Motors and Motown put Detroit on the map. Michigan’s largest city also has a vibrant cultural scene expressed through street murals and a rotating fleet of 75 seasonal food trucks. Served by the free-to-ride QLine Streetcar, Woodward Avenue links Downtown Detroit with Brush Park, Midtown, and the Amtrak station. The Detroit People Mover (DPM) is free for 2024, meaning that you’ll have more dollars to put toward sightseeing – or a place to hang your hat. Featuring skyline condos and artsy lofts, these Airbnbs in Detroit have as much character as Motor City.
We hope you love these Airbnb Detroit vacation rentals! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Wedged between Midtown and Downtown, Brush Park has undergone a renaissance since falling into decline during the 1960s. This chic penthouse loft atop an old mansion is beautifully styled with a teal kitchen, designer bathroom, and private roof terrace for lingering over a French press. If you’re not wild about climbing the ladder to bed, check out the Superhost’s other listings.
The second you drop your bag in this Detroit Airbnb (one of several virtually identical lofts) you’ll consider a permanent move to Michigan. That holy quaternity of industrial-chic decor – exposed brick, concrete counters, hardwood floors throughout, and timber beams – set the tone for a relaxing stay. Market culture is strong in this storied district where vendors flog jewelry, flowers, and street eats in summer.
A hotbed for culture and the arts, Midtown unfurls on the western side of Woodward Avenue yet offers a quieter environment than Downtown. This three-story Detroit Airbnb is perfect for a pair of couples or a family. The office doubles up as a third bedroom and the master bathroom has a spa tub. There’s room for two cars in the garage and a cute balcony for morning coffee.
Lodged in a former bank in the heart of the city, this modern condo is right on the money. The open-concept lounge and kitchen enjoy natural light and a bird’s eye perspective over the Campus Martius. Both bedrooms have ample closet space and a work desk making it one of the best rentals for a longer stay. Parking is available at an additional cost but a car isn’t necessary.
The Detroit Airbnb that everyone’s talking about is located in a Quonset hut in Core City. It’s a tardis – the interiors are far roomier than you might expect. A cozy bedroom roosts at the rear while a light-filled lounge and kitchen claim the front. The unit has a plywood core and all other materials are natural. Any art or trinkets are plucked from local galleries and stores.
From the tiniest to the largest Airbnb in Detroit: gather your 30 closest friends and rent out this entire hostel in Corktown. It’s divided into a mix of dorms and double bedrooms with three kitchens and four bathrooms. You’ll also have free reign of the backyard and covered patios. Communal areas honor local landmarks and global travel – remember to mark your hometown on the map.
Thirty+ guests, eight bedrooms Price: $1,000 per night
One block from RiverWalk and a 15-minute walk from Downtown, this elegant coach house sits alongside Trowbridge House – the oldest building in Detroit. The game room has foosball, shuffleboard, and darts. Evenings may be spent sipping wine in front of the fire or watching boats drift past the patio. That’s if you haven’t scored tickets to a game or concert!
This brick-and-beam dream is installed in a 125-year-old building in Detroit’s coolest neighborhood. It’s all very hipster with vintage bikes hanging on the walls, pendant lighting, and token midcentury furnishings – brownie points for the volume of utensils and toiletries. The downtown center is a 15-minute stroll although you’ll find some of the best places to eat and drink closer to home.
This eclectic apartment is located in Detroit’s equally “iKlektik” House. Constructed in 1878, the former bed and breakfast has been renovated with mod-cons without disturbing the charm of the original building. Put aside some time for a game of Ms. Pac-Man or a soak in the vintage clawfoot tub and remember to pick up a bottle of liquor to make use of the minibar.
This Guest Favorite Airbnb in Detroit is a short stroll from coffee shops and bars including the famed Motor City Brewing Works. If you prefer to cook, the kitchen is stocked with all the necessities. The living quarters are festooned with vibrant pieces of art and woven rugs while midcentury modern furniture keeps things simple. It’s awesome for a couple although the sofa bed is handy for small families.
This urban haven flies high amid the skyscrapers and is a short walk from Ford Field and Campus Martius. That great hulk of a couch is trumped by two of the comfiest beds in town. Spend evenings jamming on the drums or scoping out the stars with the telescope. Bring bathers in case you fancy morning laps or a session in the shared Jacuzzi.
Detroit follows Eastern Standard Time (EST). Michigan switches to Daylight Saving Time (DST) between early March and the first Sunday in November.
What to do in Detroit
Most of the things to do in Detroit are clustered around Downtown, Midtown, and the Rivertown District. These are easy to get to
Rejoice in all things Americana and automobile at the nearby Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. This vast open-air museum in Dearborn is dedicated to innovation and imagination with an emphasis on transport – cars and beyond. There are locomotives and horse carriage rides, working farm and mill exhibits, and a Main Street district populated with actors.
Stand where Diana Ross and the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye stood in the Motown Records recording studio at the Motown Museum.
Immerse yourself in the latest exhibits at the Museum of Contemporary Art and check out Diego Rivera’s Industry Murals at the Detroit Institute of Art.
Scope out the street art in Eastern Market. This is where you’ll find the Eminem/D12 mural.
Go for a ride on the QLine or Detroit People Mover – both are free.
Wave at Canada from the Detroit RiverWalk.
Rent a bicycle and explore the lagoons and gardens of Belle Island. There’s an aquarium and maritime history to visit and a gigantic slide to ride.
Cruise the Eastern Market. Saturday is for produce, Sundays in summer is for arts and crafts), and Tuesdays in summer is for free yoga and Zumba sessions. The market also hosts regular food truck rallies.
Roar for the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Superstars also perform music concerts in this stadium and Little Caesars Arena, the home turf of the Detroit Pistons and the Detroit Red Wings.
Skip the dinner reservation and let your nose guide you to one of Detroit’s 75 (and counting) food trucks. Clustered along Woodward Esplanade, these rotate from June until October.
