DETROIT – Detroit is a destination you can’t miss in the summertime. Bustling with festivals, experiences, and events, adding the Motor City to your summer list is a must. From mouthwatering Detroit-style pizza to rooftop cocktails, and outdoor adventures to world-class art, summer in the D can’t be beat.

 Savor the Flavors: Detroit-Style Pizza Reigns Supreme

The original Detroit-style pizza is the place to start as Buddy’s Pizza, originating in 1946, continues to serve its delicious pizza to this day. For more of a unique flavor and twist on Detroit-style, Grandma Bob’s serves up some delicious pies, such as their Sausage + Pistachio and Big Mack pizza. 

Detroit Pizza Pass: Launched just last year, the Detroit Pizza Pass is a free mobile-exclusive digital pass that allows you to check in at designated pizza places around town to redeem optional discounts to earn prizes as you sink your teeth into all the delicious pizza that Detroit has to offer.

Hop along the Detroit Brew Trail

Embark on the Detroit Brew Trail, a journey through the best craft breweries in Metro Detroit. This guide is designed to highlight some of the best in Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb County! 

Along the trail, notable spots include Detroit's hometown Atwater Brewery, serving up hand-crafted brews honoring the hard-working Detroit spirit since 1997. Eastern Market Brewing Co is another notable spot, a community-focused craft brewery and taproom in the heart of Detroit's Eastern Market. Lastly, ‎Batch Brewing Company is essential in the local brewing community serving food, drinks, and live music throughout the summer!

 Sip with a View: Rooftop Bars and Outdoor Hangouts

Elevate your evening at Kampers, atop the Book Tower with an expansive view of the city, or descend into the urban cool of The Skip, located inside the Belt alleyway with drinks, vibes, and all the summer energy you need.

For more skyline views, check out the Monarch club, with 360 panoramic views of downtown Detroit, or step into Tin Roof, a live music bar with a rooftop looking over Comerica Park! Perfect spot before or after a Tiger's game.

Spend a sunny day discovering Belle Isle

Escape to the 982-acre urban paradise located in downtown Detroit. While there, check out The Belle Isle Aquarium (the oldest aquarium in the country!) or learn of the island's maritime history, housed at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. Or, simply soak up the sun on the island’s beaches, hang around the water, and enjoy the vast green space right in Detroit.

*A $10 fee is required to enter Belle Isle, granting you access to the island.*

Festival fever: Music, Art, and Culture

 From July 16th-July 21st, Concert of Colors, a free annual diversity-themed music festival remains one of the few remaining large-scale, free-admission music festivals in the area, uniting metro Detroit’s diverse communities and ethnic groups through music and dance from around the world.

The Detroit Jazz Festival from Aug. 30-Sept. 2, brings jazz lovers together for four days of free swing and blues music from the community's favorite jazz artists.  

Afro Nation, from August 17th-18th, continues Detroit's rich history of African American culture and its status as the birthplace of Motown. The festival offers an opportunity to celebrate the resilience and enduring legacy and to connect with Detroit's vibrant music and artistic communities.

 To finish out the summer season with a bang, Dally in the Alley on September 7th is a free annual music and art festival located in the Cass Corridor of Detroit featuring numerous vendors, stages for music and shopping through the streets of the Motor City. 

Detroit a city of art

Spend some time wandering through The Belt, a transformed alley in the heart of downtown Detroit, bursting with murals and art installations. The Detroit Institute of Arts is a must-visit, hosting a world-renowned collection of works, and voted #1 art museum by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice in 2024.

Library Street Collective features contemporary works by both renowned and emerging artists. And when exploring downtown Detroit, keep an eye peeled for the many murals that line the city’s walls. Art is a story in Detroit that all are welcome to explore.

Bring out your competitive side – games and outdoor excitement

Challenge your friends, family, or even strangers to a game of “fowling” (football + bowling) at the Fowling Warehouse. You may think throwing footballs at bowling pins may be easy, but add in the distance, some drinks, and a whole lot of laughs and it will be a tough game!

For a place with endless variety, The Yard is your one stop shop for both indoor and outdoor games and excitement. A laid-back attitude, the Yard is perfect for the whole family, and all the games you can imagine. Bring your competitive spirit when you visit.  

Experience the outdoors, in Detroit

Bike, stroll, or jog along the bustling Detroit Riverfront and connecting Dequindre Cut greenway. Voted #1 Riverfront by USA Today Readers 10Best for three years in a row, the riverfront provides all you need for some sunshine, great views, and miles of path to explore.

 To experience designated outdoor spaces throughout Michigan, look no further than the Huron Clinton Metroparks. With 13 individual properties and nearly 25,000 acres of woods, water and recreational facilities, the Huron-Clinton Metroparks are one of the nation’s premier regional park systems.

For numerous outdoor festivals, visit Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill, with fun events such as the Lavendar festival from July 12-21, Sunflower Festival August 9th, and the Cider Dayze from August 24th-25th, plus many more. 

This summer, make Detroit your playground. Whether you’re a foodie, music lover, art enthusiast, or outdoor adventurer, the city has something for you. Grab your shades, gather your crew, and get ready to make some memories in Motor City.