Best Things To Do in Detroit: An Honest Local Guide

Is Detroit Worth Visiting?

Short answer: yes—100%. Detroit has an underrated charm—creative and historical, but often times forgotten. It’s worth visiting whether you’re exploring the upper Midwest or en route to Canada. When we arrived, we watched both Detroit episodes of Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown (highly recommend when traveling to a new place), which gave us a deeper appreciation for the city’s history, grit, and evolution.To help you plan your own trip, we’ve included a Detroit attractions map with everywhere we visited and what we loved about each spot. You’ll also find tips on fun things to do in Detroit, where to stayed, and which Detroit attractions for adults are worth it.

Detroit, Michigan Google Map

Tip: Save the Detroit Attractions Map to your Google Maps so you can use it interactively!

Where to Stay in Detroit

We stayed in West Village, in a renovated historic home that felt like a designer’s dream- just far enough from downtown to be quiet, but close enough to get anywhere in minutes.

Tip: Turn off highways in your GPS. Taking the local streets gives you a way better feel for the city.

If you’re looking at a Detroit attractions map or comparing neighborhoods, West Village is a gem—central, calm, and full of character, but we would totally be open to exploring other neighborhoods.

What We Did: Fun Things to Do in Detroit

Here’s a look at one of our favorite days, mapped out with both sights and snacks:

Breakfast: La Ventana Cafe for oat milk cortados and pastries
Book Browsing: John K. King Used & Rare Books—an endless maze of shelves and surprises
Sightseeing: Rode the PeopleMover from Greektown Station—random and fun, with riverfront views (you can even wave 2 canada<3)
Lunch: Shared a small pizza and marinated olives at Supino—maybe even order a cheeky Peroni
Shopping: City Bird, Nest, and the nearby shops for local-made goods and gifts
Dinner: Ima—the pho, poke bowl, and a hot sake carafe are musts
Late Night: Kelly’s Bar for free pool and $1 pony beers

You’ll find all of these marked on our custom Detroit tourist map above, along with some alternative stops to explore depending on your vibe.

Downtown Detroit Attractions Map: What to See Next Time

We couldn’t fit everything into one week, so here’s what’s on our list for next time—especially great if you’re looking for top Detroit attractions for adults:

TV Lounge or Marble Bar – to dive deeper into Detroit’s techno scene
Detroit Institute of Arts – home to the legendary Diego Rivera murals
Motown Museum – for music lovers
MOCAD (Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit) – small but powerful
The Henry Ford Museum – a little outside the city but worth it

All of these are also pinned on our updated Detroit attractions map, which gives you a great sense of how to group your outings by neighborhood.

Detroit Travel Staples We Actually Used

We walked a ton, so comfort was key:

Comfy Shoes: I rotated between my Onitsuka sneakers and vintage Timberland boat shoes.
Packing Cubes: With all the vintage shopping and thrift finds we picked up, these were a lifesaver for keeping everything compact and organized in our suitcase.

For More Packing Tips: See This Post

Would We Go Back?

Already planning to for the Summer.

Detroit has layers. It’s creative, tough, soulful, and still evolving. If you’re wondering is Detroit worth visiting, our answer is a yes. Whether you’re exploring the city solo or looking for cool attractions in Detroit, Michigan to share with a partner or friend, this city has something to offer.