Detroit/Downtown

Detroit has two bus systems and a Downtown People Mover. The 1 Rosa Parks Transit Center is the central hub of the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT). Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transit (SMART) buses also serve the transit center. Look up bus times at transit.google.com

After arriving at the transit center, hop on the people mover by walking either south to the Michigan Ave Station or north to the Times Square Station. The people mover is the easiest way of getting around Downtown.

2 Detroit People Mover. Perhaps the best way to get around downtown as a tourist. The elevated rail runs on a 3 mi (4.8 km) loop above downtown in a counterclockwise direction with 13 stations. A single ride costs $0.75. (updated Mar 2019)

3 QLine. This tram connects downtown to Midtown, the New Center, and the North End along Woodward Avenue. Within downtown, it has four stations: Congress Street, Campus Martius, Grand Circus Park, and Foxtown. Fare is also integrated with DDOT buses. A three-hour ticket is $1.50 and a day pass is $3. (updated Mar 2019)

With the right app loaded you can pick up a scooter that are scattered around downtown, run by a number of companies including Spin, Bird and Lime.

1 Greektown, along Monroe Ave between Brush and St. Antoine Sts. This historic neighborhood is dominated by Greek restaurants. Some buildings on Monroe Street resemble the Parthenon, Pegasus, and other forms of Ancient Greek architecture. Greek music is also played on Monroe Street throughout the day. One of Detroit's three casinos, Greektown Casino, is in the neighborhood and has a station on the People Mover on level 3.

2 Bricktown, btwn Greektown and the Renaissance Center. Bricktown is an historic district that is home to St. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church, the oldest standing church in Detroit, and the Italian Renaissance style Wayne County Building. The neighborhood also has its own station on the People Mover on Beaubien Street, north of Congress Street.

3 Broadway Avenue, along Broadway Ave btwn Gratiot and E Grand River. This neighborhood is a single block of Broadway Avenue and consists of eleven commercial buildings built between 1896 and 1926. The architectural terra cotta used on the buildings gives the neighborhood a distinct look. The Broadway People Mover Station, which is the nearest station, is at the corner of Broadway and John R. Road.

4 Capitol Park, bounded by Shelby, Griswold, and State Sts. This park and 17 surrounding buildings are included in the Capitol Park Historic District. Some of the more famous ones are the Art Deco-style David Stott Building, and the Modern Movement-style Griswold Building. The nearest People Mover station to this historic place is the Times Square Station, on Grand River, between Cass and Washington Boulevard.

5 Washington Boulevard, bounded by Washington Blvd between State and Clifford Sts. This neighborhood is a multi-block area on which some of Detroit's most architecturally significant buildings can be found. It includes the Book-Cadillac Hotel, the Book Tower, the Industrial-Stevens Apartments, and Washington Square among other buildings. The Times Square Station on the People Mover is right in this historic district, at Grand River Avenue, between Cass and Washington Boulevards.

6 Campus Martius Park, Woodward and Michigan Aves, ☏ +1 313 962-0101. M-Th 7AM-10PM, F 7AM-midnight, Sa 9AM-midnight, Su 9AM-8PM. Campus Martius is the main park of Detroit. Hart Plaza, on the Riverfront, was made to replace Campus Martius, but Hart Plaza is hard-surfaced, so Campus Martius was re-established. The new Campus Martius Park includes two stages, sculptures, public spaces and a seasonal ice skating rink. Cadillac Square Park, immediately to the east of Campus Martius, provides park space. Several skyscrapers surround Campus Martius Park. The more popular of these include: Compuware World Headquarters, which is home to a beautiful lobby and several shops and stores; Cadillac Tower, which will be connected to the Cadillac Centre, which will be built in a similar architectural style as the Guggenheim Museums; and 1001 Woodward, which is the only building in Detroit in the Chicago-style architecture. The park is also home to a few historic monuments, such as Michigan Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, which is a Civil War monument first unveiled in 1872, and Bagley Memorial Fountain, which is a monument to 16th governor of Michigan, John J. Bagley, whose will contained $5,000 for the construction of a drinking fountain for the people of Detroit, to have "water cold and pure as the coldest mountain stream." The nearest People Mover station to Campus Martius Park is the Cadillac Center station, at Gratiot Avenue and Library Street. Free.

7 Grand Circus Park, roughly bounded by Clifford, John R. and Adams Sts, and bisected by Woodward Ave. This five-acre park connects Detroit's theater district to its financial center. The park is home to several statues and monuments, such as the Thomas Edison Memorial Fountain, a statue of former Detroit mayor, William C. Maybury, a statue of Hazen S. Pingree, former mayor of Detroit and former governor of Michigan, and the Russel Alger Memorial Fountain. Across the street from the park is the Victorian Gothic-styled Central United Methodist Church. The new headquarters for Quicken Loans is planned near this park. However, due to the park's proximity to the theater district, Comerica Park, and Ford Field, the fortunes of these skyscrapers are brighter, as many undergoing or are planned for renovation. Grand Circus Park has its own station on the people mover, at Park Street, near Woodward Avenue. Free.

8 Detroit International Riverfront, along the Detroit River from the Ambassador Bridge to the MacArthur Bridge, ☏ +1 313 566-8200. Detroit's riverfront is a 5½-mile (8.8 km) promenade along the Detroit River running from the Ambassador Bridge to Belle Isle, encompassing a multitude of parks, restaurants, retail shops, skyscrapers, and high rise residential areas. The path is directly on the river and is 62 feet (18¾ m) wide in most places, with separate lanes for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Pavilions, fishing piers, and there are benches at intervals along the path. The east RiverWalk connects various riverfront developments, including Hart Plaza, the Renaissance Center, GM Plaza and Promenade, Tri-Centennial State Park, Stroh River Place, Chene Park, and Gabriel Richard Park. The nearest People Mover station to the riverfront is the Joe Louis Arena Station, which is inside Joe Louis Arena. Free.

9 Hart Plaza, immediately S of the intersection of Woodward and Jefferson Aves. This park is an open, mostly hard-surfaced park along the Detroit River. It is more or less on the site where Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac landed in 1701 when he founded Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit, the settlement that became Detroit. The 14 acres (5.7 ha) plaza, which is named after the late U.S. Senator Philip Hart, opened in 1975 and has a capacity of 40,000 people. The park conatians several sculptures and monuments, including: Dodge Fountain, which is at the center of the park; Transcending, which is a Michigan Labor Legacy Landmark, at the entrance of the park; Monolith, a sculpture by Isamu Noguchi; a statue of George Washington; and the Joe Louis Memorial, which is a gigantic sculpture of Joe Louis' fist. The nearest People Mover station to Hart Plaza is the Financial District Station, on Larned, between Shelby and Griswold Street. Free.

10 Spirit of Detroit, corner of Jefferson and Woodward Aves. The Spirit of Detroit is a city monument with a large bronze statue situated in front of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, home to Detroit's city hall. It was commissioned in 1955 for a cost of $58,000, and dedicated in 1958. In its left hand, the statue holds a bronze sphere with rays to symbolize God. In its right hand, is a family group symbolizing human relationships. The 26-foot (7.9-m) sculpture is frequently dressed in sports jerseys when local professional teams are in the playoffs. The nearest People Mover station to the monument is the Millender Center Station, which is inside the Millender Center on the 5th floor.

Detroit is home to one of the world's largest collections of late 19th- and early 20th-century buildings. During the past decade, the city has restored many of its architecturally significant buildings. Several of Detroit's buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Detroit is definitely one of the best destinations for architecture buffs.

11 One Detroit Center (Comerica Tower), 500 Woodward Ave. Comerica Tower is the second tallest building in Detroit, after the Renaissance Center, rising 619 ft (189 m). The building was constructed from 1991 to 1993. The building is famous for its postmodern architectural design topped with neo-gothic spires, which makes it blend in with the older buildings in Detroit. Built in 1993, visitors are often surprised to learn of the building's young age.

12 Renaissance Center, Jefferson Ave (between Brush and Beaubien), ☏ +1 313 567-3126. This group of seven interconnected skyscrapers contains the tallest building in Michigan and is considered a symbol of Detroit. The entire complex is owned by General Motors as its headquarters. The central tower, a Marriott hotel, was built as the tallest hotel in the world, rising 73 stories at 727 feet. Free tours of the complex are offered Monday through Saturday at 10AM, noon, 2PM, and 4PM. The tour covers the main highlights of the complex as well as a glass elevator ride of the 72 floor which offers great views that extend 30 miles (48 km) in all directions. The GM Wintergarden, a tropical atrium, overlooks the Detroit River and Windsor, Ontario. The GMnext Showroom is a display of classic and concept cars at the centre of the complex. The "Borealis" Glass Sculpture, at the Jefferson Avenue entrance, is the tallest vertical glass sculpture in the world. The complex also features a plaza on the riverfront with fountains, stages, and seating. The Renaissance Center has its own station on the People Mover in Tower 200 on level 2. Free.

13 Penobscot Building, 645 Griswold St. The building was the tallest in Michigan from its completion in 1928 until the construction of the Renaissance Center's central tower in 1977. It is now the third tallest. Like many of the city's other Roaring Twenties buildings, it has Art Deco influences, including its "H" shape, which allows maximum sunlight into the building, and the sculptural setbacks that cause the upper floors to seem to "erode".

14 Guardian Building, 500 Griswold St. Built in 1929, the building is a bold example of Art Deco architecture, including art moderne designs. At the top of the Guardian Building's spire, is a large American flag, complementing the four smaller flags atop nearby 150 West Jefferson. The Guardian Building's interior is lavishly decorated with mosaic and Pewabic and Rookwood tile. The semi-circular exterior domes are filled with Pewabic Pottery. The building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1989. It was used as headquarters for production during World War II.

15 Westin Book Cadillac Hotel, 1114 Washington Blvd, ☏ +1 313 442-1600. Built in 1928, the Book Cadillac Hotel is an architectural gem that, after 20 years of vacancy, was remodeled into an upscale hotel in 2008. It was designed with neo-classical elements and building sculptures, incorporating brick and limestone. Among its notable features are the statues of General Anthony Wayne, Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac, Chief Pontiac and Robert Navarre along the ornate Michigan Avenue facade and the three copper terraces at top the building. (updated Nov 2017)

16 Cadillac Tower, 65 Cadillac Sq (at Bates). This Beaux Arts skyscraper was the first building outside of New York City and Chicago to have more than 40 floors. Cadillac Tower was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.

17 Fort Shelby Hotel, 525 W Lafayette Blvd. This historic upscale hotel was designed in the Beaux Arts style. Built in 1916, it was renovated in 2008 and is the first full-service Hilton brand hotel to operate in the city in 33 years. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

18 Wayne County Building, 600 Randolph St. This building, constructed in 1897, may be the country's finest surviving example of Roman Baroque architecture. The Wayne County Building also has a blend of Beaux-Arts and some elements of the neo-classical architectural style. The courthouse tower was originally 227' - 8 1/2" tall. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

19 Fort Street Presbyterian Church, 631 W Fort St. This church was constructed in 1855, and completely rebuilt in 1876. It is an ornately detailed Gothic Revival structure built of limestone ashlar. The facade features a 265-foot (81 m) tall square tower with a spire on one side and a shorter octagonal turret on the other. A central stained glass window illuminates the sanctuary. There are seven bays along the side of the church with flying buttresses, crocketed finials, lacy stonework and tall windows, which was designed to give the impression of light.

20 Old Mariners' Church, 170 E Jefferson Ave (at Randolph, near the portal of the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel), ☏ +1 313 259-2206. The Old Mariners' Church is an independent, Anglican-style church completed in 1849. Established to serve mariners (hence the name), the church holds a Blessing of the Fleet every March for those going out to sea and a Great Lakes Memorial Service for those who have lost their lives at sea every November. It's perhaps most notable in American and Canadian popular culture as the "Maritime Sailors' Cathedral" mentioned in the lyrics of Gordon Lightfoot's 1976 hit "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald". An Underground Railroad tunnel under the building was discovered in 1955 when the church was moved to make way for a civic centre. The nearest People Mover Station to the church is Millender Center.

21 St. John's Episcopal Church, 2326 Woodward Ave (I-75 and Woodward Ave), ☏ +1 313-962-7358. Built in 1860, this church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. It was designed in the Gothic Revival architectural-style. (updated Apr 2016)

America's Thanksgiving Day Parade. This parade has been going on for quite some time. It runs down Woodward Avenue every Thanksgiving Day (the fourth Thursday in November).

Motown Winter Blast (Meridian Winter Blast). Held every winter in Campus Martius Park, it includes ice skating, concerts, and a street party in Greektown. This event over four weekends in January and February has drawn crowds of over one million people.

Movement. May. Held at Hart Plaza every Memorial Day weekend (the weekend including the last Monday of May) since 2000 under various names, this festival is about electronic dance music.

1 Detroit Jazz Festival. Held every Labor Day weekend (first weekend in September) at Hart Plaza, it is one of the largest free jazz festivals in the country, with plenty of performances by local and world-renowned jazz artists.

2 Youmacon. One of the largest anime conventions in the U.S. End of October.

Autorama, 1 Washington Boulevard. Annual hot rod car show held at TCF Center held in spring. $22. (updated Jan 2021)

3 MGM Grand Detroit, 1777 Third St, toll-free: +1 888-646-3387. The MGM Grand Detroit is the first luxury casino resort in a major metropolis outside of Las Vegas or Atlantic City, and the first in downtown Detroit. The permanent casino opened its doors to the public on October 3, 2007.

4 MotorCity Casino, 2901 Grand River Ave, toll-free: +1 866-782-9622. The MotorCity Casino is a $300 million casino hotel. It incorporates the historic Wagner Baking Company building circa 1915. As part of the renovation, the cornerstone of this former Wonder Bread bakery has been fully restored to its original condition, preserving the signature features of the 93-year old Detroit landmark.

5 Greektown Casino-Hotel, 555 E Lafayette, ☏ +1 313-223-2999, ContactUs@Greektown.com. Greektown casino includes several Greek restaurants. The casino has its own People Mover Station, on level 3. (updated May 2017)

Foxtown, on Woodward Avenue, is the nickname of Detroit's theater district. The name comes from the city's Fox Theatre, which is the largest of the nation's fox theaters. Foxtown is home to dozens of performing arts venues. It is the second largest theater district in the United States, after New York City's Broadway. The theater district lies in the northern end of downtown Detroit, bordering Midtown. The nearest People Mover stations to the area are the Grand Circus Park Station at Park Street, near Woodward Avenue, and the Broadway Station at the corner of Broadway and John R. Some of the more popular theaters include:

6 Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward Ave, ☏ +1 248 433-1515. The Fox is the second largest theater in the country after Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The theater was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1989 and was one of the first theaters to feature live sound. The exterior of the attached 10-story building features an Art Deco facade, which lights up at night and can be seen for several blocks. The Fox is Detroit’s top venue for Broadway shows.

7 Detroit Masonic Temple, 500 Temple St, ☏ +1 313 832-7100. This theater is the second largest in Detroit. The 4,404-seat theater is a prominent venue for concerts, Broadway shows, and other events. Detroit Masonic Temple was designed in the neo-gothic architectural style, using a great deal of limestone.

8 The Fillmore Detroit, 2115 Woodward Ave. Known as the State Theater throughout most of its history, The Fillmore Detroit is next to the larger Fox Theater. The theater was designed as a movie house in the Renaissance Revival style of architecture.

9 Detroit Opera House, 1526 Broadway St, ☏ +1 313 237-7464. The Detroit Opera House is the venue for all Michigan Opera Theater productions and other events. This theater, which seats 2,700 people, first opened in 1922.

10 Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward Ave, ☏ +1 313 576-5111. This orchestra hall is the home of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The hall is renowned for its marvelous acoustic properties.

11 Music Hall Center For The Performing Arts, 350 Madison Ave, ☏ +1 313 887-8500. Originally known as the Wilson Theatre. (updated Nov 2017)

12 Majestic Theatre, 4140 Woodward Ave, ☏ +1 313 833-9700. A beautiful theatre designed in Art Deco, now boasting the largest enameled metal panel Art Deco facade in the Detroit metropolitan area. The theater hosts live musical acts. (updated Apr 2016)

13 Bonstelle Theatre, 3424 Woodward Ave, ☏ +1 313 577-2972. The Bonstelle Theatre is the undergraduate theater used by Wayne State University. It was built in 1902 as the Temple Beth-El. The theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. (updated Nov 2017)

14 Gem Theatre, 333 Madison Ave, ☏ +1 313 963-9800. This two-level theater used to be in Foxtown, however due to the construction of Comerica Park, it was moved on wheels five blocks to its present location. It is the furthest known relocation of a sizable building.

15 The City Theater, 2301 Woodward Ave. This theater, inside the Hockeytown Cafe building, seats 430 people. (updated Apr 2016)

16 Comerica Park (Detroit Tigers baseball), 2100 Woodward Ave (stadium bound by Witherell, Montcalm, Brush, and Adams Sts), ☏ +1 313 962-4000. Take in a ballgame at the Tigers' marvelous ballpark, with its magnificent views of the downtown skyline, a fountain beyond the center field wall, and tiger statues that growl every time the Tigers hit a home run. The concourse beyond left-center field has statues of famous Tigers players, including Willie Horton, Hank Greenberg, and Ty Cobb, and there's also a small Ferris wheel and a carousel for the kids. Tickets range from $15 for standing room areas to $72 for a seat behind home plate.

17 Ford Field (Detroit Lions football), 2000 Brush St (between Beacon and Montcalm), ☏ +1 313 262-2000. Just across Brush Street from Comerica Park is Ford Field, home to Detroit's NFL football team, the Lions.

18 Little Caesars Arena (Detroit Red Wings hockey, Detroit Pistons basketball), 2645 Woodward Avenue, ☏ +1 313 471-3200. Actually in Midtown instead of downtown, this arena opened in 2017 as the new home for the Detroit Red Wings of the NHL and the Detroit Pistons of the NBA. The Red Wings moved in after 38 years at Joe Louis Arena several blocks down, while the Pistons moved in with them from their previous suburban home at The Palace of Auburn Hills. (updated Jan 2018)

Explore Detroit's Greektown, with its Greek restaurants and shops surrounding the Greektown Casino.

1 Astoria Pastry Shop, 541 Monroe St, ☏ +1 313 963-9603, fax: +1 313 963-2530, info@astoriapastryshop.com. Su-Th 8AM-midnight, F Sa 8AM-1AM. This European bakery has excellent desserts. (updated Apr 2017)

2 Fishbone's Rhythm Kitchen Cafe, 400 Monroe St, ☏ +1 313 965-4600. Su-Th 6:30AM-midnight, F-Sa 6:30AM-1AM (bar open until 2AM nightly). Excellent Cajun cuisine. Also serves great steak, seafood, and sushi. (updated Apr 2017)

3 Pegasus Taverna, 558 Monroe St, ☏ +1 313 964-6800. M-Th 11AM-1AM, F Sa 11AM-3AM, Su 11AM-midnight. Possibly the most popular restaurant in Greektown. (updated Apr 2017)

4 The Golden Fleece, 525 Monroe St. Su-Th 11AM-1AM, F-Sa 11AM-3AM. Cheap, quick, and delicious true Greek food. (updated Apr 2017)

Detroit is known for its "Detroit-Style" Pizza:

5 PizzaPapalis, 553 Monroe St, ☏ +1 313 961-8020, fax: +1 313 961-2204. Chicago and Detroit-style deep dish pizzas. Dine-in.

Detroit is known for the greasy and messy Coney Island hot dog, and for its Coney Island restaurants which are open very late or even 24 hours to catch the late-night bar crowd.

6 American Coney Island, 114 W Lafayette Blvd, ☏ +1 586 219-0995, eat@americanconeyisland.com. 24 hours. Rival of the Lafayette Coney Island right next door. American's dogs feature a blander chili and less pungent onions, and the atmosphere is more American and less true to its Greek heritage. Inexpensive.

7 Lafayette Coney Island, 118 W Lafayette Blvd, ☏ +1 313 964-8198. Rival of the American Coney Island right next door. Lafayette's dogs feature a spicier chili, more flavourful onions, a smaller, more intimate dining area and emphasis on its Greek heritage. Inexpensive.

Leo's Coney Island. A chain that can be found all over metropolitan Detroit.

You can find a good selection of food trucks on Cadillac Square Park, but on a fine weather lunchtime expect long lines.

8 Cadillac Square Diner, 101 Cadillac Square, ☏ +1 313 974-6923. Basic authentic American diner, with good service. They make a good breakfast. (updated Jun 2019)

9 Cafe d'Mongo, 1439 Griswold. Speakeasy with bare-bones menu, but those bones got soul. Great live music. Only open Friday nights and some Saturdays.

10 Hockeytown Cafe, 2301 Woodward Ave, ☏ +1 313 965-9500. Across from Comerica Park. This restaurant doubles as a museum with Detroit Red Wings history and memorabilia as well as Tigers memorabilia and motorcycles.

11 Andiamo's, 400 Renaissance Center, Ste A-403, ☏ +1 313 567-6700, fax: +1 313 567-6701. M-Th 11AM-11PM, F 11AM-midnight, Sa 4PM-midnight, Su 4PM-9PM. Italian. Eleven locations including downtown inside the Renaissance Center. Great atmosphere, fine dining experience.

12 Rattlesnake Club, 300 Riverplace, ☏ +1 313 567-4400. Riverfront dining experience.

1 Courtyard Inn (Marriott), 333 E Jefferson Ave. Across from the Renaissance Center. Indoor pool, fitness center, and meeting rooms. In the building is an IHOP and an Applebee's

2 DoubleTree Suites by Hilton, 525 West Lafayette Blvd, ☏ +1 313 963-5600, fax: +1 313 963-5604. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Historic hotel, opened after renovation in 2008.

3 The Atheneum Suite Hotel, 1000 Brush Ave, ☏ +1 313 962-2323. Luxury hotel in Greco-Roman style in Greektown.

4 Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, Jefferson Ave, btwn Brush and Beaubien (hotel entrance on west side of Renaissance Center), ☏ +1 313 568-8000, toll-free: +1-888-236-2427. Luxury hotel overlooking the riverfront. The tallest hotel in the Western Hemisphere, it's connected to the elevated rail system known as the People Mover. Guests have included Ronald Reagan. Rooms from $130 & up.

5 Greektown Casino Resort, 555 E Lafayette St, ☏ +1 313-223-2999. Luxury resort hotel with 25,000 ft² (2,300 m2) of meeting space and a 1,200-seat theater.

6 Inn at 97 Winder, 97 Winder St. Victorian mansion in downtown two blocks from Comerica Park.

7 MGM Grand Detroit Casino Resort, 1777 Third Ave, ☏ +1 877 888-2121. Luxury resort hotel with 30,000 ft² (2,800 m2) of meeting space and a 1,200-seat theater.

8 The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, 1114 Washington Blvd, ☏ +1-313-442-1600. The city's historic flagship luxury hotel, European elegance, downtown location, world-class facility with attached parking garage. Guests have included Presidents Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and many celebrities.