It seems everyone wants to enjoy Detroit, but it also seems like everybody is also looking to be smart about how they’re spending their money.
Fear not, fine friends – we have your back with these 20 ways to enjoy Springtime in Detroit for free or $10 or less.
1. Discover Detroit Walking Tours
On Saturdays at 1:30 p.m., Seven Point Two Tours does a free walking tour that starts at One Campus Martius (formerly the Compuware Building). It’s a full thing, running about two hours. There’s also a Monday afternoon tour, which is a nice option if you’re in the service industry. Although they are completely free, if you do partake, consider throwing a couple bucks in to keep these free for the next folks. More here.
2. Bike And Booze
It’s warming up so take your bike down to the Riverwalk and Dequindre Cut. There’s all kinds of great art to look at and if it’s a warm spring day, the RiverWalk will be quite enjoyable. A fun way to spend a couple of hours. If you’re looking for a booze cruise, top it off with an inexpensive drink stop at Andrews on the Corner. That’s at 201 Jos Campau – get there by going down Atwater past Chene Park. By bike it’s super easy to get to if you’re parking by Milliken State Park.
3. Slow Roll
Speaking of bikes, there’s Slow Roll. It’s a fun way to see the city with a bunch of other people on a Monday night. There are a couple of membership levels based on your financial situation on their site. If you split it up across multiple rides, signing up can be easily less than $10 per ride and you’ll probably make some new friends. More here.
4. Catch’em All
If you’re more into Dratinis than Martinis, or have kids in tow, the Detroit Renaissance Center and area immediately outside toward the river on the Riverwalk is a hotspot for Pokemon Go. There are plenty of Pokestops and often some of the best and rare finds are there. You can take the circular walk and hit a bunch of stops. An additional pro tip? Hop on the Detroit People Mover (75 cents) for a loop and hit all the Pokestops along the way so you’re ready to catch’em all. -100 Renaissance Center and surrounding in Detroit
5. Mbad African Bead Museum
Mbad’s Bead Musuem is even better when it’s a little warmer out and you can enjoy the outdoor murals as well as the indoor collection. This is spread across an entire city block as the MBAD African Bead Museum houses 18 outdoor installations as well as the African Bead Gallery, N’kisi House and African Language Wall. More here. -6559 Grand River in Detroit.
6. Outdoor Adventure Center
Yeah, it’s $5 but it’s well spent. This is a great facility, For just $5 you can check out the Outdoor Adventure Center near the riverfront and learn about Michigan’s rivers and lakes, sand dunes, and stand in a full size Eagle’s nest. Perfect when it’s raining. The site also has a lot of history behind it. Website – 1801 Atwater in Detroit
7. Grab A $5 Bag of Bread at Avalon
So if you’re into baked goods, the Avalon east side bake house on Bellevue Street does a neat special on Friday mornings when they open at 8 a.m. Even though it’s kind of catch as catch can with selection because it’s the end of the week, it’s a great deal and seriously, Avalon does cool work in the community beyond having phenomenal food. -4731 Bellevue in Detroit
8. The Detroit Pheasant Walk
Detroit’s pheasants are kind of legendary, and this is a real thing put on by Detroit Audubon. On May 20, there’s a Pheasant Walk at Scott and Grandy on Detroit’s east side. There’s also a Rouge Park and an Elmwood Cemetery Bird Walk. Their events are free, but if you can do it, throw some money in the hat or join the organization.
9. Have A Guacamole Picnic
On a nice sunny day, swing by Honeybee Market and pick up super-fresh guacamole and chips, then head over Roosevelt Park outside of the old train station or Clark Park in Southwest Detroit for a little picnic. –Honeybee is at 2443 Bagley Street in Detroit.
10. Catch A Soccer Game
The Detroit City FC plays in Hamtramck and it’s just $10 a ticket. It’s a steal considering how much there is to be had in a historic stadium built during the Works Progress Administration era. GOOOOOOOOAAAL! More here.
11. Volunteer To Clean It Up For Everyone
Motor City Makeover is probably the most well known of the events put on by a few different groups doing cleanups and beautifying the city. Spring cleaning applies to our community, too. May 6, 13, and 20. More here.
12. Two Dollar Tuesdays At Marshall’s
One of the epic dive bars of the east side, Marshall’s will set you right with $2 beers on Tuesdays. Enjoy their backyard on a nice sunny Tuesday along the east side canals of Detroit. -14716 East Jefferson in Detroit
13. Taste A Taco Truck
In Southwest Detroit you can find some awesome taco trucks. One is often parked on Vernor west of where it crosses I-96 and it’s on point. Another writer favorite is La Perian.
14. Check out the Yamasaki Reflecting Pool at Wayne State
Now this is a water feature that isn’t exactly a pool you swim in. After all, it’s spring – it might be a little too chilly yet for a dip. But the modern art vibe is strong here, and it’s in the middle of the beautiful Wayne State campus. Good place to meditate and chill.
15. Hit a coffeeshop in the Fisher Building and check out Pallister Street
The Fisher Building is drop-dead gorgeous, inside and out. There’s a coffeeshop in there – Stella – and get yourself some caffeine and head four short blocks north to Pallister. It’s a beautiful residential “street” that is designed to be walked down, and is shut off to car traffic. And a bonus, for a few weeks there will be a free exhibition featuring the revival of Detroit by French photographer Michel Arnoud in the lobby of the Fisher. -3011 W. Grand Boulevard; also Pallister and Bethune Court.
16. The Palmer Park Art Fair
Palmer Park is seriously under appreciated and the People for Palmer Park work real hard to make some great events. The Art Fair is May 6 and 7. More here.
17. Two Cheeseburgers And A Moscow Mule At Green Dot Stables
Enjoy the outdoor seating and scarf down a light meal along with a solid drink. Or just do $3 cocktails. We don’t judge here. –2200 West Lafayette in Detroit.