Detroit is often considered one of America’s most underrated cities and visitors will quickly notice its beauty after just a few minutes spent downtown. The city features a rich variety of historical architecture, including Victorian homes and Gothic towers. Along with a scenic river walk and a thriving cultural scene, Detroit offers a multitude of activities that cater to all types of visitors.
From scenic islands to Motown museums and classical cars, this guide will help you discover the top 9 Detroit tourist attractions so that you can have the best time possible on your next vacation.
1. Ford Piquette Avenue Plant
• Address: 461 Piquette Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
• Price: Adult tickets start from $18; prices may vary depending on age and selected tour
At the Ford Piquet Avenue Plant, you can tour one of the oldest auto factories in the world and experience a number of historical vehicles up close. Here you can see where the original Model T was created back in 1908 and take a peek at American car history with a pristine collection of Letter Cars and other first-generation Ford designs.
Self-guided tours and more in-depth guided tours are available as well and if you want to dive even deeper into Ford’s and Detroit’s incredible automotive history, you can venture right outside of town into Dearborn to visit the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation.
Here, you’ll find even more rare cars and artifacts including trains, farm cars and more. As one of the largest automotive complexes in the world, this can be a great outing for visitors of all ages who want to explore a key piece of Americana during their vacation.
2. Detroit Institute of Arts
• Address: 5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
• Price: Adult tickets start from $23.50; prices may vary depending on age and special exhibitions
The Detroit Institute of Arts is one of Detroit’s best artistic attractions as it features a massive collection of domestic and international art from many different eras.
Some notable works include:
• Diego Rivera’s Detroit Industry Murals from the 1930s
• Vincent van Gogh’s Self Portrait
• Kehinde Wiley’s portrait of President Obama
• A vast collection of African American artwork
Along with incredible permanent exhibitions, there are also rotating exhibits that focus on different genres and eras from around the world. This can be a great outing for groups, couples and families of all ages visiting Detroit.
3. Motown Museum
• Address: 2648 Berry Goldy Jr. Blvd, 2648 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48208
• Price: $20 entry fee
Take a visit to the Motown Museum, which is located in the studio that helped bring Motown on the map and changed the music scene forever.
Known as “Hitsville USA,” this recording studio produced the likes of Marvin Gaye and other classics of the genre. Take a tour through the same rooms where some of Motown’s most famous records were recorded and produced and learn more about this incredible local genre that still electrifies music today.
Due to the limited space on each tour, advanced reservations are highly recommended due to this being one of Detroit’s top tourist attractions today.
4. St. Francis D’Assisi Church
• Address: 4500 Wesson St, Detroit, MI 48210
• Price: Free entry
The St. Francis D’Assisi Church is one of Detroit’s most ornate and beautifully designed churches and it’s a great place to visit during your next vacation. The church is still operational today and you can enter during the day as long as there are no ceremonies or private events at the time.
5. Detroit River Walk
• Address: 1340 Atwater St, Detroit, MI 48207
• Parking: Free parking
The Detroit River Walk is a large park with beautiful trees, greenery and winding paths along the gorgeous Detroit River. With playgrounds for kids, along with many picnic tables and restrooms among other facilities, you could easily spend an entire day here enjoying the atmosphere.
While you can easily enjoy a nice long walk along the paths, you can also simply park onsite and enjoy a quick view of the river before heading on to your next event, making this a great stop to add onto your Detroit vacation.
6. Milliken State Park Lighthouse
• Address: William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor
• Parking: Paid and free parking onsite
The lighthouse at Milliken State Park offers incredible photo opportunities and it’s reachable on foot or by car from the Detroit River Walk, making it a great addition to your day.
With spacious lawns plus a relaxing harbor, this can also be a perfect place for a midday picnic or break from the bustling downtown area.
7. Belle Isle
• Address: 99 Pleasure Drive, Detroit, MI 48207
• Price and Parking: Limited free parking, abundant paid parking. Free entry, although sport rentals and museums require a fee.
Belle Isle is an incredibly manicured island on the Detroit River just outside of Detroit proper. Here, you’ll have an abundance of natural beauty including three lakes, lily ponds, tropical plants, plus palm trees and even cacti in certain areas.
You’ll also find many modern and historical attractions such as:
• The Dossin Great Lakes Museum
• Belle Isle Nature Zoo
• Belle Isle Aquarium
You can also get active on the hiking trails, or make use of the available sporting rentals including:
• Bicycles
• Boats
• Rafts
• Kayaks
8. The Masonic Temple of Detroit
• Address: 500 Temple St, Detroit, MI 48201
• Price: Call for a tour, or enjoy a scheduled concert/event
The Masonic Temple of Detroit is a grand Gothic building that’s been the centerpiece of the street since 1926.
While you can call and inquire about a private or group tour, the building today mainly serves as a concert venue for all types of music. Make sure to check their website to see if any bands you like are in town and enhance your trip by experiencing live music in one of Detroit’s most historical and interesting buildings today.
9. The Detroit Zoo
• Address: 8450 W 10 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48067
• Price: $14 entry fee; prices may vary depending on age and season
The Detroit Zoo is a vast 125-acre complex featuring over 2,000 animals, making it a wonderful attraction for visitors of all ages.
With penguins, bears, zebras and even dinosaur bones, you can get a glimpse of the world’s most rare and beautiful animals up close. Plus, there are often special exhibitions and events like yoga classes around the park plus bicycle rides through the area, so make sure to check to see what’s happening during your next visit.
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