Overview
Downtown Detroit is the central business district of Detroit, bordered by the Lodge Freeway to the west, the Fisher Freeway to the north, Interstate 375 to the east, and the Detroit River to the south. The area contains most of the prominent skyscrapers in Detroit, the nation's second largest theatre district, several parks, many of which are linked by the Detroit International Riverfront, three casinos, and much more that is sure to make your visit a unique and memorable one.
21 sights · 22 things to do · 13 places to eat · 11 bars & cafés · 8 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Downtown
Greektown
This historic neighborhood is dominated by Greek restaurants. Some buildings on Monroe Street resemble the Parthenon, Pegasus, and other forms of Ancient Greek architecture. Greek music is also played on Monroe Street th…
Broadway Avenue
This neighborhood is a single block of Broadway Avenue and consists of eleven commercial buildings built between 1896 and 1926. The architectural terra cotta used on the buildings gives the neighborhood a distinct look. …
Capitol Park
This park and 17 surrounding buildings are included in the Capitol Park Historic District. Some of the more famous ones are the Art Deco-style David Stott Building, and the Modern Movement-style Griswold Building. The ne…
Washington Boulevard
This neighborhood is a multi-block area on which some of Detroit's most architecturally significant buildings can be found. It includes the Book-Cadillac Hotel, the Book Tower, the Industrial-Stevens Apartments, and Wash…
Campus Martius Park
Campus Martius is the main park of Detroit. Hart Plaza, on the Riverfront, was made to replace Campus Martius, but Hart Plaza is hard-surfaced, so Campus Martius was re-established. The new Campus Martius Park includes t…
Grand Circus Park
This five-acre park connects Detroit's theater district to its financial center. The park is home to several statues and monuments, such as the Thomas Edison Memorial Fountain, a statue of former Detroit mayor, William C…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Jul. (climate data from nearby Detroit)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Detroit — 18 mi away (major hub). Directions
- FNT Bishop International Airport, Flint — 56 mi away. Directions
The most popular way of getting to Detroit is by car. The area has many parking garages and is easy to access from the freeways, and parking prices aren't bad.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Broadway Avenue, Cadillac Tower, Campus Martius Park
- Lunch Cadillac Square Diner
- Afternoon Penobscot Building, Guardian Building
- Dinner American Coney Island
- Evening Pop + Offworld
Day 2
- Morning Capitol Park, Westin Book Cadillac Hotel, Fort Shelby Hotel
- Lunch Lafayette Coney Island
- Afternoon Fort Street Presbyterian Church, Grand Circus Park
- Dinner Cafe d'Mongo
- Evening The Labyrinth
Day 3
- Morning Greektown, Bricktown
- Lunch Pegasus Taverna
- Afternoon Washington Boulevard, America's Thanksgiving Day Parade
- Dinner PizzaPapalis
- Evening St. Andrews Hall
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Explore Detroit's Greektown, with its Greek restaurants and shops surrounding the Greektown Casino.
Detroit is known for its "Detroit-Style" Pizza:
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Downtown Detroit is very empty but anyone who visits will be pleasantly surprised to see one of America's best preserved collections of late nineteenth and early twentieth century buildings standing beside the contemporary. Casino resorts add an air of excitement to the entertainment hub of the region. The International Riverfront teems with activity. Restaurant clusters emanate from Greektown, the Renaissance Center, and downtown stadiums. Downtown, with its revitalized riverfront area, has evolved into a popular place to reside with many new high rise lofts and restored historic homes. In the past decade, the area and the entire city has seen many historic buildings renovated, many parks open, and much more.
Get in
By car
The most popular way of getting to Detroit is by car. The area has many parking garages and is easy to access from the freeways, and parking prices aren't bad.
- If coming from the south: take I-75 North toward Detroit and exit at Exit 49 to M-10. Exit on the left toward M-10/Lodge Freeway/Civic Center. Take the M-10 South exit toward the Civic Center and then merge onto the Lodge Freeway/M-10 South. The Lodge Freeway/M-10 becomes Jefferson Avenue. Finally, turn left onto Woodward Avenue, and you will be in Downtown.
- If coming from the west: take I-96 East and take the I-75 North/M-10 exit on the left toward Flint/Civic Center. Continue to the M-10/Lodge Freeway exit toward Rosa Parks Boulevard/Civic Center and then exit on the left toward M-10/Lodge Freeway/Civic Center. Take the M-10 South exit toward the Civic Center and then merge onto John C Lodge Fwy/M-10 South. The Lodge Freeway/M-10 becomes Jefferson Avenue. Finally, turn left onto Woodward Avenue, and you will be in Downtown.
- If coming from the north: take I-75 South and continue onto I-375 South/Chrysler Fwy via Exit 51C on the left toward the Civic Center. Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue. E and turn right onto Woodward Avenue, and you will be in Downtown.
- If coming from the east: take I-94 West and merge onto I-75 South/Chrysler Freeway via Exit 261A toward Toledo. Continue onto I-375 South/Chrysler Freeway via Exit 51C on the left toward the Civic Center. Turn left onto Jefferson Ave. E and turn right onto Woodward Avenue, and you will be in Downtown.
By bus
Detroit has two bus systems and a Downtown People Mover. The Rosa Parks Transit Center is the central hub of the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT). Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transit (SMART) buses also serve the transit center. Look up bus times at transit.google.com
After arriving at the transit center, hop on the people mover by walking either south to the Michigan Ave Station or north to the Times Square Station. The people mover is the easiest way of getting around Downtown.
Get around
By public transit
By electric scooter
With the right app loaded you can pick up a scooter that are scattered around downtown, run by a number of companies including Spin, Bird and Lime.
See
Historic neighborhoods
See Greektown
This historic neighborhood is dominated by Greek restaurants. Some buildings on Monroe Street resemble the Parthenon, Pegasus, and other forms of Ancient Greek architecture. Greek music is also played on Monroe Street throughout the day. One of Detroit's three casinos, Greektown Casino, is in the neighborhood and has a station on the People Mover on level 3.
See Bricktown
Bricktown is an historic district that is home to St. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church, the oldest standing church in Detroit, and the Italian Renaissance style Wayne County Building. The neighborhood also has its own station on the People Mover on Beaubien Street, north of Congress Street.
See Broadway Avenue
This neighborhood is a single block of Broadway Avenue and consists of eleven commercial buildings built between 1896 and 1926. The architectural terra cotta used on the buildings gives the neighborhood a distinct look. The Broadway People Mover Station, which is the nearest station, is at the corner of Broadway and John R. Road.
See Capitol Park
This park and 17 surrounding buildings are included in the Capitol Park Historic District. Some of the more famous ones are the Art Deco-style David Stott Building, and the Modern Movement-style Griswold Building. The nearest People Mover station to this historic place is the Times Square Station, on Grand River, between Cass and Washington Boulevard.
See Washington Boulevard
This neighborhood is a multi-block area on which some of Detroit's most architecturally significant buildings can be found. It includes the Book-Cadillac Hotel, the Book Tower, the Industrial-Stevens Apartments, and Washington Square among other buildings. The Times Square Station on the People Mover is right in this historic district, at Grand River Avenue, between Cass and Washington Boulevards.
Parks and monuments
See Campus Martius Park
Campus Martius is the main park of Detroit. Hart Plaza, on the Riverfront, was made to replace Campus Martius, but Hart Plaza is hard-surfaced, so Campus Martius was re-established. The new Campus Martius Park includes two stages, sculptures, public spaces and a seasonal ice skating rink. Cadillac Square Park, immediately to the east of Campus Martius, provides park space. Several skyscrapers surround Campus Martius Park. The more popular of these include: Compuware World Headquarters, which is home to a beautiful lobby and several shops and stores; Cadillac Tower, which will be connected to the Cadillac Centre, which will be built in a similar architectural style as the Guggenheim Museums; and 1001 Woodward, which is the only building in Detroit in the Chicago-style architecture. The park is also home to a few historic monuments, such as Michigan Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, which is a Civil War monument first unveiled in 1872, and Bagley Memorial Fountain, which is a monument to 16th governor of Michigan, John J. Bagley, whose will contained $5,000 for the construction of a drinking fountain for the people of Detroit, to have "water cold and pure as the coldest mountain stream." The nearest People Mover station to Campus Martius Park is the Cadillac Center station, at Gratiot Avenue and Library Street.
See Grand Circus Park
This five-acre park connects Detroit's theater district to its financial center. The park is home to several statues and monuments, such as the Thomas Edison Memorial Fountain, a statue of former Detroit mayor, William C. Maybury, a statue of Hazen S. Pingree, former mayor of Detroit and former governor of Michigan, and the Russel Alger Memorial Fountain. Across the street from the park is the Victorian Gothic-styled Central United Methodist Church. The new headquarters for Quicken Loans is planned near this park. However, due to the park's proximity to the theater district, Comerica Park, and Ford Field, the fortunes of these skyscrapers are brighter, as many undergoing or are planned for renovation. Grand Circus Park has its own station on the people mover, at Park Street, near Woodward Avenue.
See Detroit International Riverfront
Detroit's riverfront is a 5½-mile (8.8 km) promenade along the Detroit River running from the Ambassador Bridge to Belle Isle, encompassing a multitude of parks, restaurants, retail shops, skyscrapers, and high rise residential areas. The path is directly on the river and is 62 feet (18¾ m) wide in most places, with separate lanes for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Pavilions, fishing piers, and there are benches at intervals along the path. The east RiverWalk connects various riverfront developments, including Hart Plaza, the Renaissance Center, GM Plaza and Promenade, Tri-Centennial State Park, Stroh River Place, Chene Park, and Gabriel Richard Park. The nearest People Mover station to the riverfront is the Joe Louis Arena Station, which is inside Joe Louis Arena.
See Hart Plaza
This park is an open, mostly hard-surfaced park along the Detroit River. It is more or less on the site where Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac landed in 1701 when he founded Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit, the settlement that became Detroit. The 14 acres (5.7 ha) plaza, which is named after the late U.S. Senator Philip Hart, opened in 1975 and has a capacity of 40,000 people. The park conatians several sculptures and monuments, including: Dodge Fountain, which is at the center of the park; Transcending, which is a Michigan Labor Legacy Landmark, at the entrance of the park; Monolith, a sculpture by Isamu Noguchi; a statue of George Washington; and the Joe Louis Memorial, which is a gigantic sculpture of Joe Louis' fist. The nearest People Mover station to Hart Plaza is the Financial District Station, on Larned, between Shelby and Griswold Street.
See Spirit of Detroit
The Spirit of Detroit is a city monument with a large bronze statue situated in front of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, home to Detroit's city hall. It was commissioned in 1955 for a cost of $58,000, and dedicated in 1958. In its left hand, the statue holds a bronze sphere with rays to symbolize God. In its right hand, is a family group symbolizing human relationships. The 26-foot (7.9-m) sculpture is frequently dressed in sports jerseys when local professional teams are in the playoffs. The nearest People Mover station to the monument is the Millender Center Station, which is inside the Millender Center on the 5th floor.
Architecture
Detroit is home to one of the world's largest collections of late 19th- and early 20th-century buildings. During the past decade, the city has restored many of its architecturally significant buildings. Several of Detroit's buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Detroit is definitely one of the best destinations for architecture buffs.
Buildings
See One Detroit Center (Comerica Tower)
Comerica Tower is the second tallest building in Detroit, after the Renaissance Center, rising 619 ft (189 m). The building was constructed from 1991 to 1993. The building is famous for its postmodern architectural design topped with neo-gothic spires, which makes it blend in with the older buildings in Detroit. Built in 1993, visitors are often surprised to learn of the building's young age.
See Renaissance Center
This group of seven interconnected skyscrapers contains the tallest building in Michigan and is considered a symbol of Detroit. The entire complex is owned by General Motors as its headquarters. The central tower, a Marriott hotel, was built as the tallest hotel in the world, rising 73 stories at 727 feet. Free tours of the complex are offered Monday through Saturday at 10AM, noon, 2PM, and 4PM. The tour covers the main highlights of the complex as well as a glass elevator ride of the 72 floor which offers great views that extend 30 miles (48 km) in all directions. The GM Wintergarden, a tropical atrium, overlooks the Detroit River and Windsor, Ontario. The GMnext Showroom is a display of classic and concept cars at the centre of the complex. The "Borealis" Glass Sculpture, at the Jefferson Avenue entrance, is the tallest vertical glass sculpture in the world. The complex also features a plaza on the riverfront with fountains, stages, and seating. The Renaissance Center has its own station on the People Mover in Tower 200 on level 2.
See Penobscot Building
The building was the tallest in Michigan from its completion in 1928 until the construction of the Renaissance Center's central tower in 1977. It is now the third tallest. Like many of the city's other Roaring Twenties buildings, it has Art Deco influences, including its "H" shape, which allows maximum sunlight into the building, and the sculptural setbacks that cause the upper floors to seem to "erode".
See Guardian Building
Built in 1929, the building is a bold example of Art Deco architecture, including art moderne designs. At the top of the Guardian Building's spire, is a large American flag, complementing the four smaller flags atop nearby 150 West Jefferson. The Guardian Building's interior is lavishly decorated with mosaic and Pewabic and Rookwood tile. The semi-circular exterior domes are filled with Pewabic Pottery. The building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1989. It was used as headquarters for production during World War II.
See Westin Book Cadillac Hotel
Built in 1928, the Book Cadillac Hotel is an architectural gem that, after 20 years of vacancy, was remodeled into an upscale hotel in 2008. It was designed with neo-classical elements and building sculptures, incorporating brick and limestone. Among its notable features are the statues of General Anthony Wayne, Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac, Chief Pontiac and Robert Navarre along the ornate Michigan Avenue facade and the three copper terraces at top the building.
See Wayne County Building
This building, constructed in 1897, may be the country's finest surviving example of Roman Baroque architecture. The Wayne County Building also has a blend of Beaux-Arts and some elements of the neo-classical architectural style. The courthouse tower was originally 227' - 8 1/2" tall. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Churches
See Fort Street Presbyterian Church
This church was constructed in 1855, and completely rebuilt in 1876. It is an ornately detailed Gothic Revival structure built of limestone ashlar. The facade features a 265-foot (81 m) tall square tower with a spire on one side and a shorter octagonal turret on the other. A central stained glass window illuminates the sanctuary. There are seven bays along the side of the church with flying buttresses, crocketed finials, lacy stonework and tall windows, which was designed to give the impression of light.
See Old Mariners' Church
The Old Mariners' Church is an independent, Anglican-style church completed in 1849. Established to serve mariners (hence the name), the church holds a Blessing of the Fleet every March for those going out to sea and a Great Lakes Memorial Service for those who have lost their lives at sea every November. It's perhaps most notable in American and Canadian popular culture as the "Maritime Sailors' Cathedral" mentioned in the lyrics of Gordon Lightfoot's 1976 hit "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald". An Underground Railroad tunnel under the building was discovered in 1955 when the church was moved to make way for a civic centre. The nearest People Mover Station to the church is Millender Center.
Do
Events
Gambling
Do MotorCity Casino
The MotorCity Casino is a $300 million casino hotel. It incorporates the historic Wagner Baking Company building circa 1915. As part of the renovation, the cornerstone of this former Wonder Bread bakery has been fully restored to its original condition, preserving the signature features of the 93-year old Detroit landmark.
Theater
Foxtown, on Woodward Avenue, is the nickname of Detroit's theater district. The name comes from the city's Fox Theatre, which is the largest of the nation's fox theaters. Foxtown is home to dozens of performing arts venues. It is the second largest theater district in the United States, after New York City's Broadway. The theater district lies in the northern end of downtown Detroit, bordering Midtown. The nearest People Mover stations to the area are the Grand Circus Park Station at Park Street, near Woodward Avenue, and the Broadway Station at the corner of Broadway and John R. Some of the more popular theaters include:
Do Fox Theatre
The Fox is the second largest theater in the country after Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The theater was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1989 and was one of the first theaters to feature live sound. The exterior of the attached 10-story building features an Art Deco facade, which lights up at night and can be seen for several blocks. The Fox is Detroit’s top venue for Broadway shows.
Do The Fillmore Detroit
Known as the State Theater throughout most of its history, The Fillmore Detroit is next to the larger Fox Theater. The theater was designed as a movie house in the Renaissance Revival style of architecture.
Sports
Do Comerica Park (Detroit Tigers baseball)
Take in a ballgame at the Tigers' marvelous ballpark, with its magnificent views of the downtown skyline, a fountain beyond the center field wall, and tiger statues that growl every time the Tigers hit a home run. The concourse beyond left-center field has statues of famous Tigers players, including Willie Horton, Hank Greenberg, and Ty Cobb, and there's also a small Ferris wheel and a carousel for the kids.
Do Ford Field (Detroit Lions football)
Just across Brush Street from Comerica Park is Ford Field, home to Detroit's NFL football team, the Lions.
Do Little Caesars Arena (Detroit Red Wings hockey, Detroit Pistons basketball)
Actually in Midtown instead of downtown, this arena opened in 2017 as the new home for the Detroit Red Wings of the NHL and the Detroit Pistons of the NBA. The Red Wings moved in after 38 years at Joe Louis Arena several blocks down, while the Pistons moved in with them from their previous suburban home at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Buy
Eat
Greektown
Explore Detroit's Greektown, with its Greek restaurants and shops surrounding the Greektown Casino.
Eat Astoria Pastry Shop
This European bakery has excellent desserts.
Eat Fishbone's Rhythm Kitchen Cafe
Excellent Cajun cuisine. Also serves great steak, seafood, and sushi.
Eat Pegasus Taverna
Possibly the most popular restaurant in Greektown.
Eat The Golden Fleece
Cheap, quick, and delicious true Greek food.
Pizza
Detroit is known for its "Detroit-Style" Pizza:
Eat PizzaPapalis
Chicago and Detroit-style deep dish pizzas. Dine-in.
Coney Island
Detroit is known for the greasy and messy Coney Island hot dog, and for its Coney Island restaurants which are open very late or even 24 hours to catch the late-night bar crowd.
Eat American Coney Island
Rival of the Lafayette Coney Island right next door. American's dogs feature a blander chili and less pungent onions, and the atmosphere is more American and less true to its Greek heritage.
Eat Lafayette Coney Island
Rival of the American Coney Island right next door. Lafayette's dogs feature a spicier chili, more flavourful onions, a smaller, more intimate dining area and emphasis on its Greek heritage.
Eat Leo's Coney Island
A chain that can be found all over metropolitan Detroit.
Budget
You can find a good selection of food trucks on Cadillac Square Park, but on a fine weather lunchtime expect long lines.
Eat Cadillac Square Diner
Basic authentic American diner, with good service. They make a good breakfast.
Mid-range
Eat Cafe d'Mongo
Speakeasy with bare-bones menu, but those bones got soul. Great live music. Only open Friday nights and some Saturdays.
Eat Hockeytown Cafe
Across from Comerica Park. This restaurant doubles as a museum with Detroit Red Wings history and memorabilia as well as Tigers memorabilia and motorcycles.
Splurge
Eat Andiamo's
Italian. Eleven locations including downtown inside the Renaissance Center. Great atmosphere, fine dining experience.
Eat Rattlesnake Club
Riverfront dining experience.
Drink
There are many great bars in a street-art covered alley called The Belt.
Drink Bleu Room Experience
High tech nightclub, gay friendly, live music, large dance floor, VIP lounge.
Drink Jacoby's German Biergarten
Near Greektown, Jacoby's is Detroit's oldest saloon and restaurant since 1904.
Drink The Labyrinth
Gothic night-club
Drink Leland City Club
Nightclub with Techno and Alternative Rock.
Drink MGM Grand Detroit
Live entertainment and dancing in a world class venue.
Drink St. Andrews Hall
Premier historic nightclub, three levels with live music, Techno, Alternative, Hip-Hop.
Drink Tom's Oyster Bar
Metro Detroit chain. Upscale, a local favorite.
Drink The Town Pump Tavern
Steps away from Comerica Park, Ford Field, the Fox Theatre and the Fillmore Theatre. this upscale watering hole is a good place to start out at before a game or concert. They offer an extensive beer list with 18 beers on tap, and a full kitchen serving until 11PM every evening. They have live music after home Lions and Tigers games, and DJs on the weekends.
Drink Tommy's Bar and Grill
1840 building now a bar with lots of atmosphere, particularly before a sporting event such as the Red Wings.
Drink Ready Player One
A underground bricktown barcade.
Drink Pop + Offworld
Barcade offering over 30 arcade machines, New York style pizza, a full bar and live entertainment. Located upstairs from the Checker Bar.
Sleep
Mid-range
Splurge
Stay The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit
The city's historic flagship luxury hotel, European elegance, downtown location, world-class facility with attached parking garage. Guests have included Presidents Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and many celebrities.
Go next
- Windsor, Ontario, Canada -- lies just across the Ambassador Bridge (which is in the Southwest Side. Or through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel which is next to the Renaissance Center (good to use if you see traffic backed up onto I-75). This heavily trafficked border crossing has shaped Windsor more than anything else; well-maintained, walkable streets, shops and restaurants, Caesar's Windsor (Canada's largest casino), and adult entertainment. The lower drinking age (19) draws young Americans and ensures a vibrant club scene on weekends. Windsor provides great views of the Detroit skyline, especially on summer nights Windsor's waterfront. Since the passing of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, Crossing the border requires passport or an enhanced driver's license. A birth certificate or standard driver's license is no longer enough to make the crossing.
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