Things to Do in Detroit

Detroit Attractions and Events

Looking for some fun thing to do in Detroit? You won't have to look far. We have a full roster of attractions and things to do that include Cars, Culture, Gaming, Music, Sports and a host of other major attractions and events. Metro Detroit has things to do for everyone. For a full listing of Detroit attractions, click www.visitdetroit.com.

Cars, Culture, Gaming, Music & Sports

Cars

You can rev up just about any day to experience why Detroit is the Motor City. For historic Detroit attractions, visit the elegant homes of the auto barons including, Dodge and Ford, or explore the Walter P. Chrysler Museum and the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, the birthplace of the Model T. The Henry Ford, America's greatest history attraction, offers a tour of the Ford Rouge Factory that showcases environmental innovation and industrial production. Just a few steps from The Henry Ford, tour the Automotive Hall of Fame with in-depth visual and interactive exhibits about automotive history, its leaders and innovators.

Detroit Culture

The Detroit Cultural Center is on of the most notable attractions of the area. A trip to Detroit's Cultural Center is only three miles from downtown with art, science and history museums. Wear good walking shoes to tour the 100 galleries of The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), with a collection that is among the top six in the United States. Or learn more about our city at the Detroit Historical Museum across from the DIA with its popular Streets of Detroit showcase. The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is the only one of its kind in the country. The Cultural Center also includes the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. When it comes to the performing arts choose from an array of stages that offer Broadway shows, headliner entertainers, opera, dance, and the symphony all within easy reach, including the fabulous Fox Theatre, Detroit Opera House, Fisher Theatre, Max M. Fisher Music Center and Gem and Century Theatres.

Gaming

We're open 24/7 in The D! Try your luck at thousands of slot machines and table games at our three major downtown casinos. Each casino offers live entertainment, lodging, fine and casual dining. Take in the action at Greektown Casino, MGM Grand Detroit Casino and MotorCity Casino. For horseracing fans, Northville Downs offers harness and thoroughbred racing, and Hazel Park Raceway features live harness racing during summer months, and year-round simulcast broadcasts.

Music

We are Motown and proud of it. For a bit of history make a date to visit the Motown Historical Museum — Hitsville USA, to see where the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and other stars who created a sound that revolutionized the world of music. We have many other beats on tap that include jazz, rock, soul, classical, and more at venues in our five destination regions. Enjoy headliner shows at The Palace of Auburn Hills and DTE Energy Music Theater, or jazz in intimate settings like Cliff Bell's. For ultra-hip concert venues, check out the Fillmore Detroit, St. Andrews, or the Majestic Theatre.

Sports

No matter the season, major league sporting events are on the agenda year round. Even if you can't get a ticket, a must see is Comerica Park where giant tigers guard the gates for our Detroit Tigers professional baseball team. The Detroit Lions football team roars at Ford Field next door, and across town, the Joe Louis Arena is home to the Detroit Red Wings. Head out to Palace of Auburn Hills to watch the Detroit Pistons play championship basketball.

Major Detroit Events

Our calendar is full of special Detroit events that cover music, arts, holiday celebrations and more.

• Snapshot of Major Annual metro Detroit Events: 55 KB PDF

The year begins with the North American International Auto Show in January, followed by two winter celebrations, Motown Winter Blast and the Plymouth International Ice Sculpture Festival. Spring brings the WYCD Downtown Hoedown and Movement: Detroit Electronic Music Festival. Summer days are filled with fun at Detroit River Days, Concours d'Elegance of America, Target Fireworks, African World Festival, Woodward Dream Cruise, Arts, Beats & Eats Festival, and the Detroit Jazz Festival. Fall and winter events include Detroit Free Press Flagstar Bank Marathon, America’s Thanksgiving Parade and Noel Night in the Cultural Center. There are many more celebrations throughout our five destinations districts.

To read more about things to do in metro Detroit, go to Visit Detroit.