Things To Do

There's plenty to do in Detroit! Enjoy a variety of amazing dining options, a vibrant cultural scene, and a beautiful walk along the Detroit River.

Read on for more options, and be sure to check out visitdetroit.com for more information about restaurants, museums, and cultural opportunities.

Dining

Detroit’s culinary scene has received rave reviews. Here are some local recommendations:

For a Detroit classic: Visit one of the many Coney Island restaurants, notably American or Lafayette. The two neighboring restaurants have been battling it out since the 1920s for the title of “best Coney dog."
For the best BBQ: Check out Slows Bar Bq in Detroit's historic Corktown neighborhood.
For a Latin flavor: Home of the city’s largest Mexican population since the 1920s, Southwest Detroit’s Mexicantown neighborhood features some of the best Mexican food in the state. Any place near Bagley or Vernor is sure to provide a great, authentic meal.
For a five-star, fine-dining experience: Head up to the 71st floor of the GM Renaissance Center to Coach Insignia. It boasts one of Michigan’s largest wine lists and panoramic views of Detroit, Windsor, and the surrounding area.
For a steak dinner: Take a trip to either the Book-Westin Cadillac Hotel and their award-winning restaurant, Roast, or to one of Detroit’s oldest steakhouses, London Chop House — once a destination for Detroit’s automotive elite.
For burgers and brews: Corktown's Mercury Burger Bar sets the scene for the great American classic with great burgers and local brews on tap. Hopcat Detroit is home to one of “America’s 10 Best French Fries” as voted by Food Network Magazine and boasts Michigan’s largest tap selection.
For breakfast or brunch: Featuring all things savory and sweet, the award-winning Hudson Café offers a coffee bar and lounge area.
For a Mediterranean taste: Take a walk under the lights down Monroe Avenue and eat at any of Greektown’s authentic restaurants. Save room for dessert at Astoria Pastry Shop.
For Detroit-Style pizza: Find this square, deep-dish, Sicilian-style fare at PizzaPapalis and Niki's.

Museums and Culture

The Detroit Institute of Arts offers more than one hundred galleries featuring works from prominent artists such as Diego Rivera, Degas, and Cézanne. Just down the block, pop into the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History to explore exhibits from the Middle Passage to the Underground Railroad. To learn more about the city’s history, the Detroit Historical Museum offers a look into the city’s past from the early frontier to the automotive boom. Hitsville U.S.A., home to the Motown Museum, offers a testimony to the legacy of Motown music, featuring exhibits and artifacts from the era. Pop into Cliff Bell’s jazz club for a taste of Prohibition-era Detroit.

Nature in the City

Just outside Cobo Center, the Detroit RiverWalk provides a 5 ½ mile paved pathway offering majestic views of the Detroit-Windsor International Waterfront. Belle Isle, a state park in the Detroit River, features an aquarium, conservatory, trails, a beach, and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. Take a walk through William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor, the first urban state park in Michigan, which provides opportunities for picnics, walks, and shore fishing.