Detroit travel

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Detroit

After decades of neglect, Detroit is rolling again. It's like the whole place is caffeine-buzzed, freewheeling in ideas. Young creative types have moved to the city and transformed the glut of abandoned buildings into distilleries, cafes, galleries and chocolate shops. Downtown will pop your eyeballs, from the extraordinary art deco skyscrapers to the whimsical public parks and edgy street art. By day, intriguing sights bring Detroit's car-making history to life. By night, timeless jazz clubs show off its musical chops. Sweet bike rides and sprawling markets add to the energy.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions

Eastern Market
Detroit
One of the oldest and largest year-round bazaars in the United States, Eastern Market draws Detroiters of all types to its six-block spread of wares…
Detroit Institute of Arts
Detroit
The DIA holds one of the world's finest art collections. The centerpiece is Diego Rivera's mural Detroit Industry, which fills an entire room and reflects…
Fisher Building
Detroit
This 1928 masterpiece from the man who built Detroit, Albert Kahn, has an imposing art deco exterior made from Minnesota granite and Maryland marble, and…
Guardian Building
Detroit
Commissioned as a 'cathedral of finance,' this distinctive, 40-story, redbrick building with green and white accents was the world's tallest masonry…
Packard Plant
Detroit
Renowned architect Albert Kahn designed this 3.5-million-sq-ft factory, which opened in 1905, but after years of neglect it became one of Detroit's most…
Campus Martius Park
Detroit
This public space in the heart of Detroit's downtown is the perfect spot to while away a sunny afternoon. A fountain dots the middle, surrounded by…
Belle Isle Park
Detroit
Pretty Belle Isle floats in the Detroit River. The entire expanse is parkland where kayaking, walking trails and a glass-domed conservatory await. There's…
Heidelberg Project
Detroit
Polka-dotted streets, houses covered in Technicolor paint blobs, strange doll sculptures in yards – this is no acid trip, but rather a block-spanning art…

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Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Things to Know

Literally everything you need to know about what to pack, where to stay, what to eat and how to get around the Motor City.

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Best Neighborhoods

The Motor City never takes its foot off the gas and a new energy is sweeping through its lively neighborhoods. Here's a guide to Detroit's best districts.

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Day Trips

From beer-soaked city breaks to birdwatching in a national park, these are the best day trips from Detroit.

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Money and Costs

Detroit won’t break the bank, especially if you know where to go for cheap eats, budget accommodation, public transport passes and deals on attractions.

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Transportation

The car is king in Detroit, as you might expect from America's top car-making hub, but it is possible to explore without a car if you follow our top tips.

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Free Things to Do

From art deco architecture to edgy street art, many of Detroit's most iconic sites and favorite local hangouts are free. These are the best.

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