Next up on my discovery of North American cities is this guest post by Madeline from Madeline Rae Away. She’s sharing her tips for the best free things to do in Detroit Michigan, which sounds like a cool city to explore!
Detroit may not be on the top of your list for American cities to explore, but there is more than enough to pique your interest here! The city is moving on from its unstable past, and urban renovation is starting to make a huge difference to the city. There are plenty of free things to do in Detroit to help you get under the skin of the city and to enjoy it without splashing the cash.
How to Make the Best of Detroit on a Budget
I love finding free things to do wherever I travel, and you can have an amazing time with a very limited budget. However, some things might be worth paying for if you have the budget to do them. Perhaps by compromising and saving money on some things, you can afford to splurge a little on something you really want to do.
For example, you could save money by staying in cheap accommodation and doing lots of free activities in Detroit, and then treat yourself to some paid activities or Detroit tours to learn more about something you’re interested in.
If you have the budget to treat yourself a little bit, these are some of the most popular tours and activities in Detroit that you might be interested in:
- Detroit Architecture Walking Tour
- Explore the SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium
- Self-guided Detroit History Walking Tour
Or you can browse more activities and tours in Detroit. That said, no matter what budget you have, there is no need to pay for activities in Detroit if you don’t want to. You can still have an amazing Detroit vacation without spending a lot of money and have some unique experiences you will remember forever!
Free Things to do in Detroit – The Detroit Riverfront
One of the prettiest areas of downtown Detroit is the riverfront. The riverfront has been completely transformed in recent years, as part of the Detroit revitalization project.
Here’s where you’ll find lots of green space and newly paved paths perfect for walking, biking, or exercising – all while looking at Canada in on the other side of the river.
As you walk along, you’ll see a diverse landscape that encapsulates everything that is Detroit: skyscrapers, industrial areas, and plenty of trendy new greenspaces – a true indicator of the city’s recent gentrification.
If you are interested in learning more about Detroit, the Detroit Experience Factory offers free walking tours along the Detroit riverfront, along with other free tours in the city.
Visit a Beach (in the middle of the city)
In the summer, you can enjoy a beach right in the heart of Detroit. The Beach at Campus Martius Park opens in the warmer months, and features real sand, lounge chairs, a beach bar, and (hopefully) sunshine. It is one of the best spots to visit in Detroit in the summer and with a little imagination you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a Caribbean beach!
Belle Isle Conservatory
Belle Isle is an island outside of Detroit’s city centre that is home to almost 1000 acres of park space and the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory. This conservatory is beautiful and is home to many rare and exotic plants.
Belle Isle is about 10 minutes by car from the centre of Detroit, and on the island you’ll also find the Belle Isle Aquarium, the Belle Isle Nature Center, and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum.
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Free Things to do in Detroit – Go Graffiti Hunting
Detroit is full of street art. The coolest graffiti in Detroit can be found at The Belt, which is a narrow alley filled top-to-bottom with street art right in the heart of Detroit. Make sure to visit The Belt at nighttime too, where the entire alleyway lights up and it turns into a popular nightlife scene.
Other great spots for graffiti hunting include Eastern Market and Corktown.
Eastern Market Detroit
Eastern Market is a sprawling market located in the heart of Detroit. It is home to the best open-air market in the city, where you’ll find locals and tourists alike visiting the popular Saturday morning markets.
Eastern Market is constantly hosting pop-up events like Christmas markets and other seasonal markets, so make sure you check their event calendar for details the latest events.
You can find lots of good restaurants here, including some budget eats. This Detroit city guide has more information on what and where to eat in Detroit.
This spot is also one of the best places in Detroit to tailgate a sports game, which brings me to my next suggestion…
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Tailgate a Sports Game
You don’t have to attend the game to get into the team spirit in Detroit. Detroit sports fans love to tailgate Detroit Tigers and Detroit Lions home games – and concerts too! In case you haven’t experienced tailgating before, I would describe it as a pre-game party where people gather, eat, and drink. It’s often done in the back of their vehicle in a parking lot with music playing. It normally just turns into a big parking lot party – sounds like fun, right?
Head to Eastern Market or Greektown to get in on the action and see how much Detroiters love their sports teams. Or simply walk into any parking lot surrounding Comerica Park or Ford Field and feel the spirit of Detroit.
The Spirit of Detroit
Speaking of The Spirit of Detroit, there is a statue with this name located right in the city centre. Commissioned in the 1950s, it has become an iconic landmark in Detroit is definitely worth a quick stop by while you roam the city center.
Free Things to do in Detroit – Third Man Records
Third Man Records was launched by Jack White – lead singer of The White Stripes – in 2001 in Detroit. If you’re a music fan, this is a spot you can’t miss. The shop is home to music memorabilia, records, and other novelties and has become a staple of Detroit’s Cass Corridor neighborhood.
Detroit Guardian Building
The Detroit Guardian Building is a National Historic Landmark, and easily one of the most magnificent buildings in Detroit. Built in the 1920s, this gorgeous art-deco building is right in the centre of the city. Just walk in and take a look at the intricate tiles on the ceiling – they will blow you away.
Downtown Detroit Parks
Detroit city centre is littered with small parks that are always hosting events that you can stop by to enjoy. Even if there aren’t any special events while you’re in town, the parks are still worth checking out even if it is just to have a nice spot to sit in the city centre.
During the winter holidays, many of the city center parks are home to the most beautiful Detroit Christmas Markets which are a must-visit in December!
Here’s a few parks to add to your list: Campus Martius Park, Capitol Park, Grand Circus Park, New Center Park.
Dequindre Cut Greenway
The Dequindre Cut Greenway is a paved urban biking and walking path. This unique pathway lies below street level and offers a really cool urban exploring route.
Along the two-mile-long greenway, you’ll see lots urban art installations and graffiti, abandoned buildings, and new ones too. It shows the perfect contrast between what Detroit once-was and is now.
If you’re looking to explore Eastern Market, this is a great pathway that connects the central Detroit Riverfront to Eastern Market.
Heidelberg Project
Located about 10 minutes by car from the Detroit city centre on Detroit’s East Side, the Heidelberg Project is an art installation in the middle of a residential neighborhood.
The project began in the 1980s, when the artist returned to the street he grew up on, Heidelberg Street, and barely recognized the devastation he saw. This project is a literal depiction of the plight experienced by this city over the decades and is a must-see in Detroit.
Shinola Flagship Store
Shinola, home to Shinola premium leather good, watches, and bicycles, is an iconic part of Detroit’s comeback story. All the goods are designed and manufactured in Detroit, and the brand has become a staple of the city. The flagship store, located in the Cass Corridor shopping district, is worth visiting – even if it is to just window shop!
Where to Stay in Detroit
Here are a few affordable accommodations located outside the city center but still close enough to enjoy Detroit sites and activities. Plus, one city-center hotel that you might want to splurge on since you’re saving so much on all these free things to do in Detroit.
Hamtramck Hostel: Not far from Midtown Detroit, this vibrant Hamtramck hostel offers amenities including comfortable dorm rooms, a communal kitchen, cozy common areas, and a prime location near cultural hotspots, ensuring a memorable and affordable stay in the Motor City. >>>CHECK PRICES
Avid Hotels – Detroit: This contemporary hotel on Eleven Mile Road offers affordable rates, complimentary breakfast, a fitness center, and free Wi-Fi. >>>CHECK PRICES
Staybridge Suites – Southgate: An ideal option for budget-conscious travelers because some suites come with fully-equipped kitchens, complimentary breakfast, and free Wi-Fi, offering a cost-effective stay near Detroit. >>>CHECK PRICES
Atheneum Suite Hotel: Splurge on this centrally-located downtown hotel offering spacious suites, complimentary Wi-Fi, and free area shuttle service. >>>CHECK PRICES
Detroit Travel Tips
Now we’ve shared our favourite free things to do in Detroit, check out our top travel tips to help you book your Detroit vacation on a budget:
Getting There
- Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights to your destination.
- Public buses are the cheapest ways to get to your accommodation from the airport, but a shared shuttle transfer is quicker and cheaper than a taxi - you can pre-book those on GetYourGuide or Viator
- Try Omio for booking trains and Busbud for buses including Greyhound and Flixbus.
Where to Stay
- For hotels, I use Booking.com to check reviews and find the best deals on hotels and apartments wherever I'm travelling to. Hotels.com is another good site.
- If you're on a tight budget, use Hostelworld to find the best hostels all over the world
Hire a Car
- Get a quote for car hire with Discover Cars who compare car rental deals from many companies so that you can choose which is best for your trip.
Book Tours and Activities
- I use GetYourGuide or Viator to book everything from skip-the-line entry tickets to food tours as I can compare options from several companies and choose the best one for me
- If you're staying in a hostel, check out their tours and activities which are usually free or very cheap - and a great way to meet people!
Get Travel Insurance
- Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. I never leave home without travel insurance, so consider getting insurance for your trip to cover things like adventure sports and activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, stolen items, trip cancellation and more.
- Get a quote for your trip from True Traveller if you're based in the UK, or World Nomads or SafetyWing which both offer travel insurance for backpackers and long-term travellers. Alternatively, use a comparison site like Travel Insurance Master to find the best cover for you.
Check Your Travel Documents
- Don't forget to check the validity of your passport and any other documents for your trip. Use iVisa to check if you need a visa to visit your destination, and get up to date official travel advice from your government, for example on the Department of State website in the US or the UK government website.
Get Cheap Currency
- When travelling abroad, using a travel bank account like Wise means you get great deals on foreign currency - including a fee-free transfer of up to £500 when you use this link to sign up.
Top Money Saving Tip for Backpackers
- Work exchanges are a great way to travel for longer and extend your trip as you can save a ton of money on accommodation. Get an extra $10 discount on Worldpackers here or learn more about work exchanges.
About the Author
Madeline is a Canadian ex-pat who followed her heart across the world and is currently based in Malmö, Sweden. She runs the blog Madeline Rae Away, where she shares her passion or seeing the world through travel guides, ex-pat tips, and other stories about life in Sweden. You can follow her adventures on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest too.
I am certainly adding Detroit to my list of cities in the USA to visit! What do you think? Is are there any other free things to do in Detroit that you would recommend? I’d love to hear your thoughts, please leave your comments below.
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