15 Things Detroit Is Famous For - Updated 2022

1. Techno Music

Techno Music has been a popular music genre in Detroit for decades to the point that an entirely new type of techno music emerged from the city. This new type of techno music is called Detroit Techno and was first created by local artists in the 1980s and grew larger in the 1990s.

Early adopters of Detroit Techno used science fiction to articulate their visions of a transformed society. There are also artists that have used Afrofuturism in their Detroit Techno works to appeal to a more marginalized audience.

2. Vernor's Ginger Ale

Vernor’s Ginger Ale is one of the oldest ginger ale brands in the United States. This long-standing brand was first created in 1880 by James Vernor who opened a drugstore in Detroit. Initially, Vernor’s formula was only sold in soda fountains but as the years went on, the brand would slowly grow and Vernor would later sell bottling franchises in other cities under the condition that these franchises strictly follow his recipe.

Thanks to its history, this brand has become tied to Detroit as it was the city where it all began. It even came to the point that the advertising slogan used in the early 1900s was “Detroit’s Drink”.

3. Fox Theatre

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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Describing itself as the crown jewel and one of Detroit’s national historical landmarks, Fox Theatre is one of the city’s most iconic theaters, music venues, and performing arts centers. It showcases a plethora of award-winning shows and events that have captured the hearts of thousands, if not millions.

These shows include Broadway musicals, National Hockey League matches, basketball competitions, concerts, and interactive stage plays. With over 5,000 seats, Fox Theater is the largest surviving movie palace in the city since it opened its doors in 1928.

Fox Theatre

Address: 2211 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201, United States

Website: Fox Theatre

4. Comerica Park

If you’re a sports fan coming to Detroit, this attraction is a must-visit. Comerica Park is an open-air baseball park in downtown Detroit and is home to the Major League Baseball team Detroit Tigers. It opened to the public in April 2000 and is named after Comerica Bank, a Detroit-founded financial services company. It is built on the original site of the Detroit College of Law. Comerica Park’s seating capacity is 41,083 and its main use is, of course, for baseball matches, but it has also seen a few concerts, Hockeytown Winter Festivals, and a soccer game.

Comerica Park

Address: 2100 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201, United States

Website: Comerica Park

5. Guardian Building

One of beautiful buildings that make up Detroit’s spectacular skyline is the Guardian Building on Griswold Street in the Financial District. It is a landmark structure that is recognized as a class-A building. It features an Art Deco and Mayan Revival architecture and was built in 1929. Initially, it was named the Union Trust Building, after it was built by Detroit-founded Union Trust Company and was designed by Wirt Rowland. It is now a building owned by Wayne County, for which it serves as the headquarters.

Guardian Building

Address: 500 Griswold St STE 1600, Detroit, MI 48226, United States

Website: Guardian Building

6. The Riverwalk

7. Museums

8. Eastern Market

This is a historic commercial market in Detroit and it is worth visiting for the history and also to sample the various merchandise on sale by the vendors. On Saturday, vendors fill this market to sell everything ranging from fresh produce to tacos. On Sundays, it transforms into a jewelry market where local jewelers and artists sell their assorted crafts. There are cafes that serve the classic Coney Island hot dogs amongst other foods that are native to Detroit.

Eastern Market

Address: 2934 Russell St., Detroit, Michigan

Website: Eastern Market

Opening hours: Sat: 6am - 6pm; Sun: 7am - 5pm (closed from Mon - Fri)

9. Belle Isle Aquarium

You will find this public aquarium in Belle Isle Park. Its design was the work of George D Mason and Albert Khan – notable architects of the 19th century. The aquarium was opened in 1904, and until its closure in 2005, it had a reputation of being the oldest continuously operating public aquarium in the United States. Though there isn’t a lot to do in this thing Detroit is known for, you can visit for the history and have a glimpse of what the magnificent public aquarium looked like during its glorious days.

Belle Isle Aquarium

Address: 3, Inselruhe Ave, Detroit, MI 48207, USA

Website: Belle Isle Aquarium

Opening hours: Fri - Sun: 10am - 4pm (closed from Mon - Thu)

Price: Under 10 USD

10. Auto industry

Detroit will forever remain in US history books as the cradle of the auto industry, and there are so many exciting places you can visit to see just how Detroit is rich in the auto industry. To begin with, it is the home of the Henry Ford Museum. The museum is a hotbed of the United States automotive history with highly cherished artifacts such as lots of presidential limousines and the bus used by Rosa Parks when she refused to give up her seat for a white man. You can also check out the General Motors Renaissance Center, Ford Rouge Factory, and the Automotive Hall of Fame to understand the full depth of Detroit’s automotive history.

11. Greenfield Village

The Greenfield Village brings you face to face with sounds, sights, and sensations of the ingenuity and the resourcefulness of some of America’s greatest. The village is over 80 acres (32.4 hectares) and where nearly 300 years of America’s perseverance in trying to make the world a better place is preserved. Some of the fascinating attractions that await you here include the lab there Thomas Edison has his lightbulb moment, the workshop where the Wright Brothers made their breakthroughs in conquering the skies, and the Henry Ford Museum with the real legendary Model T truck amongst others.

Greenfield Village

Address: 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn, Michigan 48124

Opening hours: 9:30am - 5pm (daily)

12. Detroit Arts Institute

In this place, you will find collections of man’s artistic creations that dates back to the very earliest cultures. The collection features more than 65,000 works of art residing in over 100 galleries. The collections came from far and wide, including Near East, Africa, Oceania, Medieval Europe, and the Indigenous Americas. You will find paintings by artists such as Picasso, Matisse, Van Gogh, and Rembrandt, amongst others. The history housed in this institute is simply stunning and will make you appreciate the strides made by mankind.

Detroit Arts Institute

Address: 5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA

Website: Detroit Arts Institute

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 9am - 4pm; Fri: 9am - 10pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)

13. Fowling

14. People Mover

15. Corktown (from USD 27.0)

This is a two-hour tour that will take you through a tour of the Corktown neighborhood. With it comes a rich history of the once-Irish neighborhood, a tour of some of the region’s best culinary joints, as well as a visit to the ruins of the once vibrant Michigan Railroad Station. The tour will also take you to some of the most vibrant parts of the city, while you enjoy an assortment of snacks such as hot dogs, bagels, and a variety of local brews. It is an exciting tour for anyone who wants to learn more about Detroit’s history and culture, as well as some of the less-mentioned facts about the city.

Corktown Tour: Historic Landmarks, Local Haunts and Pubs

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Detroit has more gems than you could imagine

Evidently, you need to dig deeper to uncover the depth of the famous things that have a permanent home in Detroit. If you are passionate about history, especially history on inventions that changed the world and the auto industry, then Detroit will be an exciting destination for you. With the above, we have just scratched the surface about some of the famous things in Detroit. Check them out and appreciate how Detroit is truly blessed with attractions.