What to Do in Detroit for a Day: The 7 Perfect Sites to See Before the Day is Up

Main image courtesy of Pure Michigan.

For many people who enjoy doing long road trips where you need to stop and rest in between, there are many sites to see on your journey. If you’re looking to see as many sites and cities as you can and are in Michigan, consider spending a day in Detroit that is rich in its culture, music, art, and history.

Detroit is a huge city in chilly Michigan that is home to the Detroit Lions, Tigers, Pistons, and the Red Wings, and the city is deeply-rooted in sports, but also its large influence on motown music. There are plenty of historical sites, museums, and theaters to see in Detroit, making it the perfect spot for a day trip if you’re just passing through, or are limited on time.

If you’re looking for something fun to do in Detroit, but aren’t sure where to start, here is a list of seven of the top things to do for a day in this bustling city!

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1. Detroit Historical Museum

For huge history buffs, this is the place to be with 18th and 19th century antiques from the Detroit area!

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📍 5401 Woodward Avenue | Cultural Center | detroithistorical.org

One of the best parts about Detroit is its cultural influence, but also its deep history. If you’re someone who could spend hours in a museum looking at old antiques and learning about history, the Detroit Historical Museum makes for a great place to go on a day trip in the city. In Detroit, there is a ton of history that helped the city to evolve into what it is today, and it’s something that can not only make the perfect day trip, but also help you walk away learning something interesting.

The Detroit Historical Museum costs only $10 for admission and people who attend can learn more about Detroit and its history in the automotive industry, Motown music, and even how it helped play a part of industrialization in the United States. They feature tons of neat antiques and pieces of history ranging from cobblestones from the streets in Detroit, 19th century stores, history about the auto assembly line, toy trains, and even fur trading from the 18th century.

“Super cool museum with a wide ranging history of the city of Detroit from the 1800s through the 90s. Definitely very cool to see all the auto stuff, the sports section and the riot stuff.” - Yelp Review

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2. Michigan Science Center

The perfect Smithsonian-affiliate science museum for everyone of all ages who appreciates technology and engineering!

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📍 5020 John R Street | Cultural Center | mi-sci.org

There’s no doubt that humans have come a long way throughout the hundreds of thousands of years we have been on Earth. If you are someone who is in Detroit and looking for something fun and interactive to participate in and pass the time, the Michigan Science Center is the perfect place to go because it offers hand-on activities, and knowledge on how science is ever-evolving.

The Michigan Science Center is a Smithsonian-affiliated science museum that offers people the opportunity to learn more about science, technology, and engineering with live stage shows, a Planetarium, and over 250 hands-on activities and exhibits. This is the perfect place to take children for its family-friendly environment, or even for the science nerds who can’t get enough of learning new ways about how everything works.

“It was fun to go and see the Michigan Science Center. Staff was super nice and it was so much to see. If you want a place where your child can learn, this is it. Also they had a science show and that was of course fun also.” - Yelp Review

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3. Explore Eastern Market

Shopping and trying out some local eateries can be the best way to spend a day trip in Detroit!

For those who are all about exploring as much as they can of a city in one day, there’s only one place you need to go in Detroit–Eastern Market! Exploring Eastern Market offers a wide variety of ways to pass the time for the day, making it the perfect place to spend your time in Detroit no matter how little you have.

Eastern Market features tons of restaurants to try out some local favorites, such as the pizza at Supino Pizzeria, or  Vivio’s Food and Spirits Tavern, and they have distilleries with tours and tasting and breweries as well. There are also Market days that take place every Saturday from 6 am to 4 pm all year-round, plus on Sundays and Tuesdays from June to September where you can purchase produce, eggs, meat, desserts, and other delicious goodies. There are also flea markets to shop at, or you can book a tour to learn more about the Detroit experience on foot, bikes, or on segways.

4. Check Out the Sporting Events

With a city so big into sports, it’s hard not to want to check out the hype of their many teams!

Detroit, Michigan is a huge city that has a ton to offer, and with as many people as it has, of course it has a ton of sports teams to watch. From the NFL Detroit Lions, NHL Red Wings, NBA Pistons, and the MLB Tigers, there are tons of sports games to see at any time during the year, so why not go see a game while you’re in town? Even if Detroit isn’t your home, it still can be a cool experience to see their teams play and how different the mannerisms and environment can be compared to your favorite team.

Comerica Park is where the Detroit Tigers baseball team plays and is located downtown, plus the Ford Field is right next door in case you are visiting during fall or winter and prefer to see a Lions football game. No matter the kind of sport you’re into, represent Detroit or your home team and show up for a good time while enjoying some deliciously good stadium chicken tenders and fries, nachos, and a beer or two on the side.

5. Motown Museum

Learn more about the musical influence that Detroit has had on its own city and the country!

📍 2648 W Grand Boulevard | Detroit | motownmuseum.org

When it comes to music, there’s no doubt that it can have a major influence on people depending on the artist signing, the meaning behind the lyrics, the time it came out, or even for personal reasons to each individual. Detroit is rich in its musical culture and it is the home of the Motown genre of music that started in1959 when Motown Records first got its footing as a successful black-owned business that has been very influential to American history.

To get into the Motown Museum, it will cost you only $20 for adults and $17 for children and you can explore everything from motown artists and how they got their start in the music industry, important characteristics of the music, and even show you a piece of history by visiting the original home that Motown Records started in.

“What an amazing experience. The staff were incredible and very knowledgeable. As a lover of music and history, this place was a must see while in Detroit. Our tour guide was not just knowledgeable but he also made it entertaining and interactive.” - Yelp Review

6. Belle Isle Park

Do you love nature as much as the next person? Detroit’s Belle Isle Park is the best place to be!

Sometimes on a nice sunny day, all you want to do is be outside and enjoy the sunshine, the birdschipping, and the breeze. Detroit is a fun city to be in that has plenty of parks where you can relax and enjoy some time with friends and family and Belle Isle Park is the place to be at with over 985 acres of land to explore with plenty of activities to partake in.

Belle Isle Park is located right along the Detroit River in downtown Detroit and it offers beautiful views of the city and even views of Canada depending on where you’re located. Not only can you walk around, exercise, and explore the park, but visitors can also visit the James Scott Fountain Memorial, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, the Belle Isle Aquarium, or even play golf, fish, kayak, or ride bicycles.

7. Detroit Institute of Arts

Many individuals have a passion for art and this museum is a must-see spot for visitors!

📍 5200 Woodward Avenue | Cultural Center | dia.org

One of the best parts about looking at art is deciding what each piece is supposed to make you feel. With many different types of art and the creative outlooks and personal meanings that artists have for their work, it can be fun to see the pieces that they can come up with. If you find yourself in Detroit, Michigan for a day, it is recommended to check out the Detroit Institute of Arts that provides a unique experience and is highly rated as a top place to visit.

At the Detroit Institute of Arts, admission costs only $20 and you can stay and look at the exhibits that are on display for hours. They feature over 65,000 artworks that date from early civilization, plus there are revolving exhibits that go on display for a limited time. Some different themes of art that are featured include Asian art, cats, African American art, impressionism, European art, performing arts, and tons more that will pique your interest. There is even a cafe to get a cup of joe while you’re looking at the artwork too.

“A good place to spend a long time walking and enjoying art. Beautiful areas, very varied, many places to sit and rest to continue checking everything out. I don't think the price is bad for all the corridors that it has.” - Yelp Review

Check Out These Top 7 Fun Things to Do in Detroit if You Only Have a Day

There’s no doubt that there is so much to see in Detroit and it is utterly impossible to see everything in just a singular day. Whether you only have a couple hours, or are taking a day to check out Detroit before catching a flight home or hopping back in your car for your designated destination, there is a ton to see in Detroit, which is full of history, art, music, and more sights to see that will make you want to come back.

Do you have a loved one who is planning a trip to Detroit? Consider giving them a gift card through GiftYa that they can use in the city for one of their many attractions and museums, or even for restaurants, shops, or gas stations!