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Detroit event weekends: what to do between sessions

Motown, the Henry Ford museum and a rebuilt riverfront, host of the 2027 Final Four.

Events we cover in Detroit

3 Apr 2027*Final Four 2027 (Detroit)
Detroit, United StatesUS sports 15 Oct 2027*Detroit Free Press Marathon
Detroit, United StatesMarathon

Arriving

Detroit Metro (DTW) is 30 minutes from downtown.

Where to stay

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Dearborn	Near the Henry Ford.
Mid-range	Downtown and Corktown	Walk to Ford Field.
Splurge	Book Tower and Shinola Hotel	Restored landmarks.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Hampton Inn Detroit Dearborn
Mid-range: Detroit Foundation Hotel
Splurge: Shinola Hotel

Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Tours

Full day · Family · Indoor

The Henry Ford and Ford Rouge factory tour

Museum and factory floor.

See times and prices

Half day · Indoor

Motown Museum

Hitsville USA.

See times and prices

Half day · Food

Detroit food tour

Coney dogs and Detroit-style pizza.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Riverwalk and Belle Isle bike tour

Riverfront.

See times and prices

Where to eat

Lafayette Coney Island Coney dogs
Buddy's Pizza Detroit-style pizza
Eastern Market Saturday market

With kids

Michigan Science Center.
Detroit Zoo.

Rainy-day backups

Detroit Institute of Arts.

Free things to do

Detroit Riverwalk.
Belle Isle (vehicle fee).

Getting around

QLine streetcar and People Mover downtown.