Detroit may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of a vacation destination, but once you visit you might find yourself in love with the city and wishing you could return again and again. There are so many fun things to do while visiting Detroit that it’s hard to choose which ones to include on your must-do list! So we’ve narrowed down our favorites into what we consider the top 5 things to do in Detroit. Check out these five highlights of our favorite US city and be sure to comment with your own thoughts or suggestions!
The Motown Museum
Located on West Grand Boulevard in Detroit, The Motown Museum celebrates one of America’s most important cultural contributions: soul music. The museum consists of two houses that were used by Motown founder Berry Gordy as offices and residences from 1959 through 1972. In honor of Gordy’s accomplishments, I recommend you visit a historical site for any avid music fan—but for fans of Motown, there is no better way to learn about how soul was revolutionized.
The River Walk
This 7-mile walking path that winds through downtown Detroit has been a local favorite for decades. The RiverWalk features many bridges, along with breathtaking views of freighters passing by. A portion of it is even lit up at night, making it an ideal place for a romantic evening stroll. The River Walk has picnic areas and bike trails along with various shops and restaurants nearby. It’s also home to Quicken Loans Arena, where you can catch sporting events such as Red Wings hockey games or concerts by big names like Kanye West or Taylor Swift. Not surprisingly, Detroit is one of our favorite cities in Michigan! If you visit don’t forget to add another item to your list: shopping at one of Quicken Loans Arena’s many popular stores!
Campus Martius Park
If you’re looking for some quick local flavor, grab a friend and go check out all that the First Fridays on Vernor Highway have to offer. The organization’s focus is on art, culture, and community development. You can find new artwork by emerging artists every month at galleries throughout Eastern Market. You can also walk around and take part in outdoor gallery openings along Martin Luther King Jr Blvd from 7:00pm-10:00pm every first Friday of each month as well. This includes live performances as well as pop-up bars and restaurants along a stretch of road about a mile long. What better way is there to learn about a city than wandering through its streets? spirit airlines change flight
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Opened to rave reviews, Wright was designed by renowned architect David Adjaye and is an extraordinary example of modern architecture. Along with displays on African American culture, Wright also offers fascinating exhibits on Islam and Slavery. Despite being named one of America’s most endangered historic places, Wright is one Detroit tourist attraction you needn’t worry about checking out. Visitors say it’s worth a full day’s visit—if not more—with some reporting that they spent close to 10 hours inside (check out my pics). One final note: If you can stomach it, don't miss the somber exhibit on Emmett Till (pictured), who was lynched at 14 for whistling at a white woman. spirit customer service number
First Fridays on Vernor Highway
Vernor Highway is considered one of Detroit’s most historic streets, but it’s also one of its most vibrant. If you have time to check out just one thing on our list, we recommend heading over there on a First Friday—the 3rd Friday of every month from May through October—when local business owners throw open their doors and put on free evening events for locals and tourists alike. And it’s not just about checking out art galleries (though there are some great ones). Along Vernor Highway, there are more than 100 businesses that sell everything from bike parts to jewelry. Food trucks dot both sides of the highway and offer samples, drinks and meals for reasonable prices.