Downtown Detroit Travel Guide

Detroit

United States of America featuring a bay or harbor, landscape views and a city
United States of America featuring a bay or harbor, landscape views and a city
GM Renaissance Center featuring a sunset, a city and landscape views
Downtown Detroit featuring a park as well as a couple
Downtown Detroit featuring 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 personalised 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

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 ฿4,334 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
฿4,334
฿5,907 total
30 Mar - 31 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Detroit. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 5 restaurants and a casino. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the convenient parking ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (5,045 reviews)
So I must say I was alittle disappointed by the hotel. I thought from the reviews I read it was going to be way more upscale. My check in was smooth and easy I did an early check in due to my early arrival which was okay. The lobby looked decent , however the Dunkin’ Donuts inside was so cleanly, ...

Reviewed on 6 Mar 2026

Hollywood Casino at Greektown
Atheneum Suite Hotel

Atheneum Suite Hotel

4 out of 5
1000 Brush Avenue Detroit MI
Stay at this luxury hotel in Detroit. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a free local area shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,138 reviews)
I don’t have a single negative thing to say about this Hotel! Beautifully Perfect!

Reviewed on 6 Mar 2026

Atheneum Suite Hotel
Hotel Houze Detroit Downtown

Hotel Houze Detroit Downtown

3 out of 5
305 Michigan Avenue Detroit MI
The price is ฿3,403 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
฿3,403
฿3,845 total
8 Mar - 9 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Detroit. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions MGM Grand Detroit Casino and Fox Theatre ...
8/10 Very Good! (145 reviews)
Candy at the front desk was very courteous and helpful.

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2026

Hotel Houze Detroit Downtown
The Siren Hotel, an Ash Hotel

The Siren Hotel, an Ash Hotel

4 out of 5
1509 Broadway St. Detroit MI
The price is ฿4,877 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
฿4,877
฿5,511 total
8 Mar - 9 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Detroit. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,837 reviews)
Everyone was so nice and the place is absolutely beautiful

Reviewed on 5 Mar 2026

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 ฿5,422 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
฿5,422
฿7,176 total
1 Apr - 2 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Detroit. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa and 7 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,031 reviews)
Room was excellent and front desk staff very friendly!

Reviewed on 4 Mar 2026

MGM Grand 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 ฿4,564 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
฿4,564
฿5,295 total
6 Apr - 7 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Detroit. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,418 reviews)
Restaurant service was terrible. We waited over 25 min for just menus and first contact with any server. They never came so we left and so did several other parties. We had to get dinner down the street. We had no hot water Saturday morning for showers. The water was fixed on Sunday but the tub drain ...

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2026

Fort Pontchartrain Detroit, a Wyndham Hotel
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 Underground Railroad Station Marker. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at Greektown Station.

Greektown Historic District
Very cool

Lafayette Park

When in Lafayette Park, you can plan a visit to Hollywood Casino at Greektown and Ford Field, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Lafayette Park
One of magnificent old churches in Detroit

Brush Park

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

Brush Park
Detroit old train station under renovation in December 2019. Iconic building in downtown Detroit, Michigan

Corktown

You'll enjoy the live music and historical sites in Corktown. You might want to make time for a stop at Michigan Central or Roosevelt Park.

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
Historic buildings in Downtown Detroit - Michigan, United States

Midtown

5/5(4 area reviews)

If you're spending time in Midtown, check out sights like The Majestic Theatre or Orchestra Hall and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Canfield Street Station or Martin Luther King Boulevard/Mack Avenue Station.

Midtown


Downtown Detroit Travel Guide