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“They tried to bury us, but they didn’t know we were seeds”.
This was one of the quotes painted on a mural in Eastern Market; it so fittingly encapsulates the story of Detroit’s rise from the ashes.
Who doesn’t love a good comeback story? It is basically in our DNA to root for the underdog which is why the revitalization of Detroit, Michigan has received so much hype.
Once the automotive capital of the United States and a booming place of industry, Detroit filed for bankruptcy in 2013, with a debt estimated at $19 billion. This was reportedly the LARGEST municipal bailout in US history.
But since that rock bottom, the Motor City has been making quite the turn around. The story of Detroit’s revitalization inspires me and reminds me how your setback is the platform for your comeback.
Just five years later, Lonely Planet named Detroit one of the top 10 cities in the world to visit in 2018. It was the ONLY city in the continental United States to be on this list.
So what has been going on in those five years that has enabled Detroit to make such an epic 180? I was dying to find out and see for myself.
First, I did a little research into the story.
It turns out, private companies such as JP Morgan and Quicken Loans have taken a vested interest in this Renaissance project and have been infusing capital into the housing and business markets of Detroit.
With these investments, have come a flock of entrepreneurs and creatives bringing a contagious energy and spirit to the city.
Projects such as the Q-line, the Little Caesars Arena and The Packard Plant renovation are just a few of the ways the city is building up its infrastructure.
On top of that, handfuls of new restaurants, bars and community art installations are popping up all the time making the Motor City a must see destination.
So without further ado here are 15 VITAL experiences to have in reVITALized Detroit. (P.S. If you want to see how to weave these experiences together to create a cohesive itinerary, check out this post.)
#1 Soak in the season at Campus Martius Park.
From ice skating and the Cadillac Christmas Market in the winter to a beach in the summer- this community gathering space in the city center is a perfect place to enjoy the season.
I visited right after Thanksgiving and got to indulge in the festivities of the Christmas season. A major highlight of this time of year is The Cadillac Lounge, a large tented area that is essentially one big cozy living room.
The lounge is the perfect place to escape from the Michigan cold with toasty fire places on each wall, a bar serving up holiday cheer and tables filled with giant jenga and card games. Truly my kind of paradise.
#2 Give Joe Louis a gigantic fist bump
Check out the 24 ft long giant fist that is a Monument to Joe Louis. This sculpture was made to commemorate Louis’ boxing victory against Schmeling in 1938 which gave the United States a much needed boost of morale during WWII.
To many Americans this fist represents freedom and the fight for democracy and equality; it is also just super cool to look at :))
#3 Explore the elevated graffiti at Lincoln Street Art Park
This outdoor exhibit in Midtown Detroit is a collaboration from many community artists and shows the vibrant spirit of Detroit. It is perfect for an afternoon of aimless wandering through a slightly gritty display of creativity.
#4 Get your foodie on in Corktown
Corktown is Detroit’s oldest neighborhood and has quite the burgeoning restaurant scene. I personally enjoyed a dinner a Gold Cash Gold which is an old pawn shop converted into a restaurant with upscale New American comfort food. Some of the other staples in the area are Slows BBQ, Ima, and Green Dot Stables.
#5 Sip on the coolest craft cocktails at The Sugar House
While you are in Corktown, make sure to stop in to The Sugar House where the drinks are lit. No literally, there are some cocktails that they actually light on fire before serving to you. However, presentation doesn’t sacrifice flavor because these are some of the tastiest drinks on the planet. Make sure to try one of their rotating seasonal drinks, mine had a Christmas Tree design sprayed on top.
#6 Ride the People Mover around Downtown
While not very effective as an actual mode of transportation, the People Mover is a perfect way to get a birds eye view of the city. A raised monorail that costs only 75 cents to ride, make sure to hop on while you are in downtown Detroit to take a lap around the cities finest landmarks.
#7 Spend your Saturday morning wandering around Eastern Market
Made up of 5 sheds with lines of local vendors, Eastern Market is the perfect place to shop for fresh produce, flowers and artisan crafts. Bustling with activity and creativity you can wander the aisles, do some excellent people watching and maybe buy a souvenir or two.
My favorite thing to buy at these types of markets is hand-made earrings, a keepsake that is also suitcase friendly.
#8 Appreciate world class art at the Detroit Institute of Arts
Although I am not your typical “museum person”, I highly recommend adding the DIA to your Detroit bucket list. There is something so special and entrancing about this place, from the ancient buddhist and hindu statues, to the bizarrely modern camel bone replicas, to the Diego Rivera murals detailing Detroit’s history, this is a must see stop on your list.
#9 Walk or bike down the Dequindre Cut Greenway
A converted railroad bed done right. You can find an access point to this 2 mile walking and biking trail at the Eastern Market. This is a lovely way to get some exercise while appreciating the urban artwork and graffiti covering the walls.
#10 Stroll along the Riverwalk
From the fountains and monuments at Hart Plaza to the public art at Garden Rooms to the natural beauty of the wetlands, the Riverwalk is so full of activities. Take a dinner cruise on the Detroit Princess Riverboat, go on a two-hour kayak tour in the summertime, or enjoy a leisurely walk and views of the Canadian skyline. This is really a place where you can choose your own adventure.
#11 Catch the sunset at Belle Isle’s Sunset Point
Belle Isle State Park is a beautiful nature escape in the middle of the city. It sits between Michigan and Canada in the Detroit River and is the best place to get a killer view of the Detroit City skyline, especially at sunset.
There are also so many outdoor activities here in the summertime such as sandy beaches, a giant slide, an aquarium and conservatory. It costs $9 for an all day pass (for non-Michigan residents) and then all activities on the Isle are free.
#12 Experience the weirdness of The Heidelberg Project
This critically acclaimed urban art development supposedly transformed vacant lots and abandoned houses into “works of art”. To me, it looked like a nightmarish collection of creepily arranged trash.
Walking around the piles of old dolls and stuffed animals in rusted shopping carts I just kept thinking “what the what??”. It was like Tim Burton meets an episode of hoarders. Despite this, or maybe because of this, I think it is a worthwhile experience to have while in Detroit.
#13 Participate in the brunch culture downtown
Whether you want a boozy brunch or a caffeinated one, downtown Detroit has you covered. I grubbed on some pecan pie french toast at The Dime Store, and let me tell you that food coma was well worth every bite. Some other delicious options include the Hudson Cafe and Folk Detroit.
#14 Eat among the shipping crates at Detroit Shipping Company
An industrially decorated food hall that houses ethnic fare along with an art gallery, coffee shop, live music and a podcasting studio. It truly is your go to stop for food and entertainment all in one.
Their website honestly sums it up perfectly:
“The food of a five-start food truck. The atmosphere of a beer garden. The walls of a shipping container.”
#15 Catch a professional sporting event
Lions and Tigers and Red Wings, oh-my. Detroit’s sporting scene is a great place to bandwagon, no matter your loyalties. Catch a Red Wings game at the newly built Little Caesars Arena or cheer on the Lions on Thanksgiving Day at Ford Field. Sports are deeply ingrained in Detroit’s culture and livelihood and are a great way to experience the energy and spirit of the city.
And there you have it! 15 of the most vital experiences to have in revitalized Detroit. Have you done any of these? What did I miss? What are some of your favorite experiences to have in the Motor City?
