DETROIT, MI
Detroit, Michigan sits along the Detroit River offering water views and everything you want in a vacation to a new city without hefty price tags. While you might not have Detroit at the top of your travel bucket list, it has a lot to offer and hopefully, after reading this guide you’ll add this Midwest gem to your list! My friend Joanna is from Detroit and she shared her favorite local places and activities. Happy Traveling!
Travel Tip:
- Plan your stay around what restaurants you want to go to! Each neighborhood in Detroit has something to offer and is all really unique. The food and drinks are cheap, so book your day full of restaurants. Also, don’t skip out on the historical museums or the Detroit Institute of Art, they are worth it.
One fun thing:
- Franklin Cider Mill: If you visit in the fall, think about making a road trip 30-40 minutes outside the city to Franklin Cider Mill. The cider is sweet and thirst-quenching. Get apples topped with caramel and roasted peanuts and apple cider donuts. Dip the donuts in the leftover caramel – it’s life-changing.
- Shinola Hotel: a modern sophisticated hotel right Downtown with a fun bar and few restaurants too.
- AirBnB: allows you the flexibility to stay in whatever neighborhood you want!
- Eastern Market: a large outdoor farmers market on Saturdays made up of eight open-air “sheds.” Farmers from Michigan as well as small businesses have booths in the sheds full of exquisite eats and products.
- Motown Museum: a historical Museum focused on Soul Music. The museum highlights famous Black artists who got their start in Detroit: The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, and more. It’s located in the house that was the first recording studio for The Temptations. You should make a reservation and buy tickets online in advance of your visit.
- Belle Isle Park: a park located on the Belle Isle in the Detroit River in between Michigan and Canada. The island and park are super beautiful with picnic areas, beaches, an aquarium, greenhouses, woods, and restaurants. It gives you that Midwest outdoor feel, but it’s still in the city. Take a ferry there and explore!
- Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA): Detroit’s biggest art museum. It has over 100 galleries and an extensive art collection from around the world and various time periods. It’s nice to spend a little time walking through a few galleries.
- Campus Martius: During the summer, one of Joanna’s favorite things to do is go to Campus Martius. It is a beach sand bar in Downtown Detroit. They serve tons of fun beachy drinks, you can lounge in beach chairs and enjoy feeling like you’re at the beach! The area is near the Tigers’ stadium, Comerica Park and when there’s a game, you can hear the cheers. Listen to the game from the “beach” or grab cheap tickets and watch the Tigers play.
- Hart Plaza: a plaza in downtown Detroit. In the winter, they set up a big skating rink and there’s a decorative Christmas market. There’s a nice fountain and in warmer weather, it’s a wonderful spot to eat a grab & go lunch and people watch.
- Sister Pie: The favorite spot for baked goods and coffee. The morning pastries are incredible, the egg galettes are fluffy and delicious and there’s good coffee readily available. You can also buy a pie or pie slice to go – the selection is seasonal! It’s in Detroit’s West Village, a smaller neighborhood outside of the downtown area.
- Dime Store: A sit-down restaurant with American diner food. It’s in a historic building right in downtown Detroit. The perfect spot for starting your stay if you want to walk around downtown right after breakfast. They have the best bacon you’ll ever have and an eclectic variety of eggs benedicts.
- Brooklyn Street Local: a brunch spot that uses locally sourced ingredients in their dishes.
- FOLK Detroit: a café and market that sells seasonal food from Michigan farmers and specialty food from Michigan-owned companies. It’s perfect for lunch! Try their quiches, pot pies or salads.
- Mudgie’s Deli: a deli offering Michigan beer and wine with comfort food in the Corktown neighborhood. They have amazing sandwiches – try the beef brisket or turkey Reuben. They have a walk-up window and patio.
- Hamido: a family-owned casual Lebanese diner near West Warren Ave. Favorites on the menu include falafel, shawarma, kibbeh, and family platters for dinner. Easily some of the best Lebanese food in the country.
- Detroit Vegan Soul: even if you aren’t vegan, this food is so good. It’s a Black-owned spot serving comfort-style food in a casual environment.
- Townhouse: a chic spot for American food and sushi. They also have delicious drinks in their extensive “libation library” menu.
- Slows Bar BQ: a popular spot for Southern Style BBQ in the Corktown neighborhood. The restaurant has been on a bunch of food travel shows, but it’s not super touristy. The BBQ is unreal.
- Parc: an upscale spot for a fancy dinner right in downtown Detroit near Hart Plaza. They offer contemporary American cuisine, with a French twist. Their wine list has a variety of wonderful picks.
- San Morello: a fashionable spot for Italian food located inside the Shinola Hotel. They serve good vibes and good cocktails. Try any of their pasta dishes, they are all tasty.
- Buddy’s: a Detroit area favorite for Detroit-style pizza. It’s the place to go for the thick-crust, rectangular, chewy pizza. There are multiple locations around the city.
- Sister Pie: already mentioned in the breakfast section, but worth another mention. You will not be disappointed by their pies.
- Astoria Pastry Shop: a super old-school Detroit pastry shop located in Greektown.
- Deluxx Fluxx: a funky neon bar in Belt Alley. It’s an underground bar/club with really good drinks. During the summer, overflow happens in the alley.
- Bakers Keyboard Lounge: a Jazz bar where local and major jazz artists feature. The music goes well into the night and the drinks are cheap!
