Detroit, Michigan, is a city known for innovation. Whether considering its history in the development of the automobile industry or the contributions of Motown to the music industry, Detroit truly has something for everyone.
As the largest U.S. city on the Canadian border, people from all over visit Detroit en route to and from Canada or even when traveling cross-country to enjoy the sights, experiences and tastes the city offers. Depending on the season you visit Detroit, you can plan different activities and become exposed to a different version of the city.
Read on for 17 things to do in Detroit on your first visit to help you enjoy your time in the Motor City.
1. View the Detroit Skyline
As the third tallest skyline in the midwest and with plenty of Art Deco influence, Detroit’s skyline isn’t one to miss, with plenty of spots to take in scenic views. Take in the city at sunrise or sunset for a particularly pretty view over the Detroit River.
Then, explore within the skyline by visiting the GM Renaissance Center — Detroit’s tallest building, which houses a hotel and General Motors headquarters. Take in different angles of city views from the many floors of glass-paneled and enclosed spaces — you might even spot some popular Detroit tourist attractions! You can even learn more about General Motors while there through their display of products and videos.
2. Explore the Detroit River
Beyond its skyline, the other dominant presence in the city is the Detroit River. The 28-mile-long river covers the border between Michigan and Canada, offering citizens and visitors plenty of things to do in Detroit.
Stroll down the promenade of the Downtown Detroit RiverWalk to access parks, pavilions, plazas and walking paths. Perhaps the most iconic and must-see plaza on the RiverWalk is Cullen Plaza, home to the Cullen Family Carousel. This unique-to-Detroit carousel features traditional creatures native to the Detroit River, including an egret, snail, loon, frog, eagle, heron, sturgeon and the mythical River Mermaid and River Monster.
You can also enjoy the city from the water by embarking on a Detroit River cruise from one of many operators. Choose a lunch cruise for a midday break or a sunset dinner cruise for breathtaking views — either way, you’ll have the chance to take in the sights with a fun meal.
3. Try Detroit-Style Pizza
Pizza comes in a variety of styles, with big fans touting their support of their hometown favorite. So, when exploring Detroit, giving their style pizza needs to be on your list. Are you wondering what exactly makes a pizza Detroit-style?
First, it’s a rectangular pan pizza that produces perfect corner pieces. The crust must be crisp on the outside but chewy on the inside. Then, cooks add its toppings in reverse order — typically any meats and Wisconsin brick cheese followed by thick tomato sauce applied sparingly or even in stripes across the pizza. And there you have it: Detroit-style pizza!
Visit AAA Diamond-approved locations like Buddy’s Pizza, Grandma Bob’s Pizza and Michigan & Trumbull to try Detroit-style pizza for yourself while also experiencing some of the best places to eat in Detroit during your visit.
4. Taste Detroit-Style Coney Dogs
Continue your foodie tour of Detroit by experiencing a taste of Coney Island, Detroit style. When you order one (or two … or more), you’ll get a steamed hot dog — usually a Michigan red hot all-beef hot dog — on a steamed bun. It’ll be topped with a meat chili (no beans!), yellow mustard and finely chopped white onion.
For an experience similar to New England’s famous rivalry, Pats vs. Genos (only friendlier), visit American Coney Island and Lafayette Coney Island when you visit to compare their Detroit-style Coney Dogs.
5. Visit The Henry Ford Car Museum
When in Motor City, you must visit the most well-known Detroit car museum, which is the largest museum complex in the U.S. The Henry Ford Museum showcases American innovation through the Industrial Revolution and the beginnings of the automobile industry. You can also partake in the Ford Rouge Factory Tour, where you’ll see historical footage and experience a walking tour of the assembly floor.
In addition to all things automotive, The Henry Ford Museum exhibits other historically significant artifacts, including the chair Abraham Lincoln was sitting in when he was assassinated and the bus Rosa Parks peacefully protested on when refusing to give up her seat. If traveling as a family, the Henry Ford Museum is one of the best things to do with kids in Detroit, with its variety of exhibits.
6. Lose Yourself in the 1800s at Greenfield Village
During your visit to The Henry Ford, be sure to also explore the outdoor portion of the museum complex known as Greenfield Village. Featuring over 80 historic structures with steam trains, Model-T cars and horse-drawn omnibus shuttle rides, exploring this village is like stepping back in time.
Walk through history by visiting the homes and workplaces of some of America’s most well-known minds, including Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, the Wright brothers, H.J. Heinz, Abraham Lincoln and Robert Frost.
Other highlights include the all-abilities-accessible Donald F. Kosch Village Playground, historic 1800 baseball games and high tea at the 1619 Cotswold Cottage, which the Fords brought over from England.
7. Discover the History of Motown
Other Detroit museums explore contributions beyond the automotive industry, such as Motown Records' impact on the music industry and popular culture. Visit the Motown Museum in Downtown Detroit to discover the history of this profound label, which aimed to provide African-American singers with a larger audience. The museum itself was once the home of Motown Records, which is also known as Hitsville, USA.
Motown Records launched the careers of some of the most famous musicians in the last 60+ years, including the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and The Temptations.
8. View Collections at the Detroit Institute of Arts
From music to art exhibits, Detroit has it all. View one of the largest art collections in the U.S. at the Detroit Institute of Arts, spanning works from prehistoric to modern times. Throughout the over 100 galleries and 65,000 works of art, you’ll encounter pieces by historic icons like Vincent van Gogh and modern marvels like Kehinde Wiley.
The Detroit Institute of Arts also features Diego Rivera's frescoes. These murals, which took 27 years to complete from 1932 to 1959, depict Detroit’s diverse working class.
9. Attend Chene Park Concerts
Continue your admiration of the arts by attending concerts in Detroit during your stay. Perhaps one of the most iconic places to listen to music is Chene Park, home to the Aretha Franklin Amphitheater. Here, you can enjoy Chene Park concerts in a waterfront venue honoring one of the music greats who lived in Detroit.
The venue hosts big-name musicians in pop and jazz, including Sheila E, T.I. and Gladys Knight.
10. See a Show at Fox Theatre
Another location to experience Detroit arts is Fox Theatre. This historic location first opened in 1928 as a movie palace and is now the largest surviving one. In the late 1980s, it was named to the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark.
Check to see if they have any events in Detroit today and awe at the elaborate theater’s interior, which is comparable to some of the famous Broadway stages in New York City. Or, if there are no events scheduled, book a tour to see the theater and learn more about its history.
11. Cheer on the Detroit Lions
There is perhaps no better way to immerse yourself in a city’s culture than cheering on their local professional team at a home game. Get tickets to watch Detroit Lions football at Ford Field during your visit. You can even taste some local specialties we mentioned earlier inside the stadium.
Not visiting during football season or a home game? Don’t worry, you can still tour Ford Field and learn about the team’s history in the city.
12. Root for the Detroit Tigers
Come out to a ball game and root for the home team at Comerica Park, home of Detroit Tigers baseball. If the team isn’t playing while you’re visiting Detroit, consider a tour of Comerica Park instead. The tour will take you through the grounds and behind the scenes and provide some fun photo ops.
13. Support the Detroit Red Wings and Pistons
Little Caesars Arena is home to Detroit Red Wings hockey and Detroit Pistons basketball. You could see both teams in action depending on when and how long you visit. Or, if neither team is home or you’re visiting in the off-season, book a tour of the arena to learn more about both teams and possibly visit the locker room.
14. Walk and Explore Detroit at Your Own Pace
When thinking about what to do in Detroit during your first visit, the best option is to explore at your own pace. Seeing a city this way allows you to discover hidden gems or lets you possibly stumble across your new favorite place. Perhaps that’ll be Detroit’s Campus Martius Park, which transforms with fun events and activities for different seasons.
If you struggle to just go and prefer some structure while exploring a new city, consider booking the self-guided "Detroit's Spirit and History" solo walking tour. This way, you can see the sights on your own timeline but still have a general guide of where to go.
15. Make a Game Out of Your Detroit Exploration
Have some fun when you visit Detroit by turning your walking and exploration into a game — specifically, a scavenger hunt. With many options to choose from for your Detroit scavenger hunt, AAA recommends the following options:
- Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt: Detroit Roll Through Motor City
- Detroit Dash Scavenger Hunt
- Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Detroit by Wacky Walks
- Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Detroit by 3Quest Challenge
16. Find the Spooky Side of Detroit
Do you like learning about the spookier side of history when visiting a new place? Every city has ghost stories and tours available to tell their tale — and Detroit is no different. Join the Motor City Ghosts Tour to visit Detroit’s very own haunted mansion — The Whitney — and discover its tumultuous past.
17. See Detroit From Above
To see Detroit and its skyline in a truly unique way, and if you’re interested in an adrenaline rush, consider a Private Downtown Detroit Helicopter Ride to see the city from above. Journey through 20 miles of the city’s landscape for a panoramic immersion of Detroit. Undoubtedly, this is one of the most fun things to do in Detroit for adults, and it also offers a memorable view and experience whether it’s your first or 15th trip to the city.
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