Are you planning a big trip to Detroit, Michigan, but don’t know where to go? Well, I’m here to help!
First and foremost, plan your transportation around the attractions. When arriving from the airport and if you are staying in downtown Detroit, take the 261 Eastbound bus for only $2 vs taxi/UBER for $40.
Although the city is not as touristy as the best Colorado adventures, the top things to do in Detroit are much more educational, historical and cultural. In my experience, you must visit the best Detroit cultural attractions to fully experience the city.
From the history that encompasses the Motor City to the stunning architecture that makes up the skyline, Detroit is full of cultural and historical sites.
If you are currently planning a trip to Michigan and want to visit this great city, I highly recommend that you stop at the following cultural highlights and landmarks.
The Detroit Institute Of Arts
One of the first places that I explored after arriving in Michigan was the Detroit Institute of Arts. There, you can discover how much man’s artistic abilities have changed over time.
You can walk through more than 100 galleries and see over 65,000 pieces of art. These works come from all over, including Africa, medieval Europe and, of course, America.
We found the displays fascinating as they compare not only the cultural differences between locations, but also the differences between time periods.
When going to the Detroit Institute of Arts, you can also catch the free guided tour (with admission) Tues-Sun at 1, Sat-Sun at 3 or Friday at 6. There are plenty of opportunities to learn about the history of art.
If you want to take a deep dive into art’s transformation, this might be one of the best attractions to see in Detroit.
Bert’s Warehouse Theatre
In terms of the best attractions to see in Detroit, Bert’s Warehouse Theatre is a must-visit. The theater is located in the Bert’s Market Place where you can also find the Motown Room and the Jazz Room.
When visiting, you can catch some local entertainment or possibly a Motown show like we did. If you are a fan of jazz, this is one of the best places to visit in the city. To maintain your value travel ambitions, there are several ways to get show tickets for less than $100.
However, you can also catch some blues shows or attend open mic night on the weekends. There are so many entertainment options waiting for you at Bert’s Warehouse Theatre or this Motown studio.
That’s why I highly recommend making the trip to see this cultural attraction.
Also, here’s video of a Motown Go Go show:
The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant
Additionally, consider taking a trip to The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, AKA the “birthplace of the Model T”.
This is one of the best historical attractions in Detroit if you are a fan of automobiles. The building was the second automobile production center for the ever-popular Ford Motor Company.
Today, you can tour the factory and learn about the Model T’s history. The place is rather accommodating and can make arrangements for longer tours if you are interested in extensive options.
After you finish visiting the plant, stop at the Bucharest Grill for lunch. It is right down the street and has delicious Shawarma sandwich options for just $5.95.
You won’t regret this trip! The Ford Plant is one of the best attractions in Detroit and the lunch after is unbeatable. If you want to see more incredible museums, check out the top Santa Fe tours and museums.
The Guardian Building
Among the many cultural attractions in Detroit MI, the Guardian Building is one that stands out. If you enjoyed the historical sites in North Carolina, you will surely appreciate this building.
The building dates all the way back to 1928. Many travelers visit the attraction because it is a prime example of Art Deco architecture.
If you can appreciate stunning architecture when you see it, you will be left in absolute amazement. Right when you enter the lobby, you will see gorgeous, extravagant Pewabic and Rookwood tile.
From the outside, you can view the unbelievably beautiful and intricate building designs. If you stay long enough, you’ll even notice that the Guardian Building’s extraordinary stained-glass windows resemble a cathedral’s.
Take your camera along for this Detroit trip because you’ll want to remember how magnificent the attraction is.
Professional Sports
The professional sports attractions in Detroit also showcase the city’s culture. You can get a pretty good idea of how much the sports fans love their teams just by attending one game.
If you are a football fan, try to catch a Lions game at Ford Field. Here’s a glimpse of the action:
They play eight home games between September and December, so you have multiple opportunities to attend one of these fun and exciting games.
You can also see the Detroit Pistons play professional basketball at the Little Caesars Arena in Midtown. If you aren’t a basketball fan, maybe hockey is more up your alley. You can buy tickets to a Red Wings hockey game right at the same arena.
As a fan of the NFL, NBA and NHL, you can see all of the above teams play during the same trip. The Little Caesars Arena is walking distance from Ford Field, so you do not even need to pay for transportation to visit the best sports attractions or experience the great sports culture of Detroit. If you are a sports travel lover, check out our guide on the ultimate New Orleans Saints gameday experience at the Superdome.
Certainly, sports fans will not want to miss out on these exhilarating attractions. If you like to party beforehand, Detroit offers numerous sports for tailgating at games.
Detroit Historical Museum
When you visit Detroit Michigan, you need to pay a visit to the city historical museum. Detroit’s Historical Museum is an excellent historical center celebrating the past of the Motor City. Here, you can learn about how Detroit earned its nickname as the Motor City, as well as its reputation that carries through today. Check out accurate reconstructions of historical Detroit streets, dioramas, and model railways. Browsing through the artifacts, you can enhance your understanding of what the city once was. Learn about how residents used to live, the history of the city, and the classic Detroit way of life by visiting the city historical museum.
The Henry Ford
Of course, be sure to stop by The Henry Ford on your cultural visit to Detroit Michigan. The Henry Ford is a massive outdoor/indoor museum complex that features tons of classic Americana. Here, visitors can see the world-famous Kennedy Limousine, Rosa Parks Bus, and Abraham Lincoln Chair. Outside, be sure to explore Greenfield Village, where you will see an amazing recreation of Thomas Edison’s Laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey. Also, you can see the Wright Cycle Co., where the Wright Brothers first begun experimenting with aviation. If you love seeing informative, culture-filled destinations, be sure to read our ultimate Montana history and heritage vacation itinerary.
If you want to make the most of your Detroit trip, you need to engulf yourself in the history of the city.
One of the best cultural sites to visit when you’re there is the Detroit Institute of Arts. I also suggest stopping by the Bert’s Warehouse Theatre for some fun entertainment. The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant is a great if you love cars.
Moreover, consider stopping by the Art Deco beauties to admire their brilliant, jaw-dropping architecture. Don’t forget to stop at professional sports attractions to see NFL, NHL and NBA games too.
When the time comes to really leave, don’t forget to take the 261 Westbound bus instead of a taxi! You’ll want to keep what’s left of your money for your next big adventure. You will especially need it if you want to eat at the best restaurants in New Orleans.
Keep these must-visit cultural attractions in Detroit MI in mind for your upcoming trip.
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3 comments
Never knew there were so many interesting things to do in Detroit.
This blew me away. I never considered Detroit a vacation destination before. I love cars and music and know this is a place I want to get to. Maybe next year?
I could go look at old cars all day. What a great idea! Thanks for sharing this!