Downtown Detroit Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Downtown Detroit
Downtown Detroit
Downtown Detroit
Downtown Detroit
Downtown Detroit

Detroit is known for its architecture, industrialization and the arts. As creative entrepreneurs reclaim downtown, a new urban culture is rising next to the old.

While Detroit may have suffered a fall, when in 2013 its council filed for bankruptcy, the city is quick to be back on its feet. The revitalization of Downtown Detroit is where you can see the city rapidly transforming. Fashion and art are revived, historic buildings are being restored, and green spaces, restaurants, cafés and new urban areas are being created.

Detroit became one of the world’s wealthiest cities after the post-World War I auto industry boom. There is no better way to see this than in a walking, cycling or personalised guided tour of the city. See stunning art deco buildings including the Guardian Building, the Detroit Opera House and the Detroit Public Library. Admire the Fisher Building, a 441-foot (134-metre) tall building known as the Eiffel Tower of Detroit because of its stunning art deco architectural designs.

Art and history enthusiasts will find enough museums to fill several days’ worth of exploring. Admire old cars and model trains in the Detroit Historical Museum. At the Motown Museum, see where The Supremes and other famous Motown artists recorded their music. Visit the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History to see memorabilia, films and photographs celebrating the African-American legacy of freedom and justice. Watch an IMAX movie or learn about space at the Michigan Science Centre. Visit the Detroit Institute of Arts to see Vincent van Gogh’s important painting,Self Portrait, and Mexican artist Diego Rivera's most successful work,Detroit Industry, among others.

Dance the night away or see a live band in bars and nightclubs throughout the district. Have a cocktail and listen to some jazz at Cliff Bell’s, one of the oldest jazz clubs in Detroit.

Explore downtown’s river walks and gardens. See outdoor entertainment at Campus Martius Park or cross the MacArthur Bridge to enjoy natural parklands on Belle Island in the Detroit River.

While Detroit is best seen with a car, you can rent a bike or taxi or use the Detroit People Mover, an automated transit system. The Detroit Metro Airport is a 30-minute drive southwest of downtown.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Downtown Detroit Hotel Deals

Hollywood Casino at Greektown

Hollywood Casino at Greektown

4 out of 5
1200 Saint Antoine St Detroit MI
The price is NZ$310 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
NZ$310
5 Apr - 6 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Detroit. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 5 restaurants and a casino. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the convenient parking ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (5,090 reviews)
The bed was very comfortable

Reviewed on 29 Mar 2026

Hollywood Casino at Greektown
Atheneum Suite Hotel

Atheneum Suite Hotel

4 out of 5
1000 Brush Avenue Detroit MI
The price is NZ$289 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
NZ$289
31 Mar - 1 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Detroit. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a free local area shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,151 reviews)
Breakfast was delicious Cocktails at the bar was great The bar staff could Amy be a little more pep in there step

Reviewed on 29 Mar 2026

Atheneum Suite Hotel
Hotel Houze Detroit Downtown

Hotel Houze Detroit Downtown

3 out of 5
305 Michigan Avenue Detroit MI
The price is NZ$199 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
NZ$199
5 Apr - 6 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Detroit. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions MGM Grand Detroit Casino and Fox Theatre ...
8/10 Very Good! (196 reviews)
Pros: affordable, well located, has a fridge/microwave Cons: this hotel will not hold your bags. I travel pretty often and haven’t come across this before… finding a storage locker in downtown Detroit was difficult and added an unexpected headache for my backpack when I was exploring downtown. There ...

Reviewed on 29 Mar 2026

Hotel Houze Detroit Downtown
The Siren Hotel, an Ash Hotel

The Siren Hotel, an Ash Hotel

4 out of 5
1509 Broadway St. Detroit MI
The price is NZ$230 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
NZ$230
5 Apr - 6 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Detroit. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,872 reviews)
Everyone was so helpful and kind. I would stay there again.

Reviewed on 29 Mar 2026

The Siren Hotel, an Ash Hotel
MGM Grand Detroit

MGM Grand Detroit

4.5 out of 5
1777 3rd Street Detroit MI
The price is NZ$430 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
NZ$430
31 Mar - 1 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Detroit. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa and 7 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,019 reviews)
We absolutely loved staying here! The free valet parking for people staying there was the true highlight. The beds are so comfy and the rooms are so nice! We loved our stay and would recommend to anyone!

Reviewed on 29 Mar 2026

MGM Grand Detroit
Hotel Indigo Detroit Downtown by IHG

Hotel Indigo Detroit Downtown by IHG

3.5 out of 5
1020 Washington Blvd Detroit MI
The price is NZ$273 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
NZ$273
5 Apr - 6 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Detroit. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,191 reviews)
Not the best for $250 a night

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2026

Hotel Indigo Detroit Downtown by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Detroit

Greektown Historic District

Greektown Historic District

Visitors to Greektown Historic District love its first-class casinos, and you can check out Hollywood Casino at Greektown and Old St. Mary's Church. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at Greektown Station.

Greektown Historic District
Lafayette Park

Lafayette Park

When in Lafayette Park, you can plan a visit to Comerica Park and Hollywood Casino at Greektown, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Lafayette Park
Brush Park

Brush Park

Brush Park might not have many top sights, but Comerica Park and Little Caesars Arena are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Brush Park
Detroit old train station under renovation in December 2019. Iconic building in downtown Detroit, Michigan

Corktown

You'll enjoy the live music and historical sites in Corktown. You might want to make time for a stop at Michigan Central or Roosevelt Park.

Corktown
Eastern Market

Eastern Market

The great live music and first-class casinos highlight some of the most notable features of Eastern Market. Make a stop by Historic Trinity Lutheran Church while you're exploring the area.

Eastern Market
Historic buildings in Downtown Detroit - Michigan, United States

Midtown

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

If you're spending time in Midtown, check out sights like The Majestic Theatre or Orchestra Hall and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Canfield Street Station or Martin Luther King Boulevard/Mack Avenue Station.

Midtown


Downtown Detroit Travel Guide

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