25 Instagrammable Places in Detroit for a Photoshoot

Need help scoping out the backdrop for your selfie? Here are 25 picks of my favorite, Instagram-worthy spots in Detroit.

Chasing that perfect Instagram backdrop? I recently set out on an adventure to find some of the best trendy instagrammable places in Detroit for a photo shoot with my girlfriend and found some pretty cool spots. In the Motor City, you don’t have to park your car and walk 10,000 blocks to see breathtaking beauty. It’s available — free of charge might I add — everywhere. You’ll find beauty on buildings, down alleyways, on street corners, and from 55 miles per hour.

Detroit’s outdoor art is possible because of the massive canvas potential that comes from the old and NEW buildings as the city’s landscape continues to change and grow. So put on your best face, your best dress, and hit the town!

*Tip* wearing an all-white outfit makes the backgrounds really pop without losing you in the photo.

1. Pride House West Village

Agnes Street Detroit 

2. Belle Isle Fountain

SUNSET DR, DETROIT, MI 48207

Belle Island State Park is home to an aquarium, conservatory, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, a Nature Center, and a marble fountain. No matter what season it is- there’s always something to do on Belle Isle. Take a walk around the island and explore the history of the island, or take your bike! You’ll find an old lighthouse, several historical sites, and incredible views of both Detroit and Windsor across the river.

3. Z Parking Garage

1234 LIBRARY ST, DETROIT

You wouldn’t think a parking garage would be on the list of most instagrammable places in Detroit, yet here it is. The parking garage is nothing like your average parking garage, this is a 10-story tall behemoth that can easily accommodate more than 1200 vehicles in Downtown Detroit. Each floor is covered in street art of different colors, it’s also a great place to park if you want to be centrally located in the city.

4. David Whitney Building

1 Park Ave, Detroit

Beautifully lit by a skylight and adorned with marble, terra cotta and gold leafing, the building’s four-story lobby offers a one-of-a-kind welcome with beautifully symmetric photo opportunities everywhere. On the floors above, you’ll find a hotel and residences of contemporary design and décor. The Residences at The David Whitney is a destination unlike any other, one that merges the aesthetics of the best boutique hotels with the privacy and convenience of a private residence.

5. Belle Isle Conservatory

4 INSELRUHE AVE, DETROIT

The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory is a greenhouse and a botanical garden located on Belle Isl, a 982-acre island state park located on the Detroit River in Detroit, Michigan. Located near the Canada–United States border, the island is entirely within the U.S. The island hosts events year-round, and locals flock there during the summer for beaches and barbeques.

6. Vote Wall

WEST GRAND BLVD; BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD

7. Detroit Institute of Arts

5200 WOODWARD AVE, DETROIT

The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) is located just off Woodward Ave and has a lighted, secured parking lot located on John R. St. Parking rate is $7. The DIA connects people to art with programs, resources, and a diverse collection—among the top six in the nation with over 65,000 works.

8. Joe Louis Fist

1 Hart Plaza, Detroit

9. Ambassador Bridge

View from Belle Isle

This huge suspension bridge connects Detroit to Canada. Anyone visiting Motor City should grab a selfie with the bridge in the background. It’s the only privately owned border crossing between the U.S. and Canada. If you want to take a drive across, make sure you have your passport or you won’t be able to get back into Detroit!

10. Michigan Central Station

2001 15th St, Detroit

Detroit’s iconic train station is being transformed into the centerpiece of a new mobility hub for Ford Motor Company. Collaborating closely with architects, engineers, historians, and conservation specialists to rebuild the monumental structure. The new Station will house a dynamic mix of cutting-edge office, retail, and public space.

11. The Heidelberg Project

3600 Heidelberg Project, Detroit

Another interesting instagrammable place in Detroit is The Heidelberg Project. An outdoor art environment on Detroit’s East Side- about 5 minutes from Eastern Market. The project is on Heidelberg Street- the same street where the local artist grew up.

The old abandoned houses were cleaned up – refuse collected was recycled back to create the artwork.

In 1986 the artist started transforming his childhood neighborhood now in poverty and shambles, into a massive piece of art. The street, sidewalks, trees, and anything else on this street have become a part of this neighborhood art project.

12. Comerica Park Tiger

2100 Woodward Ave, Detroit

13. The Guardian Building

500 Griswold St STE 1600, Detroit

Perhaps my favorite instagrammable places in Detroit – The Guardian Building. A timeless depiction of creativity and accomplishment, it represents a past era enriched by people who believed in the success of Detroit and its many cultures. The building has been designated as a National Historic Landmark, the highest honor given by the National Park Service. The Guardian is a Class-A office building, owned by Wayne County, Michigan, and serves as its headquarters. Built-in 1928 and finished in 1929, the building was originally called the Union Trust Building and is considered one of the boldest examples of art-deco architecture.

14. The Fisher Building

3011 W Grand Blvd, Detroit

The Fisher opened in September 1928. Once known as the Cathedral to Commerce, the 441-foot tower is decked to the nines in fancy marbles, mosaics, soaring, painted ceilings, and a lot of brass and bronze. This world of shops, theater, art, and architectural beauty is renowned architect Albert Kahn’s masterpiece, “a superbly designed complex which displays some of the finest craftsmanship in any Art Deco style building constructed in the U.S. in the 1920s,” the National Park Service says.

15. Lincoln Street Art Park

5926 Lincoln st, Detroit

Located in Detroit’s New Center area, just West of the US-10 highway, you’ll find the sculpture park nestled behind the Recycle Here facility on Holden Ave. Enclosed on three sides by either the Recycle Here facility or the railroad berm, the proposed pocket park inherently offers a refuge space amidst a changing urban landscape during Detroit’s historic land use changes.

The Lincoln St. sculpture garden, is an instance of public art to serve as a destination and as a discovery. The park is meant to begin humbly as an activity supported by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs & the Detroit Recreation department. Over time, the park is intended to grow to meet the demands of new explorers and new residents.

More Instaggrammable places in Detroit

16. The Monarch Club

33 John R St. Penthouse, Detroit

Located atop the penthouse of the restored Metropolitan Building, the Monarch Club is where refined relaxation meets the skyline of Detroit. With iconic skyscrapers surrounding, this rooftop hideaway is the perfect place to unwind while city lights twinkle around you. Behind the Monarch’s parapet and by the glow of candlelight, enjoy craft cocktails and tasty culinary offerings.

17. Belle Isle Aquarium

3 Inselruhe Ave, Detroit

Designed by architect Albert Kahn in 1904, the Belle Isle Aquarium is the oldest operating public aquarium in America. Due to Detroit’s financial hardship, it was closed for about 7 years but is now open again, and run by volunteers. The green opalite glass tiles that cover the rounded ceiling give you an under-seawater feel.

18. Eastern Market

1445 Adelaide Detroit

You can’t visit Detroit without experiencing the Eastern market Detroit. During the busy season, Eastern Market has over 225 market vendors with up to 40,000 visitors in one day. Depending on the season, you can expect fresh Michigan-grown produce, fresh proteins, TREATS, flowers, hand-crafted goods, and all kinds of fun stuff.

Eastern Market is the oldest and largest year-round market in the US. 

Get there early on the weekends (around 7-8 a.m). Parking is free but fills up fast. So the earlier you get there the better chance you have of getting a good parking spot. After you’re done shopping walk a couple blocks over to the Detroit Distillery and grab one of their hand-crafted cocktails.

19. The Spirit of Detroit

2 Woodward Ave, Detroit

This iconic symbol of Detroit was created in the 1950s and was meant to represent hope, progress, and “the spirit of man.” When it was built, it was the largest cast bronze piece made since the Renaissance. If one of Detroit’s teams wins a championship, check in to see if the statue is donning a special jersey.

20. Loiza in the Belt

Between Broadway and Library Street, Downtown Detroit

The Belt is an alleyway just outside of the Z parking structure. Filled with street art, restaurants, and secret bars – this is a fun street to take a photoshoot because of all the different paintings, the twinkle lights, and the overall coolness vibes.

1274 Library St, Detroit

a Detroit hangout blasted in neon

“Beaming down from the Deluxx Fluxx hg. Make sure your kicks are on tight to dance all niiight. Breakkin the sound barrier on our journey into Black Light. Where hypersonic electronic waves will make you glow right. Visions shining like stars in the sea of you and me. Tonight we are together. Thiis is our house. This is our ocongregation in the cosmos. We are the beginning. We are Deluxx Fluxx.”

Duluzz Fluxx

22. Shinola Hotel

1400 Woodward Ave, Detroit

Located in the heart of the city’s historic Woodward shopping district is the boutique Shinola Hotel. The hotel embodies the pride and ingenuity of Detroit with unparalleled design, on-site dining, and of course – a Shinola store. Every inch of the hotel is Instagram-worthy. The rooms, the art displays, the hallways, and the outdoor spaces.

23. Candy Bar

1509 Broadway St, Detroit

Most Instagrammaable Bar in Detroit

Located in the Siren Hotel (also super instagrammy), The Candy Bar comes with innovative cocktails & snacks in a personal setting with plush seating & a huge chandelier. I think you know why the Candy Bar is an Instagrammable place in Detroit. The color bright pink dominates the entire place. Pink furniture, decorations, and lighting make for a really fun scene to take photos of. Oh, and grab a drink of course!

24. Detroit Athletic Club

241 Madison St, Detroit

athletic center, restaurant, hotel, and experience – Detroit Athletic Center

Staying at the Detroit Club offers a special kind of experience right in the heart of Detroit. The Detroit Athletic Club is a trendy instagrammaable place in Detroit because of its killer city views, historic interior, and library. Unfortunately, you have to be or know a club member in order to visit. Unless! You are staying at the club hotel, then you have access to the entire club for $25.

25. Campus Martius

800 Woodward Ave, Detroit

Visit Detroit’s gathering place, Campus Martius Park. Located downtown, with spectacular skyline views it’s home to the always-flowing Woodward Fountain. Gardens, historical monuments, and the popular Parc Restaurant surround it.

Open year-round with activities for everyone. In summer the space transforms into a small beach. You can relax and sip on cocktails in the middle of the city. During the winter the park transforms into a winter wonderland, with the most popular ice skating rink in the area. Make sure to check the calendar of events before you go. There are often special events on weekends- you don’t want to miss out!

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