The Perfect Weekend in Detroit, Michigan: 3 Days in Detroit

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Believe it or not, Detroit, Michigan had been on my travel bucket list for a while, ever since I had seen pictures of the Heidelberg Project around 2017 or 2018. But coming from the west coast, flights to the midwest are…incredible expensive and usually inconvenient flight times at that, so it was hard for me to financially justify a weekend in Detroit without a reason.

Well, a reason besides traveling just to “travel,” if you know what I mean.

However in 2022, Lil Nas X announced his first tour and -surprise- he was not headed to Portland or Seattle. So if I wanted to go, I would have to travel anyway. The only west coast tour dates were in California, and since I was heading to LA a few weeks after and I’d…prefer not to go to SF, I’d have to head east. The stars had finally lined up for me to visit the midwest for a weekend in Detroit AND see the first concert of Lil Nas X’s tour!

It also just so happened to be the same weekend as the Jazz Festival – but I’m getting ahead of myself. My weekend in Detroit wayyy exceeded my expectations, and a large part of that were the passionate residents of a city that doesn’t give up. Whether you’re heading to Detroit for business or pleasure, I do think it’s a city that doesn’t get enough flowers in domestic travel and I hope this mini travel guide helps you have an incredible weekend in Detroit!

Why a Weekend in Detroit

How many days do you need in Detroit?

Personally, I think a weekend in Detroit is the perfect about of time to visit, preferably a long weekend in Detroit (3-4 days), but you can also have a jam packed 2 day weekend in Detroit as well and you won’t feel like you SUPER missed out on anything.

Honestly, as a recovering-completionist, weekend destinations are my favorite domestic trips because I get so stressed going to HUGE cities and not being able to squeeze everything I want in my short 3-4 day weekends. I don’t know why I have this compulsion, and if you do too it’s not BAD in anyway, but it might give you FOMO if you aren’t able to do everything.

So in that light, I really enjoyed my 4 day weekend in Detroit because I felt satisfied with how much I was able to see of the city in only a few days. Obviously, I didn’t do and see everything, but I did a lot of the highlights and had a great time. On that note, there are a lot of festivals over the long weekend holidays throughout summer (and the shoulder seasons), so you can couple your visit with an event unique to Detroit!

The Basics

• State: Michigan
• Nearest Big Cities: Cleveland (2.5hrs), Chicago (4hrs), Toronto (4hrs)
• Closest International Airport: Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
• Ancestral Lands: the Three Fires Confederacy (Ojibwe, Ottawa, Potawatomi) and Wyandot. The land now known as “Detroit” is named Waawiiyaatanong, “where the curved shores meet.”
• Best season to visit (in my opinion): Summer-early fall
• Transportation: Downtown is very walkable so if you only stay there, you don’t need a car

Where to Stay

During my weekend in Detroit, I stayed at the cutest little luxury bed and breakfast, built in a historic home, called The Cochrane House. To be honest, it is above my usual price range for hotelsss, but y’all it was SO WORTH IT. I’m a bit new to the B&B game, but this one is truly artfully curated and beautiful. It also has plenty of communal workspaces downstairs, which is conductive to traveling while working remote or traveling in grad school or yanno, whatever you gotta do.

Aside from being a very comfortable place to stay in Detroit, the Cochrane House is also EXTREMELY convenient. Located in Detroit’s entertainment district, you’re walking distance to the theaters, stadiums, and even Detroit’s downtown (20min walk/5min rideshare). Basically where all where all the action happens in the city.

That said, since the Cochrane House was…on the top end of my lodging budget, I only stayed for half the trip, and the other half I stayed at the Cambria Hotel Detroit Downtown – still conveniently located, but slightly easier on the wallet. I don’t usually recommend switching hotels during a weekend trip, because it’s usually more trouble than it’s worth, buuuut I just HAD to experience Cochrane House.

It’s that amazing. Next time, I’ll definitely save up to stay the entire trip at Cochrane House!

Where to Eat

I shouldn’t have been surprised, but Detroit really had some bangers in the restaurant scene. While there were some spots I won’t end up including in this guide, overall I was pleasantly pleased with the majority of my meals during my weekend in Detroit.

Especially since I didn’t do TOO much research into where to eat in Detroit, so just going off Google rating recommendations, that’s a pretty good track record. So you could do that as well on your own weekend in Detroit, but to make your life easier, here are a few spots I went to and enjoyed!

Breakfast

Lemme just say…don’t go to a diner and order avocado toast in the Midwest. It’s not going to hit the same, trust meeeee. There’s a reason it’ll be $4 on the menu 😭😭

But I digress.

I also ate breakfast at the Cochrane House for one of my breakfasts (AMAZING btw), so I only have two personal breakfast recommendations, but also a bonus one that my friend highly recommended and I just didn’t get to.

• The Hudson Cafe: My favorite of the breakfast spots I went to in Detroit! Just know there might be a wait, so either make a reservation or go early. Or just eat a granola bar while you wait. I had the french toast (Monte Cristo I believe) and it was deliciousss. They have a few vegan and gluten-free menu items as well.
• Dime Store: The dime store was also super tasty and they also validate parking if you have a rental car! They have a variety of tasty hashes, but I ordered the enchilada omelette and omg it hit the spotttt.
• Iggy’s Eggies: This is the spot I didn’t get to, but my friend recommends them because of their convenient location and tasty breakfast sandwiches!

Lunch

As we all know, the difference between lunch and dinner restaurants is arbitrary. But in general since I’m always on the move when I travel, I personally prefer a lighter meal for lunch so my recommendations will loosely reflect that.

• Saffron de Twah: I didn’t know they were James Beard nominated before going, but phew after eating at hereI SEE WHY!! Unfortunately, I believe the restaurant is now taking a sabbatical or having limited service, so if they’re closed when you visit, you can also check out their sister establishment, The Twisted Mitten, a 100% halal farm-to-street food menu.
• Ima: I didn’t have high expectations for ramen in the midwest, but Ima was really good. They also had a few Korean and Vietnamese fusion options, if you’re not feeling ramen for lunch (but also you could visit for dinner as well). They take ressies, but it wasn’t too busy for lunch.
• The Block: Such a good place to fuel up after hanging out in midtown. Their menu is gastropub, and boy do they make a MEAN salad. I also love love LOVED their chicken wings. Would also be a great option for dinner!

Dinner

And finally my favorite meal of the day – the meal where I truly go all out and treat myself. Thankfully, Detroit had a lot of great affordable hot spots so you don’t have to ball out on your weekend in Detroit if you don’t want to!

• BARDA: This was a spot I had heard of before because they were featured on more than a few “best of” lists, so I was excited I snagged a ressie. It’s an Argentinian restaurant and their showstoppers are their steaks. The apps weren’t my cup of tea (personal preference, I’m picky lol), but woww at the entrees!
• Ivy: Now IVY was the hidden Trojan horse when it came to amazing food in Detroit. We went after…a long night out, so we ordered a boatload of items and…all the pictures are blurry hahah. But man was it all delicious. Service was incredible too!
• Mom’s Spaghetti: And Eminem’s very own restaurant, I had to stop by Mom’s Spaghetti. I’m not gonna lie, it’s not…revolutionary food by any means, but it’s RIGHT next to the Fox Theater so it was perfect before the concert and the carbs kept me energized all night! They’re also open really late so if you need a spot AFTER the night’s activities, they gotchu.

Where to Play

Of course, if you’re spending a weekend in Detroit, you’re gonna wanna know what are the best things to do in Detroit. Don’t worry, I gotchu. The vibe of Detroit activities lean on the lowkey/laid back side. There are of course clubs and bars and nightlife and whatnot, but I personally didn’t see that side during my weekend in Detroit.

Aight, in no particular order, here are the things I did during my weekend in Detroit that I recommend to other future travelers.

RiDetroit Tour

Lol actually I lied – there is a particular order and I’m starting with my favorite, the RiDetroit tour! It’s a Detroit bike tour that gives you some background knowledge of the city and its residents. Most people know Detroit as the city of automotives (and the automotive companies going bankrupt), but taking a tour will show you the city is SOOO much more than that. It’s also a good way to get an understanding of Detroit’s layout as a new visitor.

I recommend RiDetroit specifically because, one, I took it and it was amazing (#notsponsored), but also because the guide Jason Hall is a lifelong Detroiter and is passionately committed to Detroit’s revitalization. He has a wealth of knowledge about the city and is incredibly charismatic as a guide so the tours are fun and engaging.

While they have a walking tour, the eBike tour is really where all the magic is. I’d say the physical requirements of taking an eBike tour are the same as a walking tour since you don’t power the bike yourself. Plus, you can get in a little outdoor time during your weekend in Detroit!

Shop in Midtown

While we’re on the subject of midtown (where the bike tours take off from), you should also check out some of the shops while you’re there. For snicky-snackies, head to Warda Pâtisserie for pastries and The Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company for caffinated bevvies. That’ll keep you fueled for all the cute shops in the area.

Since I’m a book nerd, I HAD to check out a bookstore obvi. I really enjoyed Source Booksellers and the special thing about this specific indie bookstore is that they source (no pun intended) highly unique non-fiction books. Really incredible selection, I picked up three folklore collections – one of First Nation stories, one on African folklore, and the other on Japanese folk tales.

During your weekend in Detroit, you’ll also learn about the city’s influence on American music. So in your shopping, pop into Third Man Records for tons of vinyls, CDs, and lots of other merch. Shinola Detroit Store is right across the street for souvenirs. Since I’m a juice girl, Fresh Rootz ended up being my favorite juice spot in Detroit!

Motown Museum

If you go to one museum during your weekend in Detroit, make sure it’s the Motown Museum. The Motown Museum is the beating heart of the Motown legacy – aka Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations…literally SO MANY legends. And so many got their start right in Detroit.

You walk in and you’re immediately greeted with the faces of musical icons. As you move through the museum, you are transported back to the Motown era, including seeing the actual recording studios that birthed countless hits. It’s such an incredible and unique museum, reminding me of the significance Black artists have played (cough founded cough) in American music.

I visited the National Museum of African American Music during my weekend in Nashville, and the Motown Museum is such a great extension! It’s something you can only experience during a weekend in Detroit!

The Wright Museum

If you could go to two museums during your weekend in Detroit, then go ahead and add on the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, or the Wright Museum for short. As the name suggests, the Wright Museum is a museum that explores history through the exploration and celebration of African American history and culture.

I’m sold.

They have exhibitions on the journey the descendants of Middle Passage victims enduring becoming “African Americans” and nods to iconic symbols of resilience throughout the century. They also have exhibitions that explore Afro-futurism, Black artists and their creations across the diaspora, and even local Detroit folks who are making an impact. Real great stuff all around!

Detroit Riverwalk

Technically, I visited the Detroit riverwalk as part of the Jazz Festival – which was incredible btw, highly recommend planning a weekend in Detroit around a festival. But yanno, it’s a cute spot to stroll even if you aren’t jammin out to jazz. Well, unless the weather isn’t ideal, but assuming it is then go ahead and head over.

At the same time, you can also pop into GM World, which is…yes, General Motors and also, yes, that giant looming building with the (sometimes) red ring light looking over the city. I have no idea why the building is so ominous looking haha, but you can go in and look at a few cars on the bottom floor. If you’re a car person. Or if you’re not, they also have cozy couches and a powerful AC haha.

Monroe Street Midway

I came across the Monroe Street Midway by coincidence (walking to the Jazz Festival lol) and it’s such a cute community spot. Located downtown, the Monroe Street Midway is a little outdoor activity space with a roller rink, some basketball courts, mini-golf, and oversized games like tic-tac-toe.

There’s also a few food and beverage booths, though I didn’t grab anything. It’s a great place to bring kids for a weekend in Detroit, or just take a break from walking around downtown.

Heidelberg Project

Another thing about me, imma see some experimental art SOMEWHERE. I mean, you’ve seen my obsession with Desert X (2019, 2021, 2023). I LOVE an outdoor pop art moment. Plus, the Heidelberg Project is the whole original reason I wanted to spend a weekend in Detroit anyway!

SO, the Heidleberg Project is an outdoor art project in the McDougall-Hunt neighborhood, near Detroit’s historically African-American Black Bottom area. The project was created in 1986 by the artist Tyree Guyton, and assisted by his wife, Karen, and grandfather Sam Mackey. The intention of the project is to improve the lives of people and neighborhoods through art, as seen through larger but similar projects like Comuna 13 in Medellín, Colombia.

It is a proven study that areas with more art, and more residents with access to art, cultivate a safer community. You probably won’t spend too much time here, maybe an hour at most, and you’ll need a car to get here, but it is absolutely worth visiting during your weekend in Detroit.

Live Entertainment

My weekend in Detroit was jumpstarted by a live event – the Lil Nas X concert. I was expecting a good time but wowww, Detroiters really know how to come OUT for a live event! The energy even in line was electric!

While I can’t predict what live entertainment will be available during your weekend in Detroit, I suggest that you keep an eye on the Fillmore Detroit and the Fox Theater for upcoming talent and Little Caesars Arena and Ford Field for some of the biggest artists coming to the city.

For more of a local music feel, Old Miami highlights Detroit talents. But for a laugh, check the event board at Detroit House of Comedy.

Is the Henry Ford Museum Problematic?

As I mentioned before, Detroit was a POWERHOUSE for America’s Industrial Revolution through its manufacturing of cars and automotives. One of the big names in the automotive industry (still to this day) was Henry Ford, founder of -you guessed it- Ford Motor Company.

He is largely credited with popularizing the 40hr work week in America (many worked 80-100 hours before so) and also creating (or rather patenting) the first modern assembly line which made automobiles more affordable for middle-class Americans.

Before we get into this section, I’m gonna preface this by saying Henry Ford was a terrible human for a lot of reasons most white men were terrible back then (and today tbh). Starting with one of the worst offensives, Ford was obscenely antisemitic.

Like, the man started a whole newspaper just to spread anti-Jewish rhetoric across his vast network. The cars he sold would COME WITH THE NEWSPAPER. Ford was literally buddy-buddy with Adolf Hitler, who literally gave Ford the Grand Cross of the Supreme Order of the German Eagle for Ford’s birthday.

Disgusting.

Henry Ford paid his employees “more” than the industry standard, but only IF they passed random inspection tests which included the employees’ wives not working outside the home, the employees had to be completely sober and no gambling, and they had to be contributing “enough” money to a savings account and have arbitrarily “clean” homes, etc etc. So…employees who were recently immigrated or were Black often did not qualify for the full pay (most Black women were forced to work – yes, even before white women were “allowed” to).

Immigrants were required to attend Ford’s language school where he believed immigrants should abandon their own languages and cultural practices because it would make for a safer work environment. Mind you, Ford’s father and mother immigrated from Ireland and Belgium respectively. Any employees who did not attend would be fired.

While he hired and paid Black employees the same as white employees doing the same job…Black employees disproportionally made up the lower paid positions that were also the most dangerous so…the inherent segregation was still racist.

Ford was also a violent union buster, using local police and even his own private police force to throw tear gas, brutalize, and in some cases even murder protestors and organizers. Ford Motor Company was the last major auto manufacturer to sign a contract with the United Auto Workers union in 1941.

All that to say…should you visit the Henry Ford Museum? Ultimately, it is up to you. The Museum definitely GLOSSES over what a terrible person Ford was, though it does mention (quickly) his “unfortunate” anti-Semitism. If you do visit during your weekend in Detroit, let me know in the comments if it accurately describes Ford’s full ideology.

Is Detroit Safe to Visit?

Let me quickly address the question I get asked the most – is Detroit safe to visit? In short, yes, you’re probably gonna be fine during your weekend in Detroit. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised by how lovely downtown Detroit felt compared to downtowns of slightly larger and similarly sized cities. Plus, since I went during an event (Jazz Festival) there was naturally more traffic and crowd control in the downtown area which made me feel very safe.

Obviously, any place can be “unsafe,” but as a tourist spending a weekend in Detroit, you’re probably not going to find trouble unless you’re looking for it. Downtown and midtown, where you’ll likely spend the majority of your weekend in Detroit, was very comfortable.

Now for women specifically, is Detroit safe to visit for a solo female traveler? I don’t have personal experience since I wasn’t solo and I was with a man, but the few instances where I was alone, I felt respected by random strangers on the street. But again, it was Jazz Festival where I was rarely “alone” even amongst strangers, and I doubt anyone wanted to start any foolery in front of a crowd. The less populated streets in downtown and midtown felt fine for me as well.

So my biggest tip for solo female travelers spending a weekend in Detroit is to plan it over a festival/event weekend if possible.

Conclusion: Weekend in Detroit

Whew, thanks for going back down memory lane with me as I wrote this blog post! I highly enjoyed my weekend in Detroit and I’m so excited for your upcoming trip, whenever that is. There is such a contagious passion of cities going through a community-led revitalization, and I really felt that from Detroit. I love how much the residents really champion for themselves and their community.

If they don’t, who else will?

I for one love Detroit, and I can’t wait to go back! Have you ever been to Detroit? Let me know in the comments what are your favorite activities for a weekend in Detroit!

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