Planning an event in the Motor City? Check out this list of 21 incredible Detroit event venues.

Although Detroit was founded in 1701, it didn’t become a city until 1815. Since its beginnings, however, Detroit has been a focal point of Michigan. Known for automobiles and music, Detroit is the home to car factories and Motown Records, and it’s become a destination for many tech startups.

Speaking of tech, you may need some event management software if you’re hoping to plan an event in Detroit. If you’re hoping to learn about the best event venues in Detroit, take a look at these great options.

1. The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

Location: Dearborn/Wayne

Capacity: 5,000

Learn more: www.thehenryford.org/host-an-event

The Henry Ford Museum tells its guests to “prepare to be astounded.” After taking a look at what the Detroit event space has to offer, you may think that it is essentially choosing the right event venue for you.

For its events, The Henry Ford, as it is commonly referred to, aims to be “Inspiring. Powerful. Unexpected. Wow.” They vow to leave attendees speechless through its elegant affairs that are capable of being playful, aspirational, or educational. It takes pride in being an ideal location for weddings, corporate celebrations and so much more thanks to its team of expert planners and unique venues.

In addition to being ideal for meetings and events, The Henry Ford is home to 3 attractions, 250 acres of land, and what it calls “one awe inspiring experience.”

2. Aloft Detroit at The David Whitney

Location: Downtown Detroit

Capacity: 200

Learn more: www.marriott.com

Looking for a touch of class with a modern update? Built in 1915, the Neo-Renaissance style building honors the lumber and shipping magnate David Whitney Jr. Today, the Whitney honors a variety of guest needs and events.

This recently renovated space offers up a slice of Detroit history, in addition to its ideal location. Aloft Detroit is located around a variety of Detroit must-sees, including many that you’ll find on this list. In addition to a high-tech meets historical venue for your event, the surrounding area is rich with dining options that makes exploring the city that much more alluring.

3. The Westin Southfield Detroit & Executive Meeting Center

Source: The Westin Southfield Detroit

Location: Greater Novi

Capacity: 500

Learn more: https://visitdetroit.com

The Westin Southfield Detroit offers an array of meeting spaces in a variety of sleek, sophisticated rooms. The venue offers 31 event rooms, totaling over 47,000 square feet of space, including 15 additional breakout rooms.

The hotel touts its ability to manage events with ease as well as planning an “inspired event” to help guests organize and personalize their group. In addition to hosting superb events, the Westin is pet friendly and is situated just a short distance away from the city’s top attractions and sports arenas.

4. Detroit Institute of Arts

Location: Downtown Detroit

Capacity: 500

Learn more: www.dia.org

Surround your next event in a Detroit event venue with the arts. The Detroit Institute of Arts is home to incredible works of art and can be of the premier event venues in Michigan. The DIA offers 9 rooms in total and 11 meeting rooms. It is ideal for mid- to large-sized banquets, receptions, and performances.

Situated in the heart Midtown, the DIA offers several unique special event spaces, including the Great Hall, Rivera Court, Romanesque Hall, and Kresge Court. Additional locations include the Walter B. Ford Great Hall, noted for hosting many weddings and large events. For an array of design options, consider Prentis Court and its view of all 3 floors of the DIA.

5. Huntington Place

Location: Downtown Detroit

Capacity: 4,350

Learn more: www.huntingtonplacedetroit.com

Looking for ample space with a view of the river? Then Huntington Place may be the ideal event venue for you. The full-service, 2.4 million-square-foot convention center offers a number of locations for guests to choose from. They include 80 meeting rooms, five exhibit halls, and eight banquet rooms.

The Cobo Center likes to put on events where the guest can feel as if the venue is centered around the occasion, not the other way around. The venue recently underwent a $279 million renovation and offers first-tier event technology services.

6. Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

Location: Downtown Detroit

Capacity: 500

Learn more: www.thewright.org

Those looking to add some education to their event should highly consider The Wright. Founded in 1965, The Wright aims to change minds and lives by celebrating African American history and culture. The Wright offers scores of insightful looks into black culture and history throughout the course of history. Just some of the exhibits guests could interact with include a look at black hair and fashion, slavery, and the aboriginal times.

The museum is ideal for a range of events. Fundraisers, weddings, luncheons, and even children’s birthdays are all well-suited for the space.

7. Detroit Princess Riverboat

Location: Downtown Detroit

Capacity: 700

Learn more: www.detroitprincess.com

Detroit is home to several boat tour options to choose from. One of its more popular options is the 9,000 square foot Detroit Princess Riverboat. This is another space that knows how to blend the classic with modern. As such, the Detroit Princess is ideal for banquets, conferences, receptions, and performances, with a variety of rooms to choose from.

The five-story river board offers stunning views in and around the vessel. Guests are treated to stunning views of the riverside while being situated under beautiful chandeliers and decor.

8. Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center

Source: Marriott

Location: Downtown Detroit

Capacity: 50-2,200

Learn more: www.marriott.com

This Detroit event venue is known for offering guests stunning views of the city skyline that stretch all the way to Canada. Other exquisite sights, including the Detroit River, can be seen from the venue’s 100,000 square feet of event space. Events can be held in a variety of locations, with 34 different event rooms to choose from, including up to 29 breakout rooms as well.

9. Detroit Zoo

Location: Oakland

Capacity: 10,000

Learn more: www.detroitzoo.org

Animal lovers unite! The Detroit Zoo is the ideal destination for any event in need of ample amounts of space, nature, and the majesty of the animal kingdom.

This is the ideal venue for events for any age. Children are sure to love a birthday party here, just as professionals at a corporate gathering would. Weddings and charitable walks are also common among the park’s array of private events. Overall, there aren’t many events that wouldn’t have a great time at the zoo.

The site offers five locations to hold your gathering, including an events pavilion and the Arctic Ring of Life.

10. The Baronette Renaissance Detroit-Novi Hotel

Location: Greater Novi

Capacity: 500

Learn more: www.marriott.com

A selling point to the venue is the pride it takes in its partnership with the Suburban Collection Showplace, a leading center for expos, conferences, and banquets. Another perk of the Baronette Renaissance is its close proximity to shopping, including the Twelve Oaks Mall.

11. Ford Field

Location: Downtown Detroit

Capacity: 65,000

Learn more: www.fordfield.com/

Home to the National Football League’s (NFL) Detroit Lions, Ford Field is one of the top stadiums in the state, and a truly original Detroit event space. The venue was the site of Super Bowl XL in 2006 and continues to host a bevy of events each year.

Ford Field offers guests a number of special events locations. Large-scale events can be held right on the field, with scores of seating to take in the event. Or, other locations like the atrium, Hall of Legends, and private suites are just a few locations in the building to host an event. Each can host anywhere from a couple hundred to a few thousand people. In some cases, you can overlook the field, or enjoy the club atmosphere of several other locations the stadium offers its occasions.

12. Comerica Park

Location: Downtown Detroit

Capacity: 41,297

Learn more: https://www.mlb.com/tigers/ballpark

Take me out to the ballgame … or just the stadium! Comerica Park is home to the Detroit Tigers. Situated not too far from Ford Field, Comerica Park offers nine locations to hold an event, not counting the field itself. Guests can choose to hold their occasion in a number of dens, halls, or lounges. They can also visit the combined standing and seating Brushfire Grill, or the MotorCity Casino Hotel Tiger Club. For larger events, the New Amsterdam Club is ideal for groups up to 1,200.

13. Little Caesars Arena

Location: Midtown Detroit

Capacity: 22,000

Learn more:  www.313presents.com

Rounding out the sporting options on our list is the most recent venue to open in the city. Home to the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Pistons and National Hockey League’s (NHL) Red Wings, Little Caesars Arena offers its guests 11 different locations, including the same floor the famed Pistons call home. If 17,000 square feet is a bit larger than your occasion needs, consider the 3,300 square foot Heritage Hall with a private balcony and heritage decor. Outdoor events can also be held in several locations, including the Budweiser Biergarten and Lounger as well as Chevrolet Plaza.

14. Detroit Opera House/Michigan Opera Theatre

Location: Downtown Detroit

Capacity: 2,828

Learn more: https://michiganopera.org

By either name, this is a Detroit event venue rife with the city’s rich music and art history. The venue bills itself as a suitable destination for corporate and social events, as well as weddings and other catered affairs. While the abundance of art is sure to be mesmerizing, so might the views offered from the Sky Deck. There, events get to add the beautiful panoramic views of the city.

Another selling point many events appreciate is the expert events team that helps plan each facet of your event strategy.

15. Lucky Strike Novi

Location: Greater Novi

Capacity: 400

Learn more: www.luckystrikesocial.com/locations/novi

Bowling is one of those events that always brings people together. It is one of the more classic meeting and event venues for scores of communities. The bowling alley and its attached venues are always the go-to choices for numerous events, from work affairs to fundraisers to birthday parties.

Lucky Strike offers a step up from the classic bowling alley event venue. It provides seven lounges and spaces to choose from and touts itself as the ideal location for just about every occasion, just as bowling alleys have done for years.

16. Laurel Manor Banquet & Conference Center

Source: Laurel Manor

Location: Greater Novi

Capacity: 2,300

Learn more: https://laurelmanor.com

Not every venue on this list can say they’ve hosted a President of the United States at its location. But the Laurel Manor can. In fact, it has been host to numerous Presidents throughout its history.

For over 25 years, Laurel Manor has been in the business of providing impeccable service and events to Presidents and everyday people just the same. It touts itself as an excellent choice for corporate events, weddings, and other social affairs.

The Presidents did not return our request for comment, but we think they’d vouch for Laurel Manor.

17. Crowne Plaza – Detroit Downtown Riverfront

Location: Downtown Detroit

Capacity: 1,161

Learn more: www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/detroit/dttnd/hoteldetail

Emanating from the heart of the city’s downtown area is the full-service Crowne Plaza. The venue offers 13 different meeting rooms to host events, with 32,000 square feet of meeting space to work with. The Crowne Plaza also offers a range of planning tools to help keep events on time, organized, and on budget.

The company also touts its state-of-the-art AV capabilities and on-site catering as two selling points event organizers will love.

18. Detroit Historical Museum

Location: Midtown Detroit

Capacity: 1,000

Learn more: https://detroithistorical.org

With over 78,000 square feet of event space chock full of Detroit history, this is a venue that should appeal to a wide range of occasions. History buffs will love the deep dives into Detroit, dating well past a century of activity and history in the Motor City.

The Detroit Historical Society offers several private spaces throughout the museum for an extra special ambiance to your affair. Those looking for a wedding space should especially consider this venue as it has taken home WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards in both 2017 and 2018.

19. The Fillmore Detroit

Source: Facebook/The Fillmore Detroit

Location: Downtown Detroit

Capacity: 2,100

Learn more: http://thefillmoredetroit.com

Detroit is home to some of the world’s biggest names in music and could also be home to your next event. The Fillmore is a concert hall that balances fun with elegance and charm. Fans love the small venue option that makes concerts and shows intimate enough. That same capacity makes it ideal for upper mid to larger-sized events from fundraisers to corporate affairs.

20. Meadow Brook Hall & Gardens

Location: Oakland

Capacity: 500

Learn more: www.fb.com/meadowbrookhall

If your event is in need of superior elegance then Meadow Brook Hall & Gardens should be right at the top of your list. The 88,000 Tudor-revival mansion brings the charm of a bygone era to the present through its art, decor, and other relics of the past.

Its website touts Meadow Brook as a perfect choice for weddings, holiday parties, and business events. In addition to a sprawling slice of beautiful scenery, Meadow Brook offers up 4-star cuisine courtesy of its in-house culinary staff that provides concierge-style catering service.

21. District 5 Detroit

Location: Eastern Market

Capacity: Strolling capacity: 99 | Seated capacity: 65

Learn more: www.district5detroit.com

Located in the heart of Detroit’s Eastern Market, District 5 delivers a one-of-a-kind event experience in a 4,000-square-foot completely renovated historical structure.  District 5 offers a state-of-the-art sound system, two bars, a rooftop lounge, WiFi, and more. It’s a perfect venue for micro-weddings, rehearsal dinners, brunches, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and more. District 5 is also a solid venue for corporate events and other social gatherings.

Wrapping Up: Find the Best Detroit Event Venue

Planning an event requires you to be on top of every aspect of the occasion. It gives you a lot to think about. This list should help you cut down the options and make your choice a bit easier.

After choosing one of your many options for event venues in Michigan, remember to make sure that it aligns with your event goals and strategy. While it is quite a task, it is vital that you focus on these aspects when planning the event. When you do, the event should be a hit with a great time had by all.

If you’re thinking about planning events elsewhere, you might want to explore the lovely options available in one of these major cities:

• Amsterdam Event Venues
• Boston Event Venues
• Chicago Event Venues
• San Francisco Event Venues
• Seattle Event Venues