Downtown Detroit Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A city skyline at dusk with reflections on the water.
A cityscape with a mix of modern and older buildings, including a distinctive skyscraper with a pointed top.
A monument with a flag, large rocks, trees, and a building in the background.
A cityscape with tall buildings, a large circular sculpture, and an American flag.
A cityscape with a prominent red brick building, a blue tram, and various commercial buildings.

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.


Stay near popular Downtown Detroit attractions

Activities


Our pick of the best Downtown Detroit Hotel Deals

Hotel Houze Detroit Downtown

Hotel Houze Detroit Downtown

3 out of 5
305 Michigan Avenue Detroit MI
The price is NZ$281 per night from 30 June to 1 July
NZ$281
30 June - 1 July
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 Comerica Park and MGM Grand Detroit Casino ...
8/10 Very good! (513 reviews)
"Stayed at the property for a weekend of baseball. Easy walk to Comerica Park. Grocery store/bakery next door. Good restaurants and night life around the stadium area. Staff was helpful."

Reviewed on 28 June 2026

Hotel Houze Detroit Downtown
Hollywood Casino at Greektown

Hollywood Casino at Greektown

4 out of 5
1200 Saint Antoine St Detroit MI
The price is NZ$395 per night from 6 July to 7 July
NZ$395
6 July - 7 July
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! (5,375 reviews)
"We like staying here when coming to Detroit because it’s in Greektown and a short walk to all this Sporting events. I think it is a bit overpriced, but there is free Valley parking. The rooms were definitely clean but standard and I prefer carpet over bare flooring. We could hear people in the hallway ..."

Reviewed on 27 June 2026

Hollywood Casino at Greektown
Atheneum Suite Hotel

Atheneum Suite Hotel

4 out of 5
1000 Brush Avenue Detroit MI
The price is NZ$324 per night from 29 June to 30 June
NZ$324
29 June - 30 June
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! (2,280 reviews)
"I took my husband for Father’s Day it was amazing"

Reviewed on 27 June 2026

Atheneum Suite Hotel
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$284 per night from 8 July to 9 July
NZ$284
8 July - 9 July
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! (2,036 reviews)
"Honestly could not have picked a better hotel was perfect for everything we had planned within walking distance of everything"

Reviewed on 24 June 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$500 per night from 30 June to 1 July
NZ$500
30 June - 1 July
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! (1,032 reviews)
"Everything was excellent"

Reviewed on 26 June 2026

MGM Grand Detroit
Fort Pontchartrain Detroit, a Wyndham Hotel

Fort Pontchartrain Detroit, a Wyndham Hotel

3.5 out of 5
2 Washington Blvd Detroit MI
The price is NZ$348 per night from 29 June to 30 June
NZ$348
29 June - 30 June
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Detroit. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,351 reviews)
"Very walkable! Loved the location and access to so much that Detroit has to offer!"

Reviewed on 28 June 2026

Fort Pontchartrain Detroit, a Wyndham Hotel
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.

Our guide on where to stay in Downtown Detroit

Find the best Downtown Detroit areas for the activities you enjoy most.

Rochester Hills

Live music, restaurants and shopping are some highlights of Rochester Hills. Make a stop by The Village Of Rochester Hills or Meadow Brook Amphitheatre while you're exploring.

Midtown

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.

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 PJ's Lager House.

North Corktown

If you're spending some time in North Corktown, MotorCity Casino and Sound Board Theater are top sights worth seeing.

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.



Downtown Detroit Travel Guide

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