Downtown Detroit Travel Guide

Detroit
Downtown Detroit showing a garden and a city
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-metre) 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 Centre. 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

Things to do


Top hotels in Downtown Detroit

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 ฿4,939 per night from 1 Jul to 2 Jul
฿4,939
per night
1 Jul - 2 Jul
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Detroit. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,755 reviews)
"Beautiful we will be back"

Reviewed on 31 May 2024

Fort Pontchartrain Detroit, a Wyndham Hotel
Hollywood Casino at Greektown
Hollywood Casino at Greektown
4 out of 5
1200 Saint Antoine St, Detroit, MI
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿6,776 per night from 9 Jun to 10 Jun
฿6,776
per night
9 Jun - 10 Jun
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 clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,484 reviews)
"This was my first time at Greektown Hotel and it was great! Quiet floors, plenty to do in the area, Dunkin Donuts in the downstairs lobby of the hotel. Will be returning! :)"

Reviewed on 31 May 2024

Hollywood Casino at Greektown
The Siren Hotel
The Siren Hotel
3.5 out of 5
1509 Broadway St., Detroit, MI
The price is ฿7,329 per night from 3 Jul to 4 Jul
฿7,329
per night
3 Jul - 4 Jul
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Detroit. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and 4 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,209 reviews)
"Wonderful staff and a beautiful property. We stayed in the bunkbed room which was perfect for two adults going to a concert. They even have little privacy curtains that you can pull closed, and outlets for both the top and bottom bunk. We grabbed a cocktail at the bar, Candy Bar which was beautiful ..."

Reviewed on 30 May 2024

The Siren Hotel
Atheneum Suite Hotel
Atheneum Suite Hotel
4 out of 5
1000 Brush Avenue, Detroit, MI
The price is ฿6,445 per night from 16 Jun to 17 Jun
฿6,445
per night
16 Jun - 17 Jun
Stay at this boutique hotel in Detroit. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a free local area shuttle. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,366 reviews)
"The hotel was beautiful and clean, the room was spacious, and the staff was very friendly. We enjoyed the food and drinks and were impressed with our room and the rest of the hotel. Two issues to consider: 1. We stayed in a room facing a nightclub, and the noise was outrageous half the night. We'll ..."

Reviewed on 26 May 2024

Atheneum Suite Hotel
MGM Grand Detroit
MGM Grand Detroit
4.5 out of 5
1777 3rd Street, Detroit, MI
The price is ฿7,329 per night from 17 Jun to 18 Jun
฿7,329
per night
17 Jun - 18 Jun
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Detroit. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa and 8 restaurants. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,022 reviews)
"The hotel and staff super but the area sucks"

Reviewed on 31 May 2024

MGM Grand Detroit
Sonder Gabriel Richard
Sonder Gabriel Richard
3.5 out of 5
305 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, MI
The price is ฿5,291 per night from 4 Jul to 5 Jul
฿5,291
per night
4 Jul - 5 Jul
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Detroit. Enjoy a fitness centre, concierge services and in-room washers/dryers. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (760 reviews)
"We like almost everything about sonder. Everywhere we want to go, we always consider sonder first then the rest"

Reviewed on 31 May 2024

Sonder Gabriel Richard
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 Second Baptist Church. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at Greektown Station.

Greektown Historic District
Default Image

Lafayette Park

When in Lafayette Park, you can plan a visit to Ford Field and Little Caesars Arena, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Lafayette Park
Default Image

Douglass

When in Douglass, you can plan a visit to Ford Field and Little Caesars Arena, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Douglass
Default Image

Brush Park

Brush Park might not have many top sights, but Little Caesars Arena and Ford Field are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Brush Park
Default Image

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