Wondering what to do in Detroit? From homegrown eateries and breweries to fine leather goods, Detroit's resurgence can only be experienced by visiting the city yourself. When booking your stay, use this handy guide to hit several of the must-sees in the Motor City's up-and-coming neighborhoods.
Corktown: Detroit's oldest neighborhood has gotten a serious makeover
Grab some barbecue and a beer with friends in Detroit's oldest district, Corktown.
Trendy bars and mainstay restaurants pepper Detroit's oldest district, Corktown, just 1.1 miles away from downtown Detroit attractions and a great place to start. With a wide boulevard perfect for parking and walking around, Corktown is a destination for families in search of barbecue (SLOWS Bar BQ is a local favorite), couples on date night and friends meeting for a beer before heading to a Tigers game. Book a walking tour with the Detroit Historical Society to experience the history of the area.
Not far from Corktown, a new Cambria Hotels property will open in 2020 at 600 W. Lafayette Blvd. The upscale hotel will feature food from the hospitality company of celebrity chef Fabio Viviani (known locally for Mercato by Fabio Viviani) and a rooftop bar that serves cocktails, wine and local beers on tap.
Brightmoor: A community that thrives on innovation
Community initiatives to “restore the ‘Moor” with parks and gardens are transforming Brightmoor from the ground up.
Near the northwest corner of the city, the Brightmoor neighborhood has become a thriving community where residents and travelers alike enjoy culturally diverse and unique highlights like gardens, street art and locally-owned shops. Residents are highly engaged and motivated to “restore the ’Moor” together—they've recently opened a community kitchen and café, which you can see on a Ford Foundation Tour through the neighborhood.
Midtown: Head to central city to get a taste of everything Detroit
Midtown is the place to find both historic Motor City-themed art as well as the work of up-and-coming modern artists.
As home to Wayne State University, the Midtown neighborhood has become a central hub, offering many different things to do in Detroit that won't break the bank. Pop into the Detroit Institute of Arts to take in Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry Murals—large frescoes that include depictions of Ford Motor Company's assembly lines in the 1930s, spanning multiple walls in the museum. For something more modern, head over to the Detroit Artists Market or the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit to see what up-and-coming artists are up to. Afterward, relax and refuel at Honest John's, a popular Midtown watering hole that serves breakfast all day and keeps its kitchen open until 2 a.m.
Hamtramck: A cultural enclave of food and music
A mix of Polish heritage and newer Bangladeshi influences makes Hamtramck a key spot for cultural cuisine.
Hamtramck is a hidden gem offering a tight-knit and eclectic mix of cultures that you'd be hard-pressed to find elsewhere in America. It was founded by Polish immigrants in 1901 and served as a center for Polish-American culture for a decade, but it's recently become home to a strong Bangladeshi population—and is also the first major Muslim city in the United States. As such, the neighborhood is full of cultural cuisine from all corners of the world—head to Polish Village Cafe or Yemen Cafe for a taste.
That's not all Hamtramck is known for either. Home to several quality music venues like Ant Hall and The Sanctuary, it was once named the second “Most Rock ’n’ Roll City in the U.S.” by Blender magazine—just pick a bar and see who's playing that night.
Ferndale: Metro Detroit’s hippest little city on the border
Trendy restaurants and eclectic shops make Ferndale a haven for the hip crowd.
While Ferndale sits just outside the city limits of Detroit, it's one of the most well-known and well-loved neighborhoods in the metro. With progressive policies that attract a diverse and inclusive community, Ferndale's main stretch of trendy restaurants, eclectic shops and bustling venues make it hard to leave. For a break from the city vibe, head to the west side of Ferndale, where Geary Park offers a refreshing space for sunny-day activities.
Southwest: A Detroit neighborhood rich with Mexican culture and city history
Mexican food and markets are a staple of Detroit's Southwest region.
Still not sure what to do in Detroit? From Mexicantown to Clark Park, the Southwest neighborhood is yet another culturally rich space. Take a stroll through the park to check out one of the neighborhood's many independent supermercados, which sell the freshest Mexican fare and wares. Most of the restaurants here have outdoor patios for enjoying margaritas whenever it's warm out. And while it doesn't have an outdoor patio, Taqueria El Rey claims to have the "best grilled chicken in metro Detroit."
After the Great Fire of 1805, the leaders of Detroit dedicated a motto that translates from the original Latin to “We hope for better things; it shall arise from the ashes.” This embodies the spirit of the city that has spanned neighborhoods and centuries. Time and again, Detroit has found itself at the brink of collapse only to resurge smarter, better and stronger than before.