From the moment I arrived, I could feel the buzz in Detroit. It has a creative energy and a strong sense of renewal that’s impossible to ignore. If you’re looking for a blend of history, culture, and innovation, this city has it all. Whether wandering museums, taking in the jazz scene, or sampling foods I couldn’t get out of my mind, Detroit kept surprising me at every turn. Here’s what to add to your list when you’re ready to experience the Motor City for yourself.
Photo: Grindstone Media Group/Shutterstock
Where to Play, Eat, and Stay in Detroit for Arts and Culture
Things to do in Detroit
Detroit Institute of Arts
Photo: Erin Gifford
Art lovers, beeline for the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). Home to more than 65,000 works, the museum’s collection includes everything from ancient artifacts to contemporary masterpieces. One of the highlights is Diego Rivera’s Detroit Industry Murals, which should be seen in person to appreciate its scale and beauty. I was most excited to see the museum’s extensive Van Gogh collection. The DIA was the first museum in the US to buy a Van Gogh. Today, it has more than 70 of his works, including Self-Portrait and The Bedroom.
Detroit Institute of Arts: 5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
Cliff Bell’s
Photo: Erin Gifford
Step back in time to experience Detroit’s rich jazz history at Cliff Bell’s. With its 1930s Art Deco vibe and live jazz performances, this venue is a favorite for music lovers. The intimate setting makes it easy to get lost in the smooth sounds of the house band, as I did from the front row when I stopped in to see the Brian Charette Organ Trio. I’ve never been especially drawn to jazz, but the experience was one I’ll definitely remember. The menu is top-notch, too, including the classic lobster macaroni that I ordered for dinner.
Cliff Bell’s: 2030 Park Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
Eastern Market
Photo: Erin Gifford
Open year-round, Eastern Market is one of the oldest and largest markets in the US. It’s super-sized, too, with stalls selling everything from fresh-cut flowers and local honey to artisan-made jewelry. Saturdays are big market days, but a scaled-back version is open seasonally on Tuesdays and Sundays, from June to September. It was fun to stroll the stalls — there are just so many — to see all the wares and produce. There are lots of colorful murals in the area, too.
Eastern Market: 2934 Russell St, Detroit, MI 48207
Parker’s Alley
Photo: Erin Gifford
Tucked behind the Shinola Hotel, Parker’s Alley offers a unique outdoor shopping experience focused on Detroit-based businesses. Two of my favorite stops were Rebel Nell, a woman-owned business that creates and sells jewelry from repurposed materials like reclaimed graffiti, and Bon Bon Bon, which sells hand-crafted chocolates. At Rebel Nell, I got to make my own custom bracelet before popping in next door to pick and choose artfully crafted chocolates (called “bons”) with names like s’mores and swimming turtle.
Parker’s Alley: 1435 Farmer St, Detroit, MI 48226
City Institute Walking Tour
Photo: Erin Gifford
For a deep dive into Detroit’s past and present, sign up for a walking tour with City Institute. It’s a cool way to get an insider’s perspective on Detroit’s history, architecture, culinary flavors, and robust arts scene. My private guide took me to local institutions and historic landmarks, like the 26-foot-tall Spirit of Detroit monument and “WE Heart DET” sign. I was glad I wore comfy shoes. You’ll definitely get in your steps.
City Institute: 440 Burroughs, #118, Detroit, MI 48202
Lincoln Street Art Park
Photo: Erin Gifford
This offbeat, industrial space has been transformed into an urban art park. Lincoln Street Art Park features sculptures and murals created and celebrated by the community. To be honest, I kind of stumbled on this place accidentally, but I’m so glad I did since I love all things public art. The art park is gritty and quirky but also fun and creative. It’s a pretty Instagram-worthy spot, so you’ll want to snap and share photos from the art park.
Lincoln Street Art Park: 5926 Lincoln St, Detroit, MI 48208
The Belt
Photo: Erin Gifford
An alley-turned-art destination, The Belt in downtown Detroit brims with murals, street art, and cool pop-up shops. You may feel like you’re walking through an outdoor art museum. The project is the brainchild of the Library Street Collective, which continues to curate this creative and exciting art space in Detroit. It’s a cool alley to walk through — make sure to look up for the positivity-infused murals, with sayings like “Tomorrow Waits” and “Slay Your Dragons.”
The Belt: 1274 Library Street, Detroit, MI 48226
Motown Museum
Photo: Erin Gifford
In no way is a trip to Detroit complete without a visit to the Motown Museum, also known as “Hitsville USA.” I had no idea, but this is where so many Motown music legends – from The Supremes to Stevie Wonder to Martha and the Vandellas – recorded many of their hits. The guided tour gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the history of Motown, including a visit to Studio A where all the magic happened. Keep in mind that you can only visit the museum by guided tour, and tickets sell out quickly, especially on weekends.
Motown Museum: 2648 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48208
Detroit RiverWalk
Photo: Linda Parton/Shutterstock
Stretching over three miles along the Detroit River, from Rosa Parks Boulevard to the MacArthur Bridge, the Detroit RiverWalk is a great place to relax and take in the views, including the Detroit skyline and across the river to Windsor, Canada. My favorite stop along the RiverWalk was Hart Plaza, which features a statue of Martin Luther King, Jr. The bronze statue commemorates King’s “I Have a Dream” speech that was first delivered in Detroit — two months before his famous oration in Washington, DC.
Detroit RiverWalk: 1340 Atwater St, Detroit, MI 48207
Where to eat and drink in Detroit
Folk
Folk is a small, light-filled cafe in Corktown with an eye for fresh, seasonally inspired breakfast and brunch dishes. I ordered the rave-worthy Farm Sammie — visualize a fluffy frittata topped with maple-hot-sauce aioli on perfectly toasted sourdough. Plus, I added bacon. Breakfast dishes are in the “Food For Coffee” section of the menu, so naturally I ordered a frothy latte, too.
Folk: 1701 Trumbull, Detroit, MI 48216
The Hudson Cafe
Photo: Erin Gifford
A breakfast staple in downtown Detroit, The Hudson Cafe has mastered all the classics: pancakes, crepes, eggs Bennies, and waffles. One menu highlight is the Very Berry Stuffed — as in, french toast stuffed with sliced bananas and cream cheese frosting, then topped with a generous helping of fresh berries. The man at the table next to me ordered this, and all I can say is “wow.” Make sure to get to The Hudson Cafe early or make a reservation on OpenTable if you don’t want to wait for a seat, especially on weekends.
The Hudson Cafe: 1241 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
Buddy’s Pizza
When in Detroit, you have to sample the city’s iconic square pizza, and Buddy’s Pizza is the place to go. Known for its “Signature Squares” — like the Eastern Market Veggie and The Henry Ford — Buddy’s serves up slices that define Detroit-style pizza. The restaurant has two locations in Detroit, as well as a smattering of locations in the suburbs. Go with family or a group of friends since Buddy’s doesn’t do pizza by the slice.
Buddy’s Pizza: 1565 Broadway St, Detroit, MI 48226
Dime Store
Photo: Erin Gifford
On the first floor of the Chrysler House, Dime Store is another hotspot for creative breakfast and brunch plates. It has an all-day brunch menu, as well as from-scratch breakfast and lunch dishes. I couldn’t resist the Bacon Avo Omelette, which naturally was loaded with crispy bacon and creamy avocado, then decorated with a side of breakfast potatoes. When I got there, the place was bustling. Thankfully, there was bar seating available.
Dime Store: 719 Griswold St, Detroit, MI 48226
American Coney Island
This legendary spot has been serving up world-famous Coney Island Hot Dogs since 1917. Topped with chili, mustard, and diced white onions, these hot dogs are a local tradition. Don’t skip the chili cheese fries, which are greasy, cheesy, and irresistible. The chili sauce is made with a secret recipe that’s been handed down through the generations.
American Coney Island: 114 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226
Cannelle
Photo: Erin Gifford
If you’re in the mood for French pastries, then Cannelle in downtown Detroit is the place to go. This patisserie gets busy, and the line can spill out the front door, so plan accordingly. Don’t judge, but I went twice in the same day. Both times I got a lightly warmed pain au chocolat and a chai latte, which I enjoyed while sitting on a park bench and watching the day go by.
Cannelle: 45 W Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
Baobab Fare
Baobab Fare is a small East African restaurant that was founded by refugees from Burundi who found a welcoming home in Detroit. Located north of downtown, Baobab Fare serves flavorful dishes like nyumbani, a slow-cooked beef dish with fried plantains, and kuku, a pan-fried chicken with a tangy onion-mustard sauce. I paired my meal with a glass of passion fruit juice – highly recommend.
Baobab Fare: 6568 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
Warda Pâtisserie
Photo: Erin Gifford
In the trendy Midtown area, Warda Pâtisserie is a delightful stop for pastry lovers. Run by a James Beard Award-winning chef, the pastries are a beautiful fusion of French and North African flavors. Stop in early for the best selection and savor your sweet treat at one of the outdoor cafe tables. I had a financier — a small tea cake — that was the perfect afternoon snack after my visit to the DIA. There were several varieties, but mine was a chocolate cake topped with a salted caramel sauce.
Warda Pâtisserie: 70 W Alexandrine St, Detroit, MI 48201
Where to stay in Detroit
Westin Book Cadillac Detroit
During my trip to Detroit, I stayed at the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel, a beautifully restored downtown hotel. Built in 1924, the former Book-Cadillac Hotel was the city’s tallest building at its opening. Set on Washington Boulevard — once known as the “Fifth Avenue of the Midwest” — the location is unbeatable. It’s an easy walk to restaurants, public parks, historic buildings, and the riverfront.
In late 2023, the hotel wrapped up a $23 million renovation, updating all 453 guest rooms, so everything feels fresh and modern yet classic and historic. The space is beautiful, though to be honest, I’ve long been a fan of the Westin for its plush pillow-top Heavenly Bed. Let me tell you, it’s as comfortable as you would expect, especially after a day spent walking around Detroit.
Westin Book Cadillac Detroit: 1114 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226
How to get around Detroit
Photo: Picturesque Japan/Shutterstock
Getting around Detroit is a breeze, especially if, like me, you prefer to explore on foot. The city is very pedestrian-friendly, and many attractions are within a short stroll of each other. For longer distances, you can hop on the QLINE, a fare-free streetcar that runs 3.3 miles along Woodward Avenue, from Grand Boulevard in New Center to Congress Street in downtown Detroit.
From the airport to downtown, rideshare services like Lyft are a best bet. It’s about a 20-minute ride, and once you’re in the city, it’s a cinch to get around either on foot, via the QLINE streetcar, or by way of a rideshare. I used Lyft at least a half-dozen times and never waited more than five minutes for a ride to my next destination. 