Detroit
2 hostels · dorms from $40
The Motor City, back on its feet.
Points of interest
- Detroit Institute of Arts
- Motown Museum
- Riverwalk
- Michigan Central Station
- Henry Ford Museum
State guide
Things to do in Michigan
Two peninsulas wrapped in the Great Lakes: Detroit's Motown history and comeback, giant sand dunes at Sleeping Bear, car-free Mackinac Island, and the coloured cliffs of Pictured Rocks.
2
Hostels across its 3 main cities
7.9
Average, from 647 reviews
4
Great Lakes on its shores
The Great Lakes State
Michigan is made of two peninsulas surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes, giving it more freshwater coastline than any other state. Its beaches, dunes, lighthouses and islands feel more like a seaside than the Midwest.
Detroit, the Motor City, built the American car industry and gave the world Motown. After decades of decline, it is now one of the most interesting cities in the country, with a revived downtown, the restored Michigan Central Station, the Detroit Institute of Arts and its Diego Rivera murals, and the Motown Museum. Ann Arbor is a lively university town nearby.
Up north, Sleeping Bear Dunes has huge dunes above Lake Michigan, Traverse City is the cherry capital, and Mackinac Island bans cars, so people get around by horse and bike. Across the Mackinac Bridge, the Upper Peninsula has the cliffs of Pictured Rocks and wild forests. Give Michigan a week, with a car. Summer and early autumn are best.
Where to base yourself
Detroit for the city, and Traverse City or Mackinaw City for the north.
Traverse City
A northern lake town of cherries and wineries.
Points of interest
- Sleeping Bear Dunes
- Old Mission Peninsula
- Cherry festival
Mackinaw City
The ferry port for Mackinac Island.
Points of interest
- Mackinac Island
- Mackinac Bridge
- Colonial Michilimackinac
Regions of Michigan
Detroit in the south-east, beaches along Lake Michigan in the west, and wild forests in the Upper Peninsula.
Detroit and the south-east
City, Motown, carsDetroit, Dearborn and Ann Arbor.
West Michigan
Beaches, Grand RapidsLake Michigan beaches and Grand Rapids.
Northern Michigan
Dunes, cherriesSleeping Bear Dunes, Traverse City and Mackinac Island.
Upper Peninsula
Wild forests, cliffsPictured Rocks, Tahquamenon Falls and Lake Superior.
Things to do
Things to do in Michigan
In Detroit, visit the Detroit Institute of Arts and its Diego Rivera Detroit Industry murals, the Motown Museum where the label began, and the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. Walk the Detroit Riverwalk, see the restored Michigan Central Station, and explore Eastern Market on a Saturday.
On the west coast, climb the dunes at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, drive the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, and visit Traverse City for cherries and wineries. Take the ferry to Mackinac Island, where cars are banned, and cycle the 13 km road around it.
In the Upper Peninsula, take a boat tour or kayak along the multicoloured cliffs of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and visit Tahquamenon Falls. In autumn, the forests turn brilliant red and gold.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The Detroit Riverwalk, Belle Isle (free on foot or bike) and Eastern Market cost nothing. Detroit's murals and the downtown parks are free.
Most of Michigan's beaches are free. Many state parks need a recreation passport for vehicles.
The Detroit Institute of Arts is free for residents of the Detroit area counties; visitors pay entry.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Detroit has its own style of pizza, square and thick with crispy cheese edges, and the Coney dog, a hot dog with chilli, onions and mustard. Dearborn has one of the largest Arab-American communities in the USA, with excellent Middle Eastern food.
Up north, try pasties, a miners' pastry in the Upper Peninsula, whitefish from the lakes, and cherry pie in Traverse City. Mackinac Island is famous for fudge.
Michigan has a big craft beer scene, especially in Grand Rapids.
Nightlife
Going out
Detroit has a lively nightlife in Corktown, Midtown and downtown, with bars, live music and techno, which was born here. Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids have bars and breweries.
In summer, beach towns along Lake Michigan are lively.
Bars close at 2am.
Getting around
Getting around
Detroit Metropolitan Airport is the main gateway. Detroit has the QLine streetcar and the People Mover downtown, but a car is needed for most of the city and the state.
Amtrak runs from Detroit and Grand Rapids to Chicago. Ferries go to Mackinac Island from Mackinaw City and St Ignace.
Distances are long, especially to the Upper Peninsula, across the 8 km Mackinac Bridge.
Costs
What Michigan costs
Michigan is good value, cheaper than the coasts. Detroit is affordable, and summer resort towns up north are pricier.
Sales tax is 6 per cent. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
State parks need a recreation passport for cars, and national lakeshores charge entry.
Safety
Safety and scams
Detroit's downtown, Midtown and Corktown are busy and generally safe. Some neighbourhoods have high crime; ask locally and use rideshares at night.
The Great Lakes have dangerous rip currents, and drownings happen every summer; swim at lifeguarded beaches and follow flag warnings.
Winters are cold and snowy, especially in the Upper Peninsula. In an emergency, call 911.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Techno, cherries and autumn colour.
Staff pick
12 October
Beck
Detroit
Beck brings his signature sound to the stage with a night of chart-topping hits. Enjoy an evening of powerful lyrics and catchy beets from…
Staff pick
24 October
Jo Koy
Detroit
Joseph Glenn Herbert, professionally known as Jo Koy is an American stand-up comedian. A recipient of Canada's prestigious Gemini Awards, the American-Filipino comedian revealed…
Staff pick
25 October
Jonas Brothers
Detroit
The Jonas Brothers is a pop rock band formed in 2005. They gained most of their popularity from appearing on the Disney Channel network.…
Staff pick
12–15 November
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus: The Greatest Show On Earth
Detroit
Prepare to be dazzled, amazed, and delighted as the greatest show on Earth comes to town. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is…
Staff pick
21 November
Los Tigres del Norte
Detroit
Los Tigres del Norte is a Mexican-American musical group of five brothers. Selling millions of albums, topping charts, and winning multiple Latin Grammy awards,…
Staff pick
18–19 December
GRiZ
Detroit
GRiZ is an electronic songwriter, DJ, and producer, from Southfield, Michigan. He plays the saxophone and produces funk and electro-soul music. He created All…
Staff pick
8 November
Sesame Street Live
Detroit
Sesame Street Live brings the beloved characters to the stage in a colorful musical adventure filled with dancing, songs, and positive messages. It’s an…
Staff pick
21 November
The Bald and the Beautiful
Detroit
The Bald and the Beautiful is a live podcast experience with drag superstars Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova. Known for their unfiltered humor, chaotic…
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Michigan, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
When to go
June to September is the best time for beaches, dunes and islands. Late September and October bring spectacular autumn colour. Winter is cold and snowy.
Jan
Cold, snow
Feb
Cold
Mar
Cool
Apr
Spring
May
Mild
Jun
Summer begins
Jul
Peak season, Cherry Festival
Aug
Beaches
Sep
Pleasant
Oct
Autumn colour
Nov
Cold
Dec
Snow
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs for Detroit, rounded.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Michigan prices.
Treat these as a guide. Car hire and ferries cost extra.
—
- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Michigan questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is Detroit worth visiting?
Yes. It has world-class museums, Motown history, great food and a revived downtown.
Are cars allowed on Mackinac Island?
No. People get around on foot, by bike or by horse-drawn carriage.
How many days do you need in Michigan?
A week for Detroit, the west coast and the north.
When is the best time to visit Michigan?
June to October, with autumn colour in October.
Do I need a car in Michigan?
Yes, for almost everything outside downtown Detroit.
Are the Great Lakes safe to swim in?
Yes, at lifeguarded beaches. Rip currents are a real danger.
What is Pictured Rocks?
Multicoloured sandstone cliffs on Lake Superior, best seen by boat or kayak.
Also trending this week
Say yes to hostels, meet the world
Compare hostels across Michigan: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.
Get the App.