When visiting Detroit, these are iconic, and a few lesser-known pictures for your Instagram story and they’re also great spots to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and explore the city and its history.
A huge bronze statue of a man (the spirit) holding a family and a golden orb in each hand. Sometimes he dresses in massive sports jerseys because he’s the ultimate Detroiter. Find it at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center on Woodward Avenue near Jefferson. You haven’t been to Detroit if you don’t take his picture.
Hart Plaza
There are two objects in the park that make a great focal point for pictures with either the city or the river as a backdrop. Find them riverside at Jefferson and Woodward.
- Transcending, a circle sculpture and the Michigan Labor Legacy Landmark
- The Horace E. Dodge and Son Memorial Fountain (Detroiters love a good fountain). Looks like a nut, or bolt, something widget like.
Joe Lewis Fist Monument
- The iconic FIST sculpture is symbolic of Detroit’s culture; for example, they will fight you if you piss them off. Find it in the middle of Jefferson at Woodward ave.
Dequindre Cut
This 2-mile greenway was once a railroad lined with abandoned warehouses. Now gentrified, it’s a beautiful path with plenty of flowers, street art and/or celebrated graffiti and taco trucks. Find it downtown from the riverfront to Mack Ave running west of St. Aubin Street.
Eastern Market
More than just the market, it’s the murals commissioned in the district around it. The market sells food, produce, and various other items depending on the day of the week and time of year. The walls of several blocks of warehouses surrounding the market have transformed into an outdoor street art gallery with over 100 murals.
Campus Martius Park
This is the main area for tourists to gather. There is a fountain, restaurant, and depending on the season, the Christmas tree, ice rink, beach & bar, and plenty of events. It’s also the point of origin as mile zero for the Detroit mile roads (This is a great little known picture opp), as marked by a medallion in the stone walkway outside of Parc Restaurant. Find it at Woodward Ave and Cadillac Square.
Detroit Riverwalk
There are 3.5 miles of river and city views along the Riverwalk, including a sealife carousel, a riverboat, water fountains, a nature park, and a lighthouse, to name just a few picture-worthy opportunities.
People Mover
The elevated tram circles Downtown Detroit in a 3-mile loop. The 12 stops along the route each have unique art and picture opportunities.
Detroit Institute of Arts
The museum’s white marble front steps are photo-ready with bellissimo Italian Renaissance Revival architecture, but inside is the treat.
Detroit Industry Murals are not to be missed. In 1932, Mexican muralist Diego Rivera and his wife Frida Khalo (ever heard of her?) came to Detroit. He painted 27 fresco murals that portray the geological, technological, and human history of Detroit. No biggie.
Woodward Avenue aka M-1
Crusin’ down Woodward is a thing (it was the first paved road ever, ya’ll), but it’s also the busiest street for pedestrians and those iconic city street photos you need to make your trip complete. The strip between Grand Circus and Campus Martius parks has the best conglomeration of architecture. Climb the stairs to the top of The Z parking garage for the best views.
The Heidelberg Project
Go here for unique (weird) Detroit images of a neighborhood turned into an art installation. It’s mostly piles of random objects displayed in “creative” ways, and even the houses are art. My favorite was a house covered in records, but it was an arson victim a few years ago. This is Detroit, ya know. It’s near Mack Ave. & Mt. Elliott.
The Belt
Don’t be scared; it’s just a Detroit alley. Wait that might not reassure you … but this alley is special. Use this public space to gather, eat, drink, and be entertained among murals and art installations (including Sheppard Fairy). Lots of photos ops here, folks. Find it between Library and Broadway streets downtown.
Belle Isle fountain aka James Scott Memorial Fountain
This fountain has lions spitting water. Enough said. While there, turn around for a magnificent view of the Detroit skyline. Find both on the west end of Belle Isle.
Ambassador Bridge
The suspension bridge spans the Detroit River connecting Detroit to Canada. It’s important. International, yo. (And since they’re building a new bridge nearby, this view will change forever in a few years. Get yours now!)
There are another 10,000 other pictures to take while you’re in Detroit, but these are some basics for your “I visited Detroit,” photo starter pack.
Comment with your favorite Detroit photo spot.
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