Overview
The Southwest Side of Detroit is 2 miles outside of downtown. It is home to popular ethnically diverse neighborhoods, such as Corktown and Mexicantown. Also in the area are historical attractions, such as Fort Wayne.
The Southwest Side is bounded by Michigan Avenue to the north, downtown and the Detroit River to the east, to the south by the downriver communities, and to the west by Dearborn.
9 sights · 3 things to do · 8 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Southwest Side
Ambassador Bridge
This suspension bridge, over the Detroit River, connects Detroit with Windsor. It had the longest suspended central span in the world when it opened in 1929 to 1931. The Ambassador Bridge is the largest international bor…
Fort Street-Pleasant Street and Norfolk & Western Railroad Viaduct
This bridge was the largest and most ambitious structure included in the 1920s grade separation plan, where major streets and rail lines were separated by bridges and subways. Fort Street was designated a "superhighway,"…
Fort Wayne
Located one mile from the Canadian shore of the Detroit River, this historic fort, built in 1849, is listed on the National Register for Historic Places. Fort Wayne was built following rebellions in Canada seeking respon…
Michigan Central Station
This beautiful Beaux-Arts building stands as a perfect example of urban decay in America. Located in Corktown, it opened as a passenger rail depot in 1913, and closed in 1988. It was added to the National Register of His…
Ste. Anne de Detroit
Founded in 1701, it is the second oldest active Roman Catholic parish in the United States. The current church was built in 1886 in a Classical Revival and Late Gothic Revival architectural style. Ste. Anne de Detroit wa…
Woodmere Cemetery
This 150-year-old cemetery is home to many beautiful headstones and mausoleums. The founder of Buick, David Buick, is buried here.
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 — 13 mi away (major hub). Directions
- FNT Bishop International Airport, Flint — 55 mi away. Directions
Budget & where to stay
- Typical meal: about $8 per person at listed restaurants.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Ambassador Bridge, Ste. Anne de Detroit, Michigan Central Station
- Lunch Xochimilchos
- Afternoon Bohemian National Home, El Club
- Dinner Taqueria Lupita
- Evening Two James Spirits
Day 2
- Morning Fort Street-Pleasant Street and Norfolk & Western Railroad Viaduct, Fort Wayne
- Lunch El Asador Steakhouse
- Afternoon Senate Theatre
- Dinner Mi Pueblo
- Evening Mutiny Bar
Day 3
- Morning Woodmere Cemetery
- Lunch El Barzon
- Afternoon Mexicantown
- Dinner Evie's Tamales
- Evening McShane's Irish Pub & Whiskey Bar
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Detroit's Southwest side is known for Mexicantown and its Mexican cuisine at restaurants such as Mexican Village, Evie's Tamales, El Zocalo and Xochimilco. Restaurants, bakeries, and shops are located on Vernor Highway, on both the east and west sides of the Interstate 75 service drive.
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
Southwest Detroit is home to a large melting pot of different ethnicities including Italians, Mexicans, Ecuadorians, Polish, Hungarian, Irish, etc. This is evidenced by the many ethnic neighborhoods and the large diversity of restaurants in the area. Whatever your taste, Southwest Detroit has something for you.
However, Southwest Detroit has even more than vibrant neighborhoods and great cuisine. It is also home an abundance of landmarks, such as Tiger Stadium and the historic Michigan Central Station.
See
Historic sites
See Ambassador Bridge
This suspension bridge, over the Detroit River, connects Detroit with Windsor. It had the longest suspended central span in the world when it opened in 1929 to 1931. The Ambassador Bridge is the largest international border crossing in North America, and over 25% of all the trade between the US and Canada crosses this bridge. It is styled in a mixture of Art Deco and Streamline Moderne architectural designs, with some Gothic architecture blended in. When the Detroit International Riverfront is totally completed, it will run from the Amassador Bridge to Belle Isle, which is about 5 miles in length.
See Fort Street-Pleasant Street and Norfolk & Western Railroad Viaduct
This bridge was the largest and most ambitious structure included in the 1920s grade separation plan, where major streets and rail lines were separated by bridges and subways. Fort Street was designated a "superhighway," requiring the bridge to be 80 feet (24 m) in width; the tracks underneath required a 2,800 feet (850 m) span.
See Fort Wayne
Located one mile from the Canadian shore of the Detroit River, this historic fort, built in 1849, is listed on the National Register for Historic Places. Fort Wayne was built following rebellions in Canada seeking responsible government from Britain. The United States wanted to remain neutral on the case, but realized that they lacked fortifications along the northern border to repel a potential British attack. The Army named the new fort for Revolutionary War hero General Anthony Wayne, who took possession of Detroit from the British in 1796. Before any cannon had been installed at the newly-constructed Fort Wayne, the United States and Britain peacefully resolved their differences, eliminating the need for a fort on the Detroit River. Fort Wayne remained unused for a decade after its initial construction. But it was once again used during the Civil War because the British supported the Confederacy. For the rest of the Civil War, the fort served as a mustering center for troops from Michigan, as well as a place for veterans to recover from their wounds. After the Civil War and until 1920, Fort Wayne served as a garrison post. Today, the fort is operated by the Detroit Recreation Department.
See Michigan Central Station
This beautiful Beaux-Arts building stands as a perfect example of urban decay in America. Located in Corktown, it opened as a passenger rail depot in 1913, and closed in 1988. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. There have been several reports of remaking it into a police headquarters, a casino, or a trade center. But none of these proposals have gone through. Thus, the building stands vacant but, nonetheless, is still a great site for architecture buffs. Ford Motor Company purchased the building in May 2018 and has been renovating the structure which will be the focal point of its new Corktown hub.
See Ste. Anne de Detroit
Founded in 1701, it is the second oldest active Roman Catholic parish in the United States. The current church was built in 1886 in a Classical Revival and Late Gothic Revival architectural style. Ste. Anne de Detroit was the first building made in the French settlement of Fort Ponchatrain du Détroit, which today is the city of Detroit.
See Woodmere Cemetery
This 150-year-old cemetery is home to many beautiful headstones and mausoleums. The founder of Buick, David Buick, is buried here.
See Hunter House
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Hunter House was built in 1890 for the co-founder of a manufacturing company."
Neighborhoods
See Corktown
Corktown is the oldest neighborhood in Detroit. This neighborhood, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is called Corktown because most of its first residents were from County Cork, in Ireland. Corktown is home to some Detroit landmarks, such as the Michigan Central Station and Tiger Stadium.
Do
Theatre
Do Bohemian National Home
Free Jazz, Free improvisation & Indie/DIY music venue. Full bar. All-ages venue.
Music
Eat
Detroit's Southwest side is known for Mexicantown and its Mexican cuisine at restaurants such as Mexican Village, Evie's Tamales, El Zocalo and Xochimilco. Restaurants, bakeries, and shops are located on Vernor Highway, on both the east and west sides of the Interstate 75 service drive.
Vegetarian
Eat Mi Pueblo
Authentic Mexican Fare, features a bar, Wi-Fi and music on Friday through Sunday starting at 8:15PM. Has been featured in the New York Times and awarded "Best Place for a Food Fiesta by the Detroit Free Press".
Mexicantown
Eat Evie's Tamales
Authentic cuisine, Second eldest restaurant in Mexicantown, unpretentious setting.
Eat Taqueria Lupita
Authentic Mexican fare.
Eat Xochimilchos
Large portions of excellent Mexican fare. They have menudo (tripe stew) on the menu, as well as many more mainstream dishes. Open late and serves alcohol. For authentic Mexican food try another restaurant in Mexican Town or Mi Pueblo.
Corktown
Eat Street Beet
Vegan.
Mid-range
Eat El Asador Steakhouse
Per the owner, a new approach to Mexican cuisine.
Eat El Barzon
Consistently delicious and modestly elegant with a menu of both Mexican and Italian food.
Eat Slows BBQ
Great BBQ and beer selection.
Upscale
Drink
Drink The Lager House
Dive bar with live music.
Drink Two James Spirits
A local distillery with its own line of whiskey, gin, and other spirits. A great assortment of handcrafted cocktails is also available.
Drink McShane's Irish Pub & Whiskey Bar
Irish pub across from the old Tiger Stadium site. On game days patrons are offered shuttle rides to the sports arenas downtown. Nice drink selection and knowledgeable waitstaff.
Drink Mutiny Bar
Whimsical, intimate tiki bar serving craft cocktails in playful glasses.
Sleep
Nearby
Dearborn
City / town · 29 listings · 2 mi away
Melvindale
City / town · 6 listings · 2 mi away
Allen Park
City / town · 5 listings · 5 mi away
Redford
City / town · 1 listings · 10 mi away
Garden City
City / town · 3 listings · 10 mi away
Livonia
City / town · 14 listings · 12 mi away
Southfield
City / town · 3 listings · 12 mi away
Royal Oak
City / town · 53 listings · 13 mi away
My experience
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