Compared to many other major cities, Detroit is pretty chill — almost like a big city with a small-town vibe. It’s a little less expensive than others, and getting around downtown can be less stressful, too. Still, navigating the city and making the most of it can be difficult without some helpful tips. These Detroit “life hacks” will make your experience in the Motor City a little easier.
Attend your favorite festival for free by volunteering
Be on the lookout for volunteer opportunities at big festivals like Movement or Electric Forest. Often, just a few hours of help will get you a free day pass. Credit: Kahn Santori DavisonBorrow a laptop from Detroit Public Library
Anyone with a Detroit Public Library card can take advantage of its “Laptop to Go” program, which allows individuals to check out a laptop for personal use. The laptops come with Wi-Fi capabilities, a camera, speaker and microphone, and Microsoft Office Suite. Credit: ShutterstockFind something free to do on the Riverwalk
Through the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, there are tons of free activities happening near the river year-round. Some include free yoga, tai chi, plant walks, and concerts. In the winter, there are also free wellness classes offered for physical fitness and mental health. Credit: Cody Ross, Detroit Stock CityVisit a 24/7 drive-thru coney for late night food
Sometimes you want something that tastes a little better than McDonald’s when the 3 a.m. hunger hits. Luckily in Detroit, we got coney islands open all night long, and some even have drive-thrus. Credit: Lee DeVitoFind cheap parking and walk to big events
Sometimes Detroit’s casinos offer free parking, sometimes they don’t. It’s worth a try to check though if you’re going to a concert or sports game downtown, rather than paying anywhere from $20 to $60. Otherwise, the Z Lot garage downtown is a good option as it (usually) stays at a flat rate of $10. If you can find street parking and pay through the Park Detroit app, that’s a cheap option, too. Get your steps in and save some money. Credit: Tom PerkinsRent tools at the Carhartt Workshop Tool Bench
Above Carhartt’s flagship store in Detroit is the company’s Carhartt Workshop Tool Bench, where people can check out tools free of charge for seven days. You can explore their tool library to see what’s in stock. Credit: Courtesy photoPark in New Center or Midtown and take the QLine
Parking can be a major stressor of city life. If you’re getting ready for a concert or other downtown event and want to spend less, you can park further north for as low as $5. The QLine streetcar isn’t always on time, but it can be worth it to save some cash. Just be sure to plan ahead. Credit: Steve NeavlingArts and Scraps sells recycled art supplies for super cheap
Any local creators in need of cheap art materials for jewelry, visual art, and anything in between should visit Arts and Scraps. The community store is a nonprofit resource for Detroit’s art scene, offering various options for low prices. Credit:Facebook, Arts&ScrapsThe DIA is free for tri-county residents
While this fact is known to many thanks to a millage, some people still aren’t aware that admission to Detroit’s world-class museum is free for residents of Wayne, Macomb and Oakland counties. Credit: ShutterstockBook your downtown parking space in advance
To save time and energy on big game or concert nights, Detroiters can use the app SpotHero to book a parking spot in advance. Credit: ShutterstockCranbrook Art Museum is free on Thursdays
If you want to visit a museum outside of the city, Cranbrook Art Museum is free for everyone on Thursday’s and free all the time for children 12 and under. Every third Thursday of the month, the Cranbrook Institute of Science is also free. Credit: ShutterstockGet the best tacos for cheap
For the most authentic Mexican food, go to Southwest Detroit. Stop at a food truck for some tacos, normally just $2-$3 each. Credit: Tom PerkinsPlan all of your downtown outings for Sunday
Parking is free on Sundays, so if you pack all of your downtown activities onto that day, you’ll save money and stress. Credit: Courtesy of Bedrock DetroitIf you’re going to Canada, take the tunnel
Especially if you want to get straight into downtown Windsor, the tunnel is a better option than the bridge when traveling to our neighbors across the river. While the bridge takes you to the freeway, the semi-trucks often make the commute slower, with more lineup and traffic. Credit: ShutterstockHave a Motor City birthday with free local gifts
You can get a free car wash at metro Detroit’s Jax Kar Wash, a free coffee at Biggby, and a free four-square pizza at Buddy’s. All you need to do is sign-up for each rewards program to receive the gifts on your special day. Credit: Courtesy photo
Layla McMurtrie is the digital editor of Detroit Metro Times. She's passionate about art, music, food, and Detroit's culture and community. Her work has been featured in the Detroit Free Press, Between...
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