Detroit · Wayne County, MI

Cheap things to do in Detroit

Scout analyzed 141 Detroit places and surfaced the ones that actually fit cheap day out.

Places analyzed

141

Matches

Typical spend

$25

Typical visit

1.4 hr

Scout-verified spots

Outdoors

Cranbrook House & Gardens

Cranbrook House & Gardens is suitable for a 2-3 hour visit, offering both garden exploration and house tours. Expect to spend $10-20 per person on entry, ideal for a relaxed afternoon activity or part of a weekend adventure.

OutdoorsHistoryViews

$10–$20 typical2 hr visiteasy parking

Downtown Detroit

The Monarch Club

The Monarch Club is an upscale cocktail bar, good for a pre-dinner drink or a sophisticated evening out, often pairing well with a show or another downtown activity. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and $50-100 per person.

CocktailsFoodViews

$50–$100 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Downtown Detroit

The Skip

The Skip is a colorful outdoor cocktail bar perfect for a relaxed afternoon drink or an evening social outing. Expect to spend $15-40 per person on drinks and linger for 1-2 hours.

FoodCocktailsOutdoors

$15–$40 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Downtown Detroit

Gilly's Clubhouse

Gilly's Clubhouse is a sports bar suitable for a casual outing to watch a game and grab drinks. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and around $20-$40 per person for food and a couple of drinks.

FoodCocktailsSports

$20–$40 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Shopping

Swank A Posh Boutique

This boutique is suitable for a solo shopping trip or a visit with friends. Expect to spend an hour browsing for new clothes, with typical purchases ranging from $50 to $200 per person.

ShoppingRelaxedSocial

$50–$200 typical1 hr visiteasy parking

Family

Detroit Zoo

The Detroit Zoo is a full-day family outing, typically lasting 3-4 hours, with tickets around $20-25 per person plus food and parking. It's best experienced in good weather, offering a mix of outdoor animal habitats and indoor exhibits.

AnimalsOutdoorsViews

$20–$40 typical2 hr visitmoderate parking

Midtown

Selden Standard

Selden Standard is suitable for a sit-down dinner focused on New American small plates and craft cocktails, typically lasting 1.5-2 hours. Expect to spend $50-$100 per person.

FoodCocktailsRomantic

$50–$100 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Financial District

Experience Zuzu, Detroit

Experience Zuzu is an upscale Asian restaurant, best suited for an evening meal as a special occasion or date night. Expect to spend $75-150 per person for an average 90-minute visit.

FoodCocktailsRomantic

$75–$150 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Outdoors

West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve

This nature preserve offers walking trails through forests and wetlands for a free outdoor experience, suitable for a 1-2 hour visit. It pairs well with a picnic or can be a standalone activity.

OutdoorsViewsAnimals

$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Downtown Detroit

Sexy Steak

Sexy Steak is a fine dining option ideal for a celebratory evening or a date night, potentially followed by drinks at a nearby bar. Expect to spend 90 minutes to 2 hours here, with costs typically ranging from $100 to $250 per person.

FoodCocktailsLive music

$100–$250 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Midtown

Mad Nice

Mad Nice is an upscale Italian restaurant suitable for a romantic date night or special occasion dinner. Expect to spend $75-150 per person for a full meal and drinks, and allocate around 1.5 hours for your visit.

FoodCocktailsViews

$75–$150 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Outdoors

Stony Creek Metropark

Stony Creek Metropark is ideal for a half-day or full-day outdoor excursion with family or friends, offering activities like hiking, biking, or picnics. Expect to spend $10-25 per person, mainly for park entry and potential rentals.

OutdoorsSportsAnimals

$10–$25 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Corktown

Ima Izakaya

Ima Izakaya is suitable for a casual evening meal or drinks, often paired with another activity in the Corktown area. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and $20-50 per person on food and drinks.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$20–$50 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Financial District

The Apparatus Room

The Apparatus Room is suitable for a chic dinner or drinks experience. Plan for 1.5-2 hours and expect to spend $50-$100 per person.

FoodCocktailsRomantic

$50–$100 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Cass Corridor

HopCat

HopCat is a brew pub for a casual meal or drinks, offering a large beer selection and pub fare. Expect to spend 1.5 hours and $20-40 per person, making it a good stop before or after a local event.

FoodCocktailsShopping

$20–$40 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Outdoors

Proud Lake Recreation Area

Proud Lake Recreation Area is suitable for a half-day or full-day outdoor adventure, including hiking, boating, or fishing. Entry requires a Michigan Recreation Pass ($12 annual or $11 daily for non-residents), making it a relatively inexpensive outing.

OutdoorsAnimalsViews

$12 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Woodbridge

The Roost

The Roost is suitable for a solo coffee break or a casual meeting, typically lasting under an hour. Expect to spend $5-15 per person for a drink and light snack.

FoodShoppingRelaxed

$5–$15 typical45 min visitmoderate parking

Rivertown - Warehouse District

Detroit Riverwalk

The Detroit Riverwalk is ideal for an active, scenic outing, especially on a nice day. It's a free activity that can be paired with a meal or other downtown attractions, typically lasting 1-2 hours depending on how much ground you cover.

OutdoorsViewsSports

$0 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Rivertown - Warehouse District

Mt. Elliott Park

Mt. Elliott Park is ideal for a sunny afternoon, especially with kids enjoying the water feature. It's a free outdoor activity that can be paired with a walk along the riverfront or a picnic.

OutdoorsViewsAnimals

$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Midtown

Kitab Midtown

Kitab Midtown is a coffee shop best for a solo visit or a casual meet-up, ideal for starting your day or a mid-afternoon break. Expect to spend $5-15 per person for about an hour.

FoodShoppingRelaxed

$5–$15 typical45 min visitmoderate parking

Downtown Detroit

Madcap Coffee Company

Madcap Coffee is a solid spot for a quick coffee break or a casual meet-up, easily paired with downtown Detroit exploration. Expect to spend $5-$15 per person for about half an hour.

FoodShoppingRelaxed

$5–$15 typical45 min visitmoderate parking

Rivertown - Warehouse District

Big Pink

Big Pink is a live music venue in Detroit, suitable for an evening out to catch a band. Expect to spend a few hours and $20-75 per person on drinks and cover if applicable, pairing well with a casual dinner beforehand.

Live musicCocktailsArts

$20–$75 typical2.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Downtown Detroit

Museum of Illusions

This museum offers an hour or so of interactive, photo-friendly fun, suitable for all ages. It can be paired with a meal downtown and costs around $20-30 per person.

ArtsViewsShopping

$20–$30 typical2 hr visitmoderate parking

Historic Atkinson

The Congregation

The Congregation is a coffee shop suitable for a solo stop or casual meeting, typically lasting about an hour. Expect to spend $10-25 per person for a beverage and light food.

FoodShoppingRelaxed

$10–$25 typical45 min visitmoderate parking