20 Must-Do Things for When You Visit Detroit

After growing up in the south, I’ve lived in Michigan for approximately a decade. I had no idea what to expect when moving here, but what I’ve found is that “the Motor City” has so much more than auto-related things to offer! And as friends and family have visited me, I’ve compiled this list of things to see and do in and around the metropolitan area that are quintessential-Detroit.

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1.     Visit a u-pick orchard 

Michigan has a great climate for growing a ton of different crops and flowers, so there are u-pick orchards and fields all over the Detroit-area. I love going in the fall to pick apples, but plenty of people go pumpkin picking or head out in the spring/summer for fresh berries, sunflowers, or cherries instead. Larger u-pick farms often include cider or wine tasting rooms, petting zoos, shops, and bakeries pumping out fresh donuts to enjoy while you’re there.

One of the most popular places is Blake Farms in Armada, Michigan. So popular, that it can get pretty crazy at Blake’s on the weekends (especially in the fall). If you want to visit somewhere without the crowds, you’re better off visiting a smaller u-pick field such as Stony Creek Orchard and Cider Mill, Spicer Orchards, or Verellen Orchards and Cider Mill.

2.     Go to a cider mill

As I mentioned, a ton of U-pick orchards have cider mills on the premises, so with a trip to any of the places I have listed above, you can knock out both of these activities together. But maybe you don’t want to pick any flowers or produce (that’s cool too). In that case, places like Yates Cider Mill are also an option! Yates is a picturesque little water-powered mill that has been producing cider for over 160 years. The hiking and biking trails that start on the property give you the opportunity to enjoy your cider and donuts as you stroll along the Clinton River between May and November.

3.     The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village 

The Henry Ford Museum has captured a slice of American history and put it on display for anyone interested in visiting. It includes a variety of automobiles, along with aircraft, trains, tractors, and exhibits covering industrialization, home life evolution, pop culture, and more. Greenfield Village is right outside, and offers a look at ~300 years of American life through the historic buildings that have been moved to the museum from their original locations, working farms and historic transportation options, and artisan demonstrations brought to life by costumed actors. Together, they provide an immersive experience that you can get lost in for hours on end.

If that’s not enough to keep you entertained, you can also purchase tickets there for a tour of the Ford Rouge Factory where the Ford F-150 trucks are built. On the 90-ish-minute tour, you will see a short historical film and a 4D presentation, see the various buildings, learn about sustainability efforts, observe the manufacturing process from decks throughout the complex, and check out the cars on display in the “Legacy Gallery”.

4.     Try Detroit-style pizza

The pizza in Detroit doesn’t quite escape the influence of the auto industry, because legend has it that the creator of the first Detroit-style pizza used a square pan he got from friends working in local automotive factories. That pan gives the pizza it’s shape, and caramelizes cheese against all of the edges for a perfect crunch that makes it irresistible. 

Of the major 3 US pizza styles (Chicago, New York, and Detroit), I would argue that Detroit style is far and away the best option. Nowadays there are a bunch of places around Detroit serving the signature square pizzas, but Buddy’s is the establishment where the first one was made, and they are still doing it right over 70 years later. So, if you only have time to try one place, that’s the place to go!

5.     Go fowling

I had never heard of fowling until moving to Detroit, but it is tons of fun! Especially if you’re visiting in the winter and looking for more indoor activities to enjoy. Get a group of 4 or more people together and head to the Fowling Warehouse in Hamtramck or the Hub in Auburn Hills to play. You’ll form opposing teams that will stand on each end of a lane next to 10 bowling pins arranged in a traditional bowling triangle. The teams take turns throwing footballs to try to knock over each other’s pins, and the first team to knock them all down wins. 

What makes it chaotic (and hilarious), is that there are other people playing too and footballs bouncing all over the place that you need to protect your pins from; once the game starts, the other team gets credit for your pins falling down no matter how it happens. Even if it’s an errant throw from 3 lanes away, or you accidentally knocking into your own pin while playing!

6.     Attend a Sporting Event

Since Detroit has a great sports culture, there are teams to cheer on year-round. The Detroit MLB team has regular season games from the spring into the fall. Opposite of that, the Detroit NHL and NBA teams have regular season games from October to April. 

Of course, the Lions have a shorter regular season, but also play from September to January. Tickets to any major league event can get pricey when the team is doing well. If you aren’t looking to shell out too much money, you can opt out of going to the game in favor of attending a tailgating event or watching it at a bar downtown for all of the fanfare at a fraction of the cost. Or you can always go to a minor league event instead. The Detroit City FC soccer games are a ton of fun to attend, and there’s a minor baseball league that plays games at Jimmy John’s Field in Utica, Michigan.

7.     Go Kayaking

There are tons of rivers and lakes around Detroit, and you can get in and explore some of them by kayak. Clinton River Canoe & Kayak is located in Sterling Heights. When you make a reservation with them, they will rent you a kayak (or canoe) for a 2-hour paddle. For a more structured experience, you can book a tour through Detroit River Sports instead. They offer a variety of tour options, including one that actually takes you into the Canadian waters around Peche Island. If you want to kayak at your own pace, you can also rent kayaks by the hour at Belle Isle State Park or at Stony Creek Metro Park.

8.     Take a Detroit Princess Riverboat Cruise

If you want to see Detroit and/or Windsor from the water without having to paddle or navigate yourself, the Detroit Princess is the answer. The Princess is a huge riverboat that spends 2 to 3 hours going from Hart Plaza to Belle Isle and then back to the dock several times per week from May to October. Ticket prices are a little high (starting at $75/adult and going up to $110/adult depending on the day of the week and type of cruise), but includes great views of skylines on both sides of the river, a food buffet, and live entertainment.

9.     Spend a Day at Belle Isle

Belle Isle is a small park that also gives great views of downtown Detroit and Windsor from the Detroit River. It’s easy to spend anywhere from a few hours to a full day exploring everything that Belle Isle has to offer; there is the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, the oldest original aquarium in the United States, a nature center, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, walking trails, beaches, and water activities. 

Hours of all the facilities vary, so make sure you double check that the attractions you’re interested will be open before you go. Also keep in mind that it is free to walk or bike onto the island, but cars are charged an entrance fee of $11 (unless you have the Michigan Recreation Pass – then you’re covered).

10.  Try new foods

Detroit’s food scene is one of the best in my opinion. There are restaurants in the metropolitan area for pretty much any type of cuisine you can think of, serving authentic Polish, Mexican, African, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Indian, Thai, Korean, Cantonese, and other cuisine. Several restaurants in the Detroit Metropolitan area have been featured on Food Network shows such as “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives", and Eater Detroit and the Detroit Free Press put together lists of the best restaurants in the city each year. Any of these can provide a great starting point for deciding where to eat during your visit if you’re overwhelmed by the selection.

11.  Play a round of golf

Fun fact - Michigan has the most public golf courses of any state. Some of the courses in northern Michigan are considered to be among the best in the country, but there are tons of options in the Detroit area that accommodate all skill levels. 

Shephard’s Hollow, Orchards Golf Club, Pine Trace, The Majestic at Lake Walden, Cherry Creek, Northville Hills, Blackheath, and Fox Hills are all very highly ranked. There are also courses at Stoney Creek and Kensington Metroparks where you can combine a round of golf with other activities, and a big Top Golf facility in Auburn Hills where you can still enjoy some time at the range if you weren’t able to bring your own clubs.  

12.  Visit the Detroit Zoo

The Detroit Zoo houses over 2,000 animals of more than 200 different species in a setup that can take anywhere from 3 hours to a whole day to explore. It was the first zoo in the US to use barless habitats, and, today, the “cageless” mission of the zoo creates engaging exhibits that mimic the animals’ natural habitats as closely as possible. 

Two exhibits that are always popular are the Polk Penguin Conservation Center and the Arctic Ring of Life (which houses the polar bears). And throughout the year, there are events hosted after hours that are popular to locals and visitors alike.

13.  Go to Greektown and win big at a casino

Greektown is located in the heart of downtown, and even has its own People Mover (the local – and free! – transportation) stop, which can make it a good home base for exploring downtown.

Since the late 1800s and early 1900s, it has been offering Greek restaurants, bakeries, traditional music, and celebrations for tourists and locals alike. The Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade is held every spring, and the Greektown Heritage Festival takes place on a different day each year, but typically in the late summer or early fall. 

Since 2000, it has also been home to the Greektown casino. It is one of several casinos in Detroit where you can gamble, catch a live show, or just enjoy great views of the skyline from the upper floors.

14.  Visit a metro park

Detroit has a surprising number of metro parks available to explore. My favorites are Kensington and Stoney Creek, but there’s also Hudson Mills, Maybury State Park, Indian Springs, Proud Lake Recreation Area, Waterloo-Pinckney Trail, Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, and Huron Meadows. There are so many activities available at the parks! On land you’ll find hiking trails, golf courses, playgrounds, mountain biking trails, disc golf courses, picnic tables, horseback riding trails, nature centers, and more.

In the winter, sometimes the hiking trails are converted to cross-country skiing trails, and sledding or snowboarding is an option on hills. Many of the parks also include a lake where you can fish, canoe, kayak, paddleboard, swim, and/or fish. Entry to the Metroparks only sets you back $10/day per vehicle. Or if you live close enough, you can get an annual pass instead for $40 (Michigan resident) or $45 (non-resident).  

15.  Check out the DIA

The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) is consistently recognized as a top art museum in the US, so you should definitely stop by when visiting Detroit. Probably the most well-known piece at the DIA is the Diego Rivera Detroit Industry Murals that span from floor to ceiling, but the museum houses over 65,000 other works of art of different time periods, styles, and medias as well. There are exhibitions that change periodically so that there’s always something new to see. And, if you want to do more than just look at art at the DIA, check out the free programs that they offer for opportunities to participate in various workshops, see a film in the DIA’s historic auditorium, or enjoy a musical performance.

16.  See the old train station

The majestic Michigan Central Station is considered to be a symbol of Detroit’s revitalization since the two have gone through periods of boom and decline together. The station originally opened in 1914 as the tallest rail station in the world at the time, and operated until 1988 when the Amtrak trains were relocated. After falling into disrepair, it was renovated by Ford and re-opened in 2024 as a shared industrial and community space. A 90-minute guided tour of the first floor, along with AI installations and interactive exhibits, connect the history of the building to the future it hopes to create via a look at the ongoing renovations. 

If you don’t want to take a tour, then you can explore the exhibits yourself during designated times on Fridays and Saturdays. There are also some stores, cafes, and event spaces inside where events, such as “Fridays at the Station” are regularly held.

17.  Explore the Motown Museum

Motown was a music label that launched Black artists to popularity during the Civil Rights Movement and helped to transcend racial barriers and create a more inclusive society. The Motown Museum in Detroit includes Berry Gordy’s (the founder of Motown Records) apartment and Studio A, where countless hits were recorded. A ~1 hour guided tour is the only way that you can go through the museum exhibits, but that’s part of what makes the visit to “Hitsville USA” interesting; your guide will recount fascinating anecdotes about Motown’s history and impact as you examine the various museum artifacts.  

18.  Shop at Eastern Market

As one of the oldest and largest public markets in the US, Eastern Market is a cornerstone of the Detroit experience. The Saturday market takes place year-round from 6am to 4pm, where over 200 vendors show up each Saturday to sell produce, plants, juice, meat, cheese, jewelry, flowers, clothes, and more. In addition to the vendors and shoppers, there are typically food trucks and street musicians in attendance that add to the lively atmosphere. Plus, there are specialty shops, restaurants, and art galleries surrounding the “sheds” that house Eastern Market.

Although Saturday is the largest market, there are also markets on Sundays and Tuesdays from June through September. Instead of a farmers’ market, Sundays are street markets that focus on highlighting Detroit and Michigan-made goods. Tuesdays are similar to the Saturday markets, but are much smaller and typically include free fitness classes.

19.  Enjoy a show at Fox Theatre

When the Fox Theatre opened in 1928, it was the picture of opulence. Now, almost 100 years later, it is still a beautiful place to see a Broadway show, comedy, or musical event. I’ve sat in different sections of the theatre and can verify that there’s not really a “bad” seat in the house.

If you don’t want to spend the evening watching a show at the Fox, there are also tours of the theatre offered through the company 313 Presents.

20.  Browse John K. King Used and Rare Books

Downtown Detroit is also home to one of the largest book stores in the country – John K. King Used and Rare Books. The staff is happy to help you navigate the four floors of the building and the more than one million titles that they hold. While searching for treasures among the shelves can be fun for book lovers, another option is to browse the rare book collection online at rarebooklink.com.

This list should help you stay entertained during your trip to Detroit no matter what time of year you end up visiting. And I know Detroit traditionally hasn’t had the best reputation as a place to visit, but nowadays it is relatively safe for a big city and has a great mix of old and new things to do that make it a great trip destination!