Top 10 Best Things to do at Eastern Market Detroit

Eastern Market district of Detroit, Michigan by Andre Carrotflower – Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Best Things to do at Eastern Market Detroit

Eastern Market is a farmers’ market located in Detroit, Michigan. The market dates back to the 1840s, making it one of the oldest farmers’ markets in the United States. Today, the market is open year-round and features over 225 vendors selling local produce, meat, flowers, and other items. Eastern Market is quite exceptional from other markets because of its focus on fresh and local food.   Read more about the History of the Eastern Market in Detroit. 

‍The Eastern market is home to many small businesses and family farms, and customers can buy directly from the growers. This connection to the local community is one of the things that makes Eastern Market unique. In addition, the market hosts a number of special events throughout the year, including a Flower Day festival and a holiday night market. These events attract people from all over Detroit and help to create a sense of community around the market. 

Here are the top 10 best things to do at Eastern Market Detroit.

1. Stock up on Fresh Produce

The Eastern Market Detroit opens on Saturday from 7 am to 4 pm all year round, Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm from June to September and Tuesday from 10 am to 4 pm from June to September.  The Market is perfect for stocking up on fresh produce, baked goods, and meats. 

Over 225 market vendors share their produce and stories with up to 40,000 visitors in one day during their busy season. The tradition of this market has been a cornerstone of the city for 125 years and is crucial to its mission of nourishing a healthier, wealthier, and happier city.

2. Shop locally-made artefacts

People in the Market by Etx313 – Wikimedia Commons

The  Eastern Market Detroit market seeks to showcase the work of local artists, cooks, jewelers, musicians, and more. This market is the perfect chance to discover items uniquely made in Detroit and Michigan.

These special sales happen on Sundays when the Eastern Market district operates as a street market with stands selling local foods, flowers, and antique goods. 

3. Attend the annual Murals in the Market Festival

The annual event brings together designers and enthusiasts alike to celebrate Detroit’s role as a design capital. The Murals in the Market is described as one of the best mural festivals in the world. It includes a ghastly display of costumes of feral animals and amazing creatures. 

The Murals in the Market festival features dozens of mural artists brightening the facades of the neighborhood’s buildings with paintings that range from brightly-coloured flowers to muted portraits and vivid geometric designs. This is an event you don’t want to miss.  Explore this list to discover more on the best festivals in Detroit you don’t want to miss. 

4. Ride a Bike

Eastern Market, Detroit, United States by Glen McCallum – Wikimedia Commons

The Dequindre Cut which is one of Detroit’s most popular bicycle routes connects to Eastern Market. The Dequindre Cut Greenway is a paved path nearly 2 miles long in downtown Detroit. 

The trail has separate lanes for bicyclists and pedestrians that stretches from Eastern Market all the way to the pedestrian- and bike-friendly downtown Detroit Riverwalk.

5. Take a cooking class

Not only is the Eastern Market Detroit perfect for stocking up on fresh produce, baked goods, and meats. It also serves as the perfect place for learning how to cook.

The newly-redesigned Shed 5 is home to a commercial kitchen. Here is where all food lovers reconnect and learn how to cook. The classes offered include adults, children and also where the elderly can participate. Sign up to learn how to pickle vegetables, whip up a tempting pasta sauce or make homemade ice cream.

6. Experience Flower Day

Flower market section of the Eastern Market, Detroit by Bill Whittaker – Wikimedia Commons

Flower Day features Metro Detroit Flower Growers Association vendors from all over the Midwest and includes added festivities for all ages.

Flower Day offers a variety of annual flowers and trees, perennial blossoms and bulbs, and flowering bushes and succulents for sale annually, the Sunday after Mother’s Day, drawing hundreds of thousands of customers each year. 

7. Indulge in a meal

Eastern Market Detroit is the destination in the heart of the city with fresh food offered in a couple of restaurants. Each weekend tens of thousands of metro Detroiters make their way to its iconic sheds for all manner of prepared foods, meat processors and garden starters.

Some of the restaurants you can sample include,  Bert’s Market Place for its soul food, Cutter’s Bar & Grill which is famous for its contemporary American cuisine, Frank’s Meat & Produce known for its corned beef and Louie’s Ham & Corned Beef known for its large breakfast menu. Here is an additional list of 30 Best Restaurants to try in Detroit. 

8. Enjoy some drinks with friends

A group of people by Etx313 – Wikimedia Commons

A trip to the Eastern Market Detroit can’t be complete without indulging in some drinks with friends after an afternoon of shopping. You can try out some of these restaurants while there.

The Detroit City Distillery which is open from Tuesday to Saturday is popular for its artisanal whiskey, gin and vodka. There’s also the Eastern Market Brewing Co. that creates the classics, as well as one-of-a-kind beers using local flavors from Eastern Market ingredients.

9. Engage in Zumba and yoga classes

The scaled-down Tuesday Market is not only perfect for stocking up on fresh produce, baked goods, and meats. You can also take a free Yoga or Zumba class in Shed 3 and get resources for a healthy lifestyle.

The Free Weekly Fitness Class Schedule is as follows; Yoga starts from 11 am to 12 pm and Zumba from 1 pm to 2 pm. This schedule runs from June through to September when the Tuesday Market opens.

10. Take a Walking Tour of the Market

If you’re interested in learning the history of the market and what it takes to keep the market moving, you can take a tour. There are tens of available tours including the Detroit Experience Factory which offers several market walking tours.

Other tours offered are by Preservation Detroit, Feet on the Street Tours, Wheelhouse Detroit, and Detroit Segway Tours & Rentals amongst many others. While still in Downtown Detroit , here is a list of 10 best things to do in the area.