Detroit travel guide

About Detroit

Detroit is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from the Canadian city of Windsor, Ontario. It is the 26th-most populous city in the United States and the largest U.S. city on the Canada–United States border, with a population of 639,111 at the 2020 census, and an estimated 2025 population of 649,095, its first population increase since 1950. The Metro Detroit area, at over 4.4 million people, is the 14th-largest metropolitan area in the nation and second-largest in the Midwest. The county seat of Wayne County, Detroit is a significant cultural center known for its contributions to music, art, architecture, and design, in addition to its historical automotive and industrial background.

Cheap flights to Detroit

The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $978 from Stockholm, travelling 7 Nov – 14 Nov. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.

• LON London to Detroit30 Oct – 3 Nov · DTW from$1,122
• DUB Dublin to Detroit4 Nov – 16 Nov · DTW from$1,044
• EDI Edinburgh to Detroit2 Nov – 2 Dec · DTW from$1,453
• PRG Prague to Detroit1 Jul – 29 Jul · DTW from$1,224
• MAN Manchester to Detroit18 Dec – 3 Jan · DTW from$1,539
• CPH Copenhagen to Detroit7 Nov – 14 Nov · DTW from$1,032
• GLA Glasgow to Detroit2 Nov – 2 Dec · DTW from$1,527
• HEL Helsinki to Detroit11 Nov – 18 Nov · DTW from$1,337

Cheapest month to fly

Airlines travellers compared most often: Finnair, Aer Lingus.

Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.

Places to visit in Detroit

1. 

   Detroit Institute of Arts

   Museum · 2 mi from centre

   One of the country's major art museums, holding a wide-ranging collection. Its centerpiece is Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry murals, which fill a courtyard with scenes of auto manufacturing.

2. 

   The Henry Ford

   Museum · 10 mi from centre

   In nearby Dearborn, this complex includes a museum of American innovation with the Rosa Parks bus and presidential limousines, plus Greenfield Village with historic buildings and working demonstrations.

3. 

   Motown Museum

   Museum · 3 mi from centre

   Hitsville U.S.A., the modest house where Motown Records began, now preserves Studio A and tells the story of the label's artists and their influence on popular music.

4. 

   Belle Isle Park

   Park · 3 mi from centre

   An island park in the Detroit River with an aquarium, a conservatory, a nature center, beaches and the ornate Scott Fountain, plus views of the Detroit and Windsor skylines.

5. 

   Eastern Market

   Market

   A large historic public market district where Saturday markets fill the sheds with farmers and food vendors. The surrounding streets are covered in colorful murals.

6. 

   Detroit RiverWalk

   Park

   A riverfront promenade running along the Detroit River past plazas, gardens, a carousel and the Renaissance Center, with views across the water to Windsor, Canada, and good spots for cycling.

7. 

   Guardian Building

   Landmark

   An Art Deco skyscraper downtown with a dazzling orange-brick exterior and a lobby covered in vivid tile and mosaics. Visitors can usually walk in to see the main hall.

8. 

   Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

   Museum · 2 mi from centre

   A large museum in Midtown with an immersive core exhibition tracing African American history from Africa through the slave trade, the Civil Rights movement and beyond.

Things to do in Detroit by type

5 tours, tickets and experiences across 2 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

• Shows, sports and special events 3 experiences Major League Baseball: Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park - Ticket
• Tickets & Attraction Passes 2 experiences Downtown Detroit Donut and Pastry Adventure

Top experiences in Detroit

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 5 available.

Shows, sports and special events

NBA Game: Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena - Ticket

• 3 hours

From $77 per adult

Tickets & Attraction Passes

Downtown Detroit Donut and Pastry Adventure

• 2 hours
• Free cancellation

From $57 per adult

Where to stay in Detroit

Popular hotels in Detroit, out of 343 properties you can book.

Fort Pontchartrain Detroit a Wyndham Hotel

• Downtown

From $139 per night

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Detroit Downtown

• Downtown

From $203 per night

The Townsend

• Auburn Hills

From $267 per night

Hotel Indigo Detroit Downtown

• Downtown

From $151 per night

Hampton Inn Detroit/Auburn Hills-North

• Auburn Hills

From $141 per night

Hampton Inn Detroit Auburn Hills South

• Auburn Hills

From $122 per night

Trumbull and Porter Hotel - Detroit Downtown

• Downtown

From $123 per night

Holiday Inn Express Suites Detroit North Troy IHG

• Downtown

From $129 per night

Hilton Garden Inn Detroit Downtown

• Downtown

From $236 per night

The Leo Collection Detroit Ascend Hotel Collection

• Lincoln Park

From $78 per night

Hilton Garden Inn Detroit/Troy, MI

• Auburn Hills

From $149 per night

The Siren Hotel

• Downtown

From $212 per night

Best time to visit Detroit

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Detroit is September, when average daytime highs are around 76°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Detroit weather forecast

• Wed 21 Oct 66° 44° 0%
• Thu 22 Oct 69° 51° 0%
• Fri 23 Oct 67° 53° 0%
• Sat 24 Oct 67° 53° 0%
• Sun 25 Oct 71° 55° 1%
• Mon 26 Oct 73° 58° 5%

Know before you go

Currency

United States dollar (USD)

Language

English

Calling code

+1

Driving

On the right

Time zone

America/DetroitUTC−4

Capital

Washington, D.C.

Upcoming public holidays in United States

• Wed 11 NovVeterans Day
• Thu 26 NovThanksgiving Day
• Fri 25 DecChristmas Day
• Fri 1 JanNew Year's Day
• Mon 18 JanMartin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Mon 15 FebPresidents DayWashington's Birthday

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Detroit

These are the airports closest to central Detroit. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

• DET Coleman A. Young International Airport6 mi (9 km) from the city centre
• DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport18 mi (28 km) from the city centre
• YIP Willow Run Airport26 mi (41 km) from the city centre

Getting around Detroit

As the historical center of the American automobile industry, with Ford, General Motors and Chrysler once having their main factories here, Detroit is unsurprisingly one of the world's most car-dependent cities.

By car

As Detroit spreads over a large area, it is difficult to be without a car. An extensive freeway system and ample parking make the region one of the most auto-friendly in North America. Detroit has one of America's most modern freeway systems. See the Michigan Department of Transportation website for a current listing of downtown road closures and construction projects. Downtown has a number of parking garages.

QLine

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People Mover

Detroit People Mover (DPM), ☏ +1 313-224-2160. It is an automated, elevated rail system that runs a 3-mile loop in the downtown area. It is the best way to get around the downtown area. A round trip excursion, covering 13 stations, takes approximately 25 minutes, and offers great views of the city's downtown landmarks.

Detroit travel FAQ