Detroit itinerary: 1 to 2 days
Plans for one and two days in Detroit, day by day: the Motown Museum, the Guardian Building and Michigan Central Station first, then the Fisher Building, Belle Isle Park, the Riverfront, the Renaissance Center, the Michigan Science Center, the Wright Museum and the Detroit Institute of Arts on day two. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 2 days
Detroit in 1 day
Day 1
Motown Museum
Museum in Berry Gordy's original Hitsville U.S.A. house and studio, with guided tours on the label's history and artists.
Guardian Building
Art Deco skyscraper of 1929 downtown, with a colourful brick exterior and a richly tiled lobby open to visitors on weekdays.
Michigan Central Station
Beaux-Arts train station of 1913, empty for decades and restored by Ford, reopened in 2024 as a community and business hub in Corktown.
Detroit in 2 days
Day 1
Motown Museum
Museum in Berry Gordy's original Hitsville U.S.A. house and studio, with guided tours on the label's history and artists.
Fisher Building
Art Deco skyscraper of 1928 in New Center with a richly decorated lobby of marble, mosaics and painted ceilings.
Belle Isle Park
Large island park in the Detroit River with a conservatory, an aquarium, gardens, beaches and views of the skyline.
Detroit International Riverfront
Riverfront promenade along the Detroit River with parks, a carousel and a path for walking and cycling.
Renaissance Center
Cluster of seven towers on the riverfront, headquarters of General Motors, with a hotel, shops and views of Canada.
Guardian Building
Art Deco skyscraper of 1929 downtown, with a colourful brick exterior and a richly tiled lobby open to visitors on weekdays.
Day 2
Michigan Science Center
Hands-on science museum in Midtown with interactive exhibits, a planetarium and a large-format theatre, popular with families.
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Museum of African American history and culture in Midtown, with a large permanent exhibit on slavery and freedom.
Detroit Institute of Arts
One of the largest art museums in the country, with Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry murals and works from many periods.
Michigan Central Station
Beaux-Arts train station of 1913, empty for decades and restored by Ford, reopened in 2024 as a community and business hub in Corktown.
Watch: Detroit
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
When to go to Detroit
Late spring to early autumn, from May to September, is the best time, with warm days for the riverfront, Belle Isle and outdoor markets. Winters are cold and snowy, but museums and indoor attractions are open. Autumn colours in October are usually pleasant.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Detroit on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Detroit on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Detroit on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for United States from Airalo
- Last day: leave your bags in Detroit with Radical Storage and keep sightseeing
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Detroit
- The QLine streetcar runs along Woodward Avenue between downtown, Midtown and New Center, and the elevated People Mover loops around downtown.
- The Detroit Institute of Arts has the Diego Rivera murals in its central court; it is closed on some weekdays, so check opening days.
- The Motown Museum is in a small house on West Grand Boulevard and is visited by guided tour; book ahead.
- Belle Isle is a state park in the Detroit River; allow time to get there and check whether you need a recreation passport for a car.
- Distances between the districts are large; use a car, taxi or the QLine rather than walking between downtown, Midtown and Corktown.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Belle Isle Park: Mike Russell , Mikerussell at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History: Quick fix, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Detroit Institute of Arts: Sailko, CC BY 3.0
- Detroit International Riverfront: TheWxResearcher, CC0
- Fisher Building: Dig Downtown Detroit, CC BY 2.0
- Guardian Building: WMrapids, CC0
- Michigan Central Station: WMrapids, CC0
- Michigan Science Center: Mx. Granger, CC0
- Motown Museum: Blob4000 at English Wikipedia Later versions were uploaded by FuriousFreddy at en.wikipedia ., Public domain
- Renaissance Center: Crisco 1492, Public domain
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
