Location: Detroit
Top Things to do in Detroit
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The 10 Best Hidden Gems Things to do in Detroit, Michigan (MI)
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 History Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 156 reviews
Detroit's an amazing city, full of stories, adventure, oddities and history. Spending time on a tour with Detroit History Tours will expose you to all of it and more.By bus or foot Detroit History Tours takes you on a fabulous adventure into the remarkable history of our great town. Architecture, local history,historic bars, and delightfully over educated guides are sure to delight.
2. Detroit Cycle Boat
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 254 reviews
The Detroit CycleBoat is Michigan's first and only 16 passenger pedal powered boat. We provide the Captain & Deckhand you just provide the good time! The boat is perfect for get together's with family, friends and colleagues. Birthday parties, Bachelor/Bachelorette outings, weddings, family reunions or just looking for something new and fun to do, well you found the right place!
3. 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.
4. City Tour Detroit
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 133 reviews
We always brag about having the best job ever, because we get to meet interesting people from all over the world while doing what we love - showing off Detroit. Discover Detroit’s fascinating history, new developments, trendy food scene, and more with us via our popular general sightseeing and themed tours. Our signature tours include See The D, Incredible Journey to Midnight, and Notorious 313. Look for new additions in 2021. Whether you're looking to coordinate a group or corporate custom tour, book a private walking or sedan tour, or reserve a spot on one of our public walking tours, you can be assured of enjoying a quality experience. With over ten years doing this, we've delivered tours to 1000s of people and would love to be your go-to-guide for all things Detroit!
5. Pure Detroit
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 194 reviews
Welcome to Pure Detroit - the original local culture shop - since 1998. Spreading the love for Detroit through our brand of apparel and other exclusive artisan goods and gifts. We offer free architectural history tours every weekend at The Fisher and Guardian Building. Visit us at one of our 6 locations in Detroit or visit us online for more tour/retail information!
Reviewed By O3956QQcaseyc
Great tour today with Jake! Very knowledgeable and great interaction with the crowd. Highly recommend you take a tour, it’s a great building to see!
6. The Detroit Bus Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 205 reviews
We are The Detroit Bus Company and we're here to shake schtuff up. We do authentic tours for people who hate feeling like tourists. We immerse folks in adventures, stories and real places that show the whole story on the city we love. We're also a not-just-for-profit triple-bottom-line public transit company that provides free rides to kids in Detroit. Taking our tours supports this mission. THANK YOU! xoxo
7. 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.
8. Preservation Detroit
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
**COVID-19 UPDATE** We apologize, but we are currently not offering any tours due to the coronavirus pandemic. We do have one self-guided tour available via the Built Story app (www.builtstory.com/), and we may offer more tours on this platform in the future. Download the app, create an account, and search for Preservation Detroit to find our French Roots tour.
9. Pewabic
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 202 reviews
Pewabic is a National Historic Landmark pottery located in Detroit, Michigan. The pottery is housed in a Tudor Revival style building designed by architect William Buck Stratton and built in 1903. Pewabic is nationally known for its iridescent glazes, architectural tile designs and ceramic giftware. Pewabic operates as a non-profit dedicated to enriching the human spirit with clay.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Wherever you go in Detroit, Michigan, you come in contact with Pewabic pottery, which seems to be as native to Detroit as Henry Ford and Joe Louis. Located at 10125 East Jefferson Avenue, Pewabic Pottery is a ceramic studio and school that was founded in 1903 and is known for its iridescent glazes, some of which grace notable buildings such as the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC. In Detroit, Pewabic tile can be seen at Belle Isle Aquarium, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Comerica Park, Guardian Building, Scott Fountain, Detroit Public Library and Detroit Institute of Arts. The pottery was founded by artist/teacher Mary Chase Perry Stratton and her business partner, Horace James Caulkins. Their collaboration and their blend of art and technology gave the pottery its distinctive qualities as Detroit's contribution to the International Arts and Crafts movement. What is Pewabic? It is derived from the Ojibwa word "wabic," which means metal, or "bewabic," which means iron or steel. Specifically, it refers to the Pewabic Upper Peninsula copper mine where Stratton walked with her father. The company is well known for the unusual iridescent glaze covering the pottery and tiles. The museum's exhibits focus on the company's role in the history of Detroit and the Arts and Crafts movement in this country. The galleries also showcase new works by modern ceramic artists. Pewabic Pottery was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1991.
10. Eastern Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 480 reviews
We shepherd Eastern Market's rich history to nourish a healthier, wealthier, and happier Detroit. Since it began in the 1800s, Eastern Market has gradually become a cornerstone, nourishing its residents by providing fresh and nutritious food throughout Southeastern Michigan. In more recent years, Eastern Market Partnership has built an infrastructure around the market to support our unwavering mission to enrich Detroit--nutritionally, culturally and economically. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, our goal is to maintain Eastern Market's: * Authenticity * Development Equity * Connectivity * Density * Diversity
Reviewed By marketinginsight - Detroit, United States
Been to Eastern Market many times. Saturday’s are pretty much guaranteed to be open, otherwise check their website. Tons of local food, sometimes clothing and jewelry. In the spring, if you are local, go for perennials. You can’t beat the prices - $5.00 for a beautiful Hosta that would be $15.00 at your local nursery. In spring go EARLY (like 7:00 am) for best plant selection. Also check out surrounding businesses like Rocky Peanut Company. A friend from Seattle said “this is way bigger than Pike Place Market!”
