40 things to do in Detroit before you die

By on Sun, Mar 18, 2018 at 1:47 am

Detroit is iconic for so many reasons. It's the birthplace of techno, Motown, the assembly line, and the Big 3. We've got a historic farmers market, a stunning island park, and a zillion coney island restaurants. We're unique, resilient, and we're in the middle of a downtown renaissance.

Experiencing the Motor City can't be summed up in any list — big or small. But, we rounded up a cool 40 things you absolutely must do in Detroit before you die.

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1. Explore music history at the Motown Museum The birthplace of a musical genre, the Motown Museum is a true time capsule. Hitsville U.S.A. was once Berry Gordy’s recording studio, and the museum offers an all-encompassing look at the voices that shaped music history. Motown Museum is located at 2648 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-875-2264 Photo via Flickr, quirkyjazz
1. Explore music history at the Motown Museum
The birthplace of a musical genre, the Motown Museum is a true time capsule. Hitsville U.S.A. was once Berry Gordy’s recording studio, and the museum offers an all-encompassing look at the voices that shaped music history.
Motown Museum is located at 2648 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-875-2264
Photo via Flickr, quirkyjazz
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2. Visit Belle Isle Detroit's 13-acre island park sits just north of downtown, floating in the Detroit River. Frederick Law Olmsted, the architect of New York City’s Central Park, partially designed this gem. A case could be made that with the enormous fountain, arts and crafts buildings, oldest continually operating public aquarium in the nation, historic boathouse, nature trails, petting zoo, lighthouse, Art Deco monuments, picnic areas, and stunning views the sunset behind downtown Detroit, Belle Isle is Olmsted’s superior work. Photo by Brian Day
2. Visit Belle Isle
Detroit's 13-acre island park sits just north of downtown, floating in the Detroit River. Frederick Law Olmsted, the architect of New York City’s Central Park, partially designed this gem. A case could be made that with the enormous fountain, arts and crafts buildings, oldest continually operating public aquarium in the nation, historic boathouse, nature trails, petting zoo, lighthouse, Art Deco monuments, picnic areas, and stunning views the sunset behind downtown Detroit, Belle Isle is Olmsted’s superior work.
Photo by Brian Day
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3. See a pro sports game downtown There’s arguably never been a better time to be a Detroit sports fan. For the first time since 1974, the Motor City now hosts all four of its professional sports teams within city limits. The Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Pistons play at Little Caesars Arena; 2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit; olympiaentertainment.com. The Detroit Tigers play at Comerica Park; 2100 Woodward Ave, Detroit; mlb.com/tigers. The Detroit Lions play at Ford Field; located at 2000 Brush St., Detroit; detroitlions.com. Photo courtesy of the Detroit Pistons
3. See a pro sports game downtown
There’s arguably never been a better time to be a Detroit sports fan. For the first time since 1974, the Motor City now hosts all four of its professional sports teams within city limits.
The Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Pistons play at Little Caesars Arena; 2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit; olympiaentertainment.com. The Detroit Tigers play at Comerica Park; 2100 Woodward Ave, Detroit; mlb.com/tigers. The Detroit Lions play at Ford Field; located at 2000 Brush St., Detroit; detroitlions.com.
Photo courtesy of the Detroit Pistons
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4. Hang out at the Majestic Complex The Majestic Complex is your one-stop-shop for fun in Midtown area. Start with paid, guarded parking in the back, then head in for all manner of leisure, from billiards to bowling, from pizza to kebabs, indoors or outdoors, with live music in the massive Majestic Theatre or the also commodious Magic Stick. 4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit 313-833-9700 Photo via Flickr, Scott Smithson
4. Hang out at the Majestic Complex
The Majestic Complex is your one-stop-shop for fun in Midtown area. Start with paid, guarded parking in the back, then head in for all manner of leisure, from billiards to bowling, from pizza to kebabs, indoors or outdoors, with live music in the massive Majestic Theatre or the also commodious Magic Stick.
4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit 313-833-9700
 Photo via Flickr, Scott Smithson
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5. Check out a jazz band at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge Open since 1934, the historic Baker’s is among the oldest continuously operating jazz venues in the world. Walking inside is like being transported to another era, thanks to the lounge’s slick Art Deco design complete with a bar with a keyboard motif. Baker’s Keyboard Lounge is located at 20510 Livernois Ave, Detroit; 313-345-6300; theofficialbakerskeyboardlounge.com. MT file photo
5. Check out a jazz band at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge
Open since 1934, the historic Baker’s is among the oldest continuously operating jazz venues in the world. Walking inside is like being transported to another era, thanks to the lounge’s slick Art Deco design complete with a bar with a keyboard motif.
Baker’s Keyboard Lounge is located at 20510 Livernois Ave, Detroit; 313-345-6300; theofficialbakerskeyboardlounge.com.
MT file photo
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6. Get lost at the Detroit Institute of Arts No, really — with more than 6,000 works of art on view (and a collection of more than 66,000 works of art in total) and some 658,000 square feet to explore, you’ll never see everything at the DIA. But you can try. The DIA is located at 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-7900; dia.org; Admission is $14 for adults, $9 for seniors ages 62+, $8 for students, $6 for ages 6–17, and free for Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb county residents and DIA members. Courtesy photo
6. Get lost at the Detroit Institute of Arts
No, really — with more than 6,000 works of art on view (and a collection of more than 66,000 works of art in total) and some 658,000 square feet to explore, you’ll never see everything at the DIA. But you can try.
The DIA is located at 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-7900; dia.org; Admission is $14 for adults, $9 for seniors ages 62+, $8 for students, $6 for ages 6–17, and free for Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb county residents and DIA members.
Courtesy photo
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7. Enjoy car culture We’re called the Motor City for a reason, and there’s no shortage of events celebrating the automobile here — from the slick prototypes of the future at the North American International Auto Show, the scrappy hot rods of Autorama, and everything in between at the annual Woodward Dream Cruise. The Woodward Dream Cruise is will be held Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018. NAIAS is open to the public Jan. 19-27, 2019 at Cobo Center 1 Washington Blvd., Detroit; naias.com. Autorama is expected to be held in March, 2019 at Cobo Center; autorama.com. Photo by Mike Pfeiffer
7. Enjoy car culture
We’re called the Motor City for a reason, and there’s no shortage of events celebrating the automobile here — from the slick prototypes of the future at the North American International Auto Show, the scrappy hot rods of Autorama, and everything in between at the annual Woodward Dream Cruise.
The Woodward Dream Cruise is will be held Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018. NAIAS is open to the public Jan. 19-27, 2019 at Cobo Center 1 Washington Blvd., Detroit; naias.com. Autorama is expected to be held in March, 2019 at Cobo Center; autorama.com.
Photo by Mike Pfeiffer
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8. Explore your dark side at Leland City Club For more than 30 years, Leland City Club has served as a favorite haunt for all sorts of creatures of the night thanks to its cheap cover, 4 a.m. closing time, and eclectic soundtrack heavy on industrial, New Wave, and techno. Leather, latex, or lace, there is no dress code as long as it’s black. Leland City Club is located at 400 Bagley Ave., Detroit; 313-962-2300; lelandcityclub.net MT file photo
8. Explore your dark side at Leland City Club
For more than 30 years, Leland City Club has served as a favorite haunt for all sorts of creatures of the night thanks to its cheap cover, 4 a.m. closing time, and eclectic soundtrack heavy on industrial, New Wave, and techno. Leather, latex, or lace, there is no dress code as long as it’s black.
Leland City Club is located at 400 Bagley Ave., Detroit; 313-962-2300; lelandcityclub.net
MT file photo
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9. Be titillated at the Dirty Show Dirty Show impresario Jerry Vile’s annual ode to all things erotic features burlesque performers, a Cinerotic Film Festival, along with dozens of photographs, paintings, sculpture, and more. The art is only rivaled by the people-watching — at the Dirty Show, people let it all hang out. The Dirty Show will be held in February, 2019 at the Russell Industrial Center; dirtydetroit.com Photo by Jeannette Fleury
9. Be titillated at the Dirty Show
Dirty Show impresario Jerry Vile’s annual ode to all things erotic features burlesque performers, a Cinerotic Film Festival, along with dozens of photographs, paintings, sculpture, and more. The art is only rivaled by the people-watching — at the Dirty Show, people let it all hang out.
The Dirty Show will be held in February, 2019 at the Russell Industrial Center; dirtydetroit.com
Photo by Jeannette Fleury
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10. Enjoy the last bash inspired by hippies in the old Cass Corridor What began as an informal hippie party on Prentis Street in the late 1960s has become much more organized, but it’s still fondly called by the same name: The Dally in the Alley. The food is better, and the production values are sky-high compared to the old days, and though the festival is better managed, it still doesn’t have the kind of heavy-handed corporate sponsorship other festivals do. And so what was once a street party for artists, radical activists, musicians, and burnouts living in the Cass Corridor has become a party with attendees from all over metro Detroit, a sort of “open house” for what’s now almost universally known as “Midtown.” Dally in the Alley is Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018 (rain date Sept. 9) between Second, Third, Hancock and Forest streets, Detroit. MT File photo
10. Enjoy the last bash inspired by hippies in the old Cass Corridor
What began as an informal hippie party on Prentis Street in the late 1960s has become much more organized, but it’s still fondly called by the same name: The Dally in the Alley. The food is better, and the production values are sky-high compared to the old days, and though the festival is better managed, it still doesn’t have the kind of heavy-handed corporate sponsorship other festivals do. And so what was once a street party for artists, radical activists, musicians, and burnouts living in the Cass Corridor has become a party with attendees from all over metro Detroit, a sort of “open house” for what’s now almost universally known as “Midtown.”
Dally in the Alley is Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018 (rain date Sept. 9) between Second, Third, Hancock and Forest streets, Detroit.
MT File photo
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11. Explore an American art form at Detroit International Jazz Festival Originally begun in 1980 as the Montreux-Detroit Jazz Festival, the programming usually casts a backward glance with retrospectives orbiting around a past great, as well as featuring a few forward-looking stars of the international scene. There’s no better way to appreciate the sonic power of the larger bands than taking in the sound outdoors as it bounces off the ample walls of downtown’s skyscrapers at dusk. The Detroit International Jazz Festival takes place Sept. 2-5, 2018, in downtown Detroit. MT File photo
11. Explore an American art form at Detroit International Jazz Festival
Originally begun in 1980 as the Montreux-Detroit Jazz Festival, the programming usually casts a backward glance with retrospectives orbiting around a past great, as well as featuring a few forward-looking stars of the international scene. There’s no better way to appreciate the sonic power of the larger bands than taking in the sound outdoors as it bounces off the ample walls of downtown’s skyscrapers at dusk.
The Detroit International Jazz Festival takes place Sept. 2-5, 2018, in downtown Detroit.
MT File photo
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12. Explore Detroit’s waterways up-close in a canoe or kayak Small watercraft like canoes and kayaks offer all sorts of opportunities for exploration, unusual views of the city, and even a chance to see the return of wildlife to quieter quarters. There’s no better way to see the city’s “canal district” down by Klenk Street is Detroit’s Venice. Every year, Riverside Kayak and Friends of the Rouge sponsor a group paddle up the Rouge River that can afford unusual views of the iconic Detroit factories. The Industrial Rouge River Tour takes place 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018; call 734-285-2925 for more details. MT File photo
12. Explore Detroit’s waterways up-close in a canoe or kayak
Small watercraft like canoes and kayaks offer all sorts of opportunities for exploration, unusual views of the city, and even a chance to see the return of wildlife to quieter quarters. There’s no better way to see the city’s “canal district” down by Klenk Street is Detroit’s Venice. Every year, Riverside Kayak and Friends of the Rouge sponsor a group paddle up the Rouge River that can afford unusual views of the iconic Detroit factories.
The Industrial Rouge River Tour takes place 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018; call 734-285-2925 for more details.
MT File photo
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13. Sample Belgian beer and food while trying your hand at feather bowling Enter this former Belgian social club and right away you’ll feel you’ve traveled about 4,000 miles to the east as you’re treated to mussels, Belgian sausage, and Westmalle Triple beer. Save a little energy for the Belgian variant of bocce played with a dozen balls and a feather. 4300 Cadieux Rd., Detroit 313-882-8560 MT File Photo
13. Sample Belgian beer and food while trying your hand at feather bowling
Enter this former Belgian social club and right away you’ll feel you’ve traveled about 4,000 miles to the east as you’re treated to mussels, Belgian sausage, and Westmalle Triple beer. Save a little energy for the Belgian variant of bocce played with a dozen balls and a feather.
4300 Cadieux Rd., Detroit 313-882-8560
MT File Photo
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14. Get fat and drunk during Hamtramck’s Paczki Day celebration The annual Hamtramck Fat Tuesday celebration centers on the paczki, a Polish pastry that in the simplest terms can be described as a richer and denser cousin of the jelly donut. But that’s only part of the fun. Hamtramckans go nuts in a Mardi Gras-style bash before everyone gives up their vices for Lent. Tens of thousands of paczkis are consumed. Countless shots of Jezynowka are downed. And exponentially more beers are guzzled. Head to shot-and-beer dive bars like Suzy’s which offer "Polish Girls Gone Wild" or sample Small’s Bar’s paczki bomb a paczki filled with the Polish brandy. Photo via Shutterstock
14. Get fat and drunk during Hamtramck’s Paczki Day celebration
The annual Hamtramck Fat Tuesday celebration centers on the paczki, a Polish pastry that in the simplest terms can be described as a richer and denser cousin of the jelly donut. But that’s only part of the fun. Hamtramckans go nuts in a Mardi Gras-style bash before everyone gives up their vices for Lent. Tens of thousands of paczkis are consumed. Countless shots of Jezynowka are downed. And exponentially more beers are guzzled. Head to shot-and-beer dive bars like Suzy’s which offer "Polish Girls Gone Wild" or sample Small’s Bar’s paczki bomb a paczki filled with the Polish brandy.
Photo via Shutterstock
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15. Headbang at Harpo’s Were you at the Slayer and Danzig show in ‘88? How about the first show ever at the legendary rock and metal venue — Mitch Ryder in 1980? Did you see the Beastie Boys? Anthrax? Motorhead? Ramones? The B-52s? James Brown? Were you there the time Meatloaf had his gear stolen outside the venue? How about for Lita Ford? Megadeath? Sepultura? No? Well, don’t miss out on the next great show. Photo by Shane Glenn
15. Headbang at Harpo’s
Were you at the Slayer and Danzig show in ‘88? How about the first show ever at the legendary rock and metal venue — Mitch Ryder in 1980? Did you see the Beastie Boys? Anthrax? Motorhead? Ramones? The B-52s? James Brown? Were you there the time Meatloaf had his gear stolen outside the venue? How about for Lita Ford? Megadeath? Sepultura? No? Well, don’t miss out on the next great show.
Photo by Shane Glenn
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16. Get a taste of Latin American flavor in Southwest Detroit The bustling streets of Southwest Detroit are full of things to see and taste: From the whimsical piñatas on sale at Honeybee/La Colmena to the colorful mural on Los Galanes to the creative cakes and cookies at Gloria’s Bakery. But no visit would be complete without trying a taco at any of the joints along Bagley, Vernor, or Dix. Thanks to the abundance of immigrants from Jalisco, the taco al pastor is a specialty. Photo by Tom Perkins
16. Get a taste of Latin American flavor in Southwest Detroit
The bustling streets of Southwest Detroit are full of things to see and taste: From the whimsical piñatas on sale at Honeybee/La Colmena to the colorful mural on Los Galanes to the creative cakes and cookies at Gloria’s Bakery. But no visit would be complete without trying a taco at any of the joints along Bagley, Vernor, or Dix. Thanks to the abundance of immigrants from Jalisco, the taco al pastor is a specialty.
Photo by Tom Perkins
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17. Get glazed at Pewabic Pottery You’ll find tiles from Pewabic Pottery — once a linchpin of Detroit’s Arts and Crafts movement — on architectural masterpieces locally and nationally. Among the sites are the Guardian Building, Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., and Herald Square in New York City. You’ll also spot the 115-year-old ceramic studio’s work locally in Comerica Park, Detroit Medical Center Children's Hospital, five Detroit People Mover stations, Third Man Records, and QLine stations. Check out its pottery and building, which is on the National Historic Landmark, at 10125 E. Jefferson Ave. MT file photo
17. Get glazed at Pewabic Pottery
You’ll find tiles from Pewabic Pottery — once a linchpin of Detroit’s Arts and Crafts movement — on architectural masterpieces locally and nationally. Among the sites are the Guardian Building, Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., and Herald Square in New York City. You’ll also spot the 115-year-old ceramic studio’s work locally in Comerica Park, Detroit Medical Center Children's Hospital, five Detroit People Mover stations, Third Man Records, and QLine stations. Check out its pottery and building, which is on the National Historic Landmark, at 10125 E. Jefferson Ave.
MT file photo
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18. Take in a night at the theater with a side of social consciousness For 61 years ago, the Detroit Repertory Theatre has persistently pursued its mission of professional community-oriented theater. The only-in-Detroit venue remains a stubborn presence on the disinvested west side, staging lush theatrical productions on its small stage, ranging from wacky farces to compelling dramas of social importance. If you don’t believe that even in this smartphone-addled world, the old magic still works when the lights go down and the curtain goes up, see for yourself. 13103 Woodrow Wilson St., Detroit 313-868-1347 MT File photo
18. Take in a night at the theater with a side of social consciousness
For 61 years ago, the Detroit Repertory Theatre has persistently pursued its mission of professional community-oriented theater. The only-in-Detroit venue remains a stubborn presence on the disinvested west side, staging lush theatrical productions on its small stage, ranging from wacky farces to compelling dramas of social importance. If you don’t believe that even in this smartphone-addled world, the old magic still works when the lights go down and the curtain goes up, see for yourself.
13103 Woodrow Wilson St., Detroit 313-868-1347
MT File photo
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19. Take the best 75-cent tour of downtown Detroit on the People Mover In the 1970s, the federal government intended to help Detroit build a light rail out of all its spoke roads with a monorail joining them together in a hub downtown. The only part to materialize was the hub, known as the People Mover. And despite the fact that Detroit’s elevated train simply goes in a circle, it’s still one of the best ways for a newcomer to see Detroit, especially when the weather is chilly. Photo via Facebook
19. Take the best 75-cent tour of downtown Detroit on the People Mover
In the 1970s, the federal government intended to help Detroit build a light rail out of all its spoke roads with a monorail joining them together in a hub downtown. The only part to materialize was the hub, known as the People Mover. And despite the fact that Detroit’s elevated train simply goes in a circle, it’s still one of the best ways for a newcomer to see Detroit, especially when the weather is chilly.
Photo via Facebook
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20. Get drunk on lots of fine Michigan craft brews at the Fall Beer Festival One of the great joys of being a Michigander is the state is one of the top producers of craft beers. There’s no better time to try nearly all of them than at the Fall Beer Festival at Eastern Market. The event showcases over 800 Michigan-made beers from more than 110 local breweries. Detroit Fall Beer Festival is scheduled for Oct. 26-27. Photo by Lindsay Schweickert
20. Get drunk on lots of fine Michigan craft brews at the Fall Beer Festival
One of the great joys of being a Michigander is the state is one of the top producers of craft beers. There’s no better time to try nearly all of them than at the Fall Beer Festival at Eastern Market. The event showcases over 800 Michigan-made beers from more than 110 local breweries.
Detroit Fall Beer Festival is scheduled for Oct. 26-27.
Photo by Lindsay Schweickert
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