Your guide to Detroit
Detroit highlights
Revived buildings
In its heyday, Detroit was an architectural stunner, and today’s smart developers are breathing new life into its iconic buildings. Hip hotels are housed in former fire stations, piano factories and hardware stores. The Little Village turned a 110-year-old Romanesque-style church into an art and performance space. And a once-abandoned rail line is now a mural-lined bike path, Dequindre Cut Greenway.
On the waterfront
Make the most of your stay in Detroit with a stroll down the Detroit International RiverWalk, a long promenade with a carousel, sandy beaches, the Aretha Franklin Amphitheater and views to Canada just across the Ambassador Bridge. Cross over to Belle Isle, an island park and home to America’s oldest aquarium.
Where to stay
Many of Detroit’s hotels are clustered in the downtown area, conveniently close to major sports venues as well as the waterfront. This area has many fashionable boutique properties that blend historic architecture with modern amenities like rooftop bars and onsite artisan coffee shops. A handful of casino–hotels can also be found here.
Detroit: Know before you go
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Currency | United States dollar ($) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) and UTC-4 (EDT) |
| High season | July - August |
| Low season | January - February |
Things to do in Detroit
Shopping
Visit suburbs like Ferndale to browse record stores and the Rust Belt Market, with its dozens of small artisan retailers. The University District has one of the nation’s largest Black-owned shopping districts, the Historic Avenue of Fashion (aka ‘The Ave’). Hit up the Corktown neighbourhood for great vintage shopping, and leave time to peruse the stacks at John King Used and Rare Books.
Take in the culture
Detroit has two world-class museums just a 10-minute walk apart in Midtown. MoCAD showcases top contemporary artists, while the Detroit Institute of Arts has works by Rembrandt, Van Gogh and Rodin. Celebrating the golden era of Motown Records, the Motown Museum lets you visit the studio (nicknamed ‘Hitsville, USA’) where the Temptations and the Supremes recorded their first albums.
Places to eat
The ongoing spirit of reinvention extends to the city’s restaurant scene. Detroit is famous for its square pizzas, Greek cuisine and Coney Island hot dogs piled high with mustard, onions and chilli sauce. Don’t miss Eastern Market, one of the country’s oldest farmer’s markets. At cocktail hour, order a Detroit Brown, a mix of Irish whiskey and Vernors ginger ale, brewed locally since 1866.
