Even if you’re mainly going to be in downtown Detroit, it’s definitely worth it to hit Royal Oak (just take I-75N to I-696E and get off on the Woodward exit, turn right onto Main). Lots of great food, good shops, and nice bars. Also, Birmingham is the more “upscale” shopping area (as well as Somerset Mall). You can use google maps to locate them, and they are definitely worth the 20 to 30 minutes it takes to get there (in case you didn’t already know, there’s really not much that is actually in Detroit besides the monorail, Comerica Park, the Fox Theatre, and the Bridge to Canada.

Oh no, I disagree! There is a lot to do in downtown Detroit! If you like to eat sushi, there’s a place on Woodward called Oslo http://www.osloworld.com/. It’s pretty tasty. Small venue though.

If you like the emo/alternakid scene, go to the Majestic http://www.majesticdetroit.com/stick.asp. They have bowling downstairs, and then the Magic Stick is upstairs. Sometimes they have good bands! If not, at least there’s pool :)

If you’re looking for a good (slightly upscale) dinner, try Atlas http://www.metrotimes.com/guide/restaurants/review.asp?id=8503. There’s a bar there too!

The Whitney is a very upscale place, but during the summer they have garden parties which are pretty fun. Also check out their dessert bar. http://www.metrotimes.com/guide/nightspots/place.asp?id=2521.

Finally, if you want to just chill, go to Jacoby’s http://www.metrotimes.com/guide/nightspots/place.asp?id=1718.

The Metro Times is a good place to look for venues in case you’re wanting to catch a show or something specific. Here’s a list of Nightspots for Detroit
http://www.metrotimes.com/guide/nightspots/browse.asp?City=Detroit

Royal Oak seems to have a lot of trendy places to go.. a lot of them being “trendy chain restaurants/bars”. There is some cool stuff there, though. There’s a lot more to downtown than most people are willing to realize. I hope this helps, and if you’re looking for something more specific, let me know! :)

SCREW ROYAL OAK… ehm sorry for that

Downtown has a cool park to visit, campus martius park, www.campusmartiuspark.org it’s fun to hangout and chill.

Saturday has Petanque at Cmart, from i think 11am to 5 pm, dfinately worth checking out.

Architecture is awesome to just walk around and bask in, it’s all over downtown.

Visit the interior of the guardian building for some java www.guardianbuilding.com it has a cafe, 3 story retail promenade that will rock your socks.

There is much other thing,s a hard rock cafe near cmart, MANY museums, just search for it in google.

Buzz Bar, Detroit http://www.modeldmedia.com/developmentnews/buzzbar.aspx

Fairly complete list at: http://www.modeldmedia.com/neighborhoods/eatanddrink/Default.aspx?neighborhood=/Root/neighborhoods/downtown.aspx#Bars

Cheli’s Chili Bar & Restaurant, Detroit

Small Plates, Detroit

Twingo’s, Detroit

Congress, Detroit

Slow’s BBQ, Detroit

Fifth Avenue @ Comerica Park

Centaur Bar, Detroit

Twon Pump, Detroit

Also check Birmingham (Thu, Fri Sat)

Greektown is a pretty chill place – always stuff going on, great food – plus easy access from the freeways. If you are looking for a great restaurant – check out New Hellas Cafe – it’s been around forever and has some of the best Greek/Mediterranean food I’ve ever had. Pegasus is also good, but kinda pricy IMO.

Other than that, previous posters have some good suggestions.

A Tigers game at their new park would be pretty fun