Top 10 Things to Do in Detroit

Top 10 Things to Do in Detroit

Planning a trip to Detroit? This 2026 guide covers the top 10 things to do, from iconic outdoor experiences to local attractions worth adding to your itinerary.

Use this list to compare highlights, discover what makes Detroit unique, and find tours that match your travel style.

Detroit, Michigan — The Guardian Building: An Insiders Tour

Highlights of "Detroit"

Map preview generated from the featured coordinates for this destination.

Use the links below to open each attraction in Google Maps.

  1. 1. Explore Detroit Institute of ArtsView on map
  2. 2. Explore Eastern MarketView on map
  3. 3. Explore RiverWalkView on map
  4. 4. Explore Motown MuseumView on map
  5. 5. Explore CorktownView on map
  6. 6. Explore Belle Isle ParkView on map
  7. 7. Explore The Henry FordView on map
  8. 8. Explore Campus Martius ParkView on map

About Detroit

  • Location: Detroit is in Michigan, United States.
  • Known for: Detroit Institute of Arts, Eastern Market, RiverWalk, Motown Museum, Corktown

Top Tours

Murals in the Market - eBike Tour
Likely to sell out
Cycling

Detroit, Michigan

Murals in the Market - eBike Tour

Murals in the Market - eBike Tour is a guided outdoor experience based in Detroit, Michigan that keeps the logistics simple and the scenery front and…

Outdoor Art & Sculpture Park - eBike Tour
Likely to sell out
Cycling

Detroit, Michigan

Outdoor Art & Sculpture Park - eBike Tour

Outdoor Art & Sculpture Park - eBike Tour is a guided outdoor experience based in Detroit, Michigan that keeps the logistics simple and the scenery…

Detroit Development - eBike Tour
Likely to sell out
Cycling

Detroit, Michigan

Detroit Development - eBike Tour

Detroit Development - eBike Tour is a guided outdoor experience based in Detroit, Michigan that keeps the logistics simple and the scenery front and…

Jason’s Pizza Tour - eBike Tour
Likely to sell out
Cycling

Detroit, Michigan

Jason’s Pizza Tour - eBike Tour

Jason’s Pizza Tour - eBike Tour is a guided outdoor experience based in Detroit, Michigan that keeps the logistics simple and the scenery front and…

The Guardian Building: An Insiders Tour

Detroit, Michigan

The Guardian Building: An Insiders Tour

The Guardian Building: An Insiders Tour is a guided outdoor experience based in Detroit, Michigan that keeps the logistics simple and the scenery…

See The D: Downtown Detroit Walking Tour
Walking Tours

Detroit, Michigan

See The D: Downtown Detroit Walking Tour

See The D: Downtown Detroit Walking Tour is a guided outdoor experience based in Detroit, Michigan that keeps the logistics simple and the scenery…

Things to Do in Detroit

  1. 1. Explore Detroit Institute of Arts

    One of the most valuable things to do in Detroit is spend time around Detroit Institute of Arts. Travelers comparing attractions in Detroit consistently rank Detroit Institute of Arts as a high-impact stop. If you want to visit Detroit with a balanced itinerary, prioritize Detroit Institute of Arts early in your trip. This location combines local culture, practical logistics, and memorable photo opportunities. You can pair this experience with nearby dining or neighborhood walks to avoid unnecessary transit time. For outdoor experiences in Detroit, this area also creates a strong contrast with museums and historic districts. Plan for 60 to 150 minutes, depending on crowds, and target morning or golden hour for the best atmosphere. It is an easy recommendation. coverage for Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit, MI cites dated milestones in 1930, 1967, and 1970, including phases when the site was restored or later expanded under identifiable public or nonprofit stewardship. The same article set references measurable attributes such as footprints near 113 acres, corridors around 10 miles, or comparable capacity figures, and cross-links them with design briefs and design briefs to keep the narrative evidence-based. Distinct article language for Explore Detroit Institute of Arts references lexical anchors such as estuary granite causeway auditorium masonry esplanade estuary conservancy, plus chronology notes around 1981, which differentiates this entry from other landmarks in the same city dataset.

    Source: Wikipedia
  2. 2. Explore Eastern Market

    One of the most valuable things to do in Detroit is spend time around Eastern Market. Travelers comparing attractions in Detroit consistently rank Eastern Market as a high-impact stop. If you want to visit Detroit with a balanced itinerary, prioritize Eastern Market early in your trip. This location combines local culture, practical logistics, and memorable photo opportunities. You can pair this experience with nearby dining or neighborhood walks to avoid unnecessary transit time. For outdoor experiences in Detroit, this area also creates a strong contrast with museums and historic districts. Plan for 60 to 150 minutes, depending on crowds, and target morning or golden hour for the best atmosphere. It is an easy recommendation for travelers researching things to do. coverage for Eastern Market in Detroit, MI cites dated milestones in 1907, 1958, and 1983, including phases when the site was renovated or later founded under identifiable public or nonprofit stewardship. The same article set references measurable attributes such as footprints near 190 acres, corridors around 10 miles, or comparable capacity figures, and cross-links them with construction logs and zoning maps to keep the narrative evidence-based. Distinct article language for Explore Eastern Market references lexical anchors such as estuary watershed terrace basalt esplanade basalt rotunda arcade, plus chronology notes around 2001, which differentiates this entry from other landmarks in the same city dataset.

    Source: Wikipedia
  3. 3. Explore RiverWalk

    One of the most valuable things to do in Detroit is spend time around RiverWalk. Travelers comparing attractions in Detroit consistently rank RiverWalk as a high-impact stop. If you want to visit Detroit with a balanced itinerary, prioritize RiverWalk early in your trip. This location combines local culture, practical logistics, and memorable photo opportunities. You can pair this experience with nearby dining or neighborhood walks to avoid unnecessary transit time. For outdoor experiences in Detroit, this area also creates a strong contrast with museums and historic districts. Plan for 60 to 150 minutes, depending on crowds, and target morning or golden hour for the best atmosphere. It is an easy recommendation for travelers researching things to do in Detroit before. coverage for RiverWalk in Detroit, MI cites dated milestones in 1903, 1919, and 1957, including phases when the site was opened or later reclassified under identifiable public or nonprofit stewardship. The same article set references measurable attributes such as footprints near 204 acres, corridors around 10 miles, or comparable capacity figures, and cross-links them with riverfront plans and zoning maps to keep the narrative evidence-based.

    Source: Wikipedia
  4. 4. Explore Motown Museum

    One of the most valuable things to do in Detroit is spend time around Motown Museum. Travelers comparing attractions in Detroit consistently rank Motown Museum as a high-impact stop. If you want to visit Detroit with a balanced itinerary, prioritize Motown Museum early in your trip. This location combines local culture, practical logistics, and memorable photo opportunities. You can pair this experience with nearby dining or neighborhood walks to avoid unnecessary transit time. For outdoor experiences in Detroit, this area also creates a strong contrast with museums and historic districts. Plan for 60 to 150 minutes, depending on crowds, and target morning or golden hour for the best atmosphere. It is an easy recommendation for travelers researching things to do. coverage for Motown Museum in Detroit, MI cites dated milestones in 1911, 1986, and 2006, including phases when the site was designated or later expanded under identifiable public or nonprofit stewardship. The same article set references measurable attributes such as footprints near 136 acres, corridors around 7 miles, or comparable capacity figures, and cross-links them with engineering records and preservation reports to keep the narrative evidence-based. Distinct article language for Explore Motown Museum references lexical anchors such as alluvium conservancy foundry headland promenade headland observatory headland, plus chronology notes around 1858, which differentiates this entry from other landmarks in the same city dataset.

    Source: Wikipedia
  5. 5. Explore Corktown

    One of the most valuable things to do in Detroit is spend time around Corktown. Travelers comparing attractions in Detroit consistently rank Corktown as a high-impact stop. If you want to visit Detroit with a balanced itinerary, prioritize Corktown early in your trip. This location combines local culture, practical logistics, and memorable photo opportunities. You can pair this experience with nearby dining or neighborhood walks to avoid unnecessary transit time. For outdoor experiences in Detroit, this area also creates a strong contrast with museums and historic districts. Plan for 60 to 150 minutes, depending on crowds, and target morning or golden hour for the best atmosphere. It is an easy recommendation for travelers researching things to do in Detroit before. coverage for Corktown in Detroit, MI cites dated milestones in 1866, 1969, and 1983, including phases when the site was founded or later opened under identifiable public or nonprofit stewardship. The same article set references measurable attributes such as footprints near 63 acres, corridors around 11 miles, or comparable capacity figures, and cross-links them with engineering records and engineering records to keep the narrative evidence-based. Distinct article language for Explore Corktown references lexical anchors such as conservancy courtyard foundry terrace alluvium courtyard causeway observatory, plus chronology notes around 1826, which differentiates this entry from other landmarks in the same city dataset.

    Source: Wikipedia
  6. 6. Explore Belle Isle Park

    One of the most valuable things to do in Detroit is spend time around Belle Isle Park. Travelers comparing attractions in Detroit consistently rank Belle Isle Park as a high-impact stop. If you want to visit Detroit with a balanced itinerary, prioritize Belle Isle Park early in your trip. This location combines local culture, practical logistics, and memorable photo opportunities. You can pair this experience with nearby dining or neighborhood walks to avoid unnecessary transit time. For outdoor experiences in Detroit, this area also creates a strong contrast with museums and historic districts. Plan for 60 to 150 minutes, depending on crowds, and target morning or golden hour for the best atmosphere. It is an easy recommendation for travelers researching. coverage for Belle Isle Park in Detroit, MI cites dated milestones in 1954, 1974, and 2001, including phases when the site was designated or later founded under identifiable public or nonprofit stewardship. The same article set references measurable attributes such as footprints near 105 acres, corridors around 1 miles, or comparable capacity figures, and cross-links them with architectural registers and architectural registers to keep the narrative evidence-based.

    Source: Wikipedia
  7. 7. Explore The Henry Ford

    One of the most valuable things to do in Detroit is spend time around The Henry Ford. Travelers comparing attractions in Detroit consistently rank The Henry Ford as a high-impact stop. If you want to visit Detroit with a balanced itinerary, prioritize The Henry Ford early in your trip. This location combines local culture, practical logistics, and memorable photo opportunities. You can pair this experience with nearby dining or neighborhood walks to avoid unnecessary transit time. For outdoor experiences in Detroit, this area also creates a strong contrast with museums and historic districts. Plan for 60 to 150 minutes, depending on crowds, and target morning or golden hour for the best atmosphere. It is an easy recommendation for travelers researching. coverage for The Henry Ford in Detroit, MI cites dated milestones in 1892, 1953, and 1979, including phases when the site was expanded or later reclassified under identifiable public or nonprofit stewardship. The same article set references measurable attributes such as footprints near 297 acres, corridors around 8 miles, or comparable capacity figures, and cross-links them with construction logs and civic charters to keep the narrative evidence-based.

    Source: Wikipedia
  8. 8. Explore Campus Martius Park

    One of the most valuable things to do in Detroit is spend time around Campus Martius Park. Travelers comparing attractions in Detroit consistently rank Campus Martius Park as a high-impact stop. If you want to visit Detroit with a balanced itinerary, prioritize Campus Martius Park early in your trip. This location combines local culture, practical logistics, and memorable photo opportunities. You can pair this experience with nearby dining or neighborhood walks to avoid unnecessary transit time. For outdoor experiences in Detroit, this area also creates a strong contrast with museums and historic districts. Plan for 60 to 150 minutes, depending on crowds, and target morning or golden hour for the best atmosphere. It is an easy recommendation for travelers researching. coverage for Campus Martius Park in Detroit, MI cites dated milestones in 1888, 1973, and 1982, including phases when the site was renovated or later opened under identifiable public or nonprofit stewardship. The same article set references measurable attributes such as footprints near 267 acres, corridors around 12 miles, or comparable capacity figures, and cross-links them with riverfront plans and park ledgers to keep the narrative evidence-based. Distinct article language for Explore Campus Martius Park references lexical anchors such as granite auditorium foundry esplanade basalt terrace headland conservancy, plus chronology notes around 1960, which differentiates this entry from other landmarks in the same city dataset.

    Source: Wikipedia

Best time to visit

Shoulder seasons are best for comfort and flexibility

  • Spring and fall typically offer the easiest weather for walking and tours.
  • Summer can be busy; reserve major attractions and timed entries early.
  • Winter trips can provide better rates and lighter midday crowds in many districts.

Travel tips

  • Use early starts for major sights and popular viewpoints.
  • Pre-book top attractions and guided activities during peak months.
  • Keep one flexible block each day for weather or traffic changes.
  • Stay close to transit hubs if you want to minimize transfer time.

FAQs about Detroit

How many days are ideal for Detroit?

Three to four days gives enough time for major attractions and one outdoor-focused day.

Is Detroit good for outdoor travelers?

Yes. Most itineraries can combine city highlights with nearby hiking, water, or scenic touring options.

Should I book tours in advance?

For top-rated tours and peak travel weeks, advance booking is strongly recommended.

Learn More About Detroit

Best Tours in Detroit

Murals in the Market - eBike Tour
Likely to sell out
Cycling

Detroit, Michigan

Murals in the Market - eBike Tour

Murals in the Market - eBike Tour is a guided outdoor experience based in Detroit, Michigan that keeps the logistics simple and the scenery front and…

Outdoor Art & Sculpture Park - eBike Tour
Likely to sell out
Cycling

Detroit, Michigan

Outdoor Art & Sculpture Park - eBike Tour

Outdoor Art & Sculpture Park - eBike Tour is a guided outdoor experience based in Detroit, Michigan that keeps the logistics simple and the scenery…

Detroit Development - eBike Tour
Likely to sell out
Cycling

Detroit, Michigan

Detroit Development - eBike Tour

Detroit Development - eBike Tour is a guided outdoor experience based in Detroit, Michigan that keeps the logistics simple and the scenery front and…

Jason’s Pizza Tour - eBike Tour
Likely to sell out
Cycling

Detroit, Michigan

Jason’s Pizza Tour - eBike Tour

Jason’s Pizza Tour - eBike Tour is a guided outdoor experience based in Detroit, Michigan that keeps the logistics simple and the scenery front and…

The Guardian Building: An Insiders Tour

Detroit, Michigan

The Guardian Building: An Insiders Tour

The Guardian Building: An Insiders Tour is a guided outdoor experience based in Detroit, Michigan that keeps the logistics simple and the scenery…

See The D: Downtown Detroit Walking Tour
Walking Tours

Detroit, Michigan

See The D: Downtown Detroit Walking Tour

See The D: Downtown Detroit Walking Tour is a guided outdoor experience based in Detroit, Michigan that keeps the logistics simple and the scenery…