Location: Detroit
Top Things to do in Detroit
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10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Detroit That You Shouldn't Miss
With a vibrant, revitalized downtown, it’s revival time in Detroit. Renowned
as the birthplace of Motown and techno, the city boasts one of the largest
theater districts in America — as well as four pro sports teams, set just blocks apart. The city’s transformation includes a dynamic culinary scene, featuring everything from high-end dining with international tastes to Coney dogs. Visitors also love Detroit’s outstanding shopping, exciting outdoor activities, and world-class cultural attractions.
Restaurants in Detroit
1. Detroit Institute of Arts
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,928 reviews
Considered to house one of the best art collections in the United States, the Institute showcases everything from mummies to modern art and African masks to Monets in its outstanding collection of over 65,000 works. Don't miss the General Motors Center for African American Art, a part of the DIA which showcases 400 pieces, in various media, by African American artists.
Reviewed By MidwestKathM - Detroit, United States
We love the DIA! As longtime members, we visit several times a year. And attend the Friday Night Live often as well as talks, senior activities, and films every month. Lots of terrific art to see in their permanent collection...including the Diego Rivera murals, Caravaggio, Italian Renaissance, John Singer Sargent, Whistler, Van Gogh, John Singleton Copley, Kehinde Wiley, Abstract Expressionists, African-American works, Asian antiquities, and Egyptian mummies. And then there are the excellent temporary exhibitions and the special exhibitions. During these COVID times, we wanted to show our support after the museum reopened. The DIA is perhaps the safest art museum we've visited in the last 4 months. Advance timed tickets, masks required, temperature check, contactless entry, social distancing, galleries grouped with one entrance, one exit, hand sanitizer.
2. The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 538 reviews
Experience the Original Model T Factory Visiting the Piquette Avenue Ford Plant is a unique experience-it's the oldest auto plant open to the public anywhere in the world. Almost unchanged since Henry Ford's day, the plant is a three-story New England-style mill building. Each floor is divided into sections by the original metal fire doors, complete with the shadows of Henry Ford's "Positively NO Smoking" stencils. The old plank floors are worn from the 12,000 Model Ts built on them, so wear appropriate shoes for your visit. The plant is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a designated National Historic Landmark and a Michigan State Historic Site. Walk the worn wood floors and touch the brick walls where Henry Ford and his team of automotive pioneers developed the car that led to an automotive and social revolution. See Henry Ford's office as it was in 1908 when he was on the cusp of fame. And learn why it still matters today. See a selection of rare Detroit-built cars from the first decade of the 20th century and learn their fates.
Reviewed By HughC239 - Toronto, Canada
From the outside its a small, somewhat unassuming museum but the magic lies inside with the superb tour guides who bring the place to life with their impressive knowledge of the stories, vehicles and history of Henry Ford, the Ford motor company, the Piquette plant and the birth of the auto industry. By far our favourite and most memorable tourist attraction during our visit to Detroit. We left with a profound new respect for Henry Ford and all that he accomplished. Kudos to the hardworking and dedicated staff at this little gem.
3. Old St. Mary's Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 131 reviews
4. The Redford Theatre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 57 reviews
Reviewed By gppbob - Michigan, United States
Restored to original glory by many dedicated volunteers the Redford Theatre is a great place to watch a great film. Friendly staff, clean theatre, good concession stand and great leg room between rows.
5. Detroit Historical Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 447 reviews
The Motor City Exhibition, where visitors see how a Cadillac is assembled, is just one of the many interesting displays at this museum dedicated to telling the story of Detroit.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
The Detroit Historical Museum is to Detroit what the Chicago History Museum is to Chicago. Located at 5401 Woodward Avenue in Detroit's Cultural Center Historic District in Midtown Detroit, it chronicles the history of the Detroit area from cobblestone streets to 19th century stores to the automobile assembly line to toy trains to fur trading in the 18th century to Motown music to Detroit's development as a major industrial center and the Automobile Capital of the World. The original museum opened in 1928 in a one-room suite on the 23rd floor of the Barlum Tower, now the Cadillac Tower. The current museum was dedicated on July 24, 1951, the 250th anniversary of Detroit's founding. Today, it houses over 200,000 items. Among the most interesting exhibits are The Motor City exhibition, which traces Detroit's development in the auto industry and includes an operating assembly line; the Frontiers to Factories exhibit, which depicts Detroiters at work in the city's first 200 years, from 1701 to 1901, as it grew from a French fur trading post to a major industrial giant; and The Streets of Old Detroit exhibit, a recreation of the old cobblestone streets and shops and stores dating to the early 1900s. Also Doorway to Freedom: Detroit and the Underground Railroad, which allows visitors to simulate the journey of a runaway slave traveling through Detroit to Canada. And Detroit: Arsenal of Democracy, which explores the city's role in World War II. If you've never visited Detroit before and you don't have much knowledge about the city's history, the Detroit Historical Museum is sure to give you a good education.
6. Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 288 reviews
Museum serves to document, preserve and educate the public on the history, life and culture of African Americans.
Reviewed By DaMookR - Brownstown Township, United States
An excellent museum especially for history buffs. The guided tour takes you through many different aspects of African history and provides a very broad base including cultural influences. Recommended for all ages 8 and above.
7. Mexicantown
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 274 reviews
Mexican section of southwest Detroit.
Reviewed By 747codyc - Detroit, United States
Authentic, delicious spot for Mexican food in Detroit. There is convenient parking across the street and the food is well worth it. Their prices are also reasonable and the margaritas are great. One of my favorite local Mexican spots.
8. Motown Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,088 reviews
This old Detroit home belies the greatness that was born here: the Motown Sound. But one step inside Hitsville, USA, the original house where Berry Gordy lived and recorded the Motown hits, and you'll catch the beat and spirit of this booming music era. Photos, costumes, artwork, music and other memorabilia take you back to simpler times.
Reviewed By GlobeTrotting738505 - Quakertown, United States
The Motown Museum lives up to most of the other reviews, and then some! If you get the chance, make sure you check out this place. However, make sure you make a reservation well in advance, especially if you have limited time to visit. We were lucky enough to get a time slot for the next day, but most people reserve much earlier. Our tour guide, Carolyn, made an excellent tour even better with her knowledge, enthusiasm and just plain energy!!! Hopefully, you'll be lucky enough to get her as your guide if / when you go.
9. Fisher Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 189 reviews
Reviewed By E5112UTLawrence - Sandusky, United States
I have a series subscription for all the shows. This place is awesome. THe detail and design of the building are amazing. The people working there are always nice and polite. I have never had a bad time going there Parking garage right next to building and is free with a show
10. Fox Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 515 reviews
Detroit's crown jewel, the Fox Theatre, has played host to some of the biggest names in show business and holds its ground as one of the top-grossing theaters of its size in the nation.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Detroit's Fox Theatre dates to the Golden Age of Theatre, when people flocked to see motion pictures before television caught their fancy. Located at 2211 Woodward Avenue, in downtown Detroit, near the Grand Circus Park Historic District, it is one of five spectacular Fox Theatres built in the late 1920s by film pioneer William Fox. Opened in 1928, it is the largest theatre in Detroit with over 5,000 seats and remains the largest surviving movie palace of its era. Lavish, classical, opulent, beautiful. All the words apply. The interior features a blend of Burmese, Chinese, Indian and Persian motifs. There are three levels of seating, the main floor above the orchestra pit, the mezzanine and the balcony. The Fox was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1989. in the 1930s, Shirley Temple made appearances when the theater showed her films. In 1956, Elvis Presley performed on three occasions. In the 1960s, a who's who of Motown recording artists performed at the Fox. In the 1980s and 1990s, Frank Sinatra, Joe Williams, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Al Green, Count Basie, Victor Borge, Sammy Davis Jr. and Liza Minnelli staged concerts. Aretha Franklin performed in 2012. Today, the Fox is celebrated more for its architecture than for its performing arts. The building is 10 stories in height with the front and sides faced with a cream-colored terra cotta. The current marquee with the huge letters F-O-X was installed during the 1987 restoration but is based on the original. Trivia note: During the 1988 restoration, the floor was covered with what at the time was the largest single-piece wool rug ever manufactured. The carpet covered 3,600 square feet of the lobby floor and weighed 3,000 pounds. And the globe chandelier of colored glass that is suspended from a starburst design in the ceiling is 13 feet in diameter and weighs 2,000 pounds and contains 1,200 pieces of glass. Cleaning aside, the Fox is a wonder to behold.
