The main stage of Detroit Electronic Music Festival 2002

The main stage of Detroit Electronic Music Festival 2002 by Myself248 – Wikimedia Commons

10 Best Things to do in Downtown Detroit


 

Detroit is known as a bustling city and the largest in Michigan. Many of the top Detroit attractions connect tourists with the local culture and heritage to grow their appreciation for Detroit and its rich legacy that continues to blossom. 

The busy Downtown district centers on Woodward Avenue, lined with indie and chain stores. Campus Martius Park brims with food trucks, plus a man-made beach in summer and an ice rink in winter. Comerica Park is home to the Detroit Tigers baseball team, while the ornate Fox Theatre puts on concerts and musicals. Cocktail lounges, dive bars, high-end steakhouses, and low-key lunch spots are scattered throughout.

Here are the 10 best things to do in Downtown Detroit

1. Tour the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum

The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Tour takes visitors to the only Brass Era auto assembly plant in Detroit that is open to the public. A National Historic Landmark, the Ford Piquette Road plant was built in 1904, and it was the first factory owned by the Ford Motor Company and specifically built to manufacture the Ford.

Visitors can touch the beautiful brick walls and walk the original wood floors of the factory, which have become slightly worn since the days when workers manufactured and assembled various Ford models.

Read more on the Top 10 Sensational Facts about the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant in Detroit.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 461 PIQUETTE AVE, DETROIT, MI 48202, UNITED STATES
CALL:  +1 313-872-8759
OPEN:  WED-SUN 10 AM – 4 PM MON- TUE – CLOSED

2. Brunch at the Dime Store

A lady enjoying a meal at a restaurant

A lady enjoying a meal at a restuarant by Pablo Merchán Montes – Unsplash

Dime Store is a popular downtown Detroit American Brunch Bar located in the Chrysler House. Dime Store serves breakfast, lunch, and drinks. At Dime Store, brunch is served all day long.

The atmosphere is casual and friendly, and the décor modern and inviting. Dime Store has implemented a policy of serving only the freshest ingredients of the highest quality, resulting in very distinct and flavorful dishes.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS:  719 GRISWOLD STREET 180, DETROIT, MI 48226, UNITED STATES
CALL:   +1 313-962-9106
OPEN:  THUR – TUE 8 AM – 3 PM WED – CLOSED
MenuEATDIMESTORE.COM

3. Cruise on the Detroit Princess Riverboat

The Detroit Princess Riverboat which was built in 1993,  is a cruise ship that offers several different kinds of river tours. This includes lunch, afternoon, dinner, and moonlight cruises. With its four decks, the Detroit Princess has a capacity of 1,500 passengers and began operating in Detroit in 2005. 

Guests are provided with meals and other dining options, and there are bars on each level serving beer, champagne, cocktails, spirits, and wine. The Detroit Princess Riverboat maintains a business casual dress code. 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS:  131 ATWATER ST, DETROIT, MI 48226, UNITED STATES
CALL:   +1 877-338-2628
OPEN:  MON-WED 9 AM – 5 PM THUR – 9 AM-9 PM FRI – SAT – 9 AM – 9:30 PM 
            SUN – 12 -6:30 PM
WEBSITE: DETROITPRINCESS.COM

4. Tour Comerica Park

Comerica Park

Comerica Park by GabboT – Wikimedia Commons

Comerica Park is the home of the Detroit Tigers Major League Baseball Team. It is an open-air ballpark located on Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit. Comerica Park Tours are offered from June to September and last about 90 minutes.

Visitors get a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at some of the popular attractions within the park and are welcome to take photos along the way. Comerica Park Tours offers public tours on both game days and non-game days.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS:  2100 WOODWARD AVE, DETROIT, MI 48201, UNITED STATES
CALL:  +1 313-962-4000
OPEN:  JUNE TO SEPTEMBER
WEBSITE: MLB.COM

5. Shop at Eastern Market

Eastern Market is the largest historic public market in the United States. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Originally opened as a farmer’s market in 1841, it has expanded over the years, and additional sales sheds were added.

The market has many items for sale like fresh fruits and vegetables, excellent cuts of meat, and flavorful spices. Eastern Market also displays the works of local artists and allows musicians to perform, an added bonus to the homegrown food.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS:  1445 ADELAIDE, DETROIT, MI 48201, UNITED STATES
CALL:   313-833-9300

6. Visit the Michigan Science Center

Detroit Science Center in Detroit, Michigan

Detroit Science Center in Detroit, Michigan by Andrew Jameson – Wikimedia Commons

The Michigan Science Center is a Smithsonian-affiliate science museum in Detroit, Michigan. The mission of the Michigan Science Center is to inspire curious minds of all ages to discover, explore and appreciate science, technology, engineering, and math in a creative, dynamic learning environment.

A non-profit organization, the museum has an IMAX theatre, a planetarium, interactive exhibits, a designated area for kids, and more. If you are looking for fun things to do in Detroit with kids, this is a popular family-friendly attraction. Read more on the best children-friendly museums to visit in Detroit

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 5020 JOHN R ST, DETROIT, MI 48202, UNITED STATES
CALL:  +1 313-577-8400
OPEN:  WED-SUN  10 AM – 4 PM  MON – TUE – CLOSED
WEBSITE: MI-SCI.ORG

7. Visit the Detroit Opera House

Detroit Opera is the principal opera company in Michigan, USA. The company is based in Detroit, where it performs in the Detroit Opera House. Prior to February 28, 2022, the company was named the Michigan Opera Theatre. Each year it presents an opera and dance season.

Detroit Opera House is one of Michigan’s premier performance venues hosting both touring companies and home-grown talent, as well as a wide variety of special events like galas and weddings. In addition to its lavish main hall that welcomes top-tier dance troupes, Broadway shows, ballet ensembles and musicians, the Detroit Opera House also houses restaurants, a bar, and several gift shops making it the perfect place for an evening out on the town.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS:  1526 BROADWAY ST, DETROIT, MI 48226, UNITED STATES
CALL:   +1 313-237-7464
OPEN: MON-SUN 10 AM – 5 PM
WEBSITE: DETROITOPERA.ORG

8. Visit the Fox Theatre

The Fox Theatre in downtown Detroit, Michigan

The Fox Theatre in downtown Detroit, Michigan by Stephanie Hume – Wikimedia Commons

The Fox Theatre is a performing arts center that opened in 1928 as a flagship movie palace in the Fox Theatres chain. It was designated as a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has over 5,000 seating capacity making it the largest theatre in the city.

There are three levels of seating, and the interior is ornately decorated with Burmese, Chinese, Indian, and Persian themes. During its long history, several acclaimed performers have graced the theatre with their presence, including famous entertainers like Shirley Temple, Elvis Presley, and Frank Sinatra. Today, the Fox Theatre is as beautiful as ever, as it was completely restored in 1988.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS:  2211 WOODWARD AVE, DETROIT, MI 48201, UNITED STATES
CALL:   +1 313-471-7000
WEBSITE: 313PRESENTS.COM/VENUE/FOX-THEATRE

9. Enjoy a meal at The Rattlesnake Club

The Rattlesnake Club is a 25-year-old Detroit institution that serves good food you can enjoy while admiring the view of the Detroit River. When weather permits, visitors can feel a nice breeze on the spacious terrace. 

The restaurant maintains a policy of only serving the highest quality seasonal and sustainably harvested foods. The kitchen uses locally harvested produce, certified prime Angus beef, and not-from-farms finfish and shellfish in all their dishes.

The wine selection is extensive and there are also many locally brewed beers. During the summer, Executive Chef Chris Franz occasionally offers grill-inspired hands-on instruction and demonstrations.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 300 RIVER PL DR, DETROIT, MI 48207, UNITED STATES
CALL:  +1 313-567-4400
OPEN: TUESDAY – THURSDAY 4:30 PM – 9 PM FRI – SAT – 4:30 PM – 10 PM SUN-MON – CLOSED
ReservationsRESY.COM

10. Attend the Movement Electronic Music Festival

Movement Electronic Music Festival is an annual electronic dance music event held in the birthplace of Techno, Detroit, each Memorial Day weekend since 2006. In 2017, Movement was nominated for Festival of the Year at the Electronic Music Awards.

This festival presents performances by musicians and DJs that emphasizes the progressive qualities of the culture surrounding electronic music including the celebration of Detroit being the birthplace of the popular electronic music subgenre Techno.  Read more on the best festivals in Detroit you don’t want to miss

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS:  HART PLAZA, DETROIT, MICHIGAN
DATES: MAY – MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Planning a trip to Paris ? Get ready !


These are Amazon’s best-selling travel products that you may need for coming to Paris.

Bookstore

  1. The best travel book : Rick Steves – Paris 2023 – Learn more here
  2. Fodor’s Paris 2024 – Learn more here

Travel Gear

  1. Venture Pal Lightweight Backpack – Learn more here
  2. Samsonite Winfield 2 28″ Luggage – Learn more here
  3. Swig Savvy’s Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle – Learn more here

Check Amazon’s best-seller list for the most popular travel accessories. We sometimes read this list just to find out what new travel products people are buying.