The former industrial city of Detroit has developed into a lively and creative metropolis. Follow us to the Great Lakes Region and discover the top highlights in Michigan's largest city.
| State: | Michigan |
| County: | Wayne County |
| Area: | 370 km² (359 km² of land) |
| Population: | 640,000 (metropolitan region 4.4 million) |
| Nickname: | Motor City, Motown |
| Time zone: | Eastern (UTC−5/−4) |
Detroit, the largest and most important city in the state of Michigan, is located in the Great Lakes Region in the North of the United States. The city lies on the Detroit River, which connects Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie.
Today, there are 640,000 residents living within the city limits of Detroit. However, a densely populated metropolitan region adjoins, bringing the Detroit metropolitan area to about 4.4 million inhabitants. After Chicago in the state of Illinois and Toronto in Canada, Detroit forms the third largest metropolitan area in the Great Lakes Region.
You can find places to stay in Detroit all over the city, but mostly in the center. These are some hotel tips for Downtown Detroit:
The Shinola Hotel awaits you with an elegant and tasteful interior, excellent service, and a great view over Detroit. Thanks to the central location in the city center, all important sights of the city are easily accessible from here.
The arty boutique hotel Trumbull and Porter is located in downtown Detroit not far from the historic Corktown district, where plenty of dining and entertainment options await you.
In the heart of Detroit, you will stay at Mint House Detroit - Times Square in light-flooded, stylishly furnished apartments. Only a few minutes of walking separate you from attractions such as TCF Center, Music Hall Center, and Saint Andrews Hall.
On your trip to Detroit, you'll likely arrive at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. However, when searching for cheap flights to the USA, be sure to also check for connections to other cities in the Great Lakes Region, such as Chicago, Cleveland, Indianapolis, or Toronto.
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Detroit is full of historic buildings, beautiful parks as well as cultural and musical highlights. Come with us on an extended walk to the top sights of Motor City.
Downtown Detroit is the economic heart of the city. Located on the Detroit River, the central district has preserved much historic architecture, including iconic skyscrapers such as the Guardian Building, One Detroit Center, the Penobscot Building, and the Renaissance Center. Take a break from the hustle and bustle at Campus Martius Park, which stretches between the city's high-rise buildings.
Detroit's most beautiful park is not located within the city limits but on the offshore island "Belle Isle" in the middle of the Detroit River. The MacArthur Bridge takes you to Detroit's 3.9 km² recreational paradise, where you'll find the Detroit Yacht Club, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, the Belle Isle Casino, a botanical garden, a zoo, a golf course, and Detroit's swimming beach.
Do you want to do a little walking in Detroit? Then head to the Detroit International Riverfront, which stretches from the Ambassador Bridge to Belle Isle. On your 8.8 km walk along the Detroit River, you'll pass Downtown Detroit's skyscrapers, a marina, a cruise ship terminal, and several parks.
Culturally, too, the Detroit International Riverfront, where several festivals are held throughout the year, now has a lot to offer. In February 2021, it was, therefore, voted the best riverfront in the United States by USA Today readers.
What could be better than watching a baseball game on a sunny summer day in front of the impressive Detroit skyline? Comerica Park, the home stadium of the Detroit Tigers MLB team, opened in 2000 and can accommodate over 41,000 baseball fans. To reach the facility, sports lovers don't have to look far because the modern sports venue is located in the middle of downtown Detroit.
Eight Mile Road became world famous through the movie of the same name by rapper Eminem. For a long time, the significant road separated the poor neighborhoods and suburbs North of the 8MR from the richer neighborhoods in the South of Detroit.
Detroit is a great place for culture and museum fans. Numerous unique history houses invite you to learn more about Michigan's most notable personalities and achievements.
Don't miss a visit to the Henry Ford Museum in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn. On the huge complex, you'll see not only vehicles of the world-famous car brand Ford but also antique machines, locomotives, and even airplanes. However, the most famous exhibits are the limousines of US presidents John F. Kennedy, Theodore Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Ronald Reagan.
The legendary Motown sound shaped the music of the 1960s and 1970s. The original music recording studio of the Motown Records label, which was founded in Detroit, is now home to the Motown Museum. Here, music fans can indulge in nostalgia among photos, costumes, and other memorabilia.
The hearts of art fans will beat faster at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). With more than 65,000 exhibits, it is one of the most important art museums in the USA. The extensive collection ranges from works of Egyptian antiquity to contemporary art. The museum's most famous work – the mural "Detroit Industry" by Diego Rivera – decorates the courtyard of the building.
If you're feeling a little hungry after your extended walk around town and you're looking for a good restaurant to have dinner at, then you should definitely head to Greektown.
The historic district in downtown Detroit was founded by Greek immigrants and is now a historic landmark. Along Monroe Street, you will find a variety of great restaurants. Greek, American, Mexican, Italian – there's something for everyone!
A breathtaking view of the skyline, delicious cocktails, and creative venues: if you want to get into the nightlife in Detroit, you'll find the trendiest venues in the city center. You can have a great time in these bars and clubs:
Are you looking for the right vacation souvenirs? You'll find plenty of shopping opportunities on Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit, where major brands like Nike, Under Armour, and Lululemon have stores. If you're looking for smaller boutiques, head North to Midtown.
For vintage fans, Corktown's boutiques are the ideal place to hunt for second-hand clothing, bohemian jewelry, handmade items, and small home furnishings. Detroit's most popular Farmer's Market is located at Eastern Market Stores, while one or two bargains await you at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets.
Fans of US sports will have a good time in Detroit, as the Motor City is home to top teams from all the major North American sports leagues, the so-called "Big 4."
The city's NFL team is called the Detroit Lions and plays its American Football matches at Ford Field. The Detroit Tigers baseball team is one of the top MLB teams and plays at Comerica Park. Basketball action can be experienced when the Detroit Pistons play at Little Caesars Arena. However, the latter is not only a venue for NBA games but also the home arena of the Detroit Red Wings, one of the most famous ice hockey teams in the world.
Are you looking for the best places in Detroit to fill your Instagram feed? These five Instagram hotspots will give you great photo opportunities:
The history of Detroit began in 1701 when French Captain Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac founded the town at the outlet of Lake Erie ("le détroit du Lac Érié"). This is where the name Detroit came from. A fort was built on the site, serving as an important base for the French military. In 1760, Detroit came under British colonial rule.
In 1778, Detroit was already the largest city West of the Appalachians, with a population of 2,144, and it became the capital of the Michigan Territory in 1805. As an important hub of trade routes along the Great Lakes, the city steadily attracted new settlers in the following decades, so that by the time of the American Civil War, it was already home to more than 45,000 residents.
The real boom of Detroit began with industrialization, where numerous industrial companies settled. The production of cast-iron stoves earned the city the nickname "Stove Capital of the World" at the end of the 19th century.
The Ford car company began mass-producing its vehicles in 1909, making Detroit the center of the American automotive industry. Due to the economic success, a new population explosion pushed Detroit's population past the 1.8 million mark in the 1950s.
From the 1960s, Detroit's automotive industry lost influence, and many people left the city, which also had to deal increasingly with rising crime. Detroit became synonymous with the decline of an industrial city. Since 2014, under Mayor Mike Duggan, far-reaching investments have been made in business, culture, and tourism, aimed at attracting new start-ups and making the city more attractive.
The former industrial city of Detroit has become an insider's tip for immigrants in recent years. Company start-ups, renovations, and the influx of many creative people have transformed Motor City into a vibrant place full of hip bars, excellent restaurants, and cultural events.
The automotive industry is still a big economic factor in Detroit, but increasingly other sectors such as finance, technology, and healthcare are gaining importance. In Midtown Detroit, you'll also find a thriving retail and restaurant scene.
The cost of living in Detroit is comparatively cheap and about 12 % below the US average. Since the population in Detroit has declined sharply in the past decades, you will find plenty of vacant real estate in Motor City today. That's why you can especially benefit from affordable housing in Detroit. Neighborhoods worth living in Detroit include the University District, Sherwood Forest, Green Acres, and Redford Charter Township.
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