bucks if you're hopping between Midtown and downtown. Also, the Stand's burger is good but Mercury's lamb burger is the better play if you want something different from the usual beef patty.
good guide, really captures the city well. one thing i'd add is that if you're in mexican town, swing by la jalisco bakery on vernor for the conchas. they're like a buck each and the pan dulce is fresh every morning. also, the guide mentions bus route 1 for mexican town but route 9 down jefferson is actually a better bet from downtown if you don't mind a short walk from the stop. i lived off vernor for two years and the taco trucks on the side streets are just as good as taqueria el rey, especially the one near bagley. for a cheap drink after, the bar at el barzon has a solid margarita for like eight bucks.