Color Detroit
Presented By The Shinola Hotel
Color Our Town Coloring Books
Welcome to the Shinola Hotel
Welcome to the Shinola Hotel, where modern luxury meets the heart of the Motor City. Situated on historic Woodward Avenue, our hotel is a celebration of the city's craftsmanship, creativity, and unmistakable spirit. As you settle in, we invite you to explore all that makes Detroit special — from world-class dining and vibrant nightlife to the rich culture and history just steps from our doors.
Detroit - the beating heart of the United States!
You're stepping into a city rich with culture, resilience, and innovation. From the soulful sounds of Motown to the roar of engines in the Motor City, Detroit offers a unique blend of history and energy. Explore our vibrant neighborhoods, world-class museums, and booming food scene — and don’t forget to catch a live show or a game while you’re here. We’re glad you made it. Welcome to the D!
1. Shinola Hotel
The Shinola Hotel, opened in January 2019, seamlessly blends the city's rich history with modern luxury. The hotel occupies five buildings, notably including the historic T.B. Rayl & Co. store and the Singer Building.
The T.B. Rayl Company constructed its building in 1915, featuring an elaborate red-tiled façade designed by architect Wirt Rowland. Adjacent to it, the Singer Building, with its understated limestone-clad neoclassical exterior, was home to the Singer Sewing Machine Company in 1936.
The design of the 129-room hotel thoughtfully integrates restored historic structures with new constructions that reflect Detroit's architectural heritage. The interiors showcase handcrafted millwork, custom fixtures, and quality finishes inspired by patterns and textures discovered during the renovation process.
2. Shinola Lobby
3. Canfield Suite
4. Parker's Alley
The Shinola Hotel Parker’s Alley, which is lined with specially-curated shops, offers a mix of global brands and homegrown businesses that celebrate Detroit’s entrepreneurial spirit.
While currently nestled in the city’s shopping district, its namesake honors a history long before the bustling storefronts of Woodward. The alley name is an homage to Thomas Parker, a free black man who became one of the first black landowners in the city of Detroit. He obtained the lot for $1 in a land drawing after Detroit’s Great Fire of 1805, which decimated the city.
The Shinola Hotel property encompasses lot 70 in section 7 of the Plan of Detroit, the very piece of land that belonged to Parker in 1809.
5. Michigan Central
Nothing symbolizes Detroit's rise, fall, and rebound like Michigan Central Station. Opened in 1913, Michigan Central Station was Detroit’s primary railway depot for 75 years. Once the tallest railroad station in the world at 232 feet, the structure consisted of a three-story depot and an 18-story tower. The MCS’s waiting room was the main highlight, with Beaux-Artsstyled marble floors, high vaulted ceilings, and bronze chandeliers. In 1975, the station was added to the National Register of Historic Places. While the station dodged demolition after it closed in 1988, it stood for decades as a sad monument to Detroit's decline. Thankfully, Ford saved this architectural marvel in 2018 when they bought the depot and renovated it as the anchor for Michigan Central, a campus focused on developing self-driving and electric vehicles. Reopened in 2024, Michigan Central has now become a beacon of innovation and a symbol of Detroit’s commitment to leading the way in mobility for the modern age.
Photo by Schager
6. GM Renaissance Center
The Renaissance Center, affectionately known as the "RenCen," is a prominent complex of seven interconnected skyscrapers situated along Detroit's International Riverfront. Conceived in the 1970s by Henry Ford II as a "city within a city," the complex was designed by architect John Portman and initially funded by the Ford Motor Company. In 1996, General Motors acquired the complex, establishing it as their global headquarters and investing over $500 million in renovations to enhance accessibility and integrate it with the surrounding downtown area. Today, the RenCen stands as a symbol of Detroit's resilience and ongoing efforts toward urban revitalization.
Photo by Roxana Gonzalez
7. Detroit Institute of Arts
The Detroit Institute of Arts strives to be Detroit’s town square, a gathering place for everybody, and create experiences that help visitors find personal meaning with the art, individually, and with each other. The DIA's collection is among the top six in the United States, with over 65,000 diverse works that include American, European, Modern, Contemporary, Graphic, African, Asian, Native American, Oceanic, Islamic, and Ancient art. Founded in 1885, the museum was originally located on Jefferson Avenue, but due to its expanding collection, moved to its current site on Woodward Avenue in 1927. Designed by Paul Cret, this Beaux-Arts "temple of art" includes over 140 galleries, an auditorium, a lecture hall, an art reference library, and a conservation department. The foundation was laid by William Valentiner, who acquired many important works that established the framework of today's collections. Among his notable acquisitions are Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry fresco cycle and Vincent van Gogh's Self-Portrait.
Photo by Nagel Photography
8. Motown Museum
Motown Museum is the ongoing heartbeat of Motown – a destination for music and history fans that celebrates the story of Motown from its humble beginnings to its emergence as the Sound of Young America. Built in 1959 by Berry Gordy as Hitsville U.S.A. – the original headquarters and music recording studio for Motown Records, the Museum itself was founded by Esther Gordy Edwards in 1985. Home to a vast array of artifacts, photographs, costumes, and other memorabilia, the Museum preserves, promotes, and celebrates Motown as a platform for others to flourish so that all generations will come to know, be inspired, and be transformed by the legacy, sound, and cultural and social impact of Motown. Its presence is a testimony to Motown’s legacy and the charisma, talent, and staying power of the music and those who made it. Their facility is a national treasure, and a unique civic and cultural resource devoted to documenting Motown’s history and passing on the seeds of inspiration and creativity to ensure the next generation of artists and entrepreneurs flourish.
Photo by Susan Montgomery
9. Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History opens minds and changes lives by exploring and celebrating African American history and culture. Their vision is of a world in which the adversity and achievement of African American history inspire everyone toward greater understanding, acceptance, and unity! Founded by Charles H. Wright in 1966 as the International AfroAmerican Museum, the Wright dedicates itself to exploring and celebrating the rich cultural legacy of African Americans. Through dozens of exhibitions and over 150 programs, The Wright inspires visitors toward greater understanding, acceptance, and unity by reflecting on the triumphs and tragedies of African-American history. Home to the Blanche Coggin Underground Railroad, the Harriet Tubman Museum, and the Sheffield Collections, The Wright houses over 35,000 artifacts pertaining to the African American experience. The Wright serves as a cultural beacon for Detroit and the United States, championing the stories of African Americans and offering a space for rigorous contemplation for visitors of all backgrounds.
Photo by alisafarow
10. Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory
Designed by Albert Kahn and opened in 1904, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory is the oldest continually-running conservatory in the United States. Featuring an exotic and rare collection of plants from around the world, the Conservatory is divided into five sections: the Palm House (includes tropical trees and palms), the Tropical House (houses plants that provide food), the Cactus House (home to succulents and cacti), a Fernery that provides cooler conditions and more humidity, and the Show House (has changing displays of flowers). Named in honor of Anna Scripps Whitcomb, who donated her orchid collection to Detroit, the Conservatory also includes the Lily Pond, the formal garden, the Levi Barbour Memorial Fountain, a Japanese Tohro, and the Peacock Sundial. Through its esteemed history, the Conservatory has undergone fantastic horticultural changes, which in turn has allowed generations of Detroiters to become immersed in nature.
Photo by carl ballou
11. Belle Isle Aquarium
Designed by Albert Kahn and George Mason and opened in 1904, the Belle Isle Aquarium has fascinated generations of Detroiters. Even at the time of its opening, the Beaux Arts-style aquarium was seen as one of the world’s best aquatic facilities. Its equipment allowed it to keep both seawater and freshwater marine life in the tanks. The interior was outfitted with sea-green tiles to give visitors the feeling that they were in an underwater cavern. The front of the building features a Baroque entrance with carvings of dolphins and a grotesque of Neptune, the Roman god of water. When it was renovated in 1955, the aquarium had about 3,600 fish on display, making it the largest collection of fish put on display in North America. However, due to steadily declining attendance, the aquarium closed in 2005, leaving Michigan without a single public aquarium. But thanks to the efforts of the Friends of the Belle Isle Aquarium, the landmark would reopen in 2012. Today, the aquarium enchants generations of Michiganders both young and young at heart.
Photo by alisafarov
12. Campus Martius Park
Located right in the heart of Detroit, Campus Martius Park is Detroit’s Gathering Place and a national destination. This award-winning park was created in 2003 at the site of Detroit’s point of origin, located at 0 miles, where the vision for the city’s plan was originally laid out by Augustus Woodward in 1805. It is managed, programmed, and stewarded by the Downtown Detroit Partnership. With the backdrop of the Detroit skyline, CHALET 313, and Detroit’s Christmas Tree, the Rink at Campus Martius Park, offers one of the most beautiful and iconic skating experiences in the nation and continues to be a top destination for the region and Michigan. The Downtown Detroit Partnership produces Detroit's annual tree lighting ceremony every year in Campus Martius Park, which has become the center of Detroit’s holiday season.
Photo by Davslens
13. Fox Theater
Designed by C. Howard Crane and completed in 1928, Detroit’s Fox Theatre is considered to be the most magnificent Temple of Amusement in the World. After entering through a bank of brass doors and an outer foyer, guests pass into an ornate lobby, decorated with butterflies, lions, and peacocks. Throughout the interior, its decorations feature Egyptian, Indian, and Oriental motifs. The Fox Theatre was the first to include escalators and elevators for patrons and the first in the world to have built-in equipment for presenting talking movies. Between featured films, the Fox’s troupe of chorus girls entertained the audience. Live shows ranged from the Benny Goodman Big Band to Berry Gordy’s Motown Revue. The Fox remained open through the 1970s. Mike and Marian Ilitch bought the Fox in 1987 and renovated the theater. The theatre was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1989. In 2006, Atanas Ilitch Holdings built the Fox Theatre tower sign, featuring LED lights and 18-foot letters spelling “FOX”. Today, Detroit’s Fox Theatre ranks as one of the most magnificent entertainment destinations in the nation.
Photo by Jonathan Weiss
Interesting
Things to Look Out For:
1. Shinola Hotel
Experience luxury hospitality in the heart of Downtown Detroit.
2. Shinola Lobby
Cozy up to a warm fire.
3. Canfield Suite
Vibe out in the swanky Canfield Suite.
4. Parker's Alley
Check out the shops at Parker's Alley.
5. Michigan Central Station
The Station’s restoration exemplifies Detroit's resilience and commitment to innovation, turning a once-abandoned landmark into a centerpiece of the city's renewal.
6. GM Renaissance Center
Marvel at the RenCen's design.
7. Detroit Institute of Arts
Become immersed with the art in this majestic Institute.
8. Motown Museum
Hear about the soulful sounds and rich history of Motown in Hitsville, U.S.A.
9. Charles H. Wright Museum of History
Delve deep into the trials and tribulations that make up African American History in this grand Museum.
10. Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory
Home to a beautiful bounty of luscious flora.
11. Belle Isle Aquarium
Observe all the sea creatures floating around in this stunning aquatic palace.
12. Campus Martius Park
Skate on the beautiful ice rink during the holidays.
13. Fox Theatre
See amazing shows in this magnificent Temple of Amusement.
Copyright © 2025, Jake Rose
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, email author at jake@colorourtown.com.
Cover art and back cover art by Brenda Zabala. Line illustrations by Ivan Myerchuk, and Jake Rose
Printed in USA
Color Our Town Press www.colorourtown.com
Opposite PageBirdy Room
Photo by Roxanne Gonzalez
