Detroit is Michigan’s largest city, located on the northwest side of the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair. Things to do, restaurants, stores, and unique areas like Greektown abound in downtown Detroit. The Dearborn neighborhood is a popular tourist destination with numerous ethnic neighborhoods. The Oakland neighborhood is noted for its luxury cafés and stores, as well as the Detroit Zoo. Macomb reported for its marinas, and the Greater Noni neighborhood, with its golf courses and leisure facilities, are outlying neighborhoods.
Read on to discover the top tourist attractions in Detroit, MI, that you can visit on your next vacation.
#1. Motown Museum
This is one of the tourist attractions to explore in Detroit, MI. At Hitsville USA, you can discover the history of music while having fun. Passionate tour guides will take you around the record label’s first and main structure, which includes the legendary Studio A, and explain how Berry Gordy transformed an $800 loan into one of the most renowned companies in history. Just a handful of the musicians that have passed through these doors include Diana Ross & the Supremes, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and Michael Jackson.
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#2. Belle Isle Park
Belle Isle Park is located on the border of the US and Canada along the Detroit River. With 987 acres of land, this enormous urban park is more extensive than Central Park. It’s a well-liked vacation spot for visitors visiting Detroit who want to get away from nature. Through a bridge from Detroit, Belle Isle Park is freely accessible. When you get to the island, you’ll take a loop road to explore or get to one of the island’s attractions.
On Belle Island, there are many things to do. Notable locations showcasing a variety of flora and marine life include the Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory and the Belle Isle Aquarium. It also houses Detroit’s sole beach. And one of the best places in Detroit to observe the skyline is Sunset Point.
#3. Eastern Market
A diverse mix of local cuisine, art, and music is available at Eastern Market, one of the oldest and biggest year-round markets in the US, which is open every Saturday (with two smaller markets on Sundays and Tuesdays). The market is run by a nonprofit organization that works hard to support the community. It runs significant initiatives that improve the availability of wholesome food in the Detroit metropolitan area and supports emerging food enterprises there. In addition to being excellent, stopping by here will benefit a worthwhile cause.
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#4. Campus Martius Park
If you’re looking for tourist attractions in Detroit, MI, this place is one of it. After a fire nearly destroyed the city in 1805, a thriving 8-acre community hub called Campus Martius Park was constructed in Detroit. It’s a terrific place to unwind in the city, enjoy the artificial beach, or skate on the ice in the winter. Visitors can tour the park’s sculptures and art pieces, and it regularly holds concerts and festivals. The area where post-fire reconstruction started is designated with the “Point of Origin Marker.”
#5. Detroit Zoo
The 125-acre Detroit Zoo, located just outside of the city, is home to a large variety of species from all over the world. It is separated by habitat type, with exotic favorites like rhinos, lions, zebras, giraffes, and sloths calling African ecosystems home. There is an Australian Outback habitat with kangaroos and wallabies, as well as an Asian Forest habitat with camels, tigers, lemurs, and red pandas.
There are other sections dedicated to North American wildlife, as well as an Arctic sector with polar bears, Arctic foxes, and several different kinds of penguins. A free-flight aviary, a reptile conservation center, an indoor butterfly garden, and animal experiences like giraffe feedings and penguin meet-and-greets are all available for visitors to take in peacefully. In addition to picnic spots and a low-sensory area for children who are easily overstimulated, the park features a number of playgrounds, a train ride, and a 4-D cinema.
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#6. Guardian Building
The Guardian Building, a National Historic Landmark and one of the best US art deco skyscrapers was finished in 1929, at a time when Detroit was a major international center. The building’s architect, Wirt C. Rowland, used Monel metal instead of the more conventional brass and bronze for all exposed metalwork, which was one of many architectural and technological advances used during construction. With its elevator system, technology was first applied that automatically opened the doors and halted the car on the floor. Check out the lobby, which has been meticulously preserved and is extremely vibrant.
#7. Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
A must-see location in Detroit’s Midtown Cultural Center is the Charles H. Wright Museum. Over 35,000 pieces, such as artifacts and works by black artists, are in its collection. The museum frequently presents changing exhibits with historical or contemporary art topics. The museum is one of the best locations to go to in Detroit during the summer for the African World Festival, which includes live performances, shopping booths, food, and more. It is truly one of the most fascinating tourist attractions in Detroit, MI.
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#8. Michigan Science Center
A well-liked Smithsonian exhibit that provides interactive learning and enjoyable family time is the Michigan Science Center. It is situated in Midtown Detroit and has interactive displays that range from extraterrestrial journeys to in-depth investigations of space, climate, and life sciences. Along with more than 220 interactive displays made to pique children’s curiosity and promote learning, it also provides live demonstrations in every STEM field. You can also watch in the 4D or IMAX Dome at the Planetarium.
#9. Comerica Park
A baseball museum, theme park, and ballpark all coexist at Comerica Park. The Detroit Tigers baseball team calls it home, and a “Walk of Fame” and exhibitions honor its illustrious past. In the third-base section, families can ride the carousel and the 50-foot Ferris wheel. Visitors can witness the renowned “liquid fireworks” in action at a game or event on the center-field wall, where a brightly lit fountain punctuates home runs and awes the audience.
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#10. Dequindre Cut
The Dequindre Cut is a refurbished greenway and recreational walk that allows pedestrians to travel from the riverfront to the Eastern Market district. It is well-liked by both locals and tourists. It was formerly a railroad, but now it is a large pathway with graffiti and urban art. Instead of using two legs to tour the region, you can hire bikes from Wheelhouse Detroit. It’s the ideal outdoor sport for a hot day or night. Make sure to pause along the way so you can take in all the creative and eye-catching street art.
#11. The Heidelberg Project
This is also another one of the most amazing tourist attractions to visit in Detroit, MI. The Heidelberg Project was started by Tyree Guyton in 1986 as a beautification initiative for Detroit’s McDougall-Hunt neighborhood. It used recyclable materials to make original artwork while converting abandoned homes into public art projects. You’ll pass homes decorated with big polka dots, clocks, teddy bears, and other must-see artwork as you travel along Heidelberg Street. You might be able to meet the artist in person if you’re lucky. Other artists have contributed to the project’s efforts and produced additional street installations.
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#12. Detroit Princess Riverwalk
A five-story, 1500-passenger ship called the Detroit Princess is berthed at Hart Plaza on the Detroit Riverwalk, close to the GM Renaissance Center. On two- to three-hour sightseeing cruises, passengers get a new perspective on the city, which offers opportunities for fantastic photos. There are multiple sunset dinner cruises offered during the summer each week, and tickets come with either lunch or dinner.
The Princess also hosts New Year’s Eve parties and other holiday-themed events, as well as themed events such as Motown Memories and big band nights. Additionally, the riverboat can be rented in part for smaller events and chartered for private gatherings.
#13. The Spirit of Detroit
One of Detroit’s most recognizable public artworks is the renowned Spirit of Detroit. Following its commissioning in 1958, it has grown to be the city’s pride and a symbol of the neighborhood. In downtown Detroit, in front of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, is the location of the Spirit of Detroit statue.
The bronze sculpture measures 26 feet tall. The monument includes elements that reflect Detroit; the sitting guy is holding a family and a golden orb with rays that symbolize divinity. A big white marble wall behind the statue also has writing on it. The Spirit of Detroit statue is a popular location for tourists to take photos.
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#14. Detroit Historical Museum
The Motor City’s intriguing heritage, including how it earned its moniker and status as the epicenter of the automotive industry, is celebrated at the Detroit Historical Museum. Model railroads, dioramas, and reconstructions of historic Detroit streets are among the exhibits that give a comprehensive overview of the city and the occasions that shaped it.
Additional exhibits cover information about Detroit’s involvement in the Underground Railroad, the crucial role that the city’s factories and residents played during World War II, and other salient aspects of the metropolis. The Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle, which highlights the city’s maritime history, is also run by the Detroit Historical Society.
#15. GM Renaissance Center
The highest structure in Michigan and home to both the global headquarters of General Motors and a Marriott hotel is known as the GM Renaissance Center or Ren Cen. The ‘Motor City’ can be seen from every angle from its 73-story height. Visitors can take in beautiful Riverwalk views, explore stores, or grab food inside the glass atrium. Likewise, visitors can eat at the rotating restaurant on the 72nd floor, which rotates once every hour. Visitors can take in miles-long vistas of the US and Canada after supper.
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#16. Pewabic Pottery
In 1903, Mary Chase Perry Stratton and her business partner, Horace Caulkins, established Pewabic Pottery. Stratton ran the studio until her death in 1961, and her assistant continued to run it for a few more years after that. Today, the ceramics museum, gallery, workshop, and studio are run by Pewabic Pottery. The studio’s museum is home to a sizable collection of American ceramics and is a National Historic Landmark.
Additionally, there is a gift shop where visitors can buy authentic Pewabic pottery, including large pieces and a variety of Michigan and Detroit mementos. The public can visit the museum every day at no charge.
#17. Hart Plaza
At Hart Plaza, something is always happening. It is among the top things to do all year in Detroit. The Detroit Riverfront is where Hart Plaza is situated. The interesting fact is that it designates the location of the original community that would become Detroit. And it is still a popular gathering spot for the general population. One of Detroit’s best outdoor venues is Hart Plaza. It holds a variety of events, including cultural exhibits, dances, concerts, and music festivals.
Imagine a pulsating rave at Hart Plaza with the city skyline as the backdrop. Or go to the annual Jazz Festival to listen to music all day. When you get there, check the calendar to see what events are scheduled for Hart Plaza. You can also stroll around it to witness well-known sculptures like the Transcending Arch and the Joe Louis Fist. It is indeed among the tourist attractions in Detroit, MI.
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What Is Detroit Famous for?
Detroit, which has long been regarded as the global center of the automobile industry, is also well-known for the iconic 1960s Motown sound. Citizens of Italian, English, German, Polish, Irish, Mexican, Middle Eastern, African, and Greek origins are among the many ethnic groups represented in Detroit.
What Is the Most Popular Part in Michigan?
Michigan’s most popular parts include:
- Mackinac Island.
- Holland, MI.
- Saugatuck.
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
- Traverse City.
- Grand Rapids.
- Ann Arbor.
- Muskegon
What Are 3 Things Michigan Famous for?
Michigan is famous for the automobile industry, bustling college environment, and excellent lakes shorelines.