Things to Do in Detroit, Michigan

1. Detroit Institute of Arts

Located on Woodward Avenue in Midtown Detroit, the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) houses one of the largest art collections in the United States and one of the top attractions in Detroit. Established in 1885, it contains over 100 absolutely riveting galleries and covers 658,000 square feet. Van Gogh’s celebrated Self Portrait is one of the most well known paintings in the collection.

The Detroit Institute of Arts offers several kinds of tours including daily guided tours and audio/multimedia tours like the Director’s Choice and Youth Audio Tours. There are also family-oriented performances such as live music and puppet shows, storytelling, and art workshops. The Detroit Institute of Arts is open every day except Monday.

5200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, Phone: 313-833-7900

2. Detroit Riverfront

When the snow starts melting and the grass starts coming back to life, Detroit residents head to the riverfront. The entire area along the Detroit River has undergone drastic renovations under the leadership of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. This non-profit organization dedicates its attention to the establishment, operation, improvement, security, maintenance, programming, and expansion of the Detroit RiverWalk and surrounding green areas.

The riverfront transforms into a hub of activity as the weather warms up. There are yoga and tai chi classes, running and biking races, seniors walking tours, rock and pop concerts, and much more. If you are looking for things to do in Detroit today, the Detroit Riverfront is a great place to visit. The ultimate goal of the Conservancy is to develop all five and a half miles of riverfront starting from the Ambassador Bridge and going all the way to Gabriel Richard Park, turning it into a place where Detroit residents can come and enjoy their town in safety and with pride.

Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, 600 Renaissance Center, Suite 1720, Detroit, Michigan, Phone: 313-566-8200

3. Comerica Park Tours

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-scene 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, and private tours are an option for groups of 15 or more on non-game days.

Comerica Park Tours, 2100 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, Phone: 313-962-4000

4. The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Tour

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. It was in that building that Mr. Ford designed his Model T and forever guaranteed himself a spot in the pages of the history.

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. You can even sit in one of the shiny old Ford beauties and take yourself back to the times of the automobile revolution. Even Mr. Ford’s office has been painstakingly preserved and is open to the public. If you are wondering what to do in Detroit on a rainy day, this is a great place to visit.

461 Piquette Street, Detroit, Michigan, Phone: 313-872-8759

5. Cliff Bell's

Everything about Cliff Bell's tells story of an elegant and romantic time of the past – a time of speakeasies, prohibition, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Cliff Bell’s calls to mind a time when going to a club meant donning an evening gowns or a black suit. The restaurant is located in an artfully renovated Art Deco building designed in the 1930’s by Albert Kahn. The club’s charm and lavish interior is only matched by the superb food, another tribute to the 30’s.

The restaurant-style seating allows customers to enjoy their food while listening to long-time favorite tunes and tapping their feet. The cocktails menu features old classics – you might want to try a Hemingway. Naturally, the music is and always will be timeless – it is jazz at its best and in all its incarnations. Musicians come from all over the world to play at Cliff Bell’s, always the perfect place to dine, unwind, and take in the music.

2030 Park Ave., Detroit, Michigan, Phone: 313-961-2543

6. Show Me Detroit Tours

Whether you are visiting Detroit for the first time, a new resident who has just moved to the city, or an event planner, it’s always nice having an insider who knows all the nooks and crannies of the town to take you around. Show Me Detroit Tours are designed to cater to small groups with a maximum number of six people.

Participants spend two thrilling hours going from one attraction to another in a comfortable luxury van, and everyone is encouraged to ask questions and comment on what they see and visit. Some of the attractions on the Tour’s list include the downtown area, Campus Martius Park, Stadium & Entertainment District, Greektown, Midtown/Cultural Center, Eastern Market, RiverWalk/Rivertown, Heidelberg Project and Belle Isle.

7. Michigan Science Center

Located at the site of the former Detroit Science Center between the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Michigan Science Center (MiSci) is an innovative hands-on museum designed to present science in a fun and creative way, inspiring curious minds and allowing them to learn.

A non-profit organization, the museum has an IMAX theater, 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.

Michigan Science Center, 5020 John R Street, Detroit, Michigan, Phone: 313-577-8400

8. Joe Muer Seafood

Joe Muer Seafood is an exquisite seafood eatery on the Detroit River waterfront with elegant décor that pays tribute to the retro 60’s yet still incorporates a modern touch. Here, seafood is king. You can enjoy your meal in the main room or in one of three bars: The Raw Bar, which serves freshly shucked oysters, delectable raw fish at the Sushi Bar, which is known for delectable raw fish and its gorgeous blue granite counters, or the Piano Bar, where you can take it easy and listen to great music.

Joe Muer Seafood also offers private dining, an experience which can include the special treat of dining in the kitchen with ten of your best friends or colleagues at “Joe’s Table.”

400 Renaissance Center Suite 1404, Detroit, Michigan, Phone: 313-567-6837

9. Detroit Princess Riverboat

Built in 1993 in Jennings, Louisiana, the Detroit Princess Riverboat is an impressive cruise ship that offers several different kinds of river tours including lunch, afternoon, dinner, and moonlight cruises. The Detroit Princess is also available to host a variety of events such as corporate functions or private events like birthday parties, family reunions, and weddings.

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. If you are looking for date night ideas in Detroit, try a romantic river cruise.

131 Atwater St, Detroit, MI 48226, Phone: 877-338-2628