*By: Deepi Harish*
I must confess, I was one of those people who thought Detroit was economically declining, unsafe and lacking in entertainment. However, I couldn’t have been more mistaken. The city has undergone a remarkable revitalization and is thriving on all fronts. From charming boutique hotels and a vibrant cocktail scene to unique architecture and world-class street art, Motor City has been fully reimagined and should be on your US travel bucket list.
8 Reasons To Visit Downtown Detroit
1. Architecture
It’s great to see a city that continues to evolve while preserving its unique architectural identity. Detroit’s architecture is a blend of historic, industrial and modern influences. It’s home to General Motors, Ford Motor Company and Stellantis (formerly Fiat Chrysler), hence the nickname “Motor City.” With automotive growth came skyscrapers, hotels and industrial buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Downtown Detroit is very walkable, therefore the best way to see all the ornate architecture is to simply look up. For an organized guided experience, you can book an architectural walking tour. The Fisher Building and The Guardian Building are two impressive structures worth seeing.
The Guardian Building is a 505-feet skyscraper with orange brick and the most stunning lobby. The inside looks like a cathedral with a mosaic of bright colours, marble and Aztec design. Today, it serves as an office building to some lucky tenants. The Fisher Building, on the other hand, has a 30-storey limestone, terra cotta and bronze façade. Over 40 types of marble make up the lobby. The ceiling is a colourful mural with intricate geometric patterns. The Fisher Building also houses the Detroit Opera House.
2. Boutique Hotels
Detroit stands out with its plethora of charming boutique hotels. During my stay at Hotel David Whitney, Autograph Collection I experienced firsthand how accommodations in the Autograph Collection embodies its own distinctive character.
As you enter the David Whitney, you are greeted with a four-floor marble atrium with arches, balconies and a beveled glass ceiling. It’s stunning! Located on the main floor, you’ll also find the Library Bar, where a live piano is played in the background and the flickering glow of a fireplace creates a cozy and stylish atmosphere. This is not only where you’ll have your aperitif or nightcap, it’s also where the check in counter is located, so you’re immersed into a speakeasy-type of vibe while getting your room key.
I was immediately drawn to all the vintage details throughout the hotel, such as the brass elevator complete with an antique floor indicator that takes you to your very spacious and modern suite. Inside your room, you’ll find pre-stamped vintage postcards that can be mailed out by putting them in the hotel’s original historic mailbox.
Fun fact, The David Whitney building was built in 1915 and reopened less than four months ago after a 92 million-dollar renovation. The hotel is named after David Whitney Jr., a prominent Detroit lumber baron and real estate developer.
Bonus, the People Mover, a free elevated light rail, is located right outside hotel, offering easy access to downtown and connects with other Detroit transit options. Best part, it’s free to ride.
Hotel David Whitney is one of many boutique hotels in city, others include The Siren Hotel, The Shinola Hotel and The Foundation Hotel. They all provide a unique blend of historic architecture and modern luxury.
3. Cocktail Scene
We all love speakeasys with their hidden entrances, intimate settings and innovative drinks. Detroit has that. Bad Luck Bar is a favourite for their experimental craft cocktails and demure ambience. I particularly liked Willow for its unexpected, dark, secret garden atmosphere, playing my favourite hip hop and soul. The skilled bartenders were impressive, as they’re able to craft personalized drinks based on notes and flavours you give them.
For drinks with skyline views and plenty of sunshine, The Monarch Club and The Apparatus Room is where you’ll want to go.
Detroit also has stylish bars located in historic buildings. The Standby is known for going well beyond taking classic cocktails and giving them a contemporary spin. For example, they craft a Beef Wellington cocktail that uses a Mezcal fat wash and cognac with beef tallow that’s been infused with mushrooms, Dijon mustard and herbs, turning the classic dish into an umami-packed, savoury drink. And that’s only the start.
4. Detroit-style Pizza
Detroit-style pizza stands out from other pizzas worldwide for several reasons; the dough is thick and pillowy, similar to focaccia bread, while the bottom has that greasy crisp, (think Pizza Hut). The cheese is put right to the edge, so you end up with a cheesy, crispy crust.
Having two square slices of Detroit-style pizza at lunch kept me full for the rest of the day because its filling, but also very delicious. Unlike traditional pizza where the sauce is spread directly on the dough, I appreciated that Detroit style is all about ladling puddles of sauce on top of the pizza, after it’s baked. This allows the tangy tomato sauce to shine, while the dough stays firm yet fluffy.
A few great spots to try include Buddy’s Pizza, one of the original creators of Detroit-style pizza which has been serving customers for 78 years and counting. Other iconic spots are Loui’s Pizza, Michigan and Trumbull and Shield’s Pizza.
5. Eastern Market
Eastern Market isn’t just a place to shop for local produce, it’s a place to watch live performances and check out seasonal events throughout the year, such as harvest festivals, holiday markets and art fairs. This market is also lined with food trucks and stalls offering diverse culinary options with lots of samples.
There are three main market days. Eastern Saturday Market is open all year-round housing over 225 market vendors. The Sunday Market is set up a bit different to showcases the work of local artists, cooks, jewelers, musicians and more. It’s open June through September. The Tuesday Market is smaller than the other two market days but offers free Zumba and yoga classes from June to September.
Fun fact: Eastern Market is America’s oldest and largest outdoor farmers market, taking up more than 43 acres. You really could spend all day here.
6. Jazz Music
Detroit has a rich jazz scene that dates back to the early 20th century when the city became a hub for African American migration from the South. Over the years, Detroit has been home to several iconic jazz festivals. However, the jazz clubs — Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, Cliff Bell’s, and the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe — are known for showcasing local and visiting jazz talent in an intimate setting.
For instance, Cliff Bell’s is considered iconic for being one of the oldest continuously operating jazz clubs in the city. It opened in 1935. The legends that are performed here include Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Miles Davis.
Stepping into Cliff Bells felt rich and glamorous. The décor features deep mahogany wooden walls, tables draped with crisp white tablecloths and the sound of clinking glasses. You not only hear but feel the jazz’s lively ambience.
This is where you want to come for an unforgettable live jazz experience paired with an elevated dinner and craft cocktails. It feels as if you stepped into a time machine transporting you to a 1930s jazz club. For any jazz lover, this experience is a must.
7. Motown Museum
Some might describe a visit to the Motown Museum as a profoundly spiritual experience. They’re not wrong. For anyone who grew up listening to, or absolutely loves Motown, the visit can be quite emotional. After all, Detroit is the birthplace of Motown Records.
The museum tour is so thoughtfully curated. The staff does an excellent job of telling the story of how a small Detroit studio became a global powerhouse, on top breaking down the development of the “Motown” sound, which is a blend of R&B, pop and soul. The museum showcases rare photo, original records and costumes from the greats.
It’s amazing to stand in the original studio A, where many Motown’s iconic hits were recorded, including My Girl by The Temptations, Baby Love by The Supremes, I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye, to name a few.
If these walls could talk, just imagine the incredible stories they’d share about rehearsals with Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross and Stevie Wonder all in one room!
8. Mural Tour
Known as one of the best cities for street art, Detroit’s features everything from large-scale murals to intricate graffiti. Beyond visual appeal, you’ll notice that Detroit art addresses important social, political and cultural experiences of local communities, which is amazing because it creates a dialogue.
Instead of viewing graffiti as vandalism, I love that the city’s government has embraced it. They recognize its role in the city’s creative and cultural expression. The street art in Detroit has significantly contributed to urban renewal efforts, energizing areas that were previously neglected.
A great way to get an art history lesson while discovering notable street art is by participating in a Murals in the Market tour. One hundred murals exist in Eastern Market alone and over 200 murals have a home throughout the city of Detroit.
A huge thanks to Visit Detroit for hosting us on this press trip. As always, reviews and opinions are entirely our own.
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