EXPLORE DETROIT

MUSEUMS

• Motown Museum - the Motown Museum is located in Motown's historic headquarters and recording studio, just west of the New Center neighborhood. For more info on hours, location and booking a guided tour, visit the Motown Museum website.

• The Detroit Institute of Arts - The Detroit Institute of Arts is Detroit's primary art museum. It has been voted the #1 Art Museum in the US in the USA Today Reader's Choice Awards in both 2023 and 2024. For more info on hours, special exhibitions, and more, go to the DIA website. You can buy tickets online or in person.

• Other Museums - Midtown is home to Detroit's "cultural center" including a number of the city's museums:

  • The Michigan Science Center

  • The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit

  • The Detroit Historical Museum

  • The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

OUTDOOR ATTRACTIONS

• Eastern Market - Detroit's year round indoor/outdoor farmers market, open on Saturdays from 6am-4pm. Eastern Market hosts local farmers, artists, and food stalls -- it's a great place to grab breakfast on Saturday morning. The market is covered and open rain or shine-- there are also a number of coffee shops and restaurants in the surrounding area. Parking can be tricky on market days.

• Dequindre Cut - the Dequindre Cut is a dedicated below-grade walk/bike trail that used to be a rail line. The northernmost end is at Eastern Market, and it runs all the way to the Downtown/Rivertown area (2 miles), where it joins up with the Detroit Riverwalk. It is home to a lot of Detroit's murals and street art.

• Detroit Riverwalk - the Detroit Riverwalk runs 1 mile along the Detroit River, with easy access to Downtown (via Hart Plaza) and Belle Isle.

• Belle Isle - Belle Isle is a state park on an island in the Detroit River. It is home to the Belle Isle Aquarium, Belle Isle Nature Center, and the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, in addition to a small swimming beach. The island is about a 15min drive from Downtown, and is also accessible from the Detroit Riverwalk via foot/bike.

• Funky Ferndale Art Fair / DIY Street Fair - Our wedding weekend happens to be the weekend of our town's 2 largest co-occurring art fairs with live music performances Friday-Sunday, on 9 Mile and Woodward. This is further from Downtown/Midtown than the previously mentioned activities (15-20min drive / 30min bus) but is a fun way to spend an afternoon.

• Detroit Foodie Fair 2025 - An annual food festival for local artisans, food trucks, etc. occurring in Eastern Market on Sunday Sept 21, 10am-4pm. It is running alongside Detroit Vegan, a food festival for vegan food makers and artisans (same location/same time!)

TIP: If you want to bike the Dequindre Cut, Detroit Riverwalk, or Belle Isle: Mogo is Detroit's bikeshare service. Wheelhouse Detroit is a bike shop located along the Riverwalk that does both bike rentals and guided tours.

CAFES / BREAKFAST

• The Red Hook - Midtown - coffee shop with pastries

• Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters - Downtown - coffee shop with pastries

• Dime Store - Downtown - brunch restaurant

• The Congregation - Boston Edison - cafe/bar in a converted 1920s chapel with a large outdoor space, serving light breakfast fare + sandwiches. ~10 min drive from Downtown.

• Food stalls at Eastern Market! (see activities section)

RESTAURANTS

• Detroit Shipping Company - Midtown - food hall with 5-6 dining options (Thai, momos, shawarma, etc.) and a full bar

• Ima - Midtown - fast casual Japanese food

• Bakersfield - Midtown - American Mexican fare and margaritas

• Pho Lucky - Midtown - casual sit-down Vietnamese food: pho, bahn mi, etc.

• Basement Burger Bar - Downtown - exactly what it sounds like!

• Bucharest Grill - Midtown, Downtown, etc - Detroit-based fast casual Middle Eastern chain, good for a quick bite

• Ladder 4 Wine Bar - Corktown - Maybe our favorite Detroit hidden gem for food and wine, served in a converted fire house. This place is a little more formal than the others, but it's "Midwest fancy" (take that as you will).

BREWERIES / BARS

• Batch Brewing* - Corktown - Microbrewery that also serves miscellaneous bar food and BBQ. They occasionally have food truck pop-ups

• Atwater Brewing* - Rivertown - Detroit-based craft brewery serving bar food. Just off of the Detroit Riverwalk

• Cafe d'Mongos - Downtown - speakeasy-inspired bar with live music

• Stadt Garten - Midtown - outdoor beer/wine garden; occasionally with food trucks

• Jolly Pumpkin* - Midtown - brewery and pizzeria

• Second Best - Midtown - classic American/bar fare

* These bars/breweries are family friendly (i.e. not 21+)