20 Best Things to Do in Detroit: A Year-Round Guide to the Motor City

When I first moved out of my home state of Michigan, I often felt embarrassed to admit that I grew up in Metro Detroit. General responses to the city of Detroit from people unfamiliar with the area aren’t always pleasant, and so I grew ashamed of the city I grew up enjoying.

But when the pandemic struck in 2020, I fled Los Angeles and spent seven months recapturing my love for the Midwest. When I met my partner in 2021, I eagerly described to him all of the seasonal festivities and activities I loved growing up. Now that I’ve visited my hometown with him twice, I’ve finally grown to appreciate Detroit and the state of Michigan for what they are; the small-town USA of the suburbs, the blue-collar Americana of the city, and the true, hardworking pride of locals that few places I’ve traveled in America possess.

Most travelers don’t consider Detroit a destination, but I beg to differ. Detroit’s unique seasonal offerings provide a distinct perspective at any time of year. My hometown bias aside, the city’s automotive history and quirky traditions make the city worth a stop to anyone looking for a new destination in the lower 48. Here are my top 20 things to do in Detroit in any season!

20 Things to Do in Detroit Any Time of the Year

Winter

• Visit the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation – Whenever I talk to out-of-towners about Detroit, the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation is THE PLACE that people ask about, and for good reason. While there’s plenty to see in the adjacent Greenfield Village in the warmer months, the indoor museum, located in Dearborn, offers hours of entertainment during chilly weather. The museum houses an incredible collection of artifacts with a focus on innovation and, no surprise, cars. Highlights include the Rosa Parks Bus, a collection of Presidential limousines (including the vehicle JFK was in during his assassination), an “evolutional timeline” of American automobiles, and the chair from Ford’s Theater that Abraham Lincoln sat in when he was shot by John Wilkes-Booth. Admission runs around $46 per person and you can expect to spend a full day exploring the museum’s collection.

  
  

  

• Visit the Detroit Institute of Arts – Featuring 65,000 works of art, the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) is a must-visit for all art lovers. Key works include Van Gogh’s Portrait of Postman Roulin and Diego Rivera’s Detroit Industry Murals. The robust collection also showcases plenty of Detroit-specific art and photography to learn more about the city. Two cafes and a theater offering “the best in contemporary and classic world cinema” round out the DIA. Admission is free for Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne County, Michigan residents, and $20 for visitors. A four-hour visit allows you to cover most of the museum’s key exhibits.

• Check out the Detroit Auto Show – A perennial event, the Detroit Auto Show is a motorhead’s dream come true. Headlined by the “Big Three” automakers (Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis), this showcase of the latest and greatest in car technology across the industry. Interactive displays allow you to get inside the newest models and prototypes in development. The show occurs for two weeks, usually in mid to late January. Tickets typically run about $20 for general admission. See the latest information about the next Detroit Auto Show here.

• Rochester’s Fire and Ice Festival & Big Bright Light Show – Seasonal offerings in the Detroit suburb of Rochester draw quite a crowd these days. Rochester’s Big Bright Lights Show sees the city’s Main Street adored with over a million Christmas lights. The display runs from Thanksgiving through mid-January and has been chronicled by The Wall Street Journal and Parade Magazine. As the holidays dim, the lights continue to shine into January for the Fire and Ice Festival, typically hosted during the third weekend of the month. The festival includes impressive ice carving competitions, explosive fireworks displays, and various snow-themed activities. Both The Big Bright Lights Show and the Fire and Ice Festival are free to the general public. 

  
  

Spring

• Tigers Baseball Game – Nothing screams Spring in Detroit quite like Tigers baseball. Sure, games in April and even early May are susceptible to a flurry of snow or two, but early-season games mean cheaper tickets! Before the game, hit up Buddy’s for Detroit-style pizza. If you have little ones, be sure to take a spin on the Carousel or Ferris Wheel. My favorite section for tickets is 138 (Probably biased because that’s where our season tickets were when I was growing up). The upper deck in Comerica Park isn’t the best for game viewing, so I’d highly recommend the lower level if your budget permits. Tickets can be purchased on the Tigers website.

  

• Go Wild at the Detroit Zoo – One of my favorite activities growing up in Detroit was visiting the Detroit Zoo. With over 2,000 animals across 125 acres, the zoo offers a peek into the biodiversity in every corner of the world. My favorite exhibit is the Arctic Ring of Life featuring polar bears and otters viewable from a glass underwater tunnel. Another highlight is the Australian Outback Adventure where you can walk through an enclosure containing Red Kangaroo without barriers between you and the animals. During the Halloween and Holiday seasons, the zoo offers celebrations and nighttime experiences for a separate ticket price. General admission ranges between $14 and $27 per person depending on the time and date of visit and can be purchased online.

• Stroll through History at Greenfield Village – Located adjacent to the aforementioned Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village is a living history museum that offers visitors the opportunity to step back in time in American history. Guests can immerse themselves in interactive experiences inside historic homes, take a spin on a vintage Model T, and interact with performers dressed in period clothing. Buildings of historic importance across America have been relocated to the village including Henry Ford’s childhood farmhouse, Thomas Edison’s laboratory, and a working farm. While I prefer to visit in the spring, seasonal events include old-fashioned baseball games during the summer and a historically accurate holiday celebration called Holiday Nights during November and December. Admission costs $35 for adults.

• Visit Belle Isle – Located in Downtown Detroit, Belle Isle comes to life in the spring with blooming flowers and lush greenery consuming the island. With scenic views of the Detroit River, peaceful walking trails, and the stunning Belle Isle Conservatory which recently reopened following extensive restoration, it’s the ideal spot for a relaxing picnic or outdoor adventure. Springtime is the perfect time to explore the island’s attractions like the aquarium, nature center, and fountain without the summer crowds. Most activities on Belle Isle are free. Check the DNR website to see hours and relevant information regarding restorations and closures. 

  
  

Summer

• Concerts at Pine Knob – Any Metro Detroit local can attest that a summer night spent at Pine Knob is a right of passage in early adulthood. This amphitheater in Clarkston is the place to see a summer concert. If you’re into country, mark your calendars for the annual “99.5 WYCD Hoedown,” a mini music festival put on by the local country radio station typically held at Pine Knob. Notable acts of all genres make their rounds at this venue. Check to see the upcoming schedule on the amphitheater’s website.

• Float on a Boat – Michigan isn’t called the Great Lake State for nothing! While many Michiganders migrate “Up North” to experience lakefront living at one of the countless lakes in the state, there are still plenty of Detroit-area lakes easily accessible for locals hoping to stay close to home or visitors staying near the city. Lake St. Clair is a larger lake located at the northern end of the Detroit River. It offers a variety of boat rental locations along the shore (Lake St. Clair Boat Rentals, for example). For a smaller lake experience, check out Lake Orion in Northern Oakland County, about a 50-minute drive from Detroit proper. This lake offers kayak and paddle board rentals, as well as a Peddle Boat Pub for weekend entertainment. There are even opportunities to experience boating in the City of Detroit on the river. Diamond Jack's hosts narrated historical tours along the river for $25 per person every weekend in the summer. We took this boat tour on our last visit with my family and enjoyed the unique perspective on the city.

  

• Woodward Dream Cruise – The Woodward Dream Cruise, hosted in August every year, is a must-see for car enthusiasts. Classic cars and hot rods take over Detroit’s Woodward Avenue during the largest one-day automotive event in the world. Celebrating 30 years in 2025, the annual event draws over 1 million people and 40,000 classic cars each year from around the globe. Located across the cities of Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Royal Oak, Pleasant Ridge, and Pontiac, there are no fees to cruise in the event or to watch. Visit the Dream Cruise's website for the latest on dates.

• Explore the Detroit Riverfront – The Detroit Riverfront is a vibrant summer destination, perfect for outdoor activities with stunning views of the Detroit River and Windsor skyline. Whether you’re biking along the waterfront trails, relaxing at one of the many parks, or enjoying a riverside café, it is the ideal spot for a sunny day in the city. There are plenty of live music events sprinkled throughout the season, plus the impressive Detroit Ford Fireworks display that takes place in late June every year.

  

Fall

• Apple Picking and Cider Mills – By far, my favorite activity in the greater Detroit area is going apple picking and visiting cider mills in the fall. Starting in late August and running through the end of October, “U-Pick” apples are available around Metro Detroit. My favorite farm is Blake’s, which has expanded into a mini fall-themed amusement park with countless family activities, restaurants, and hard cider tastings at their Orchard and Cider Mill location! I also love Big Red Orchard or the Stony Creek Orchard, which are a little less "corporate" and tend to be more intimate. If you’re not in the mood to do apple picking, you can simply enjoy cider and donuts at one of Metro Detroit’s favorite cider mills, Yates Cider Mill! Try to visit early in the morning or during the weekdays to avoid some crazy traffic and parking.

  
  
  

  

  Cider mill donuts from Blake's

  

  

  Apple Picking at Blake's

  

  

  Shopping at Blake's
  
  

• Get Spooked on a Haunted Hayride or Haunted House – In middle school and high school, going on a haunted hayride for a “boy/girl” outing was THE thing to do. But even as an adult, there’s still a lot to love about the various haunted attractions around the Detroit area. Blake's Big Apple offers a haunted barn, hayride, and zombie paintball. Erubus in Pontiac was the world’s largest haunted house from 2005-2009 and offers a more intense haunted experience featuring animatronics that "touch" visitors and a massive "bottomless pit" for people to fall into... It sounds a little too intense for me, so if you find out for yourself, report your findings back here! There’s no shortage of haunted attractions in the Metro Detroit area and this website can help locate other haunted attractions near you.

• Cheer on the Gritty Lions – If you’d asked me to compile this list in 2008, I can promise that cheering on the Detroit Lions would not make this list. But the team’s recent resurgence has breathed new life into the Detroit sports scene, and the city of Detroit itself. The Lions’ Ford Field is located in the heart of Downtown Detroit, making it the perfect all-day festivity. Check out the official Lions tailgate at Detroit’s Eastern Market, or head to Tin Roof or Elwood Bar & Grill for pre-game parties. Lions’ tickets cost a pretty penny these days, so make sure to buy tickets in the early summer for the best prices.

• Visit Frankenmuth – If you drive north from Detroit for about two hours on I-75, you’ll find a little taste of Bavaria in Frankenmuth Village. What once started as a German immigrant settlement has blossomed into a cute town with cute local shops and themed restaurants. The Bavarian Inn Restaurant and Zehnder’s are the two main eateries offering “world-famous” fried chicken and family-style meals and there may or may not be a rivalry between the two (I'm a Bavarian Inn girl myself). The town is also home to the world’s largest Christmas shop, open all year round. In late September, Frankenmuth celebrates Oktoberfest as the first festival to celebrate the festivities with the blessing of the original Oktoberfest in Munich. The event features authentic entertainment, dancing, Oktoberfest souvenirs, various food selections, and authentic Hofbrauhaus Oktoberfest beer. 

The Holiday Season

• Experience the Thanksgiving Parade and Go For Seconds at the Lions’ Thanksgiving Football Game – Detroit's “America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” is the second oldest parade of its kind. Broadcasted nationally annually, the parade features high-flying balloons, massive floats, and a visit from everyone’s favorite North Pole resident. The parade is best viewed from Woodward Ave. in Downtown Detroit. You can make the parade a Detroit double feature by snagging tickets to the annual Lions Thanksgiving football game. The Lions have played every year on Thanksgiving since 1934 and tickets to the game are highly coveted by sports fans everywhere. Plan to purchase early or buy from a secondary ticketing site. It’s truly one of the biggest days in the city!

• Celebrate the Season with Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village – As a Detroiter, I remember watching TV commercials for Holiday Nights my entire life. We finally had the pleasure of attending in 2022 and loved every second of it. Greenfield Village comes alive as darkness settles with “living historians” taking to the decorated streets dressed in period clothing sharing the history of the holidays in America. Guests can enjoy free Model-T rides and horse-drawn carriage rides through the village, ice skating, carolers, and interactive holiday exhibits. Dining packages are also available. Prepare for cold winter temperatures as the event does require significant walking outdoors. The event takes place on select nights in December and tickets go on sale in late October to the general public. Be warned that many nights do sell out. Tickets cost between $36 and $42 depending on the day and can be purchased at the museum's website.

• Stroll Through Meadow Brook Holiday Walk – If you’re looking to stay warmer and enjoy some historic holiday décor, a tour of Meadow Brook Hall might be more your speed! This 110-room Tudor-revival mansion was built by the heiress to the Dodge automaker fortune and is located on the outskirts of Oakland University’s campus in Rochester, Michigan. While tours of the mansion are available year-round, the holiday décor takes this hidden gem to a whole new level with more than 50 Christmas trees and thousands of twinkling lights. In the evenings, the Winter Wonder Lights adorn the surrounding area, offering breathtaking shimmering sights for all. The mansion tours and Winter Wonder Lights tickets are sold separately and run just over $20 per person each. Special pricing applies to select groups. Check out the museum’s website for details and to purchase tickets.

  
  
  

  

  The grounds of Meadowbrook Hall

  

  

  Outside Meadowbrook Hall

  

  

  Poinsettia Christmas Tree at Meadowbrook Hall
  
  

• Enjoy Ice Skating, Pop Up Bars and Christmas Markets in Downtown Detroit – Downtown Detroit transforms for the holidays with chalets and Christmas bars popping up around the city. Visit Campus Martius to window shop at the Detroit Christmas Market in Cadillac Square featuring 17 local vendors offering specialty apparel, accessories, jewelry, bath products, home décor, children’s toys, pet goods, books, snacks, and more. If you’re looking to enjoy a physical winter activity, an ice rink opens in early November through January. Adult admission runs $12 per person with $6 skate rentals purchased on-site. There are also plenty of festive pop-up bars to enjoy. The Cadillac Square is also home to the Cadillac Lodge, a tented area with plenty of delicious holiday-themed beverages and snacks. My favorite holiday pop-up is Sippin' Santa at The Skip which blends tiki bar themes with Christmas magic. We had an insane cocktail that was literally on fire the last time we visited and loved it. 

Wrapping It Up!

That’s only a fraction of what Detroit has to offer! Which activities are you adding to your Detroit bucket list? And locals, what hidden gems did I miss in this list? Share your own Detroit tips in the comments below.

If you’re looking for more travel inspiration, check out some of my other articles below. Until next time, keep on exploring!