Downtown Detroit Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Downtown Detroit
Detroit is known for its architecture, industrialization and the arts. As creative entrepreneurs reclaim downtown, a new urban culture is rising next to the old.

While Detroit may have suffered a fall, when in 2013 its council filed for bankruptcy, the city is quick to be back on its feet. The revitalization of Downtown Detroit is where you can see the city rapidly transforming. Fashion and art are revived, historic buildings are being restored, and green spaces, restaurants, cafés and new urban areas are being created.

Detroit became one of the world’s wealthiest cities after the post-World War I auto industry boom. There is no better way to see this than in a walking, cycling or personalized guided tour of the city. See stunning art deco buildings including the Guardian Building, the Detroit Opera House and the Detroit Public Library. Admire the Fisher Building, a 441-foot (134-meter) tall building known as the Eiffel Tower of Detroit because of its stunning art deco architectural designs.

Art and history enthusiasts will find enough museums to fill several days’ worth of exploring. Admire old cars and model trains in the Detroit Historical Museum. At the Motown Museum, see where The Supremes and other famous Motown artists recorded their music. Visit the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History to see memorabilia, films and photographs celebrating the African-American legacy of freedom and justice. Watch an IMAX movie or learn about space at the Michigan Science Center. Visit the Detroit Institute of Arts to see Vincent van Gogh’s important painting,Self Portrait, and Mexican artist Diego Rivera's most successful work,Detroit Industry, among others.

Dance the night away or see a live band in bars and nightclubs throughout the district. Have a cocktail and listen to some jazz at Cliff Bell’s, one of the oldest jazz clubs in Detroit.

Explore downtown’s river walks and gardens. See outdoor entertainment at Campus Martius Park or cross the MacArthur Bridge to enjoy natural parklands on Belle Island in the Detroit River.

While Detroit is best seen with a car, you can rent a bike or taxi or use the Detroit People Mover, an automated transit system. The Detroit Metro Airport is a 30-minute drive southwest of downtown.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Downtown Detroit Hotel Deals

Sonder Gabriel Richard
Sonder Gabriel Richard
3.5 out of 5
305 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, MI
The price is AU$219 per night from 28 Oct to 29 Oct
AU$219
per night
28 Oct - 29 Oct
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Detroit. Enjoy a fitness center, concierge services, and in-room washers/dryers. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (932 reviews)
"So much space in the unit and an excellent location"

Reviewed on 22 Sep. 2024

Sonder Gabriel Richard
Hollywood Casino at Greektown
Hollywood Casino at Greektown
4 out of 5
1200 Saint Antoine St, Detroit, MI
The price is AU$227 per night from 1 Oct to 2 Oct
AU$227
per night
1 Oct - 2 Oct
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Detroit. Enjoy 5 restaurants, a casino, and 5 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the convenient ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,204 reviews)
"We didn’t like that there was women and men walking around the hotel and elevators in robes and smoking cannabis in the front entrance, not a good first impression and we are so glad we didn’t have our kids with us. Other than that everything else was great especially housekeeping and a guy called ..."

Reviewed on 26 Sep. 2024

Hollywood Casino at Greektown
Fort Pontchartrain Detroit, a Wyndham Hotel
Fort Pontchartrain Detroit, a Wyndham Hotel
3.5 out of 5
2 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI
The price is AU$282 per night from 21 Oct to 22 Oct
AU$282
per night
21 Oct - 22 Oct
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Detroit. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
7.8/10 Good! (2,054 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on 26 Sep. 2024

Fort Pontchartrain Detroit, a Wyndham Hotel
Atheneum Suite Hotel
Atheneum Suite Hotel
4 out of 5
1000 Brush Avenue, Detroit, MI
The price is AU$332 per night from 1 Oct to 2 Oct
AU$332
per night
1 Oct - 2 Oct
Book a stay at this boutique hotel in Detroit. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free area shuttle. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,497 reviews)
"We had a lovely time and got an early check in and late check out. It’s in a great location so you can walk or use public transport easily. The staff are super friendly and helpful and place is kept immaculate."

Reviewed on 24 Sep. 2024

Atheneum Suite Hotel
The Siren Hotel, an Ash Hotel
The Siren Hotel, an Ash Hotel
4 out of 5
1509 Broadway St., Detroit, MI
The price is AU$295 per night from 28 Oct to 29 Oct
AU$295
per night
28 Oct - 29 Oct
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Detroit. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 4 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,317 reviews)
"The bar and restaurant were very nice. The rooms were small but clean. The elevators had issues where they were both shut down at the same time. The valet expected a tip after they made the inside of our car door filthy along with our steering wheel."

Reviewed on 23 Sep. 2024

The Siren Hotel, an Ash Hotel
MGM Grand Detroit
MGM Grand Detroit
4.5 out of 5
1777 3rd Street, Detroit, MI
The price is AU$332 per night from 16 Oct to 17 Oct
AU$332
per night
16 Oct - 17 Oct
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Detroit. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa, and 8 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,056 reviews)
"MGM was great, when you stay you receive complimentary valet parking and I recommend taking advantage of this. The free self parking is nice and easy but it was unclean, and smelled awful of urine. Other than that (which to me was very minor), the MGM food was sooo good- we ate at Tap, I wanted to ..."

Reviewed on 21 Sep. 2024

MGM Grand Detroit
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Detroit

Greektown Historic District

Greektown Historic District

Visitors to Greektown Historic District love its first-class casinos, and you can check out Hollywood Casino at Greektown and Old St. Mary's Church. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at Greektown Station.

Greektown Historic District
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Lafayette Park

When in Lafayette Park, you can plan a visit to Ford Field and MGM Grand Detroit Casino, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Lafayette Park
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Douglass

When in Douglass, you can plan a visit to Ford Field and MGM Grand Detroit Casino, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Douglass
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Brush Park

Brush Park might not have many top sights, but Ford Field and MGM Grand Detroit Casino are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Brush Park
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Corktown

Travellers enjoy Corktown for its live music and historical sites. Consider checking out Michigan Central while you're in the area.

Corktown
Eastern Market featuring interior views, shopping and flowers

Eastern Market

The great live music and first-class casinos highlight some of the most notable features of Eastern Market. Make a stop by Historic Trinity Lutheran Church while you're exploring the area.

Eastern Market

Downtown Detroit Travel Guide

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