Itineraries for Your Trip to Detroit
2 Days in Detroit for First Timers
The first time I visited Detroit was on a road trip with friends from my home in Chicago. We were mostly looking for a change of scenery, but really enjoyed the music, art, and architecture scene. Return visits had me visiting the Detroit Institute of the Arts (a must-visit) and taking in a concert at Comerica Park. With two days in Detroit, spend some time taking in the architecture downtown and then head to the riverfront park to peek at Canada across the way. This 2-day Detroit itinerary for first timers is the perfect agenda to get you started on checking off many of the city's highlights.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a cruise on the Detroit River.
Detroit is hot in the summer and cold in the winter with occasional heavy snowfalls.
The city of Detroit wears a lot of hats, and the best way to get to know it is via a walking tour to explore its neighborhoods. Take in the art deco skyscrapers and mid-century modern design this morning with an architecture-focused itinerary that includes stops at the GM Renaissance Center and Shinola Hotel.
You certainly can't see all of Detroit in two days, but a helicopter tour will introduce many local highlights. Peek into Comerica Park from above and view Ambassador Bridge, which connects Detroit to Canada. After spending your morning walking, it’s a nice break that will show off the city in a different way.
History aficionados may want to learn why Detroit was named “Motor City." This evening, visit the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant where the Model T was developed. You’ll learn about this and other parts of the city's history on a historical walking tour that takes you to the massive Spirit of Detroit bronze statue, among other stops.
You've seen some of the Detroit highlights on day one, so your second day could be spent taking in the city's street art or visiting Greenfield Village, which is part of the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. Detroit is also known as “Hittsville, USA," and a stop at the Motown Museum will tell you why.
Now that you've worked up an appetite, it's time to learn about Detroit's food scene, which is best done as part of a guided food tour. Discover what makes Detroit-style pizza unique and taste other local specialties, such as the corned beef egg roll, as you walk around the city.
Your visit to Detroit is coming to an end, and what better way to relax and take it all in than on an electric boat cruise along the Detroit River? You'll cruise by Belle Isle Park, where you can walk the trails and take in the views of Michigan and Canada when your tour is done.
