2-Day Weekend Guide
This 2-day weekend itinerary is designed specifically for residents at The Union at Dearborn (780 Town Center Dr), balancing nearby Dearborn staples with short trips into Corktown, Midtown, and Downtown Detroit.
Day 1: Dearborn Roots, Historic Innovation & Local Halal Eats
Time Stop Details Transit Time
9:30 AM The Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village Spend the morning exploring 250 acres of innovation history, from the Rosa Parks bus to Thomas Edison’s reconstructed laboratory. 5 min drive (1.8 miles S down Oakwood Blvd)
1:00 PM The Canteen at Midtown Drive back toward campus for lunch at Dearborn’s premier halal food hall. Choose from smashed burgers, shawarma, and artisanal mocktails. 5 min drive (1.8 miles NE)
2:30 PM Arab American National Museum (AANM) Head down Michigan Avenue to East Dearborn to explore the nation's only museum dedicated to Arab American culture, history, and art. 10 min drive (3.2 miles E down Michigan Ave)
5:30 PM Ford’s Garage Grab dinner at this 1920s service-station-themed burger joint complete with vintage Ford cars suspended above the bar. 5 min drive (3.4 miles W down Michigan Ave)
7:30 PM Buddy’s Pizza Optional late-night slice or study break pizza run to the original home of authentic Detroit-style square pizza. 7 min drive (2.0 miles E down Michigan Ave)
Day 2: Greater Detroit Culture, Waterfront Views & Corktown Flavor
Time Stop Details Transit Time
10:00 AM Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) Take Michigan Ave or I-94 East into Midtown Detroit to view Diego Rivera’s Detroit Industry Murals and van Gogh’s Self-Portrait. 15 min drive (10.0 miles E via I-94 / Michigan Ave)
12:30 PM Detroit Shipping Co. Head a few blocks south in Midtown for lunch at this multi-level food hall built from shipping containers. 5 min drive / 15 min public transit (1.3 miles S from DIA)
2:00 PM Belle Isle Park Drive over the MacArthur Bridge to Detroit’s 982-acre island state park. Visit the Belle Isle Aquarium, the Conservatory, or take in views of the skyline. 15 min drive (8.0 miles E from Midtown)
4:30 PM Detroit Riverwalk Stop along the 5.5-mile waterfront promenade for a relaxed stroll along the river overlooking Windsor, Canada. 10 min drive (3.5 miles SW from Belle Isle)
6:30 PM Slow’s BAR B Q Wrap up the weekend in historic Corktown across from Michigan Central Station. Indulge in slow-smoked brisket or the famous "Yardbird" sandwich before heading back to Dearborn. 7 min drive (3.5 miles W from Riverwalk)