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Author: Barry Pickard
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Hotels in Detroit
Famously known as the Motor City, Detroit has undergone a remarkable transformation, emerging as a hub of creativity, innovation, and urban renewal. Its rich history, vibrant culture, and recent revitalization make it an enticing destination for independent travellers seeking an authentic experience.
Founded in 1701 by French explorer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac as a fur trading post, Detroit evolved into a prominent hub of the automotive industry. Over the centuries, it weathered economic challenges, racial tensions, and urban decay. But today, Detroit stands tall, celebrating its past while embracing a brighter future.
The city centre has undergone a major renaissance in the last decade. While sketchy areas still exist, downtown Detroit now boasts a thriving scene. The once-industrial riverfront has transformed into a hub of entertainment, leisure, and community gathering. Imagine strolling along the Detroit Riverwalk, taking in views of Canada across the water. The iconic sculptures – the Spirit of Detroit and the Monument to Joe Louis – stand as symbols of progress and resilience. While the many museums of the Cultural District easily equal those of other major cities in the US. How many, for example, can boast of huge Diego Rivera murals like those in the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Our family’s journey to these Detroit tourist attractions was part of an epic road trip that began in the windy city of Chicago and meandered through the Midwest to Cadiz, Ohio, the birthplace of Hollywood legend Clark Gable. This adventure was not just about the destinations but the stories and memories we created along the way. The travel party consisted of myself, my spirited five-year-old son, and my parents, both young at heart at 79 years old. From the skyscrapers of Chicago to the Motor City, and finally to the historical charm of Cadiz, each stop was a chapter in our family’s summer saga, filled with discovery, laughter, and the simple joy of being on the open road together.
Planning an independent trip to Detroit?
All information in this post is based on my own experience travelling through Detroit, backed by extensive research to bring you everything you need to know to have your own amazing experience.
Don’t forget that Tailor-Made Itineraries delights in creating bespoke self-guided tours. So, if these exciting things to do in Detroit Michigan appeal to you, reach out to me by email. I would be more than happy to design a self-guided tour around your requirements incorporating the attractions you should visit in Detroit, or indeed, a general tour of the Midwest.
Why Visit Detroit?
Detroit is a city free from mass tourism, making it an ideal playground for intrepid adventurers. Unlike coastal cities, it remains off the beaten path, waiting to reveal its hidden treasures. From museums to music, Detroit pulses with unique energy. And guess what? It won’t break the bank! Compared to Chicago or NYC, Detroit is a budget traveller's dream.
Things to Do in Detroit Michigan
9. Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation can be found in the suburb of Dearborn and is arguably the best of the Detroit family attractions. The museum is a vibrant exploration of genius in all its forms. It allows you to experience the strides of America’s greatest minds while fully immersing yourself in their stories. It houses an extensive collection of artifacts and exhibits, chronicling the evolution of technology and transportation.
Highlights of the museum include the opportunity to step inside the bus where Rosa Parks took a stand, by taking a seat in a segregated bus. There are also a number of Presidential limousines on show, including the one which John F. Kennedy was shot in.
The exhibits appeal to all ages, and Ythan was particularly taken with the paper airplane test bay!
As befits a Henry Ford established museum, there are many examples of wonderful classic cars.
Tailor-Made Top Tips:
The museum is very popular, so it is best to book tickets online. As a bonus, the tickets are cheaper when booked online than onsite.
The Greenfield Village open-air history museum is also attached to the main museum. Unfortunately, it was still closed for winter when we visited, so we weren’t able to experience the working farm, Thomas Edison’s lab or hitch a ride on their steam locomotive.
Plan to spend at least three hours there at the main museum and another two hours at the Greenfield Village. If you are going with youngsters, you will probably find that there is enough for them to see and do to make it a full day excursion.
8. Ford Rouge Factory Tour
The Ford Rouge Factory Tour in Detroit is a unique experience that immerses you in the history and future of American manufacturing.
After watching a short film with remarkable archival footage telling the story of the Rouge factory, there is then a multisensory film about the production of the award-winning Ford F-150 truck.
The tour proper then starts, taking you to the observation deck, where you get the chance to really appreciate the sheer size of the Ford Rouge Center complex. You will also get to see one of the world’s largest living roofs.
The tour then continues into the Assembly Plant, and you walk along an elevated walkway, seeing the final assembly of the Ford F-150s below you. Unfortunately, the use of cameras is not allowed at this point, but believe me, it is fascinating watching a vehicle being put together.
Tailor-Made Top Tip:
Book your tickets online and the courtesy bus leaves from the museum.
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7. Fair Lane, Home of Clara and Henry Ford
Only a few minutes' drive from the museum is Fair Lane, the beloved home of Clara and Henry Ford from 1915 until their deaths in 1950 and 1947, respectively. The 56-room mansion is built on 1,300 acres of farmland, just a few miles from Clara and Henry’s birthplaces, with most of the estate’s original structures still standing today.
Tailor-Made Top Tip:
Although the house is currently closed for restoration, the gardens and grounds are open to the public daily.
Read on to find out about an Art Deco masterpiece, an amazing art gallery, and the largest African American museum.
6. Fisher Building
Sometimes described as “Detroit’s Largest Art Object”, the Fisher Building is a landmark skyscraper located at 3011 West Grand Boulevard in the heart of the New Center area of Detroit. This ornate 30-story Art Deco style building was designed by Albert Kahn and completed in 1928. The building houses office and retail space and also contains the elaborate 2,089-seat Fisher Theatre.
Designated a National Historic Landmark on June 29, 1989, the star of the show is most definitely the stunning lobby area. The public is free to enter this area and take time to study all the intricate details of this masterpiece of design. When we visited during Easter weekend, the retail stores were closed, but this just meant that we had the lobby to ourselves. What a bonus!
5. Detroit Institute of Arts
The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) is located in the Cultural Center area along with a number of other interesting museums. DIA is one of the largest and most significant art collections in the United States and was established in 1885.
It is housed in a remarkable building and features over 100 galleries and houses over 65,000 objects.
The museum covers an area of 61,100 square meters (658,000 square feet). As befits such a distinguished gallery, there are many masterpieces to catch the eye. In particular, DIA can boast a significant collection of historic African American artists like Robert Scott Duncanson and Henry Ossawa Tanner.
The highlight of DIA for me, however, is Diego Rivera’s Detroit Industry Murals. This series of frescoes by the Mexican artist consist of twenty-seven panels. Painted between 1932 and 1933, these murals depict industry at the Ford Motor Company and in Detroit.
Tailor-Made Top Tips:
Plan to spend at least two hours in this large museum. However, if you are an art aficionado, you could easily double that amount of time.
The gallery boasts two excellent eateries which ensure that you could comfortably spend most of the day here. Cafe Dia is a large canteen-style establishment, serving hot dishes and salads, and also has a grab-and-go bar. The Kresge Court, meanwhile, is a relaxed and stylish area, where you can enjoy a social drink with a soup and sandwich.
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4. Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Just a two-minute walk from the DIA, The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is an impressive building housing the world’s largest permanent collection of African American culture. Founded in 1965, the museum offers dynamic permanent and visiting exhibitions.
The largest of the permanent exhibitions funnels you through an interesting and provocative history of the African American experience, from the times of the slave trade through to present days.
Tailor-Made Top Tip:
The museum hosts a variety of temporary exhibitions that explore and celebrate the rich cultural legacy of African Americans, so be sure to check online what current and future exhibitions are scheduled. During my visit, I had the pleasure to view the 44: Portraits of a President exhibition, which displayed forty-four artists’ interpretations of the 44th President of the USA, Barack Obama, in life-size, three-dimensional form.
Read on to find out about a Beaux-Arts icon, a crazy outdoor art project, and the beating heart of Detroit.
3. Michigan Central
The Michigan Central Station is a historic and imposing former main intercity passenger rail station in Detroit, Michigan. It was formally dedicated on January 4, 1914, and remained open for business until the cessation of Amtrak service on January 6, 1988.
The Beaux-Arts style architecture was designed by architects who had previously worked together on Grand Central Terminal in New York. It was the tallest rail station in the world at the time of its construction.
A poignant symbol of a once-great city’s decline, the building was recently purchased by the Ford Motor Company and was being refurbished at the time of my visit. I am now happy to report that the building reopened in June 2024 and will be the centrepiece of a new campus, devoted to high-tech vehicles and the future of transportation. The project has restored the building to its original architectural splendour and functional vibrancy and is again open to the public with a combination of retail and restaurants, hospitality space, arts and cultural functions, and community space.
An impressive 167,000 people visited in the first three months of opening, confirming how cherished Michigan Central is by the local community. Guided tours are now available which offer inside anecdotes from the building's restoration, taking visitors around the historic station's ground floor, including areas not accessible to the general public.
Tailor-Made Top Tip:
Tickets are required for the tours of Michigan Central and are available at michigancentral.com/visit.
2. The Heidelberg Project
The Heidelberg Project is an outdoor art project located in the McDougall-Hunt neighbourhood on Detroit’s east side. Initially created in 1986 by artist Tyree Guyton, it began as a political protest against the deterioration of the artist’s neighbourhood.
The project initially consisted of Guyton painting a series of houses on Detroit’s Heidelberg Street with bright dots of many colours and attaching salvaged items to the houses. The evolving artwork transformed this inner-city neighbourhood into an area where the community took pride in it.
Unfortunately, the project has faced several challenges over the years, including the threat of demolition by the city government and arson incidents. Despite these setbacks, the Heidelberg Project continues to be a symbol of resilience and creativity in Detroit.
1. Hart Plaza
Hart Plaza, officially known as Philip A. Hart Plaza, is spread along the Detroit River in downtown Detroit. Opened in 1975, it is named after the late U.S. Senator Philip Hart and is one of the must-see downtown Detroi attractions.
It is located more or less on the site at which Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac landed in 1701 when he founded Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit, the settlement that became Detroit. On the city’s 300th birthday — July 24, 2001 - a statue was unveiled depicting Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac’s arrival.
The 14-acre plaza is located immediately south of the intersection of Woodward and Jefferson Avenues and is a popular focal point for festivals and public gatherings with a capacity of 40,000 people. The plaza is also surrounded by a host of impressive skyscrappers.
At the centre of the plaza is the Horace E. Dodge and Son Memorial Fountain, designed by Isamu Noguchi and Walter Budd in 1978.
Hart Plaza is home to several notable sculptures. For example, the Pylon is a stainless-steel spire sculpture also designed by Isamu Noguchi. Meanwhile the Gateway to Freedom International Memorial to the Underground Railroad commemorates Detroit’s role as a “gateway to freedom” for thousands of African American people escaping enslavement and seeking freedom during the era of the Underground Railroad. Then there is a 63-foot-tall steel arch sculpture by David Barr and Sergio de Giusti titled Transcending, which symbolizes the never-ending cycle of work.
These sculptures each tell a unique story and contribute to the rich cultural and historical tapestry of Detroit. My favourite sculpture, however, has to be the Monument to Joe Louis, or more commonly referred to as The Fist. Dedicated on October 16, 1986, this sculpture represents the power of Louis’ punch both inside and outside the ring.
Tailor-Made Top Tips:
When visiting the Downtown area, we parked at the One Detroit Garage at 201 Larned Street. It was ideally located just a short distance from the plaza. And compared to the downtown areas of other US cities, the parking was relatively cheap.
Take note when you are looking over the Detroit River – you are looking at Canada on the other side!
More Detroit Attractions
As well as the DIA and Museum of African American History, there are a number of other interesting museums in the Cultural Center area of Detroit, and you could easily spend two or three days here. The Detroit Historical Museum, Michigan Science Center, the Main Detroit Public Library, Scarab Club (an art gallery), Hellenic Museum of Michigan, and Josephine F. Ford Sculpture Garden are all within minutes walking distance.
Just outside the Cultural Center area, about a five-minute drive, are the likes of the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum, the original factory of the Ford Model T, as well as the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, with its cavernous gallery of exhibits. And don’t miss the Motown Museum, where you can tour round this famous music studio.
As for attractions near Detroit, the university town of Ann Arbor is within an hour's drive of the city centre, while the quaint town of Monroe and its River Raisin National Battlefield Park lays a similar distance to the south.
Hotels in Detroit
Detroit’s hotel market has been on the road to recovery, but it faces some unique challenges. While the city has seen positive trends in tourism and convention business, it still lags behind other similar-sized cities in terms of hotel selection.
If you are looking to stay near the Cultural Center, then the Inn on Ferry Street is a cosy, boutique option. Meanwhile, there is a good selection of Downtown Detroit hotels, like the Element Detroit at the Metroplitan which is a stylish option and one of the best hotels in Detroit, while the Fort Pontchartrain Detroit is a slightly more budget-friendly option in the same area. If you wish to stay in Dearborn, near the Henry Ford Museum, then The Henry, Autograph Collection is a stunning luxury option, with the Hampton Inn by Hilton Detroit being a more affordable option. As for hotels near Detroit airport, there are a handful of budget options, including the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Detroit Metro Airport.
Click on the underlined weblinks above to review these hotels and make your reservation.
