Detroit, Michigan

Detroit, the famous home of the Motown sound, has great music to hear and museums to visit, plus a zoo, aquarium, and beach on the river. If you’re a day visitor and want some tips on where to go, just consult our handy guide.

Your Detroit Day Stay Guide

• Global Menu – Whatever your appetite, there’ll be something in Detroit to make your taste buds tingle. From Joe Muer Seafood, located on the riverfront, to Cuban cuisine from Vicente’s and Italian fare from La Lanterna, plus a wide range of American restaurants and other styles, there are plenty of establishments to try.
• Music – Fans of Motown can visit the city’s Motown Museum, a collection of art and memorabilia from the golden age of Detroit’s music. Although most famous for Motown, the city has plenty more to offer in the musical sphere, including the beautiful Detroit Opera House, where a range of performances including ballet are hosted.
• Museums – Art aficionados can spend hours wandering more than a hundred galleries at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Artworks from America and the wider world are exhibited, running the gamut from ancient times to the modern day. If you’re traveling with children, the Michigan Science Center features interactive exhibits, shows, and a planetarium. Another top museum worth visiting is The Henry Ford Museum, which is dedicated to American history and culture.
• Belle Isle – This river island is home to an aquarium that’s more than a century old, and has residents such as frogs, fish, eels (which you may be able to feed), turtles and more. There’s also the Belle Isle Nature Center zoo, and a pleasant beach to enjoy if you just want to relax and unwind.

Seven Intriguing Detroit Facts

1. Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac founded Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit, which was later to become the city of Detroit.
2. In 2015, Detroit became the first US city to be named a UNESCO “City of Design.”
3. The Lonely Planet named Detroit the second best city in the world to visit (2018).
4. Detroit is home to the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, North America’s only international wildlife preserve.
5. The city is nicknamed Motown, referencing its strong musical influence.
6. Unusually, entering Canada from Detroit entails traveling south.
7. The J. W. Westcott II is both the world’s only floating post office, and the USA’s only floating ZIP code.