All my life I have lived in Detroit. I have often struggled
with where I should take visitors that come in from out of town.
Detroit is not Chicago, New York, or Boston. However, if you
look in the right places, there are many great sites to be seen.
To be honest, Detroit has seen better times. Growing up in the
city, I remember many great things about the city that no longer
exist today. However, I think the city is on the rise and there
is a great future ahead. Downtown Detroit has improved and there
are many more improvements in the works. For those with the
entrepreneurial spirit, I think this is a great place to be.
In this article, I will give you my top ten things which you
should do on your visit to Detroit.
1. The cultural minded should spend a day at the Detroit
Institute of Arts. The museum has over 60,000 works of art in
their collection. The collection includes paintings by Cezanne,
Degas, Rembrandt, Rubens, and Warhol.
2. Visit Belle Isle. An island park, located in the Detroit
River, originally designed in 1883 by Frederick Law Olmstead. He
was the designer of Central Park in New York City. At the tip of
the island, you will find a great view of downtown Detroit.
3. Have a hot dog at Lafayette Coney Island. A “Coney” in
Detroit is a hot dog covered in chili, mustard and onions.
Lafayette is the best in the city. Don’t just order a dog. Make
sure to include chili fries and a coke.
4. On any given Saturday, visit Eastern Market. This is the
farmer’s market for local area. After browsing the spectacular
fruits, vegetables, meats and other food products, head over to
the Russell Street Deli. The sandwiches and food cannot be beat.
5. For those animal lovers, visit the Detroit Zoo. The Zoo is
not located in Detroit proper. It is located a two miles outside
the city in Royal Oak. Over 3,000 animals call the zoo home.
Considered a cultural gem.
6. Now that the Detroit Tigers are contenders, take in a
baseball game at the new stadium. After the game, take a trip
down to the old Tigers stadium at Michigan and Trumbull. Marvel
at the place where Ty Cobb once played. It may soon be gone.
7. For what I call the ruins of Detroit, visit the old Michigan
Central Station. It was built in 1913 and abandoned in 1987. It
is the largest train station I have ever come across. You can
get a spectacular view of the building if you are coming over
the Ambassador Bridge from Canada. You cannot miss the building.
It is the one which has no windows.
8. Take a trip over to Windsor, Canada. It is just a short
drive through the tunnel or across the Ambassador Bridge.
Windsor has a nice downtown and many great restaurants. The best
Italian restaurants are located on Erie Street.
9. Take a trip to the suburbs. Just outside the city, visit
Ferndale, Royal Oak, and Birmingham. They are all off of the
Woodward Avenue corridor. Each of these towns have a small
downtown with unique boutiques and restaurants. Each one is good
for an afternoon of browsing.
10. Further up the Woodward corridor, visit Cranbrook. An
educational community started in the early 1900’s. It features
architecture by Eliel Saarinen, Albert Kahn, Steven Holl, Tod
Williams and Billie Tsien and Rafael Moneo. It has been called
"the most enchanted and enchanting setting in America".
I hope my tips will provide you with some ideas of things to do
on your visit to Detroit. I am sure I have missed some great
places. The key when visiting anywhere, get out and explore.
