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Detroit
After decades of neglect, Detroit is rolling again. It's like the whole place is caffeine-buzzed, freewheeling in ideas. Young creative types have moved to the city and transformed the glut of abandoned buildings into distilleries, cafes, galleries and chocolate shops. Downtown will pop your eyeballs, from the extraordinary art deco skyscrapers to the whimsical public parks and edgy street art. By day, intriguing sights bring Detroit's car-making history to life. By night, timeless jazz clubs show off its musical chops. Sweet bike rides and sprawling markets add to the energy.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
Detroit
One of the oldest and largest year-round bazaars in the United States, Eastern Market draws Detroiters of all types to its six-block spread of wares…
Detroit
The DIA holds one of the world's finest art collections. The centerpiece is Diego Rivera's mural Detroit Industry, which fills an entire room and reflects…
Detroit
This 1928 masterpiece from the man who built Detroit, Albert Kahn, has an imposing art deco exterior made from Minnesota granite and Maryland marble, and…
Detroit
Commissioned as a 'cathedral of finance,' this distinctive, 40-story, redbrick building with green and white accents was the world's tallest masonry…
Detroit
Renowned architect Albert Kahn designed this 3.5-million-sq-ft factory, which opened in 1905, but after years of neglect it became one of Detroit's most…
Detroit
This public space in the heart of Detroit's downtown is the perfect spot to while away a sunny afternoon. A fountain dots the middle, surrounded by…
Detroit
Pretty Belle Isle floats in the Detroit River. The entire expanse is parkland where kayaking, walking trails and a glass-domed conservatory await. There's…
Detroit
Polka-dotted streets, houses covered in Technicolor paint blobs, strange doll sculptures in yards – this is no acid trip, but rather a block-spanning art…
Attractions
Top picks from our travel experts
Detroit
One of the oldest and largest year-round bazaars in the United States, Eastern Market draws Detroiters of all types to its six-block spread of wares…
Detroit
This public space in the heart of Detroit's downtown is the perfect spot to while away a sunny afternoon. A fountain dots the middle, surrounded by…
Detroit
Owner Lisa Ludwinski (a 2019 James Beard Award finalist) and her army of female bakers create amazing treats at this corner storefront. The milk chocolate…
Detroit
In this row of modest houses Berry Gordy launched Motown Records – and the careers of Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson – with an…
Detroit
This 1928 masterpiece from the man who built Detroit, Albert Kahn, has an imposing art deco exterior made from Minnesota granite and Maryland marble, and…
Detroit
The Scarab Club transports you back a century to a gilded age of arts appreciation when costumed balls and visits by Diego Rivera and Norman Rockwell were…
Detroit
In the alley between Broadway and Library Sts, that links Grand River and Gratiot Aves, The Belt is part art installation and part nightlife destination…
Detroit
Commissioned as a 'cathedral of finance,' this distinctive, 40-story, redbrick building with green and white accents was the world's tallest masonry…
Detroit
Come for the music, stay for the top-notch soul food – Detroit's longest continuously operating jazz club has made it through 85 years of ups and downs…
Detroit
The candlelit, art deco ambience at Cliff Bell's attracts a diverse young crowd to hear local jazz bands. The elegant club, decked out in mahogany and…
Detroit
The city's swell riverfront path runs for 3 miles along the churning Detroit River from Hart Plaza east to Mt Elliott St, passing several parks, outdoor…
Detroit
The DIA holds one of the world's finest art collections. The centerpiece is Diego Rivera's mural Detroit Industry, which fills an entire room and reflects…
John K. King Used & Rare Books
Detroit
This cluttered, multistory bookstore is a Detroit landmark sure to delight any bibliophile. Treasures await in the dusty stacks, and exploring the…
Detroit
Polka-dotted streets, houses covered in Technicolor paint blobs, strange doll sculptures in yards – this is no acid trip, but rather a block-spanning art…
Detroit
Pretty Belle Isle floats in the Detroit River. The entire expanse is parkland where kayaking, walking trails and a glass-domed conservatory await. There's…
The best free things to do in Detroit from art deco architecture to edgy street art
Curated by Amber OgdenLonely Planet Editors
Detroit
The DIA holds one of the world's finest art collections. The centerpiece is Diego Rivera's mural Detroit Industry, which fills an entire room and reflects…
John K. King Used & Rare Books
Detroit
This cluttered, multistory bookstore is a Detroit landmark sure to delight any bibliophile. Treasures await in the dusty stacks, and exploring the…
Detroit
Renowned architect Albert Kahn designed this 3.5-million-sq-ft factory, which opened in 1905, but after years of neglect it became one of Detroit's most…
Detroit
Local artists create stylish products for Pure Detroit that celebrate the city's culture. Pick up handbags made from recycled seatbelts, groovy T-shirts…
Detroit
This is the site of many free summer weekend festivals and concerts. While there, check out the sculpture of Joe Louis' mighty fist.
Detroit
Vivid graffiti, murals and sculptures made from found objects adorn this stark industrial site that abuts a recycling facility. It’s a quintessential…
Detroit
Polka-dotted streets, houses covered in Technicolor paint blobs, strange doll sculptures in yards – this is no acid trip, but rather a block-spanning art…
Detroit
One of the oldest and largest year-round bazaars in the United States, Eastern Market draws Detroiters of all types to its six-block spread of wares…
Detroit
General Motor's glossy, cloud-poking headquarters is a fine place to mooch off the free wi-fi, take a free hour-long tour (Monday through Friday at noon…
Detroit
This 1928 masterpiece from the man who built Detroit, Albert Kahn, has an imposing art deco exterior made from Minnesota granite and Maryland marble, and…
Detroit
The Scarab Club transports you back a century to a gilded age of arts appreciation when costumed balls and visits by Diego Rivera and Norman Rockwell were…
Detroit
Local boy Jack White opened Third Man, and it's a super-fun browse. The store sells records (of course), turntables, T-shirts and other gear, but the…
Detroit
The once-grand beaux-arts rail terminal, within eyeshot of Corktown's main drag, was left to fall into decline after closing in 1988 and became a symbol…
Detroit
Commissioned as a 'cathedral of finance,' this distinctive, 40-story, redbrick building with green and white accents was the world's tallest masonry…
Detroit
A community gathering space across the street from the fortress-like GAR Building, Beacon Park always has something cool going on: food trucks on summer…
Detroit
As mass transit, the monorail's 3-mile loop on elevated tracks around downtown won't get you very far. As a tourist attraction, it's a sweet ride…
Detroit
The city's swell riverfront path runs for 3 miles along the churning Detroit River from Hart Plaza east to Mt Elliott St, passing several parks, outdoor…
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Things to Know
Literally everything you need to know about what to pack, where to stay, what to eat and how to get around the Motor City.
Read articleBest Neighborhoods
The Motor City never takes its foot off the gas and a new energy is sweeping through its lively neighborhoods. Here's a guide to Detroit's best districts.
Read articleDay Trips
From beer-soaked city breaks to birdwatching in a national park, these are the best day trips from Detroit.
Read articleMoney and Costs
Detroit won’t break the bank, especially if you know where to go for cheap eats, budget accommodation, public transport passes and deals on attractions.
Read articleTransportation
The car is king in Detroit, as you might expect from America's top car-making hub, but it is possible to explore without a car if you follow our top tips.
Read articleFree Things to Do
From art deco architecture to edgy street art, many of Detroit's most iconic sites and favorite local hangouts are free. These are the best.
Read articleArticles
Latest stories from Detroit
Activities
The best free things to do in Detroit from art deco architecture to edgy street artFeb 23, 2022 • 10 min read
NeighborhoodsDetroit's best neighborhoods: 5 districts that will get your motor runningFeb 14, 2022 • 5 min read
Art and CultureDetroit's 9 best museums from motors to Motown and modern artFeb 9, 2022 • 5 min read
Shopping18 best things to do in Detroit: street art, architecture and AmericanaJan 31, 2022 • 7 min read
ActivitiesThe 9 best parks in Detroit: Find birds, biking and blooms in the Motor City’s green spacesJan 22, 2022 • 5 min read
Public TransportBest day trips from Detroit: 5 quick getaways for beer, birdlife and Bavarian architectureDec 25, 2021 • 5 min read
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