In April 2025 I finally made the quick drive from Buffalo over to Detroit to check off state #49! I’m a little annoyed at myself for taking this long to visit, since it’s only a four hour drive away, but it was worth the wait. Detroit often gets a less than favorable reputation, but I was really impressed! There is a lot to do here including world-class museums, a beautiful waterfront, and stunning downtown architecture. If time is limited, here is how to make the most of one day in Detroit!
Coffee at Biggby
Sure it’s a chain, but it’s a Michigan one! They now have locations in over 13 states, but their heart and soul is based in Michigan. Stop at one of their many locations around the Detroit area for a kick of caffeine. I went for the Mocha Mocha Latte, but had some serious decision paralysis for a few minutes. All of their drinks can be hot, iced, or frozen (which is what I got!). You can’t go wrong!
Breakfast at The Hudson Cafe
After the caffeine kicks in, make your way downtown for some fuel at The Hudson Cafe. This downtown gem serves up some classic, hearty breakfasts- and fills up quickly! When I visited on a Sunday morning around 8:30 am, the only seat available was at the bar. And by the time I was leaving, there was a line out the door. Moral of the story is to get here early! The service and food were great- I went for a bacon stuffed waffle (because why choose between the two when you can have both). For a downtown restaurant, prices were reasonable too!
Explore Downtown Detroit
The central downtown Detroit area is easy to explore on foot, and has a lot to offer! Spend an hour or so wandering the streets and hitting the highlights. The Guardian Building is a stunning office building that is covered in beautiful mosaic tile work. You’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time when you walk into the lobby and admire the craftsmanship. It’s absolutely stunning! Grab a pastry or sea salt chocolate chip cookie from Avalon, or even have a eat-off between Lafayette Coney Island and American Coney Island: the two neighboring hot dog joints that serve them up Detroit style. I was still stuffed from breakfast or you bet I would have had my own little contest to see which one was better!
Take some time to stroll by the famous Fox Theatre and even nearby Comerica Park (where the Detroit Tigers play) and Ford Field (where the Detroit Lions play). One of my favorite hidden gem downtown though may surprise you. The Z parking garage, located here, isn’t just a parking garage. It’s also a public art display! Each level is covered with a different theme of murals by local and regional artists. Take the elevator up to the 10th level and walk down the ramp taking in new murals at each turn. The top level is open-air, so you can also get spectacular 360 degree views of the city!
Scoot Out to the Waterfront
Detroit is located right on the Detroit River, which connects Lake Erie and Lake St Clair (which then feeds Lake Huron). Water is part of life here! Take the Detroit People Mover train from anywhere downtown down to the riverfront. In all of 2025, the People Mover is completely free to ride! Get off at the West Riverfront station and make your way to Hart Plaza, a wonderful waterfront square with lots of open space. Hop on one of the shared scooters that can be found in the city and go for a ride through the park and down the Detroit Riverwalk! You’ll get impressive views of the river, city skyline, and even views of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Nearby, you’ll also find the famous Spirit of Detroit and “The Fist” statues.
Wander Eastern Market
Every Saturday, the Eastern Market explodes with vendors selling everything from fresh produce, to flowers, to homemade foods and goods. It is open year-round from 6 am – 4 pm and there are 6 sheds full of goods to explore. The sheds are either fully enclosed or open-air buildings lined with vendors. Visiting in late April, spring was in full swing so I was really impressed with the flower and plant selection. Unfortunately I was driving back to Buffalo through Canada and the rules about what you can and can’t bring over the border can be confusing, so I didn’t want to get any and risk them being taken away from me. The prices were reasonable and the selection was great! Parking at the market can be a little tricky, but your best bet is to find a spot on the street. Here is a map to help!
Tour the Motown Museum
Visiting the Motown Museum is a must for your one day in Detroit! Motown Records was founded here by Berry Gordy, Jr. in 1959 and countless big names came through these doors. Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, The Temptations, and even the Jackson 5 (to name a few). The museum is building a massive expansion that is scheduled to open up in 2026. Until then, the museum can be visited only by timed guided tours. Time slots fill up, so book in advance! I was a walk-up and wasn’t able to get on a tour for almost an hour later, so definitely reserve your time ahead of time to avoid this!
The tour was about an hour long and took you through the entire history of Motown Records (and Hitsville U.S.A.). I especially loved touring through the recording studio at the back of the building. Famous singers and songwriters still come to Hitsville U.S.A. to visit and pay respects- Jennifer Hudson and Olivia Rodrigo visited just a few weeks before me!
Lunch at Ford’s Garage
In true Detroit fashion, Ford is everywhere you go! Make a quick stop for lunch at Ford’s Garage. The entire restaurant is a homage to Henry Ford and his contributions not only to the automotive industry, but to the world. I took a seat at the Model T bar which had a replica car hanging from the ceiling. The burger and fries scratched right where I itched for a simple, filling lunch. I loved the details in this restaurant too, like the gas pumps as door handles!
Visit the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
Absolutely no trip to Detroit is complete without visiting the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. I’ve been to a lot of museums in my life, but this one ranks as one of the best (I’m completely serious!).
The various exhibits were so interesting and you could easily spend several hours here exploring everything in depth. I particularly loved the exhibits on the history of flight and commercial aviation, the Hallmark ornament collection from the ’80s, ’90s, and ’00s, and fast food in America. I was also floored at some of the items they had here. The actual chair that Lincoln was assassinated in while at Ford Theatre, the Kennedy car that he was in when he was shot in Dallas, and even the actual bus where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat. I couldn’t believe I was seeing these items with my own two eyes- in Detroit, of all places!
If you have more than one day in Detroit, you can easily spend an entire day at this museum and the grounds. The Greenfield Village is also on property and looked like an incredible experience. I’ll be adding it to the itinerary on my next trip for sure!
Spend the Evening on Belle Isle
Now it’s time to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, and get out into a bit of nature at Belle Isle. Belle Isle is a Michigan State Park located in the middle of the Detroit River between the city and Windsor, Ontario. From the island, you’ll get spectacular views of both sides and countries!
The entire loop road around the island is 5.8 miles, which made for a perfect evening jog. Walking the entire loop would probably take about 2 hours, and is the perfect way to see it all! If you’re looking for a shorter route, there are plenty of smaller loops to take instead. You’ll pass by the Belle Isle Casino, the Conservatory, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, the Belle Isle Nature Center, and tons of beautiful river and marsh views. I recommend parking at Sunset Point and returning here to watch the sun fall over the Detroit skyline. Perfect way to end the day!
End the Day with a Sweet Treat
At the end of your one day in Detroit, treat yourself to something sweet (and toast to a great day)! Mister Dips is a great, local choice. They are located here, right in the heart of downtown. Their dipped ice cream menu rotates seasonally, and you can always expect a great variety. I was close to getting their s’mores cone (vanilla ice cream with a chocolate dip, graham crackers, and a toasted marshmallow), but I oped for a simple twist cone in a chocolate dip instead. It hit the spot!
If this is your first time traveling in the midwest, a pilgrimage to Culver’s may also be in the cards! I stopped and got a kid’s butterburger meal and a build-your-own concrete. And let me tell you what: Culver’s slapped! I love trying regional fast food when I travel, and I really wished I had a Culver’s close to me in Buffalo!
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