Detroit has much to see and do for couples looking for a bit of romance, whether you're interested in something cosy and relaxing or something a bit more adventurous. You'll find scenic walks around town along with fascinating museums and plenty of impressive natural features.
Opportunities for romance are abundant day and night around town with its thriving nightlife and picturesque landscapes to appreciate in the light of day. Immerse yourself in the local culture, and discover some of the best things to do for couples in Detroit.
- 1
Detroit Riverwalk
Go for a lovely walk
- Adventure
- Couples
The Detroit Riverwalk is a scenic walking space where you and your partner can take in stunning views of both the city and neighbouring Canada. The riverwalk path extends more than 3 miles in length, so you'll have plenty of space to take in the breathtaking ambiance.
You may want to visit this walk multiple times to get a feel for it during the day and at night. Sunshine certainly illuminates the developments, fountains, and river, but something about the lights reflecting in the water at night can be magical. You and your partner will find it on the north side of the river from the Belle Isle Bridge to Rosa Parks Boulevard just south of city centre.
Location: Detroit, MI, USA
Map - 2
Motown Museum
Explore music history
- Couples
- History
The Motown Museum is a museum and historical site dedicated to preserving the history of the Motown record label in the house that made it all possible. When you and your partner visit, you'll be able to see the very studio that made this music find mainstream success all those decades ago.
At the museum's Hitsville U.S.A., you can see the well-maintained control room for the studio as well as the iconic 1877 Steinway & Sons Model D grand piano that was used by several musicians including the Funk Brothers. You'll find it in the Henry Ford district just north of city centre.
Location: 2648 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48208, USA
Phone: +1 313-875-2264
Map - 3
Sugar Hill Historic District
Take a walk through time
- Couples
- History
The Sugar Hill Historic District is an iconic and nationally registered historic place where you and your partner will find a variety of old buildings dating back decades. In fact, some of the oldest buildings in the area were built back in the late 19th century.
Among the historic sites here, you'll find places like the Agnes Inglis house, a Queen Anne structure with an impressive accented bay tower. Additionally, this district is home to the Church of the New Jerusalem, which sports impressive Gothic Revival designs. It's located north of city centre and south of the Cultural Centre.
Location: 71 Garfield St, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
Mapphoto by Andrew Jameson (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
- 4
Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory
Enjoy a Belle Isle Park staple
- Couples
The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory is a popular attraction where you and your partner can explore a collection of exotic plants under beautifully designed domes. When you visit, you'll find quite a few different plants to peruse including a massive orchid collection that dates back to the 1950s.
Overall, the conservatory covers 13 acres of space with 5 different sections of flora. Additionally, you'll find a perennial garden and seasonal floral beds, so what you see may depend on the time of year you visit. It's all found on Belle Isle Park in the middle of the river east of city centre.
Location: 4 Inselruhe Ave, Detroit, MI 48207, USA
Open: Wednesday–Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm (closed Monday–Tuesday)
Phone: +1 313-821-5428
Map - 5
Detroit Vineyards
Taste the local wine
- Couples
- Nightlife
Detroit Vineyards is a premier location for couples looking to enjoy fine local wines made right in the heart of Detroit. Urban wineries are a bit of a rarity throughout the country, but this is one of the largest and most successful.
Everything they offer is produced and bottled right in the Eastern Market area. You and your partner can enjoy it all with a tour, a wine bar, and a tasting room that's available from Wednesday through Sunday. It's conveniently located just a short distance north of city centre.
Location: 1000 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48207, USA
Open: Hours may vary
Phone: +1 313-265-3938
Map - 6
Sweets Bar at the Siren Hotel
Embrace retro-style elegance
- Couples
- Nightlife
The Sweets Bar at the Siren Hotel is an iconic bar that lets you relive an idealized version of the past with retro-style ambiance and atmosphere coupled with delicious drinks. The decor here is a blast from the past with pink walls, Old Hollywood-style furnishings, and even a sparkling disco ball.
The drinks available here are comprehensive with talented mixologists offering everything from old favourites to new custom creations. A lot of the cocktails have an old-timey charm to them, like the Bubble Rum, which is a bubble gum-flavored dry rum with some sherbet and bitters added. Try it out on Broadway Street city centre.
Location: 1509 Broadway St, Detroit, MI 48226, USA
Open: Sunday–Thursday from 5 pm to 11 pm, Friday–Saturday from 5 pm to 1 am
Mapphoto by Hcom (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
- 7
The Whitney
Experience one of Detroit's most romantic restaurants
- Couples
- Food
- Nightlife
The Whitney is an iconic romantic restaurant in a historic setting where you and your partner can enjoy luxurious food and service. The restaurant is located in a mansion from the late 19th century, and the mood is soft and romantic bolstered by live piano music.
This restaurant is certainly romantic, but it's also quite fancy. You and your partner can enjoy the opportunity to dress up, as there is a dress code you'll have to abide by when you visit. Additionally, you'll want to book in advance to make sure you get a table. It's located in the heart of the Cultural District.
Location: 4421 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
Open: Hours may vary
Phone: +1 313-832-5700
Mapphoto by Andrew Jameson (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
- 8
The Monarch Club
Check out a rooftop bar
- Couples
- Nightlife
The Monarch Club is a rooftop bar offering pristine views of the city centre area alongside innovative cocktails and small plates. When you're on the neo-Gothic-style roof, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city's skyscrapers in every direction.
The menu here offers a wide variety of cocktails to enjoy in addition to beer and wine. Much of the beer and wine is locally sourced as well. If you're interested in small plates and shareables, you'll find plenty of incredible options like the mushroom truffle flatbread or the salmon sliders. It's located on the north side of city centre in the Metropolitan Building.
Location: 33 John R St Penthouse, Detroit, MI 48226, USA
Open: Hours may vary
Phone: +1 313-306-2380
Map - 9
Ford Drive-In Theatre
See a film old-school style
- Couples
- Nightlife
The Ford Drive-In Theatre is one of the few remaining drive-ins in the country where you can see a film from your car like people did decades ago. This theatre has showings every day of the week and often has double features letting you see 2 films for the price of 1.
When you and your partner see a film here, you can sit back and relax in the comfort of your car without having to worry about anyone else who's watching the same film. Plus, audio streaming is simple, giving you the choice of FM radio or Wi-Fi streaming. It's located a few miles west of city centre.
Location: 10400 Ford Rd, Dearborn, MI 48126, USA
Phone: +1 313-846-6910
Map - 10
Detroit Opera
Have a night at the opera
- Couples
- Nightlife
The Detroit Opera is a one-of-a-kind experience where you can enjoy stunning operatic performances in an upscale and historic setting. With their own production company, they regularly put on performances that are either renditions of famous works or something altogether new.
Occasionally you'll find touring performers and special events held here, but the main allure is the local production company with its immensely talented performers and set designers showing off everything they can do. Even performances of famous works are often done with a twist. See it for yourself city centre on Broadway Street.
Location: 1526 Broadway St, Detroit, MI 48226, USA
Phone: +1 313-237-7464
Mapphoto by Bnosnhoj (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified