What to do in Detroit when it rains
Don't let the rain stop you in Detroit — the museums, galleries and indoor markets are the dry, unhurried heart of the city on a wet day.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- Detroit Institute of Arts 5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
- Michigan Science Center 5020 John R St, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
- Detroit Historical Museum 5401 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
- Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History 315 E Warren Ave, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum 461 Piquette Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
- Lincoln Street Art Park 5926 Lincoln St, Detroit, MI 48208, USA
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- The BELT 1274 Library St, Detroit, MI 48226, USA
- Art Windsor-Essex 401 Riverside Dr W, Windsor, ON N9A 7J1, Canada
- Trinosophes 1464 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48207, USA
- Scarab Club 217 Farnsworth, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
- DuMouchelles 409 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48226, USA
- Museum of Illusions 1545 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226, USA
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- Michigan Central 2001 15th St Suite 101, Detroit, MI 48216, USA
- Guardian Building 500 Griswold St, Detroit, MI 48226, USA
- Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum 461 Piquette Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
- Willistead Manor 1899 Niagara St, Windsor, ON N8Y 2K7, Canada
- Monument to Joe Louis “The Fist” 5 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226, USA
- The Spirit of Detroit 2 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226, USA
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Whole Foods Market 115 Mack Ave, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Eastern Market 2934 Russell St, Detroit, MI 48207, USA
- Golden Fleece Restaurant 525 Monroe St, Detroit, MI 48226, USA
- Gratiot Central Meat Market 1429 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48207, USA
- Eastern Market Shed 5 2810 Russell St, Detroit, MI 48207, USA
- Seasons Market & Cafe 4125 2nd Ave, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- McDonald's 4235 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Kitab Midtown 422 W Willis St, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters Detroit 1220 Griswold St, Detroit, MI 48226, USA
- McDonald's 93 Wyandotte St E, Windsor, ON N9A 3H1, Canada
- McDonald's 1000 Mack Ave, Detroit, MI 48207, USA
- 7-Eleven 139 Cadillac Square, Detroit, MI 48226, USA
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- Millender Center 333 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48226, USA
- Parker's Alley Parkers Aly, Detroit, MI 48226, USA
- Shops On Top 2362 Russell St, Detroit, MI 48207, USA
- Chene Square E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48207, USA
- TrendBinge 220 W Congress St, Detroit, MI 48226, USA
- 511 Woodward Building 525 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226, USA
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 36 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.