Discover southeast Michigan’s many entertainment, dining, shopping, arts, hospitality, and recreation options, as well as our vibrant communities
Destinations like the MGM Grand Detroit made the Motor City one of Travel + Leisure’s 50 Best Places to Visit in 2025
PHOTO:
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Whether you’re ready to play, relax or make it a night unlike any other, MGM Grand Detroit satisfies any desire.
Try your luck on our stunning casino floor featuring over 2,400 slot machines and the city’s only award-winning poker room. Satisfy your cravings with Detroit’s finest dining at D.PRIME Steakhouse. When it’s time to unwind, our acclaimed IMMERSE spa is ready to deliver unparalleled relaxation. End your day in GRAND style in our beautifully appointed hotel rooms ensuring a home-away-from-home experience.
EXPERIENCE
Getting You There:
The Regional Transit Authority’s Game-Changing Services
The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is revolutionizing how Southeast Michigan moves. With three dynamic transit services—D2A2, DAX, and the QLINE—the RTA makes it easier than ever to reach Detroit and explore. Whether you’re commuting, traveling, or visiting the city, RTA services offer convenient, affordable, and eco-friendly solutions.
DAX: Detroit Air Xpress
Traveling to and from Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) just got easier with DAX—Detroit’s first express coach service connecting downtown Detroit to the airport. Operated by Michigan Flyer, DAX is designed to provide fast, reliable, and eco-conscious airport transit. With modern amenities and an efficient schedule including pick up and drop off at the McNamara and Evans terminals, DAX is the stress-free solution for catching your next flight. With hourly departures and fares as low as $2 for bulk ticket purchases, D2A2 ensures hassle-free, budgetfriendly travel for professionals, students, and visitors.
D2A2: Detroit to Ann Arbor Express
The D2A2 service provides non-stop transportation between downtown Detroit and Ann Arbor. Operated by Michigan Flyer this express bus runs 16 hours a day on weekdays (6:00 AM–11:00 PM) and offers limited weekend service. With hourly departures and fares as low as $2 for bulk ticket purchases, D2A2 ensures hassle-free, budget-friendly travel for professionals, students, and visitors. Enjoy comfortable seating, onboard Wi-Fi, and the convenience of skipping traffic while supporting sustainable transit.
The RTA is committed to transforming transit in Southeast Michigan. These services are not just about getting from point A to B—they’re about creating connections, reducing carbon footprints, and improving accessibility for everyone.
Discover how the RTA is redefining transportation in Southeast Michigan. Visit RTAmichigan.org for schedules, fare details, and more. Let us help you move smarter, faster, and greener.
QLINE: Explore Detroit in Style
The QLINE is a free streetcar service in Detroit connecting riders to live entertainment, sports venues, award-winning museums, and the region’s top restaurants, retail, and nightlife. From Downtown through Midtown to New Center and the North End, QLINE’s climate-controlled wi-fi-enabled streetcars are the most comfortable way to travel. With 12 convenient stations along the 3.3-mile route, every stop is a start. The QLINE runs Monday-Saturday 8 a.m. to midnight, and Sunday 8 a.m. - 9 p.m., with streetcars arriving every 15 minutes.
Experience the future of transit— Get on Board with the RTA today!
9 Welcome
Sure, Detroit is known for its sports teams, the auto trade, and Motown — but there’s much more to explore. 10
Getting Around
Reference this handy map of downtown Detroit and the metropolitan area.
62 City Guide
Our staff ’s favorite casual and fine dinin destinations. Plus, a handy guide to identifying Detroit’s skyscrapers.
67 Best New Restaurants
The 10 best restaurants to open in metro Detroit since 2022.
126 Resources
Find transportation, accommodations, conference centers, hospitals, and more.
79 Detroit
With a thriving dining scene that’s only growing and a plethora of museums, galleries, and boutiques, the city has something for everyone.
91 Livingston County
Freshwater lakes, tree-lined parks, and wooded trails offer the ideal getaway for nature lovers and city slickers alike.
95 Macomb County
From bustling cities to rural villages and over 12,000 acres of parks, Macomb County is the perfect microcosm of metro Detroit.
103 Oakland County
An endless array of small boutiques, large shopping complexes, and picturesque downtowns offers a mix of luxurious and laid-back scenes.
115 Washtenaw County
Made up of cities like Ann Arbor — home base to the University of Michigan — Ypsilanti, and Dexter, Washtenaw is filled with quiky, fun, and stimulating activities.
119 Wayne County
Metro Detroit’s most populous county is brimming with things to do, from hanging out in Hamtramck to dining on Middle Eastern cuisine in Dearborn.
PUBLISHER: Jason Hosko
EDITORIAL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Kate Walsh
DIGITAL EDITOR: Christina Clark
COPY EDITOR: Olivia Sedlacek
ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Jack Thomas
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Juliana Lumaj DESIGN
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Lindsay Richards
SENIOR PRODUCTION ARTIST: Stephanie Daniel
ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR: Steven Prokuda SALES
MEDIA ADVISORS: Samantha Alessandri, Cynthia Barnhart, Hannah Brown, Karli Brown, Cathleen Francois, Donna Kassab, Lisa LaBelle, Carol Lawrence, Mary Pantely & Associates
PRODUCTION
PRODUCTION MANAGER: Crystal Nelson
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR: Amanda Kozlowski
ACCOUNT MANAGER: Elizabeth Kowalik
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Joe Salafia
SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR: Emily Doran IT
IT DIRECTOR: Jeremy Leland
DIGITAL
DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL STRATEGY: Travis Fletcher
DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: Matt Cappo
SR. DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST: Luanne Lim
DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST: Izak Geisler
DIGITAL STRATEGY INTERN: Isabella Amadori
CIRCULATION
CIRCULATION MANAGER: Riley Meyers
CIRCULATION COORDINATORS: David Benvenuto, Cathy Krajenke, Rachel Moulden, Michele Wold
MARKETING & EVENTS
MARKETING & EVENTS MANAGER: Lyndsay Zelenak
COMMUNICATIONS & PR LEAD: Regan Wright
WEDDINGS ACCOUNT MANAGER: Karen Wilkie
MARKETING AND EVENTS COORDINATOR: Maya Stephenson
MARKETING RESEARCH
MARKETING RESEARCH DIRECTOR: Sofia Shevin
MARKETING RESEARCH COORDINATORS: Alyssa Fueri, Kristin Mingo
MARKETING RESEARCH SALES COORDINATOR: Alexandra Thompson
MARKETING RESEARCH SALES ASSISTANT: Theresa Lowery
PRS GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Kendra Okamoto
MARKETING RESEARCH INTERNS: Allyvia Hennika, Maisha Mumtaz
BUSINESS
CEO: Stefan Wanczyk
PRESIDENT: John Balardo
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS: Kathie Gorecki
PUBLISHING & SALES ASSISTANT: Logan Neaton
SENIOR ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATE: Andrew Kotzian
ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATES: Austin Schmelzle
DISTRIBUTION: Target Distribution, Troy
PRINTED IN CANADA
40,000
The
Whitney
The 26-foot “Spirit of Detroit” statue sits on a 60-ton marble base in front of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center.
PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK/ STEVE LAGRECA
Metropolitan Detroit
getting around
Transportation
Whether you’re visiting metro Detroit for the first time or the 100th time, you need to know how to get here and get around town. The 2025 Metropolitan Detroit Guest Guide is here to help.
Airports
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW): Romulus; 734-247-7678; metroairport.com
Airlines
Aeromexico: 800-237-6639; aeromexico.com
Air Canada: 888-247-2262; aircanada.com
Air France: 800-237-2747; airfrance.us
Alaska Airlines: 800-252-7522; alaskaair.com
American Airlines: 800-433-7300; aa.com
Delta Air Lines: 800-221-1212; delta.com
Frontier Airlines: 801-401-9000; flyfrontier.com
Icelandair: 800-223-5500; icelandair.com
JetBlue Airways: 800-538-2583; jetblue.com
Lufthansa: 800-645-3880; lufthansa.com
Royal Jordanian Airlines: 212-949-0050; rj.com
Southwest Airlines: 800-435-9792; southwest.com
Spirit Airlines: 855-728-3555; spirit.com
Sun Country Airlines: 651-905-2727; suncountry.com
United Airlines: 800-864-8331; united.com
Car Rentals
Alamo: 844-934-1086; alamo.com
Avis: 734-942-3450; avis.com
Budget: 734-941-3632; budget.com
Dollar: 866-434-2226; dollar.com
Enterprise: 844-934-1085; enterprise.com
Hertz: 734-941-4747; hertz.com
National: 844-934-1087; nationalcar.com
Thrifty: 877-283-0898; thrifty.com
Flint Bishop International Airport (FNT): Flint; 810-235-6560; bishopairport.org
Airlines
Allegiant Air: 702-505-8888; allegiantair.com
American Airlines: 800-433-7300; aa.com
United Airlines: 800-864-8331; united.com
Car Rentals
Avis: 810-234-7847; avis.com
Budget: 810-238-8300; budget.com
Enterprise: 810-235-1101; enterprise.com
Hertz: 810-234-2041; hertz.com
Oakland County International Airport (PTK): Private and corporate aircraft. Waterford; 248-666-3900; oakgov.com
Car Rentals
Avis/Budget: 248-666-8494; avis.com
Enterprise: 248-666-7653; enterprise.com
Hertz: 248-666-3630; hertz.com
Willow Run Airport: Cargo, corporate, and general aviation clients. Ypsilanti; 734485-6666; willowrunairport.com. Car rentals: see list at DTW, located 10.9 miles away
Windsor International Airport (YQG): Windsor; 519-969-2430; flyyqg.ca
Airlines
Air Canada, Flair Airlines, Porter, Sunwing, West Jet Car Rentals
Trinity Transportation Group: Serving metro Detroit; 734-284-9229; trinitytransportation.com
Public Transit
Air Ride: Ann Arbor Transportation Authority provides public bus service to and from DTW Airport to stations in the Ann Arbor area. myairride.com
Detroit Department of Transportation: Buses serving Detroit. Routes run until varied hours; a few run 24 hours. 100 Mack Ave., Detroit; 313-933-1300; detroitmi.gov
Detroit-Windsor Tunnel: The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel isn’t just for crossing the border — it’s an engineering marvel. 100 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313-567-4422 ext. 200; dwtunnel.com
SMART Bus: Suburban transit system covers bus service for Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne counties. SMART currently serves the North Terminal with Route 125 (Fort St./ Eureka Road) and Route 280 (Middlebelt South), and the McNamara Terminal with Route 125 (Fort St./Eureka Road). smartbus.org
Royal Oak Transit Center: 202 Sherman Drive, Royal Oak; 866-962-5515; smartbus.org
Transit Windsor: Travel back and forth through the tunnel to select stops in downtown Detroit and Windsor. 3700 E. North Service Road, Windsor; 519-944-4111; citywindsor.ca
Rosa Parks Transit Center: 1301 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-933-1300; detroitmi.gov
Greyhound Detroit Bus Station: 1001 Howard St., Detroit; 313-961-8011; locations.greyhound.com
Megabus: Daily express bus service in the U.S. and Canada. Various locations; us.megabus.com
Rail/Mass Transit
Amtrak: Amtrak runs routes between Detroit and other major metro area hubs such as Pontiac, Royal Oak, Dearborn, Ann Arbor, and Chicago. 11 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; 800-872-7245; amtrak.com
Detroit People Mover: An automated light rail system on an elevated track in downtown Detroit’s business district. The nearly 3-mile loop has 13 stations. 313-2242160; thepeoplemover.com
QLine: A 3.3-mile-long streetcar route along Woodward Avenue between Congress Street and West Grand Boulevard in Detroit. The route has 12 stops. 313-5283044; qlinedetroit.com
Downtown Detroit
Detroit People Mover
The Detroit People Mover truly elevates and connects everyone to the heart of downtown. Whether you’re spending 15 minutes enjoying the ride or hopping on and o , traveling on the unique and iconic system will leave you inspired.
10 ways to experience Detroit on the People Mover:
1. Enjoy free rides always, seven days a week, with train arrivals every five minutes.
2. Park and ride effortlessly between 13 People Mover stations, with a safe, stress-free commute.
3. Uplift your spirit with Detroit’s revitalized skyline, gliding above the traffic with breathtaking views of Canada!
4. Discover unique shopping and sightseeing with stops near Hart Plaza, Campus Martius Park, and the entertainment districts of Greektown, Broadway, Foxtown, and historic Woodward Avenue.
5. Experience station artwork from renowned artists, including Pewabic tiles and stunning murals.
6. Indulge your appetite at restaurants and many nightlife spots.
7. Cheer on major sports teams at venues located within steps of the stations.
8. Embrace family fun and discover hidden gems throughout the downtown.
9. Connect to local neighborhoods by taking the People Mover to the QLine streetcar, DDOT and SMART buses, or MoGo bikes, or travel to Ann Arbor or the airport.
10. The People Mover is the best way to explore and travel around downtown Detroit!
Art & Culture
Detroit Institute of Arts
Located at the heart of the city’s Cultural Center Historic District in Midtown, the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) features more than 100 galleries and is home to a rich collection of more than 62,000 works of art. One of its most celebrated pieces is Vincent van Gogh’s “Self-Portrait,” acquired by the museum in 1922, marking the first Van Gogh work to be owned by a public art institution in the United States. The DIA sits in a magnificent Beaux-Arts building designed by Paul Cret. Covering an impressive 658,000 square feet, this cultural treasure is a gem of the city and a perfect way to spend a day — or more — in Detroit. In addition to its many special exhibitions and activities, the building is
home to the historic Detroit Film Theatre, showing independent and classic films year-round, as well as music and dance performances.
The DIA’s collection ranges from ancient Roman artifacts to modern paintings and sculptures. Explore works from contemporary artists including Kehinde Wiley, Detroit native Mario Moore, and Mickalene Thomas; masterpieces by Henri Matisse and Claude Monet; masks from Africa; and an extensive Asian gallery redesigned in 2018. At the center of the DIA are Diego Rivera’s magnificent Detroit Industry murals, recently designated a National Historic Landmark and a mustsee for art and history enthusiasts alike.
No visit to Detroit is complete without a trip to the museum. Start with a latte and pastry in Kresge Court or lunch at Café DIA before immersing yourself in the galleries. Browse the DIA Shop for unique works by local artists as well as memorable museum souvenirs. Check the schedule for a classic or contemporary film at the Detroit Film Theatre or one of the popular Friday Night Live! music performances before your visit.
For families seeking fun and creative adventures, the DIA o ers a variety of drop-in artmaking activities perfect for all ages. Join in our various Drawing in the Gallery programs or browse our calendar for exciting events like puppetry
performances, artist workshops, and live music in the galleries. There’s something to inspire every family member.
Stay connected to the DIA via Instagram and Facebook to get the latest updates, and start planning your visit at the DIA’s website, dia.org.
Pewabic Pottery
Discover Detroit’s Pottery. Pewabic Pottery has been a cultural treasure in Detroit for more than 120 years. If you haven’t yet visited their historic studio, you’ll certainly see their work around town — Pewabic tile adorns some of the most iconic landmarks in the region, from the Guardian Building to the Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit People Mover, Comerica Park, and Little Caesars Arena. Founded in 1903 (the same year as Ford Motor Co.!), Pewabic is a bustling pottery, architectural tile studio, and ceramic arts education center.
Visit the pottery to shop stunning ceramic vases and tiles made right on-site, along with work created by independent artists from across North America. Check out Pewabic’s architectural tile showroom to plan a custom backsplash or fireplace of your own. Stroll upstairs and browse the pottery’s museum galleries to explore Pewabic’s past and see their collection of historic Arts & Crafts pottery designed by founder Mary Chase Perry Stratton, including early examples of the dramatic iridescent glazes that made the pottery famous.
One of the oldest continuously operating potteries in the nation, Pewabic was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1991. Today it’s a nonprofit dedicated to enriching the human spirit through clay, continuing a century-long Detroit artistic legacy as a vibrant cultural destination that attracts visitors from around the world. Pewabic artisans continue to craft architectural tiles and pottery by hand, using traditional techniques and some of the pottery’s original equipment, dating back to the early 1900s.
Experience the magic yourself and bring home a piece of Detroit. Pewabic is the perfect place to find unique handcrafted gifts or pick out a beautiful piece of art for your home.
Location and Parking
Pewabic is located on Je erson Avenue, 1.5 miles east of the Belle Isle bridge. You’ll find plenty of free parking in front of the pottery. Shop online anytime at pewabic.org.
10125 E. Je erson Ave. Detroit, MI 48214
313-626-2000
pewabic.org
THE ULTIMATE BOOK ABOUT DETROIT’S HISTORY
Explore the latest book from award-winning journalist and DBusiness magazine editor R.J. King. “Detroit: Engine of America” is the real life story of how the city grew, step by step, from a French fort on the riverfront in 1701 to become the world’s largest manufacturing economy in 1900.
Communities, Cities & Districts
City of Berkley
Escape the hustle and bustle of downtown Detroit and discover the hidden gem of Berkley! Located just a short drive north on historic Woodward Avenue, this charming slice of southern Oakland County offers plenty of opportunities to dine, drink, shop, and explore, with can’t-miss events you won’t find anywhere else.
Throughout the year, the downtown comes alive with signature events. Each October, Berkley transforms into BOO!kley, a monthlong Halloween celebration featuring elaborate skeleton displays crafted by local residents and businesses. When spring and summer arrive, art lovers flock here to experience the legendary Berkley Art Bash and Street Art Fest, featuring Michigan’s best artists and
complementing the city’s expanding public art scene and iconic mural backdrops for the perfect photo opportunity.
Berkley’s walkable downtown features beloved long-standing destinations and exciting new businesses. Whether you’re looking to spend quality time with friends and family or shopping for the perfect gift (maybe for you — we won’t judge), your outing in Berkley will be a delight. With free parking throughout the dynamic downtown, you’ll have easy access to more than 80 independent and unique shops and restaurants.
Here in Berkley, the motto is “We Care,” and that spirit is felt with each visit to the beautiful community. The sights and sounds are calling you — and the smiles of the shopkeepers,
restaurateurs, and residents are sure to brighten your day. To learn more about the year-round excitement in Berkley, visit downtownberkley.com or check out @downtownberkley on social media.
3338 Coolidge Highway
Berkley, MI 48072
downtownberkley.com
Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce
Experience the elegance and charm of Grosse Pointe, Michigan — a collection of five distinguished communities that make up this stunning area. From Grosse Pointe Park to the City of Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Woods, and the Village of Grosse Pointe Shores, each neighborhood o ers its own unique appeal.
Spanning less than 11 square miles, nestled along the picturesque shores of Lake St. Clair, Grosse Pointe boasts tree-lined streets, serene lakefront parks, and cozy neighborhood eateries and shops. Come and discover the magic of Grosse Pointe for yourself!
Residents of Grosse Pointe are treated to top-notch health care services, excellent public and private schools, a diverse selection of places of worship, and a vibrant cultural scene suitable for all ages. With easy access
to major freeways, Grosse Pointe provides a private oasis while being just a stone’s throw away from bustling metropolitan areas in southeast Michigan.
A Shopping & Dining Utopia
The Pointes are a true paradise for any avid shopper or food enthusiast. The vibrant atmosphere is filled with an energy that simply cannot be matched as eager shoppers weave in and out of the diverse array of boutiques and trendy restaurants. The meticulously curated selection of stores boasts all the latest trends and must-have items, making it impossible not to find something that catches your eye. And when hunger strikes, you’ll be spoiled for choice with an impressive variety of culinary delights from around the world. Whether
you’re looking for a quick bite or a fancy dinner out, this bustling hub has got you covered in every way possible.
Arts & Culture
Are you ready for an exhilarating adventure? Look no further!
Take a tour of The War Memorial, where American heroism is honored. A must-see: Les Braves II: At Water’s Edge, a public art installation and the sister piece to the original work that lives on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France — the only o icial reproduction in the world.
Immerse yourself in the rich history of the Ford House, the former family home of Edsel Ford and his wife, Eleanor. This storied estate beckons with its timeless elegance, boasting breathtaking gardens,
extraordinary interiors, and a legacy steeped in innovation and cultural influence. The Ford House also o ers a state-of-the-art visitor center.
Come see a show! Grosse Pointe Theatre has been delighting audiences with a blend of musicals, dramas, and comedies since 1948.
For more information, visit grossepointechamber.com. 106 Kercheval Ave. Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236
313-881-4722
grossepointechamber.com
Oakland County
Even before the advent of automobiles, Detroit’s founding plan was wheellike, with radial spokes extending into neighboring areas, including what would become Oakland County.
Two historic routes, established by Native peoples, are Woodward Avenue and Grand River Avenue, which today transect the rich cultural tapestry of Oakland County, a global economic powerhouse and home to more than 800 foreign-owned firms from 31 countries. Come discover more than 30 historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts, which include international cuisine and music, craft cocktails and beers, specialty shops, entertainment, and an unsurpassed regional trail system.
Woodward Avenue (M-1)
In August, the Woodward Dream Cruise attracts car lovers from across the globe. Some enthusiasts ship their cars from other continents just to show them o to a large crowd.
Woodward Avenue and its east-west mile roads take you to interesting places any time of year. Ferndale, Berkley, Royal Oak, Clawson, and Pontiac o er a variety of shops, restaurants, and activities. Downtown Birmingham is upscale and not far from the Somerset Collection’s designer stores and the Cranbrook gardens, art museum, and school, where the influence of Eliel and Eero Saarinen still lingers.
North and west from Pontiac, where
Woodward Avenue becomes Dixie Highway, visitors who enjoy rural settings with trees, cider mills, and parks (including an o -road vehicle park) aren’t far from charming downtowns like Milford, Highland, Holly, Clarkston, Ortonville, Oxford, and Lake Orion. Rochester, home of “The Big Bright Light Show” during the holidays, is the crossroads for the statewide Iron Belle Trail and Great Lake to Lake Trail.
Grand River Avenue
Traveling in a northwest direction from Detroit, you won’t be far from one-of-akind shops, pubs, and sites. By zigzagging on and o Grand River, you can explore multiple towns in one outing. Wixom,
Walled Lake, and Commerce Township are stops along the Michigan Air Line Trail.
Novi is home to a large Asian population and includes authentic restaurants. There’s a large concentration of shopping options in and around Twelve Oaks Mall, and the nearby MSU Extension Tollgate Farm and Education Center has a variety of gardens and classes.
Between the Spokes
Oakland County has some 1,400 lakes. Picturesque back roads wind around the water and lead you to many golf courses, farmers markets, and even places to ride horses.
Troy, Southfield, Auburn Hills, Hazel Park, Oak Park, and Madison Heights are business and industrial hubs that o er a variety of innovative eating, art, and shopping destinations.
No matter where you go, there’s something for everyone. 2100 Pontiac Lake Road Waterford, MI 48328 248-858-1000
Downtown Royal Oak
If you’re looking for a good time, Downtown Royal Oak is the place to go. Located just 20 minutes north of Detroit, it’s a lively and walkable destination that’s perfect for a fun night out with friends or an afternoon of memorable moments with family.
In addition to endless delicious dining options, cozy co ee shops, and unique retailers, Downtown Royal Oak is home to a variety of vibrant and historic entertainment venues that o er unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re planning a romantic date night, gathering with friends, or looking to do something new with your family, Downtown Royal Oak has something for everyone.
For Music Lovers
Royal Oak Music Theatre: Built in 1928, this historic cinema-turned-
performance-venue is a famous spot for live entertainment. Hosting a wide range of world-class musicians and performers, the theater is a must-see on your visit to Downtown Royal Oak. royaloakmusictheatre.com
526 Main Dueling Piano Bar: A local favorite, 526 Main is the ideal spot for celebrations of any kind! A full-service entertainment venue, this bar and nightclub brings in a variety of experienced musicians who take requests, making your visit a truly special night out. 526main.com
Icon Pix Karaoke: Get your camera ready, because Icon Pix Studios is an Instagrammable destination that will also have you singing at the top of your lungs. As a selfie museum and karaoke lounge, Icon Pix combines the best of both worlds for a unique outing. iconpixstudios.com
For Those Needing a Laugh
Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle: Who doesn’t want a good laugh? As Michigan’s first o icial comedy club, Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle has been bringing toprated comedic talent to metro Detroit for decades. comedycastle.com
Drag Queen Bingo: Did you know that Royal Oak is home to the original Drag Queen Bingo? Join the Queens for bingo, trivia, or brunch bingo and enjoy a hilarious, laugh-until-you-cry experience that’s welcoming to all. five15.net
For an Outing with the Kids
Breakout Escape Rooms or The Great Escape Room: Challenge the family to a thrilling, mind-bending experience by visiting one of Downtown Royal Oak’s highly-rated escape rooms: Breakout
Escape Rooms or The Great Escape Room. roombreakout.com/royal-oak-mi; thegreatescaperoom.com
Stagecrafters at the Baldwin Theatre: Located in a century-old historic building, Stagecrafters is a nonprofit community theater o ering tons of captivating shows to grab everyone’s attention. stagecrafters.org
For information about upcoming events and experiences in Downtown Royal Oak, visit downtownroyaloak.org.
203 S. Troy St.
Royal Oak, MI 48067
248-246-3280
downtownroyaloak.org
Dining & Entertainment
D.PRIME Steakhouse & Lounge
MGM Grand Detroit’s signature steakhouse and lounge, D.PRIME, is led by Executive Chef Derek Mattison. The steakhouse features modern twists on flame-grilled steaks and seafood, contemporary signature cocktails, and a fresh downtown vibe. A delectable seasonal menu o ers classic steakhouse favorites such as a roasted seafood platter, a 34-oz. tomahawk prime rib eye, an American Wagyu filet mignon, and tru le mac and cheese. D.PRIME also showcases dishes such as Strauss veal chops, King crab legs, Hudson Canyon seared scallops, and a D.PRIME signature burger. The beverage menu consists of signature cocktails with a contemporary flair, like the Old Smokey or the Blackberry Bramble. A full selection of premium wines by the glass or bottle are available. Whether you’re visiting for a drink in the lounge or an intimate date night, entertaining clients, or having a fun night out with friends, D.PRIME is the contemporary, upscale experience you’re looking for. D.PRIME is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday from 4:30 p.m. to midnight. The last seating is at 10:30 p.m. Advance reservations are strongly recommended. Call 313-465-1645 or visit mgmgranddetroit.com/dprime to make a reservation and check the latest hours and information.
About MGM Grand Detroit
MGM Grand Detroit is the city’s first and only downtown hotel, gaming, and entertainment destination built from the ground up. The hotel features 400 chic and stylish guest rooms, including nine rooftop VIP suites and 56 opulent corner suites. The Vegas-style resort features 147,000 square feet of gaming action and is known for Detroit’s only premier poker room, more than 150 table games, and
over 2,400 of the hottest slots and video poker machines. Guests enjoy several signature restaurants: Detroit’s modern steakhouse and lounge, D.PRIME; the hotel’s own sports pub, TAP at MGM Grand Detroit; a vibrant food hall, Detroit Central Market; several bars and lounges; and Detroit’s premier sports betting destination, BetMGM Sports Lounge. More than 30,000 square feet of meeting space is available to host everything from large corporate events to intimate black-tie a airs. MGM Grand Detroit is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information, visit mgmgranddetroit.com, or call 877-888-2121. 21+
1777 Third Ave. Detroit, MI 48226
877-888-2121
mgmgranddetroit.com/dprime
MGM Grand Detroit
Award-winning experiences are waiting for you at MGM Grand Detroit. From the moment you step into this magnificent MGM Resorts destination, you’ll enjoy a safe escape that’s undeniably exciting and absolutely unforgettable. The truth is, MGM Grand Detroit has worked tirelessly to build an experience that will truly make a lasting impression. From dining to gaming and spa treatments at IMMERSE spa, there’s always a reason to celebrate.
Vacation or Staycation?
Whether you live in the great city of
Detroit or you’re stopping by on your way through town, MGM Grand Detroit is the ideal place to settle in for a bit. Each of the 400 stylish rooms offers marble showers, pillowtop beds with plush down comforters, and 50-inch HD televisions. Want more? As a hotel guest, you’ll enjoy a dedicated entrance, a private lobby living room, and access to the luxury spa and fitness center.
It’s All About the Entertainment MGM Grand Detroit is home to an impressive collection of “must-do’s.” Savor a world of flavor inside Detroit Central Market, a vibrant food hall
featuring locally and globally inspired culinary favorites. D.PRIME Steakhouse is a modern steakhouse and lounge crafted with a downtown vibe in mind, while Detroit’s best sports pub, TAP at MGM Grand Detroit, has become a game changer for local sports fans. Bet on your favorite sports and never miss a play with wall-to-wall game day coverage at the BetMGM Sports Lounge. Of course, the 147,000-squarefoot casino — equipped with Detroit’s only premier poker room and the best table games, slots, and video poker — is always open and ready to play. 21+
MGM Grand Detroit
Looking for a luxurious escape without leaving the city? MGM Grand Detroit o ers everything you need for an unforgettable experience, blending sophistication, entertainment, and relaxation under one roof. Opened in 1999, this iconic destination has become a go-to spot for locals seeking a touch of indulgence and world-class amenities without leaving the city.
Step inside the resort, and you’ll find a sprawling gaming floor perfect for a night of fun. Craving a culinary adventure?
MGM Grand Detroit boasts a range of dining options, from exquisite steak dinners to creative cocktails crafted to perfection. For those looking to unwind, the luxurious resort-style spa o ers the ultimate retreat, while the stylish hotel rooms are perfect for a weekend staycation or special occasion. Whether it’s for an evening of live entertainment, Vegas-style gaming, a memorable dinner, or simply to relax in style, MGM Grand Detroit invites you to rediscover everything it has to o er. With its rich history and commitment to top-tier
service, it’s more than just a destination — it’s a reason to celebrate right here in the heart of Detroit. 21+
Amore da Roma
Become immersed in Detroit’s history and enjoy the best Italian dining experience of your life, while you dine in the midst of a tradition that’s rich in history and ambience.
The Roma Café building was built by the Marazza family in 1888. It served the vendors and farmers of Eastern Market and officially became Roma Café in 1890. The restaurant remained in the family until it was entrusted to Chef Pelino in 2017. The property has been revitalized over the years, but it
continues to hold fast to the traditions and principles of its founding family. Today, Amore da Roma is one of the oldest continuously operating restaurants in Detroit. It delivers nostalgia via old-school décor and traditional Italian fare with mindblowing specialty cocktails. In an environment that’s steeped with OldWorld charm, you’ll enjoy Italy’s finest foods and great wines. Come and savor the experience. The staff at Amore da Roma can’t wait to see you.
Steakhouse 22
Experience over three decades of exceptional dining at Steakhouse 22, where culinary artistry and heartfelt passion shine in every dish. Established by founder Nick Andreopoulos, this family-owned gem has become a staple of fine dining in Shelby Township. With roots in Greece and culinary expertise cultivated across Europe and North America, Andreopoulos infused his global influences into Steakhouse 22, creating a menu that seamlessly blends tradition with innovation. Today, the legacy continues with the support of his three sons, who ensure that every guest feels like part of the family.
The menu is a testament to dedication and craftsmanship, featuring perfectly aged steaks, fresh seafood, and an array of Mediterranean-inspired creations. Each dish is prepared with the finest ingredients, o ering a flavorful experience that’s both classic and contemporary. Pair your meal with a selection from the thoughtfully curated wine list or one of the signature cocktails for a truly indulgent evening.
Steakhouse 22’s ambience reflects its sophisticated yet welcoming spirit, combining modern design with a touch of timeless elegance. Whether you’re marking a milestone, enjoying a date night, or simply savoring an exceptional meal, Steakhouse 22 promises an unforgettable experience steeped in tradition, quality, and a passion for excellence.
48900 Van Dyke Ave. Shelby Township, MI 48317
586-731-3900
Catch 22 Bistro
Since opening its doors in 2011, the family-owned and -operated Catch 22 Bistro has become a cornerstone of the local dining scene, o ering a perfect blend of delectable cuisine, exceptional service, and a rich connection to boating history. Located near the historic former headquarters of Chris-Craft Boats, the bistro is a haven for food enthusiasts and maritime aficionados alike.
The thoughtfully curated menu features a variety of indulgent options, from perfectly prepared steaks and fresh seafood to mouthwatering pasta dishes and signature appetizers. Each dish is crafted with the finest ingredients, ensuring every bite is as memorable as the last. Complement your meal with a carefully selected wine or craft cocktail from the bar to complete your dining experience.
Catch 22 Bistro’s ambience is as enticing as its menu. Adorned with Chris-Craft historical boat relics, the interior pays homage to the region’s rich nautical heritage. The charm extends outdoors to the patio, where diners can relax while soaking in the scenic views of Lake St. Clair and the iconic grounds of the former ChrisCraft facility.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or enjoying a casual meal, Catch 22 Bistro promises an unforgettable experience that combines elevated cuisine with timeless maritime charm.
2430 Pointe Tremble Road Algonac, MI 48001
810-794-4844
Westin Book Cadillac
Ahistoric visit awaits as you explore the heart of Detroit at the iconic Westin Book Cadillac. Elevate your travel experience with a stay that goes beyond the ordinary, o ering reimagined style and sophisticated surroundings. From the moment you step into the thoughtfully redesigned spaces, you’ll be immersed in urban charm. Picture a weekend retreat where every detail delights your senses. Westin Book Cadillac invites you to enjoy the perfect blend of comfort and luxury. Its guest rooms and suites are meticulously curated for relaxation, featuring modern
amenities and a timeless aesthetic that honors Detroit’s rich history.
Whether you’re planning a playful weekend, a special celebration, or an intimate dinner for two, Westin Book Cadillac sets the stage for unforgettable moments. Indulge in culinary delights at Detroit’s newest steakhouse, Sullivan’s, where each dish is a masterpiece. From hand-cut steaks and craft cocktails to delectable sides, every bite reflects the city’s vibrant spirit.
Westin Book Cadillac’s event spaces aren’t just venues; they’re canvases for
lasting memories. Whether you’re hosting a business gathering, a dream wedding, or a milestone celebration, the expert team ensures every detail is perfect. Westin Book Cadillac isn’t just a hotel; it’s where cherished moments are made. Connect with Westin Book Cadillac today and let your iconic Detroit experience begin. Visit westinbookcadillac.com to explore or call 313-442-1600 for a personal touch from the dedicated team.
As you navigate Detroit, let Westin Book Cadillac be your urban oasis — a place where memorable moments come to life,
Anna’s House
Anna’s House is saving the world from an ordinary breakfast! The restaurant specializes in unique, delicious, and inclusive meals that celebrate dietary lifestyles and preferences, so everyone feels welcome. The vast menu at Anna’s House includes traditional breakfast, lunch, and brunch options while o ering a generous selection of delicious vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free dishes.
Anna’s House is a locally owned and operated, retro-style diner with bright décor. For more than 20 years, guests have enjoyed the “Anna’s House Experience,” a fun and welcoming restaurant experience with an emphasis on the highest-quality ingredients and exceptional service that allows guests to focus on meaningful connections. Stop in for breakfast, brunch, or lunch at any of the multiple locations across Michigan or visit annashouseus. com to view the diverse menu, find a location near you, order online, join the wait list, or learn more about the Anna’s House journey.
6601 N. Newburgh Road Westland, MI 48185
445 E. Eisenhower Parkway 1 Ann Arbor, MI 48108
780 N. Milford Road Milford, MI 48381
Folk Detroit
Folk is a James Beard Award-nominated and “Good Food 100” Aussie-style café, market, and wine shop located in the heart of Corktown, Detroit, celebrated for its unwavering commitment to community and sustainability. Known for providing a unique dining experience, Folk focuses on seasonal plates crafted from locally sourced ingredients while minimizing food waste through PLEDGE certification. Its delightful brunch and lunch menu is complemented by a full espresso bar featuring locally roasted co ee and specialty teas, alongside seasonal cocktails and a thoughtfully curated selection of biodynamic wines.
Guests can enjoy a cozy and inviting atmosphere with dine-in seating and a seasonal patio, along with options for takeout and local delivery. For special occasions, Folk o ers private dining in its beautifully decorated space and catering services for o -site events.
Folk’s wine shop specializes in sustainable and biodynamic wines from small producers, available for on-site enjoyment or to take home. Its market showcases ethically sourced, handcrafted goods from women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, and local makers. With high-quality provisions perfect for gifts, dinner parties, or picnics in the park, the shelves at Folk o er something for every occasion.
Visit Folk for a delicious dining experience that supports community and sustainability.
1701 Trumbull
Detroit, MI 48216
313-742-2672
Haraz Co ee House
From the majestic mountains of Haraz, Yemen, to cities across the United States. Haraz Co ee House is dedicated to bringing you the finest-quality co ee and an unforgettable experience. Sourced from the renowned Haraz Mountains of Yemen — where centuries-old traditions meet the art of co ee cultivation — the rich heritage and flavor of Yemeni co ee is delivered straight to your cup. Now, from its origins in Haraz to vibrant cities across the United States, Haraz Co ee House is your destination for exceptional co ee crafted with passion and authenticity.
Marrow, Mink, The Royce Detroit
Marrow, a four-time James Beardnominated restaurant, bridges Executive Chef Sarah Welch’s (Top Chef Season 19 finalist) creative culinary genius with local and ethically sourced products. The result is an inventive menu with signature dishes that demonstrate why the origin and farming practices of the ingredients create superior flavors, textures, and taste. Located in Detroit’s West Village, on the east side, Marrow also features an on-site butcher shop. Marrow expanded to Birmingham at the end of 2024 and will open a third location in Detroit’s Eastern Market in 2025.
Mink is more than a raw bar. It’s a restaurant specializing in a fully-coursed menu that began when the minds at Marrow decided they wanted to delve into sustainable and ethically sourced seafood. And so, with the same gusto they used to explore local meats, they dove head-first into the world of seafood. Under the guidance of Chef Cameron Rolka, seafood has a prominent place on Mink’s menu — along with hyper-seasonal produce from Detroit’s urban agriculture system.
A sister company to Marrow and Mink, The Royce Detroit, a wine shop and bar in downtown Detroit’s Grand Circus Park, specializes in quality wines from independent producers around the world. Guests can select any bottle of wine from their extensive “library of wines” to drink inhouse or order o the menu, which includes cocktails, beer, cheese, charcuterie, and a variety of other bar snacks.
8044 Kercheval
Detroit, MI 48214
313-513-0361
marrowdetroit.com
1701 Trumbull
Detroit, MI 48216
313-351-0771
minkdetroit.com
76 W. Adams
Detroit, MI 48226
313-481-2160
theroycedetroit.com
Monarch Market/Cafe
Discover Monarch Market/Cafe: your neighborhood retreat. Nestled in the charming community of Huntington Woods, Monarch Market/Cafe is your go-to destination for delicious co ee, tea, and handcrafted lattes. The talented baristas craft monthly specials that surprise and delight, ensuring there’s always something new to try.
But it’s not just about the drinks! The Monarch team prides itself on the selection of gluten-free baked goods, including its famous banana chocolate chip mu ins, made fresh daily. The menu features a variety of hearty sandwiches and burritos, such as the breakfast sammy, breakfast burrito, and sweet potato burrito, all customizable to be gluten-free.
Indulge your sweet tooth with Monarch’s eight flavors of gelato, perfect for a refreshing treat. As a small market, it also o ers household staples, snacks, and a curated selection of bottled beverages, including beer, wine, and spirits.
At Monarch Market/Cafe, the sta members aren’t just serving food and drinks; they’re fostering a sense of community. Whether you’re stopping by for your morning co ee or catching up with a friend over lunch, the team invites you to relax, enjoy, and become part of its growing family. Visit today and experience the warmth and flavor of Huntington Woods!
Pegasus Taverna
Embark on a culinary odyssey at Pegasus Taverna, an iconic familyowned establishment celebrated for more than four decades as the area’s finest Greek restaurant, with two distinguished locations in Greektown and St. Clair Shores. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of traditional Greek cuisine, where each dish is a testament to an unwavering commitment to authenticity and excellence. From succulent lamb chops to flavorful moussaka, the menu reflects the essence of Greece, capturing the hearts and palates of patrons.
Pegasus Taverna is more than just a restaurant; it’s a destination where families come together, friends celebrate, and couples find romance. The ambience strikes a harmonious balance, creating an ideal setting for a family dinner, a special gathering, or an intimate, romantic evening. Their dedication to providing a memorable dining experience has repeatedly earned Pegasus Taverna the prestigious title of the region’s Best Greek Restaurant.
Whether you find yourself in the vibrant heart of Greektown or the charming locale of St. Clair Shores, Pegasus Taverna invites you to indulge in the warmth of Greek hospitality, where tradition unfolds on every plate, o ering an authentic culinary experience. Come and let the flavors of Greece transport you to a world of culinary delight. Opa!
558 Monroe St. Detroit, MI 48226
313-964-6800
24935 Je erson Ave. St. Clair Shores, MI 48080
586-772-3200
pegasustavernas.com
Shopping & Gifts
Tapper’s
At Tapper’s, the greatest gift is the one that brings a smile and tells a story. Since opening the first store in 1977, when founder Howard Tapper sold his car to fulfill a dream, the Tapper’s family has been committed to celebrating life’s meaningful moments. Built on a foundation of love, honesty, community, and excellence, Tapper’s has become more than a jewelry store; it’s a destination for creating memories and sharing in life’s treasured stories.
With over 40 years of experience serving metro Detroit, Tapper’s has cultivated Michigan’s finest collection of designer jewelry, diamonds, and Fine Swiss timepieces, ensuring every
guest finds the perfect gift to celebrate a special moment. Whether they’re for an engagement, for an anniversary, or simply a token of appreciation, Tapper’s jewelry and timepieces are chosen not only for their quality and beauty but for their ability to capture and commemorate treasured memories.
Tell Us Your Story speaks to the Tapper’s philosophy that every piece of jewelry is more than just an accessory — it’s a chapter in life’s journey. The Tapper’s team feels privileged to be a part of that journey, helping you find gifts that represent love, legacy, and the stories you wish to share. Each visit to Tapper’s is an opportunity for the team to hear your story and make your
experience memorable, from personalized guidance to finding a piece that will become a lasting symbol of joy.
As Michigan’s largest direct diamond importer, Tapper’s provides unparalleled value without compromising on quality. The jeweler o ers a wide range of services — including custom design, gold buying, appraisals, and expert jewelry and watch repair — each delivered with the same care and dedication that has defined Tapper’s for over four decades.
Visit one of the store locations: in Novi at the corner of Eight Mile Road and Haggerty, at the Somerset Collection in Troy, or in West Bloomfield at the Orchard Mall. Let Tapper’s help you discover the
eugenie
eugenie is a Detroit-based boutique dedicated to cultivating a responsible future through conscious design and creative innovation. Located in the heart of Detroitʼs historic West Village, eugenie showcases a curated selection of apparel, shoes, jewelry, and accessories from primarily independent, women-owned brands. The boutique’s collection features celebrated names like Rachel Comey, St. Agni, Deiji Studios, Lauren Manoogian, Cordera, No. 6, and AGOLDE, each chosen for its commitment to minimizing its impact on both people and the planet. When you shop at eugenie, youʼre
supporting craftsmanship and a commitment to holistic sustainability practices. The boutique’s space is designed to be welcoming and inspiring, where everyone — from newcomers to seasoned advocates of sustainable fashion — can feel at home. Whether youʼre shopping online or in-store, the eugenie team is here to help you find pieces you can wear with confidence, knowing theyʼre sourced with care and intention. Discover pieces that allow you to express both your style and values. The eugenie team believes each garment weaves together the plants, people, and
processes embedded within the fabric of individuals’ everyday lives. Through careful selection, eugenie celebrates designers’ impactful e orts in environmental conservation, usage of natural materials, equitable labor practices, and circular design — all while embodying elevated, modern aesthetics.
Education and transparency are core to eugenie’s mission. Each product on the boutique’s website includes a “What Makes This Product Sustainable” section, which details the principles behind the product’s creation. eugenie is committed to making the stories behind the brands
Photo by Daniel Ribar
it carries accessible, empowering the community to connect with sustainability in meaningful ways. Through designer spotlights, meet and greets, and open discussions, eugenie o ers opportunities to engage with the people and practices driving a more thoughtful fashion industry.
The team at eugenie values appreciation over consumption. The boutique’s journey with sustainability is ongoing, and the team at eugenie is dedicated to continuously reducing its environmental impact through each product, partnership, and interaction.
Visit eugenie in Detroitʼs West Village at 1400 Van Dyke St., Detroit, MI 48214, or shop its collection online at eugeniedetroit.com
1400 Van Dyke St. Detroit, MI 48214 313-556-2110
Photo by Daniel Ribar
Photo by Daniel Ribar
Photo by Daniel Ribar
Photo by Christian Najjar
Photo by Peter Larson
Great Lakes Crossing Outlets
F or a shopping experience like no other, Great Lakes Crossing Outlets stands out as the ultimate destination in metro Detroit. As Michigan’s largest indoor outlet center, it brings a vibrant mix of shopping, dining, and entertainment, making it an ideal day trip or weekend destination for locals and visitors alike. Located in Auburn Hills, just a short drive from Detroit, Great Lakes Crossing Outlets is the perfect place to visit if you’re looking to score great deals on popular brands while enjoying family-friendly attractions. With over 185 stores, restaurants, and attractions, Great Lakes Crossing Outlets
has something for everyone, from luxury brands to value retailers. Enjoy deals from designers like Coach, Michael Kors, and Kate Spade, alongside family favorites like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Nike Clearance Store, and Nordstrom Rack. You’ll also find unique Michigan-only stores like Primark, Bass Pro Shops, Arhaus the Loft, Vineyard Vines Outlet, and Swarovski Outlet. Beyond shopping, Great Lakes Crossing Outlets has dining options to satisfy every craving. Stop by the Rainforest Café for an immersive dining experience the whole family will love, complete with animatronic animals and a tropical ambience, or check
out Miyako Japanese Steakhouse and be entertained by hibachi chefs who cook your meal right in front of you. Or, if you’re looking for a quick bite, the extensive food court o ers everything from classic American comfort food to international flavors.
The entertainment options at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets make it more than just a shopping trip. Visit Sea Life Michigan Aquarium for an underwater adventure with over 250 species, or head to LEGOLAND Discovery Center, where families with young children can enjoy a world of creativity. You can also catch the
latest blockbuster at the AMC Theatre or check out the video games, billiards, and bowling at Round 1 Bowling & Arcade.
A visit to Great Lakes Crossing Outlets isn’t just about shopping; it’s a full day of experiences that combine fashion, fun, and family-friendly adventure. Whether you’re looking for exclusive deals, a fun day with the family, or a memorable way to spend the weekend, Great Lakes Crossing Outlets is your one-stop destination for shopping, dining, and unforgettable entertainment. Come discover everything it has to o er! 4000
248-454-5000
Harp’s Lingerie
Harp’s Lingerie has been in business since 1947 and is located in the heart of downtown Birmingham. As an “oldfashioned corset shop,” they take great pride in their expert fittings and oneon-one personal service. Their expertly trained sta have more than 100 years of combined experience in helping customers find the perfect items for everyday wear, bridal, formal events, and sleepwear. They also carry specialty pieces and just about anything women may need underneath to make them look and feel their best.
For 77 years, Harp’s has specialized in lingerie, and they’ve proudly earned the loyalty of generations of repeat customers who come from all over for their expert advice. Keeping the tradition alive, the great-granddaughter and granddaughter of Mrs. Betty Harp, founder of Harp’s Lingerie, know that what you wear underneath is just as important as your clothes themselves. The legacy of service and style continues with Jacqueline Hamill and Lisa Hardy Hamill, who ensure that their grandmother’s goal of making certain each customer leaves feeling beautiful and special is met.
“We can disguise problem areas and literally change your shape with the right undergarments,” Hamill says. “This is why we’re consistently nominated as Hour Detroit’s Best Lingerie Store.”
Since as many as nine out of 10 women wear incorrectly fitted bras, the di erence a professional bra-fitting makes can be absolutely uplifting in both appearance and mood! Hard-to-fit sizes are Harp’s specialty. They stock the largest selection of styles and types of bras in Michigan, including band sizes from 30 to 54 and cup sizes from AA to N. Customers receive a personal consultation and unsurpassed service.
“We never sell bras over the counter, as each woman’s shape is di erent from the next,” Lisa Hardy Hamill explains.
Come in and experience the Harp’s di erence!
Looking for your favorite brands? Harp’s Lingerie carries the following lines: Chantelle, Elomi, Simone Perele, Wacoal, Hanky Panky, Cosabella, Montelle, Fantasie, Anita, Jezebel, Goddess, Elia, the Rya Collection, Body Hush, Braza, Ajour, Dominique, and many more. You can find Harp’s on Facebook, Google, Instagram, and Yelp, and on the web at harps-lingerie.com.
Pearl
Located at 74 Kercheval Ave. in Grosse Pointe Farms, Pearl is the ultimate destination for fashion lovers and design enthusiasts seeking modern luxury. This boutique o ers a meticulously curated selection of high-end fashion brands, shoes, and accessories, providing an elevated shopping experience that harmonizes contemporary trends with timeless, classic style.
At Pearl, each brand is carefully chosen for its craftsmanship, innovation, and ability to blend elegance with wearability. The boutique’s collection features a wide range of labels, from the e ortlessly chic designs of Lauren Manoogian, Weekend Max Mara, and Margaret O’Leary to the standout accessories of Dean Davidson and Julie Vos. Whether you’re in the
market for sophisticated outerwear from Soia & Kyo or closet staples like Spanx and White + Warren, Pearl o ers pieces to suit every wardrobe and occasion.
Beyond just o ering great fashion, Pearl prioritizes a personalized experience for each guest. The boutique is proud to provide complimentary personal shopping appointments, ensuring that every customer receives expert guidance in curating a look that fits their individual style and lifestyle needs. Whether you’re preparing for a special event, looking to refresh your seasonal wardrobe, or simply seeking the perfect gift, Pearl’s team of stylists will create ensembles that balance modern elegance with classic fashion principles. The personal shopping service is designed to be both customized
and stress-free, giving you the ultimate boutique experience.
Pearl also o ers professional alteration services to ensure every piece you purchase is a perfect fit. The boutique has outstanding customer service and di erent pop-ups in-house monthly.
Pearl invites you to visit the boutique at 74 Kercheval Ave. in Grosse Pointe Farms, where luxury, style, and personalization come together in a beautiful setting. Explore the collection of contemporary fashion and timeless pieces in-store or online at shoppearl.com. To book a personal shopping appointment or schedule an alteration, please call the boutique at 313-458-8719.
Pearl — where modern fashion meets timeless style.
The Skyscraper Guide
We Detroiters like to think of our skyline as the most beautiful in the world. It’s always nice when we hear that others agree. “In our travels across America, I can’t think of too many cities that can compete with Detroit for its collection of really terrific, especially art deco, historic skyscrapers,” says Mark Houser, author of Highrises Art Deco: 100 Spectacular Skyscrapers from the Roaring ’20s to the Great Depression. Below is a guide to some of those art deco gems, plus other soaring scrapers.
GM Renaissance Center
Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
Opened: 1977
Height: 727 feet high, 73 floors
Of note: It was the tallest hotel in the world when it opened, and it’s still the tallest building in Detroit.
Address: 400 Renaissance Drive W. Renaissance Towers
Opened: 1977
Height: 509 feet high, 39 floors (each tower)
Of note: In 1996, General Motors Co. acquired the buildings for its headquarters.
Address: 400 Renaissance Center
Ally Detroit Center
Opened: 1993
Height: 619 feet high, 43 floors
Of note: It is Michigan’s tallest office building, and the second tallest building overall.
Address: 500 Woodward Ave.
Penobscot Building
Opened: 1928
Height: 565 feet high, 47 floors
Of note: When it opened, it was the eighth tallest building in the world.
Address: 645 Griswold St.
Fisher Building
Opened: 1928
Height: 441 feet high, 28 floors
Claim to fame: It’s known as “Detroit’s largest art object.”
Address: 3011 W. Grand Blvd.
David Stott Building
Opened: 1929
Height: 436 feet high, 38 floors
Of note: It opened four months before the Great Depression began.
Address: 1150 Griswold St.
Patrick V. McNamara
Federal
Building:
Opened: 1976
Height: 393 feet high, 27 floors
Of note: It was named for a U.S Senator.
Address: 477 Michigan Ave.
One Woodward Avenue
Opened: 1963
Height: 430 feet high, 32 floors
Claim to fame: It is the first skyscraper Detroit architect Minoru Yamasaki designed and has been called the forerunner to Yamasaki’s later project New York City’s World Trade Center.
Address: 1 Woodward Ave.
Cadillac Tower
Opened: 1927
Height: 437 feet high, 40 floors
Claim to fame: This beautiful late Gothic revival-style skyscraper is perhaps best known in modern times for its hanging murals, like the 14-story Barry Sanders mural that was there from 1994 to 2000.
Address: 65 Cadillac Square
DTE Energy Headquarters
Opened: 1971
Height: 374 feet high, 25 floors
Of note: It comprises three buildings. The Walker-Cisler Building is the tallest.
Address: One Energy Plaza
Guardian Building
Opened: 1929
Height: 496 feet high, 40 floors
Of note: It’s often thought of as one of the most beautiful art deco buildings in the country.
Address: 500 Griswold St.
Book Tower
Opened: 1926
Height: 475 feet high, 38 floors
Of note: It was the tallest building in Detroit for two years before the Penobscot opened.
Address: 1265 Washington Blvd.
150 West Jefferson
Opened: 1989
Height: 455 feet high, 28 floors
Of note: It’s across the avenue from Hart Plaza, where 2024 draft events took place.
Address: 150 W. Jefferson Ave.
211 West Fort Street
Opened: 1963
Height: 368 feet high, 27 floors
Of note: Visit Detroit, the NFL Draft host, calls it home.
Address: Umm, see above.
Broderick Tower
Opened: 1927
Height: 369 feet high, 34 floors
Of note: It became the third tallest abandoned building in the United States when it closed in 1985.
Address: 10 Witherell St.
Buhl Building
Opened: 1925
Height: 366 feet high, 27 floors
Of note: It was designed so that every office has an outside window.
Address: 535 Griswold St.
Westin Book
Cadillac Detroit
Opened: 1924
Height: 29 floors
Of note: It was the tallest hotel in the world when it opened.
Address: 1114 Washington Blvd.
Best New Restaurants
Our critics’ 10 favorite fine-dining destinations that have opened since 2022
BY DOROTHY HERNANDEZ, MICHELLE KOBERNICK, DANNY PALUMBO, AND JACK THOMAS
This spread at Sexy Steak features (from left) Wagyu meatballs, pasta carbone, bistecca Fiorentina steak, and spicy shrimp diavolo.
Le Suprême
When Le Suprême, the 1920s Parisian-style brasserie opened downtown in August 2023, many first-time diners were also among the first to see the freshly renovated Book Tower (courtesy of Monsieur Dan Gilbêrt’s Bedrock), which had reopened for the first time since 2009. Sneaking out Le Suprême’s back door to wander into the Book Tower lobby and just stare up at the palatial skylight ceiling, retrofitted and encrusted with over 7,000 jewels, remains a breathtaking exercise, no matter how many times we have been there since.
Le Suprême’s build-out is also breathtaking. Shortly after opening, it earned national recognition, with praise in T: The New York Times Style Magazine. It was designed by two Philadelphia-based firms: Stokes Architecture + Design and Method Co. The latter is the hospitality company that created and oversees the Book Tower’s multiple restaurants, bars, and extendedstay hotel.
While metro Detroit has plenty of worthy establishments serving French fare, it’s hard to think of one with an interior that captures the vintage Parisian aesthetic better than Le Suprême. If you’ve never been to Paris, this is about the closest thing to going there as you’re going to get in
brasserie-style interior. Bottom: The seafood platter.
Detroit, at least visually.
The menu at Le Suprême provides a thoughtful overview of dishes you can find in Paris, curated for the American palate, and was created by Method Co.’s executive culinary director, Brinn Sinnott, and team in collaboration with thenExecutive Pastry Chef Ben Robison (who has since moved on).
One appetizer that never fails to delight is the rich
and delectable escargots à la Bourguignonne — snails and button mushrooms in a garlic parsley butter sauce. The snails are served without shell, gently inviting the diner to indulge in the French delicacy.
Choice entrées include the simple and mild trout amandine, which stars Michigan rainbow trout, topped with toasted almonds, haricots verts (French green beans), and brown butter to add to the nuttiness. There’s also plenty of seafood, steak frites, and a damn good burger with melty Comté cheese on a buttery bun (if that’s what you’re in the mood for).
The beverage program, curated by advanced sommelier Patrick Jobst, includes a dazzling selection of over 300 Champagnes and wines, plus absinthe and martini service, as well as cheeky cocktails like the Parisian Laundry, made with gin, Suze, vermouth blanc, chamomile, and pear eau-de-vie.
While Le Suprême is an essential night-onthe-town destination for drinks and dinner, it was also absolutely built for brunching. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, the restaurant easily emulates the feeling of a French café. You can’t go wrong with a pastry, from the flaky croissants to the comforting blueberry buckle (even if it was invented in Maine). Each is warm, fresh, never overly sweet, and best enjoyed with an espresso drink. Rustic petit déjeuner staples like quiche Lorraine and classic French omelets made with farm-fresh eggs deliver a light and tasty weekend breakfast that doesn’t make you want to return to bed and sleep it off, as many brunches do.
Le Suprême continues to inspire the imaginations of diners, casting an ultrarosy lens over the eating and drinking experience. In the city once nicknamed the “Paris of the Midwest,” it’s a welcome addition.
Jack Thomas
Top: Le Suprême’s
Leña DETROIT
MMusic gives us the concept of the supergroup — a band formed by members of other successful acts. The members’ prior successes don’t guarantee the supergroup’s — for every Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, there’s a Chickenfoot that never quite catches on. Leña, which opened May 2024 in Detroit’s Brush Park, is a supergroup of sorts that did it the right way.
“Every single team member is somebody that’s here not just because they need a job but because they want to be a part of this,” then-Director of Operations and Hospitality Mindy Lopus told Hour Detroit
The restaurant is owned by partners Tarun Kajeepeta and Matt Tulpa, who worked together to open Shelby downtown in 2021. General Manager Gabriel DeFlaviis and pastry chef Lena Sareini worked together for nearly six years at Selden Standard — where Sareini scored three James Beard nods for her desserts.
Executive Chef Mike Conrad has held the chef de cuisine position at both Takoi and Oak & Reel. He also did nine months in an executive chef role for multiple restaurants at the Book Tower (including Le Suprême, which also made our list; see the previous page) before leaving for this venture.
“I just knew that I wanted to be in a Detroitowned independent restaurant, because that’s where I sharpened my teeth,” Conrad says.
Just about every dish on the menu touches the kitchen’s central hearth at some point during
its preparation. The hearth is loaded with firewood (or leña in Spanish) — Michigan cherry and apple wood lend their flavor. As a result, everything tastes light and summery. Spanish influence dominates the menu, from succulent skewers of octopus or swordfish to saffron rice in an aromatic sofrito. You’ll find riffs on Basque pinchos and Catalan tapas, “all through the lens of Michigan,” Conrad says.
The menu frequently changes. When Hour Detroit went in early 2024, a mushroom that grows wild in the Mitten found its way onto the coca, inspired by the Catalan flatbread nicknamed “Spanish pizza.” The dish featured blackened sourdough toast lathered with a house-made ricottalike cheese, topped with buttery maitake mushrooms that have been pickled and roasted, and grated over with a cured egg yolk — plus a smoky salsa verde and shredded button mushrooms.
A very different Michigan ingredient — Better Made potato chips — starred in the jamón Ibérico, Conrad’s “highbrow/lowbrow” offering. The classic Detroit snack was served with the very expensive (and delicious) acorn-fed, acornfinished Iberian ham. Piparra peppers lent acidity to the dish.
Libations with a Spanish flair include Gin Tonics and, of course, sangria — Leña’s signature blend is rose, Cocchi Rosa, hibiscus, lemon, and Aperol. The reasonably priced wine list features off-thebeaten-path selections from the Canary Islands and La Rioja.
(nougat ice cream). A lightly bitter and fragrant orange blossom sorbet slowly melted over a scoop of almond ice cream, drizzled with honey caramel. It was sprinkled with edible rose petals, bee pollen, and tiny fragments of turrón (a Spanish nougat made with almonds and honey).
While Leña never fails to dazzle with its scholarly service and unbeatable menu, the restaurant achieves this all because of the way it takes care of its staff, not in spite of it.
“I grew up with the archaic model: nasty dudes working mean shifts that made you want to curl up in bed at the end of the service,” Conrad says. “For this industry to be taken seriously, we need to treat people as skilled laborers. At Leña, we just want to make yummy food in a safe, inclusive space where everybody is learning and being paid a livable wage.”
Sareini, who took a break from restaurants after leaving Selden Standard in 2020, lets her desserts shine brighter than ever at Leña. “I had the luxury of trying her desserts almost every day [at Selden Standard] for five and a half years — she hasn’t missed a beat,” DeFlaviis says. Hour Detroit tried Sareini’s helado de turrón
Executive Sous-Chef Marcello Molteni prepares an amberjack fish.
Top: Arroz con leche, made with walnut praline and fig leaf oil. Bottom:
DETROIT
Ladder 4 is a wine bar. But it’s also one of Detroit’s best new restaurants, even if the owner is adamant about not calling the Southwest Detroit destination a restaurant at all.
“I knew that we needed food, but I think it’s more or less a guiding principle of ours to come at it from being a wine bar and not a restaurant,” owner James Cadariu told us when we first reviewed Ladder 4 in the fall of 2023.
L Ladder 4
The wine bar/not-a-restaurant, which gets its name from the former firehouse that used to be located there, serves a wildly inventive mix of local seasonal food influenced by Europe — particularly Romania and Spain — with New American and Asian flavors sprinkled in and shaped by the whims of the chef and whatever is available from local producers at any given time. That results in an exciting and intriguing menu crafted by chef John Yelinek, whose culinary creativity garnered him a James Beard Award semifinalist nod for 2024 in the best Great Lakes chef category.
It’s likely you won’t ever get the same exact dishes twice, but Yelinek does have a method to the menu.
“The food is serious, but I’m coming at it from [the perspective that] this is something you should
be able to enjoy casually that doesn’t have to feel fancy, but you can treat it like that,” Yelinek said.
And while the food seems meticulously plotted, oftentimes it’s not, which makes it even more intriguing.
“We don’t have this long [research and development] process for every dish,” Yelinek told us in 2023. “It’s sometimes like, I really just threw this together, and it’s going on the menu tonight.”
The locally sourced, seasonally driven menu is brief, organized by lighter fare like salad and crudo at the top (along with the infamous pairing of hash browns and caviar); tasty morsels and vegetablecentric plates, which can be anything from swordfish kebabs to roasted cabbage, in the middle; and large plates such as whole fish grilled on the konro (Japanese grill) and luxurious dry-aged club steak rounding it out.
No matter what’s on the menu, this food is meant for sharing, so you might want to bring friends — as many as you can so you can order as much of the fleeting menu as possible before the opportunity slips away.
Like the food, the wines come from small operations, usually family vintners who produce wines grown organically and biodynamically, Cadariu said. As a Romanian Serb, Cadariu also wants to highlight Eastern Europe and the comeback of post-Soviet collective practices.
“We want to make space for things that have always existed,” Cadariu added. “Like if there’s some weird grape growing on the Canary Islands that nobody knows about anymore but it may have a history of being brought over to North and South America and planted. There are through lines with
a lot of these stories that we want to highlight.”
The wines may not be the usual bottle of red that you’re used to, which can be intimidating, but Ladder 4’s well-trained staff members are knowledgeable about what they’re pouring and will guide you toward the best bottle for you based on what your palate is gravitating toward — even if you can’t find the proper terminology, they somehow know what you’re looking for.
That lack of the formality you’d typically find in a fine-dining restaurant with food and wine of this quality is what sets Ladder 4 apart: It’s a place where you can mark a special occasion or just find a seat at the bar to get a bite from the “bar card,” which offers lighter, more casual fare.
Putting food and wine together is an age-old concept that can be presented in the most formal or casual setting. At Ladder 4, it’s come as you are.
“It’s food and wine together in a space,” Yelinek said, and everything else is “about what you’re there for. Do you want to have a dinner party with your friends? Do want to celebrate an anniversary? Or are you trying to have a special night out? It can be any or all of those things or none of them.”
—Dorothy Hernandez
3396 Vinewood St.,
Clockwise from top: Poached lobster with gazpacho; pan con tomate; beef filet au poivre with green peppercorns and Cognac; red wine.
FERNDALE
A Coeur
At Coeur in Ferndale, Culinary Institute of Americatrained chef-owner Jordan Smith brings metro Detroiters a Californian, New American menu deeply rooted in classical French technique. If you think a top-notch restaurant needs to be stuffy, think again. Instead of the starched white linens, $300 per person price tag, and intensely pressurized kitchen conditions, Coeur’s vibe is relaxed and approachable.
Smith has spent the bulk of his career in notable fine-dining establishments around the country, such as James Beard Award winners Quince and Mina Group (the former is also a Michelin-starred restaurant) in San Francisco. The former metro Detroiter decided to return to the area after a few well-respected colleagues relocated here. Last August, he opened Coeur in Ferndale.
Alongside Smith are Beverage Director Sean Crenny, a CIA grad and trained sommelier, and pastry chef Carla Spicuzzi. A West Bloomfield native, Spicuzzi is a graduate of Schoolcraft College’s baking and pastry program in Livonia.
The three bounce concepts off one another daily, pulling from their individual expertise; nothing gets past the kitchen without everyone’s approval. Some dishes are inspired by Crenny, who may have an exciting new wine to feature, and some are birthed from the organic overlap that exists between French cuisine and French pastry.
“I like to put my two cents in on the savory menu because every once in a while, you end up with a cool collaboration,” Spicuzzi told Hour Detroit earlier this year. “You don’t always get that without a strong pastry person that you can play ideas off of.”
An interesting savory and pastry merger was the rye and bûcheron gougère, a savory version of an éclair featured on the tasting menu when we went earlier this year, which changes weekly and has an optional wine pairing. Other small plates included the potato and Comté croquettes, the beloved fried finger food with French origins, bound together with mashed potatoes, flour, and cheese alongside a charred-leek crème fraîche dipping sauce.
Larger plates we loved included the French classic chicken roulade, a rolled deboned chicken dish filled with mousseline and mirepoix and served with braised green cabbage and cipollini onions on a bed of fines herbes sauce. The short ribs offered a deconstructed version of the classic red wine-forward boeuf Bourguignon, served with trumpet mushrooms, carrots, and potatoes.
As for dessert, Spicuzzi pulls on our nostalgic heartstrings with familiar gems that taste better than you remember. On the tasting menu, she featured a play on her grandmother’s apple pie by replacing the pie crust with house-made mille-feuille — layers of rich puff pastry — filled
with vanilla mousse pastry cream and cinnamon apples. The banana madeleines, French butter cakes, are a Fluffernutter sandwich knockoff, served with a toasted marshmallow fluff and chocolate peanut butter ganache. She replaced the glass of milk traditionally paired with a plate of cookies with a malted vanilla mousse for dipping.
Weekend brunch has a variety of sweet and savory options. There’s the eggs Benedict with peameal bacon, poached egg, and hollandaise on an English muffin. The challah French toast is served with a seasonal jam and smoked maple syrup. For something heartier, Coeur offers a brisket hash that features smoked Wagyu brisket, poached egg, potatoes, onions, and peppers with a red wine jus.
One especially popular concept is Coeur’s tasting menu. It has grown so much that Crenny estimates one-third of the diners on any given night are participating. “We’re lucky to have so many people trust us as a new restaurant and allow us to guide that experience for them,” he said.
house-made mille feuille from a tasting menu last year.
For the wine program, Crenny focuses on the quality wines of the world, which is reflected in his regularly refreshing the wine-by-the-glass program. He wants to make these classics more approachable so that Coeur becomes a destination for people who want to sip something special. Crenny hosts regular wine tasting events and offers membership to a monthly carryout wine club that includes three bottles explored by region or varietal.
There’s no ceiling to Coeur’s potential. With this team’s background and training, there will always be something new on the menu. “At the end of the day, we are a bunch of food and beverage nerds, and we just want to share the cool things we come up with,” Smith said. “I want the locals in Ferndale to embrace a place that they don’t ever need to feel intimidated to come to, even if it’s for a fancy occasion.”
—Michelle Kobernick
330 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale; 248-466-3010;
Top: Coeur’s relaxed and approachable dining room. Left: Chicken roulade with braised green cabbage and cipollini onions with fines herbes sauce. Bottom: The
Sexy Steak
SSometimes, drinks and dinner are only part of the equation on your night out. You need a dash of extravagance, spectacle, and showmanship. Sexy Steak has all three on steroids. The Miami-inspired eatery in the historic Grand Army of the Republic Building features an opulent atmosphere and dishes that aim to please. Prime Concepts Detroit managing partner Stoli Liti and his team took the idea of a traditional Italian steakhouse and, in the words of Kendrick Lamar, “made it look sexy.”
The 1899 GAR Building was once the official hangout for the Detroit chapter of a Civil War veterans’ organization. Now, on any given night, it’s packed with customers dressed down in nightclub attire, clambering to grab an iPhone pic in front of Sexy Steak’s many loud backdrops. Among them are a giant mouth with a golden tongue; a life-size Monopoly man; a mannequin covered in Chanel logos; and a neon sign that reads “Detroit, You’re So Sexy.” The aesthetic is a near-psychedelic take on consumerist iconography, the place you’re transported after 48 hours of playing slots.
The servers wear wacky suits and perform showy tableside service, from mixing Caesar salads to deboning Dover soles. Libations include premium wines from Tuscany, Piedmont, and Veneto. Plus, there are fun cocktail riffs like a smoked rosemary old-fashioned and the refreshingly minty Margarita Italia, which substitutes orangecello for the typical Cointreau.
The entrées often branch out from the rustic flavor profiles one might associate with Italian cuisine. “You won’t find anything bland here,” says Executive Chef Martin Attisha. Calabrian chiles — a southern Italian delicacy — boost the Scoville rating on the pasta carbone, which includes housemade rigatoni tossed in a creamy vodka sauce. The chiles also lend a pungent kick to the spicy shrimp diavolo, sprinkled into a made-to-order red sauce where the heat is answered with lemon, garlic, butter, and white wine. The steaks themselves pack a bold flavor, generously seasoned and sizzling with a coat of clarified butter and a touch of a sauce
similar to Zip Sauce, with fragrant rosemary and a garlic bulb. If you so desire, you can select your own cut from the walk-in fridge.
Liti knows Italian restaurants. As an 18-yearold college kid, he started out serving at La Dolce Vita in Palmer Park before becoming a manager at Southfield’s much-acclaimed Bacco Ristorante in 2003, where he was eventually promoted to partner. He’s also versed in the art of revamping historical properties — like Detroit’s 1920s-era Hotel Briggs building, now home to Pao, which made People’s list of the 50 most beautiful restaurants in America.
Sexy Steak’s design does less to point to the building’s historical origins than the designs of previous occupants Republic Tavern and Parks & Rec Diner. But beyond superficial fixtures like furniture and lighting, Sexy Steak’s interior highlights the original elements, including floors, windows, tiling, and staircases. Additionally, historian Bruce Butgereit is planning a display for the restaurant, which will feature old uniforms, photos, and other various recovered items that highlight the building’s more than 100 years of history.
The name “Sexy Steak,” just like everything else about the restaurant (down to the glitzy, thronelike toilet seats), seems intrinsically designed to draw attention to itself. And it has — producing a cacophony of opinions on social media, both positive and negative. Liti and Attisha are quick to acknowledge this. “At the beginning, people were questioning it,” Attisha says. As Liti tells it, the name was born organically when the opening team was reviewing the renderings from interior designers at Royal Oak’s Art Harrison firm. “The word ‘sexy’ was coming up a lot, as far as the interior and the looks, so we went with it,” Liti says. Since then, the controversy has faded. The restaurant has found its lane. It’s more about the steaks than the sexy. “Now, no one who comes in says anything about the name, except they love Sexy Steaks,” Attisha says.
Top: The steaks are finished with clarified butter, Detroit Sexy Zip, rosemary, and a garlic bulb.
Bottom: The staff’s attire is as vibrant as the restaurant’s interior design.
—JT 1942 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-403-1000; sexysteakdetroit.com
Vecino
DETROIT
MMidtown restaurant Vecino, from Midwest Hospitality, captures the exciting regionality of Mexican cuisine in a setting that, thankfully, threads the needle between fine dining and familial. Decorated chefs Ricardo Mojica and Stephanie Duran guide the experience, while chef Ely Gutierrez heads up the esteemed masa program. It’s one that’s singular in Michigan — Vecino is believed to be the first restaurant in the state to feature in-house nixtamalized corn masa.
Nixtamalization is a process more than 3,000 years old, and one that is paramount not just to producing quality tortillas but also to preserving Indigenous culture. While many tortillas are made with processed corn flour, at Vecino, fresh corn imported from Mexico is soaked in an alkaline solution and then mashed into beautiful, workable masa. These tortillas serve as the overarching theme at Vecino, and there’s a wealth of rousing flavors for diners to experience with them.
Of the many riffs on taqueria classics, you will naturally be drawn to the tuna tostada, which
features an impossibly fresh, crispy-fried tortilla shell with thin slices of sushi-grade tuna, chipotle aioli, a generous handful of fried leeks, and some methodically dotted avocado. There’s a fatty sheen to every component of the tostada, and as such, each bite melts away in your mouth. This isn’t a brittle, oversalted store-bought tostada; you can feel the many pairs of human hands that guided this tortilla to your table.
The tlayuda is where you’ll start to grasp the range of Oaxacan street food and, ultimately, Vecino’s prowess. For the uninitiated, a tlayuda is a giant grilled tortilla slathered with rendered pork fat, refried beans, cabbage, cheese, and meats ranging from steak to chorizo or even blood sausage. Vecino’s tlayuda is much smaller than the 10-inch-plus varieties you’ll find in Oaxaca, but it’s nonetheless a delicious mixture of meaty, loud flavors meant to be folded up and eaten like the street food icon that it is. The spiced sirloin, refried beans, melty and milky Oaxacan cheese; the pile of cilantro, tomato, and avocado — this tlayuda is deeply satisfying and wonderfully messy. It’s just as likely to be eaten at a fine-dining restaurant as it is standing on a street corner in Mexico City, where co-owner and Midwest Hospitality founder Adriana Jimenez was born.
The pescado is reminiscent of the iconic snapper served at Contramar in Mexico City. It’s a simple yet seminal dish featuring fish brushed with salsa roja and salsa verde, then grilled over a wood hearth. This fish
Diners are greeted to a space with hanging Spanish moss, exposed-brick walls, an open kitchen (where the nixtamalization happens), and a bar that seats up to 20.
is super clean, flaky, and the perfect protein for tacos. It can easily feed four people and is an excellent “for the table” order.
A side order of Vecino’s fresh tortillas is a must, and the trio of salsas complement nearly everything on the menu. The salsa macha is particularly stunning — a dark, spicy, vinegary, nutty paste that enhances anything you apply it to. Oh, and you’ll want a cocktail — the mezcal program is equally stunning.
At Vecino, you’ll undoubtedly be smitten by the sweet, smoky smells of palo santo wood burning and the lively chatter. The ranchera and norteño music in the background creates a welcoming atmosphere that captures the buzzy nature of Mexico City. Though the restaurant has a refined setting, you’re just as likely to see a guy wearing a backwards hat as you are someone in a blazer. Ultimately, Vecino is a place for everyone. As it should be.
—Danny Palumbo
4100 Third Ave., Detroit; 313-500-1615; vecinodetroit.com
Alpino
DETROIT
WWhen restaurateur David Richter dreamed up a restaurant concept inspired by the “backbone of Europe,” ingredients came first — literally. He connected with the right importers: ones who could get the niche products he needed. Then, he started stockpiling flours, rices, pastas, and oils from France, Austria, and Italy. Finally, he created a virtual marketplace called AlpinoDetroit.com
“I would market goods as an effort to collect emails so I had an email list ready to go,” Richter told Detroit in February 2024.
The Sterling Heights native had just returned to Michigan in 2019 after a hospitality career that brought him to New York City and Nashville, Tennessee. Most recently, he’d spent nearly a decade in leadership positions at City Winery, where he worked alongside his wife, Rebecca Spindler.
“We knew that we wanted to try to have a family (and we now have a beautiful son),” he said. “But we decided this was the time to come back; the culinary scene in Detroit was flourishing and was being taken seriously on a national level. I knew that I wanted to be part of it and help contribute in any way I possibly could.”
His contribution, in its final restaurant form, opened its doors in May 2023 in Corktown. It features
gnocchetti; Wiener schnitzel topped with a morel rahmsauce. Below, from left: David Richter and chef Colin Campbell.
a menu influenced by regions of the eight countries touching the Alps. “It’s a cuisine that has four seasons, just like we have here,” Richter said.
The inviting interior showcases lots of natural wood tones. There are fur-covered chairs by its glowing centerpiece — the wood fireplace. The long booths with community-style tables facilitate friendly banter between strangers, creating what Richter calls “a community of one under one roof.”
Richter developed the menu in close collaboration with Executive Chef Colin Campbell. It includes thoughtful dishes like the raclette, made with French raclette cheese scraped from a piping hot platter onto a buttery brioche slice, topped with speck and a small drizzle of honey. Alpino also makes a fine Wiener schnitzel, topped with a morel rahmsauce, and a crowd-pleasing fondue; plus Italian pastas and other dishes unique to the season.
If you’re seeking a forward-thinking treat that tickles the senses, try one of pastry chef Samantha Hamrick’s dessert offerings. Last year, one the herb torte, baked with Alpine herbs and topped with pear soaked in mulled wine (glühwein), with diplomat cream and candied nuts.
Alpino’s cocktail program incorporates a diverse selection of Alpine flavors, like pine syrup and spiced pear — plus regional spirits and lots of vermouths.
Alpino received national acclaim as a 2024 James Beard Award semifinalist in the best new restaurant category. While it didn’t make it to the next round, Alpino is a winner in our eyes.
The nearly 4,000-squarefoot space, on the ground level of the Eddystone apartment building near Little Caesars Arena, is elegant with fine leather, wood, and ceramic finishes.
DETROIT
W Basan
We can thank the power of a well-functioning team for bringing Eric Lees — most recently executive chef at Chicago’s Michelin-starred Spiaggia — to Detroit. A previous visit to the Motor City back in 2010 hadn’t exactly left the Minnesota native feeling warm and fuzzy. It was a last-minute trip for a Vikings game that was rerouted to Ford Field by a Minneapolis snowstorm. Freezing and waiting outside for hours, he pledged never to come back.
But Four Man Ladder partners Joe Giacomino, John Vermiglio, Michael Gray, and Will Lee — of Grey Ghost and Second Best fame — got him to reconsider. “I could tell they weren’t opening just one restaurant but maybe something bigger,” says Lees, who first met Giacomino when they both were at Quince in Evanston, Illinois. “This was a concept that we knew and were excited about, so I thought it was a good opportunity.” Lees also worked with Giacomino and Vermiglio at Yusho and A10 in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood.
Opening in November 2022, Basan, symbolized by a Japanese fire-breathing bird, is a contemporary, chef-driven eatery with a scalable menu spotlighting Asian and other eclectic global flavors.
The nearly 4,000-square-foot space, on the ground level of the Eddystone apartment building near Little Caesars Arena, is elegant with fine leather, wood, and ceramic finishes. The 100-person-capacity concept has five areas with different vibes, including 36 elegant dining room seats, four at the exclusive chef counter, 12 in the private dining space, and 45 between the softedged lounge couches and swanky bar seats. The airy outdoor patio has room for 40.
“Being close to the stadiums, we knew we would need a concept where you could come in for a multicourse tasting or just have a few skewers or buns pre-event,” Giacomino says. “We made it so guests can create anything they want in this space.”
The menu is a fluid rotation of zestful, bold, and edgy dishes that are novel and creative.
It’s designed for tasting and built around the ingredients and intense flavors that have inspired the chef and partners. An educated staff helps craft your experience by giving sound advice on selections of dynamic skewers, bao buns, and small and large plates.
“It’s fun when John and Joe pop over and we’re all tasting,” Lees says. “We bring all of our experience to the table to evolve and refine a dish, which takes it from good to crazy good.”
The craft cocktail menu rivals the food. There’s a Bangarang Aperol spritz elevated by fresh juices, a five-spice blend, tequila, and rose water. A Certain Way is a spicy margarita heated by the red chile paste gochujang and mixed with mezcal, reposado, and grilled watermelon syrup.
A piquant handheld from the bao section is the firecracker shrimp, marinated and grilled, tossed in a sweet-and-sour firecracker sauce, and topped with a rice wine interpretation of Italian pepperonata. Larger dishes include the scallops, prepared with green curry, scallion pancake, pumpkin seed, and sweet potato.
The tasting menu is available nightly, with optional wine pairing. Reservations are available on the weekends for the off-menu multicourse tasting counter ($85) and optional beverage pairing, which may include wine, sake, or cocktails ($45).
—MK Basan, 2703 Park Ave., Detroit; 313-481-2703; basandetroit.com
Bar Pigalle
DETROIT
TTravis Fourmont worked for about a year and a half on the idea of what would become Bar Pigalle in Detroit’s Brush Park neighborhood.
After he had figured out the theme (partly inspired by a Cognac-tasting trip to Paris and a stay in the formerly seedy, now vibrant Pigalle district) and the business plan, he secured funding and signed the lease — the week of the COVID-19 lockdown, a move he admits was risky given the timing. And while the pandemic has had a devastating impact on the restaurant industry, the delay between his securing the funding and opening the doors in June 2022 was actually a positive. “It gave me time to get training materials together and [my] business model tighter and watch the market,” he says. Despite the tumultuous beginning, his vision for Bar Pigalle and the business model never wavered.
In addition to the trip to Paris, Bar Pigalle was also shaped by its location on the ground level of the Carlton Lofts, a historic building that was designed by architect Louis Kamper and a hot spot for the city’s jazz scene in the 1920s and 1930s.
Fourmont likens the food’s approach — New American with a playful French twist — to a jump ball in basketball. “We can tip it French if we want to or go classic American” depending on the freshest ingredients they can find, Fourmont says.
The French part is well represented by dishes like escargots de Bourgogne (snails, roasted garlic butter, and black garlic aioli), short rib Bourguignon,
and Lyonnaise potatoes, as seen on a recent menu. But the food is also very much driven by the seasons and what’s local; a spring menu featured charred asparagus, while the Lake Superior whitefish came with snap peas. Executive Chef Norman Valenti has many connections with small, local producers from his time at Plum Market, Fourmont says, and plans to lean on those more on future menus.
While Bar Pigalle is a fine choice for date night or celebrating with a group of friends given its refined and confidently clever menu, it’s also a solid choice for when you want to grab a burger and a drink at the bar. (Its Pigalle Burger is excellent.)
One of the most popular dishes from the beginning was the frog legs, the one dish that would sum up Bar Pigalle in a singular plate. When we had them in 2022, the legs were cooked perfectly, with a golden brown crispy exterior thanks to being encased in guanciale and a tender and juicy interior, served in an herb-forward nage. As of this writing, the frog legs have been taken off the menu temporarily, but Fourmont promises the crowdpleaser will return.
Equally important at Bar Pigalle is the cocktail menu (Fourmont is a mixologist, after all). When it comes to the drinks, it’s “all about the quality of products and quality ingredients,” Fourmont says. “When other places try to get too complicated, that’s when they miss the mark. We do four to five components, tops, and it’s typically inspired by a classic [cocktail].”
Detroit’s dining scene, which has had a dearth of French restaurants over the years despite the city’s rich French roots, has grown in recent years thanks to hospitality pros like Fourmont pushing it forward with ambitious projects like Bar Pigalle. The French concept may give off the impression it’s a white-tablecloth, fine-dining establishment, but while Bar Pigalle is very much operating at that high level with the execution of the food and the polished hospitality, the last thing Fourmont wants Bar Pigalle to be is a spot that puts on airs.
Since the restaurant opened, general manager Joseph Allerton and chef Nyle Flynn have both moved on, and the price of everything has skyrocketed. Despite the challenges, Fourmont, always the optimist, is already looking ahead with a new project in the works in Berkley, which he says will be like Bar Pigalle but focus more on farm-totable comfort food.
“I’m passionate about this industry. For me, I’m excited I just created a job for myself. ... We are busy, and we are considered a successful business,” says Fourmont, who started working in the industry at age 15 washing dishes in a restaurant before going to culinary school in Washington state.
“What kept me going is there is no other option — this is my life.”
Clockwise from above left: Bar Pigalle’s dining room, located on the ground level of the Carlton Lofts in Brush Park; deviled eggs; Burnt Basque pumpkin cheesecake.
ANN ARBOR
A Peridot
At face value, Peridot represents the coming together of established Ann Arbor restaurateurs. One is Duc Tang, the chef-owner of nearby Pacific Rim by Kana since 2007. Another is Adam Lowenstein of the Watershed Hospitality Group, his venture with Justin Herrick and Robben Schulz. In addition to its stake in Peridot, the firm owns The Last Word, Alley Bar, and longtime college student haunt Good Time Charley’s.
However, both Tang and Lowenstein are quick to point out that the project is larger than them — it’s a team effort. “We’ve done everything by committee, almost since day one,” Lowenstein says.
As executive chef, Tang crafted the Vietnamese-inspired menu, but now his role is “pretty hands-off,” Tang says. He’s largely handed the reins to French-trained Head Chef Brady Kelley, who’s always adding new dishes to the constantly evolving rotation. “It’s a great blend, because a lot of Vietnamese food is influenced by French cuisine,” Tang says. “He’s picking up some of the vocabulary of Vietnamese cuisine and incorporating it.”
One item that has stayed is a dish from Tang’s childhood — ketchup fried rice, made with jasmine rice, sriracha, scallions, egg, puffed rice, and fried garlic. Tang was born in Saigon, once the capital of South Vietnam, whose 1975 capture by Northern forces marked the end of the Vietnam War and subsequent birth of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. When Tang was a child, his family fled to refugee camps in the Philippines and Hong Kong before reaching California in 1980.
Tang’s parents worked grueling hours to put food on the table. Ketchup fried rice was the dish that Tang’s dad most liked to cook for his children when Mom was away, strung together with what was available in the fridge. “I wanted to feature that as a homage to my upbringing and the kind of food I grew up eating,” Tang says. “We didn’t expect it to be so well received, but it’s definitely one of our more popular items.”
A notable small plate Hour Detroit tried last year was the kanpachi and prosciutto, Kelley’s invention. The unusual combination of Italian dry-cured ham and amberjack sashimi is a craveable snack — fatty and savory, rounded out with honeydew, pickled Fresno chiles, and pistachio, plus tomatillo ponzu sauce and smoked soy gel. Kelley calls the dish one of his favorites, drawing inspiration from the classic combination of bacon and scallops. “As much as I believe in a chef’s intuition for how flavors and textures will work together, that dish in particular did require several tries before it was menu-ready,” Kelley says.
Peridot is as much a bar as it is an eatery. The short-but-sweet beer and wine list was curated
by partner Andrew Gorsuch and balances approachable essentials with refined selections. The cocktail menu was first created by bartender and managing partner Giancarlo Aversa, whose drink contributions at The Last Word and Good Time Charley’s have long been praised. However, like other areas of the restaurant, the drink selection is informed by the democratic process — each drink requires a majority vote of approval from the bar team before it’s introduced.
Peridot’s mixed drinks incorporate many of the same ingredients as the cuisine — tamarind, Thai basil, Vietnamese cinnamon, and cilantro, to name a few — while blending in European influences. “Once we landed on Vietnamese-inspired food for the kitchen concept, I knew I would have fun with the cocktails,” Aversa says. One such is the Vernazza, inspired by the French 75 cocktail and named for the ancient village on Italy’s Ligurian coast. It achieves a citrusy effervescence with Roku gin, cava, lemon, and Italicus (a liqueur made from bergamot oranges and rose petals) with Thai basil and Castelvetrano olives for garnish.
Like the cocktails, Peridot’s 55-seat interior is a lovely sight. The building, 118 W. Liberty St., has been home to restaurants since the early 1900s — most recently Grange Kitchen & Bar, a farm-totable eatery that closed amid the pandemic. Now, verdant walls stud the exposed brick — which was previously hidden under drywall. Painted flowers adorn the walls, created by muralist Louise Jones, whose artwork is also scattered throughout downtown Ann Arbor. Look for a yellow Mai flower, the symbol of Vietnam’s Lunar New Year. Peridot has managed to succeed without much marketing, instead relying on word of mouth (and the media) to spread the message. “And we’ve been busy,” Lowenstein says. “It’s really created this awesome team environment that has come to define the culture a little bit. We’ve also had very little turnover, and I think that is a testament to the fact that people have enjoyed the work environment.”
118 W. Liberty St, Ann Arbor; 734-773-3097; peridota2.com
Counterclockwise from front: Hiramasa crudo; summer rolls; vegetable curry; green papaya salad.
Detroit
Yes, the world knows the Motor City for its automobiles. They know about Motown and about the sports teams — the Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons, and our amazing Lions. But Detroit has so much more to o er, including fine dining and amazing architecture, sophisticated shopping options and world-class arts and culture venues, plus casinos, nightclubs, riverfront parks, and more. Here, we detail many of the places to visit when you’re spending some time in our growing and gritty city.
explore Detroit
Communities
In addition to a rich history, unparalleled art deco architecture, and top-notch museums, Detroit boasts a bevy of unique neighborhoods.
Boston-Edison
Industrial barons built spacious, beautiful homes in this neighborhood between 1905 and 1925. The elegant, historic architecture makes this neighborhood a piece of a˜ uent Detroit history. It is located north of downtown and Midtown, between Woodward Avenue and Linwood Street and between Boston Boulevard and Edison Street.
Corktown
Founded in 1834, Corktown is Detroit’s oldest surviving neighborhood and was home to the city’s Irish immigrant community. Architecturally, the neighborhood combines an assortment of historic working-class houses with grander Victorian homes. Corktown is bordered by Rosa Parks Boulevard and Porter Street to the west and south, and by I-75 and the Lodge (M-10) to the north and east.
Downtown
Year-round, crowds flock downtown for pro sports action and a plethora of entertainment and cultural o˛ erings, including music venues, casinos, and an opera house. There are also a wide variety of renowned restaurants here. Downtown Detroit occupies a rough square, bounded by the Detroit River, the Lodge, I-375, and I-75. It is south of the Midtown area.
East Je erson
Also known as Detroit’s “Gold Coast,” this neighborhood is a strip of luxury apartment buildings on the East Je˛ erson waterfront. It’s adjacent to Belle Isle, a beautiful island park in the Detroit River.
Greektown
A small but vibrant enclave in downtown Detroit, Greektown boasts excellent restaurants and nightlife. Anchored by the Hollywood Casino at Greektown, this neighborhood prominently displays its Greek roots through the architecture of its buildings. Greektown is located along Monroe Street, between Randolph Street and I-375.
Indian Village/West Village
Built on what was once a French farm, Indian Village is one of the city’s finest neighborhoods. Auto barons and industrialists built some of the region’s most architecturally significant homes here between 1905 and 1925. Indian Village stretches from Je˛ erson Avenue to Mack Avenue, between Seminole and Burns streets, east of downtown Detroit. The adjacent West Village has seen a recent influx of shops, eateries, and new residents.
Lafayette Park/Elmwood
Visit the parks and bike along the bike paths in these neighborhoods, and don’t forget to see the
famed Mies van der Rohe co-ops here. Lafayette Park is a National Landmark District. Located just east of downtown, it covers an area from Je˛ erson Avenue to I-75 and Vernor Highway, and from Meldrum Street to I-375.
Midtown
This area boasts a blend of luxury apartments, modest townhouses and condos, high-rise apartments, and lofts. Wayne State University is nearby, as well as many restaurants, bars, and galleries, giving the area a young, hip vibe. It’s located along Woodward Avenue, north of downtown, between I-75 and Warren Avenue.
New Center
New Center blends historically important architecture with an up-and-coming shopping district. The Fisher Building, an architectural gem designed by the famed architect Albert Kahn, is here. It’s located just north of Midtown, between John R Street and Poe Street, from roughly Grand Boulevard to Seward Street.
Palmer Woods/Sherwood Forest
Characterized by tree-shaded, winding roads and curiously shaped lots, these neighborhoods mainly exhibit English Tudor, early Renaissance, and French styles of the 1920s and ’30s. These neighborhoods cover an area from Woodward Avenue to Livernois Avenue and from Seven Mile Road to Strathcona and Pembroke streets, on the north side of the city.
Rosedale Park/North Rosedale Park
A beautiful neighborhood with roomy homes built by skilled craftspeople, it has a strong sense of community and has always been a great place to raise a family. Rosedale and North Rosedale Park are in northwest Detroit. They are bordered by the Southfield Freeway (M-39), Outer Drive, Evergreen Road, and Acacia Avenue.
Southwest Detroit/Mexicantown
Southwest Detroit is home to thousands of businesses and a˛ ordable houses. The area is famous for its many popular Mexican restaurants, but smaller, family-run grocery stores, bakeries, and shops are also important attractions. Centered along Vernor Highway and Bagley Street, this neighborhood extends from Rosa Parks Boulevard (Corktown) to the corner of Fort Street and Lawndale Street.
THE GUARDIAN BUILDING
explore Detroit
collectives in unique spaces appeal to the next generation.
Performing Arts, Arenas & Theaters
The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre
The 6,000-seat riverfront amphitheater hosts various concerts and touring acts. 2600 Atwater St., Detroit; 313-393-0292; thearetha.com
Detroit Jazz Festival
The Detroit Jazz Festival provides year-round concerts and educational programming, but everything culminates in one of the world’s premier jazz festivals every Labor Day weekend. The same production company, Paxahau in Detroit, runs Movement, the internationally acclaimed electronic music festival that takes place over Memorial Day weekend. 19908 Harper Ave., Harper Woods; 313-469-6564; detroitjazzfest.org
Detroit Opera House
Home to the Detroit Opera, this 2,700-seat venue bears a rich artistic legacy. 1526 Broadway St., Detroit; 313-237-7464; detroitopera.org
Fox Theatre
Designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1989, the Fox Theatre is the largest surviving movie palace of the 1920s and the second largest theater in the U.S. The 4,800-plus-seat venue hosts concerts, comedies, Broadway shows, and family entertainment. 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313presents.com
The Historic Gem and Century Theatres
These historic, intimate venues can be booked for private events. 333 Madison Ave., Detroit; 313-9639800; forbesdetroit.com
Little Caesars Arena
Little Caesars Arena is the home of the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Pistons, and many other sports, entertainment, and community events. The arena also features fan amenities and restaurants. 2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-471-7000; 313presents.com
Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts
Music, theater, and dance by all the greats since 1928, with a cozy Jazz Café space serving up sweet sounds most evenings. 350 Madison Ave., Detroit; 313887-8500; musichall.org
Orchestra Hall & the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center
Home to the world-renowned Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the fourth oldest orchestra in the United States, this performing arts complex hosts classical and pops concerts, jazz and chamber performances, youth ensembles, and music education programs in the heart of Midtown. The acoustics in the 2,000-seat Orchestra Hall are among the finest — as ae the sounds produced in the 450-seat music box, part of the stunning, state-of-the-art musical center. 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-576-5111; dso.org
Sound Board
The sound is incredible. The views are immediate. You’ll never feel closer to some of the biggest acts in the world than at this 1,500-seat concert venue inside MotorCity Casino Hotel. 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-309-4700; soundboarddetroit.com
Downtown Casinos
If you’re feeling lucky, there are several big ways to make the most (money) of your time in the city. Three major casinos call Detroit home — MotorCity Casino Hotel, Hollywood Casino at Greektown, and MGM Grand Detroit. If that’s not enough temptation, take your chances by crossing the border to Canada and visiting Caesars Windsor.
Hollywood Casino at Greektown, 555 E. Lafayette, Detroit; 313-223-2999; hollywoodgreektown.com
MGM Grand Detroit, 1777 Third St., Detroit; 877888-2121; mgmgranddetroit.com
MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 866-782-9622; motorcitycasino.com
Located near the Detroit Riverwalk, the Outdoor Adventure Center offers hands-on activities, exhibits, and simulators — brought to you by the Department of Natural Resources. 1801 Atwater St., Detroit; 844-622-6367; michigan.gov/oac
FOX THEATRE
Sporting Venues
See Detroit’s sports stars in action at Comerica Park, Ford Field, and Little Caesars Arena. Comerica Park, 2100 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-471-7000; mlb.com
Ford Field, 2000 Brush St., Detroit; 313-262-2008; fordfield.com
Little Caesars Arena, 2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-471-7000; 313presents.com
Wheelhouse Detroit
This shop o˜ ers bike rentals on the Detroit Riverwalk. 1340 E. Atwater St., Detroit; 313-656-2453; wheelhousedetroit.com
Museums & Art Centers
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Visitors to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History begin their journey in Africa. From there, they will experience hardship while crossing the Atlantic Ocean and witness the struggles and triumphs of African Americans as they help to build the city of Detroit. 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit; 313-494-5800; thewright.org
The Detroit Historical Museum
The museum’s exhibitions include The Gallery of Innovation and the Streets of Old Detroit, where you can salivate at the sweets in the “new” Sanders store. The society also operates the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle, which covers all things nautical. 5401 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-1805; detroithistorical.org
Detroit Institute of Arts
The collections at the Detroit Institute of Arts are indeed priceless. But may we suggest taking it all in, at least once, with happy hour or a date at the Kresge Court? Picasso, Matisse, Rivera, et al. may be more appreciated when accompanied by a good glass of wine and gourmet food options. Then, catch an art flick at the Detroit Film Theatre. 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-7900; dia.org
Detroit Public Theatre
This award-winning, nationally recognized theater company produces plays and programs with worldclass writers, directors, actors, and designers. Formerly located in the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, its new, expanded location on Third Avenue opened in October 2022. 3960 Third Ave., Detroit; 313-974-7918; detroitpublictheatre.org
Dossin Great Lakes Museum
Tours of this Belle Isle Museum showcase an extensive collection of ship models and maritime artifacts. 100 Strand Drive, Detroit; 313-821-2661; detroithistorical.org
Historic Fort Wayne Coalition
Events like seasonal Tours After Dark let the public enjoy Historic Fort Wayne as they hear
tales of Civil War, World War I, and World War II soldiers still walking their posts and more. There are historic baseball games, a Fall Flea Market, Christmas at the Fort, and a Christmas Swing Dance. 6325 W. Je° erson Ave., Detroit; historicfortwaynecoalition.com
Michigan Science Center
Inquisitive minds of all ages can discover science, technology, engineering, and math in a fun and engaging environment at this Midtown museum. Attendees can participate in a number of handson interactive exhibits, explore outer space in the center’s planetarium, or enjoy an educational program in one of three theaters. 5020 John R St., Detroit; 313-577-8400; mi-sci.org
Motown Museum
Berry Gordy founded a record label in 1959, and before long, the Motown sound was heard throughout the land. Its original location on West Grand Boulevard still stands as a museum. Visitors can set foot in Studio A, where some of the most popular songs in history were recorded by the likes of Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, and The Supremes. 2648 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-875-2264; motownmuseum.org
The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit
Housed in a former car dealership on Woodward, its stark white walls, exposed ceilings, and concrete floors provide a fitting canvas for MOCAD’s contemporary works. 4454 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-832-6622; mocadetroit.org
N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art
The center is a nonprofit art space. It continues George N’Namdi’s work in creative place-making and provides local creatives with a home for their art. Exhibitions are on display daily in the galleries, and the center o˜ ers a variety of programs. In addition to the art space, the recently opened Movement Center next door hosts dance classes and other activities for all ages. 52 E. Forest Ave., Detroit; 313-831-8700; nnamdicenter.org
Wasserman Projects
A bright red door prompts visitors to step inside, where they’ll find installations by artists of all disciplines. 3434 Russell St., Ste. 502, Detroit; 313-818-3550; wassermanprojects.com
Macomb
EUGENIE
Leisure
Can you say “retail revival”?
With more boutiques and big businesses putting down roots, Detroit is embracing its newfound role as a consumer’s paradise.
Eastern Market
Detroit’s Eastern Market is a go-to destination for those seeking the highest-quality fruits and vegetables or the finest cuts of meat. Get there at 6 a.m. for the freshest produce or come later when vendors slash prices to lighten the load before they head back home. Surrounding shops o° er flowers, antiques, wine, and seafood. easternmarket.org
Eldorado General Store
This treasure trove o° ers jewelry, home goods, and vintage clothing for men and women. 1700 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-378-0624; eldoradogeneralstore.com
Eugenie
Shopping
The Aroma Labs
Have you ever wondered what your signature scent would smell like? At The Aroma Labs, you can find out through a three-step process that starts o° with exploring 40 di° erent fragrance oils. Once you’ve selected your favorite mixture of scents, an “Aromatender” will blend them before bottling the fragrance up in a product of your choice, like body oil, a room di° user, or beard oil. 1435 Farmer St., Ste. 122, Detroit; thearomalabs.com
Carhartt
This fifth-generation company has been producing durable men’s and women’s workwear since 1889. You’ll find overalls, coveralls, jeans, jackets, and flannels at its Midtown store. 5800 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-831-1274; carhartt.com
City Bird
Based in Midtown, the compact shop carries housewares and gifts crafted by local artisans. 460 W. Canfield St., Detroit; 313-831-9146; citybirddetroit.com
City Market
Here, you’ll find a variety of fine foods and specialty products, including a large selection of local and national brands, as well as organic, imported, kosher, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free goods. 575 Brush St., Detroit; 313-222-0000; citymarketdetroit.com
Coup D’état
Owner Angela Wisniewski calls this English Village boutique a “lifestyle shop” for women. Shoppers will find beauty products, apparel, accessories, jewelry, books, and housewares crafted by local and international independent designers. 9301 Kercheval Ave., Ste. 6, Detroit; 313-782-4480; shopcoupdetat.com
Detroit City FC Club Shop
Show your support for Detroit’s own professional soccer club with a hoodie, T-shirt, jacket, scarf, sticker, or poster from this shop near Eastern Market. Apparel options are available for men, women, and kids. 3401 E. Lafayette St., Detroit; 313-656-2480; detcityfc.com
This boutique, co-owned by Gretchen R. Valade — the great-great-granddaughter of Carhartt’s founder, Hamilton Carhartt— and her husband Kevin Steen, is where you can find various products — like clothing, jewelry, and home goods — produced by sustainable brands. Valade hand-selects the products at di° erent price points from all around the world, including New York City, France, and Spain. 1400 Van Dyke St., Detroit; 313-556-2110; eugeniedetroit.com
GM Company Store
Shop for o˝ cially licensed merchandise representing the General Motors brands. The store is located inside the GM RenCen on Level 1. 300 Renaissance Center, Detroit; 313-468-8069; gmcompanystore.com
Gage Cannabis
Gage Growth Corp. is a high-quality cannabis brand and operator with 19 dispensaries in Michigan, including outposts in Detroit and Ferndale. The company also operates four cultivation facilities. It aims to strengthen the overall cannabis industry by helping to advance individuals and groups who have been disproportionately a° ected by cannabis prohibition policies. 1551 Academy St., Ferndale; 248-504-0506. Cookies Detroit: 6030 E. Eight Mile Road, Detroit; 313-242-0680; gageusa.com
Greyson Clothiers
Greyson Clothiers’ origins as a golf apparel shop inspired the retailer’s modern menswear philosophy. Each piece is designed to deliver top-tier performance and functionality while incorporating exquisite construction and tailoring. 1500 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-307-4392; greysonclothiers.com
Gucci
The luxury brand’s 3,500-square-foot boutique is located in the city’s downtown. Locals and visitors alike can shop a vast array of women’s and men’s ready-to-wear apparel and accessories, jewelry, watches, and home goods from the Gucci Décor line. 1274 Library St., Detroit, 313-552-6565; gucci.com
Leaf and Bud
O° ering medical and recreational cannabis, Leaf and Bud prides itself on using premium nutrients and handcrafting its edibles, concentrates, topicals, oils, and other products. There are also cannabis consultants available to assist customers in selecting products based on their needs. 14470 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 833-532-3283; (additional locations in Hazel Park and Center Line) leafandbud.com
The Lip Bar
The Lip Bar was founded by Melissa Butler in 2012. Its downtown Detroit flagship location is a feminine retreat, designed with blush tones, fun wallpaper, and organically shaped mirrors and furnishings. There, customers can find beauty products for di° erent skin tones, like lip gloss and concealer, and even skin care-related items, such as TLB’s gel facial cleanser, infused with hyaluronic acid and aloe leaf juice. 1444 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-952-5198; thelipbar.com
Nest
This quaint shop o° ers beautiful but a° ordable home goods and decor items. 460 W. Canfield St., Detroit; 313-831-9776; nestdetroit.com
Nike
Detroit’s Nike Community Store captures the spirit of the city with Detroit-specific T-shirts and apparel. 1261 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-965-3319; nike.com
Peacock Room
Pick up vintage-inspired frocks, accessories, gifts, and more from either of Peacock Room’s Detroit locations. 15 E. Kirby, Ste. 110, Detroit; 313-5595500. 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-315-3061; shoppeacockroom.com
Pewabic Pottery
Pewabic is a National Historic Landmark pottery studio founded in 1903. Today, it continues to produce handcrafted pottery and architectural tiles, in addition to serving as a ceramic arts education center. A vibrant cultural destination, Pewabic attracts visitors from around the world. Just seven minutes from downtown Detroit, the store is full of stunning, handcrafted ceramic tiles and vessels, museum collections, and contemporary exhibitions. Production tours are available. 10125 E. Je° erson Ave., Detroit; 313-626-2000; pewabic.org
Pink Diamond Beauty Mall
As Michigan’s first beauty mall, this 9,000-squarefoot building o° ers a wide array of beauty- and health-related services, including acrylic manicures, lace frontal installs, acne facial treatments, and even Reiki “energy healing.” There’s also a space for shopping for local designer clothes, a beauty supply store, and a small café. 17350 Livernois, Detroit; 855-683-7465; pinkdiamondbeautymall.com
explore Detroit
Post by Mutual Adoration
Home products and more are sold out of this former post office. 14500 Kercheval Ave., Detroit; 313-939-2172; mutualadoration.com
Pure Detroit
Pure Detroit, located inside the Fisher Building, offers a wide selection of themed apparel, books, photographs, and gifts. 3011 W. Grand Blvd. Ste. 101, Detroit; 313-873-7873; for more locations, visit puredetroit.com
Savage X Fenty
Global music sensation Rihanna opened Michigan’s fist Savage X Fenty in downtown Detroit in 2024. The lingerie, innerwear, and apparel brand is located near The Lip Bar on Woodward Avenue; its customers can enjoy accessibly priced styles across various types of products, including bras, panties, and bodysuits as well as men’s underwear and sleepwear, in sizes ranging from extra small to 4X. 1442 Woodward Ave., Detroit; savagex.com
Shinola
Founded in 2011 as a watch manufacturing company, Shinola has come to be known as a luxury brand that churns out a variety of products — from timepieces to leather goods and jewelry to audio. In 2013, Shinola opened its flgship store in the historic Cass Corridor neighborhood. Today, the shop has an in-store coffee bar, bike and audio production in full view, and houses an outdoor gear and clothing company called Filson. Shinola also opened a hotel in the historic Woodward shopping district, which earned Detroit’s fist Michelin Key in 2024. The property marries two restored buildings — the old T.B. Rayl & Co.
sporting goods and hardware store and a former Singer sewing machine store — with three new buildings modeled after downtown Detroit’s historic architecture. 441 W. Canfield, Detoit; 313-285-2390; shinola.com
Two 18
Catch the latest limited-edition sneaker drops from Nike, Jordan, Adidas, Converse, and more at this Eastern Market shoe store. Shoppers can also peruse a small selection of apparel, hats, and accessories. 1400 E. Fisher Freeway, Detroit; 313-974-6955; two18.com
Xhibition
Browse cutting-edge streetwear from designers like Off-White, Air Jordan, Human Made, Kenzo, and Ivy Park at this downtown luxury boutique. The shop also carries a curated selection of lifestyle goods, including candles, decor, books, and toys. 1251 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-634-4080; xhibition.co
Outdoor Destinations
Belle Isle
There’s only one public beach in Detroit, and it’s right in the middle of the river, on Belle Isle — the largest publicly owned park in the U.S. at 982 acres. Cross the MacArthur Bridge from the mainland onto the island and enjoy a half-mile of sandy beaches. Depending on the time of year, you may be able to catch a race — from marathoners and bicyclists to an annual hydroplane boat series. Think of Belle Isle as Detroit’s Central Park, with sports fields picnic areas, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, an aquarium, a conservatory, a nature center, fountains, and the Detroit Yacht Club. belleisleconservancy.org
Campus Martius Park
Campus Martius Park marks the “point of origin” for Judge Augustus B. Woodward’s plans to rebuild Detroit after the great fie in 1805. It’s also a memorable place to gather for outdoor fun, with its large fountain, a performance stage, a beach (in season), and an ice rink that’s larger than the one at New York City’s Rockefeller Center (also in season), as well as upscale food at Parc — Hour Detroit’s 2018 Restaurant of the Year. There’s also the new Beacon Park, an upcoming renovation of the public square in Paradise Valley, and other downtown green spaces. downtowndetroitparks.com
Detroit Riverwalk
The Riverwalk isn’t just a place where you can look directly and clearly into another country; it’s also a great way to spend a day strolling. You may catch a festival or other activity at Hart Plaza, the GM Plaza, or the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, which are all stops along the way. You can also rent a bike or ride your own. detroitriverfront.org
Spas
D.Tour Spa
The spa at MotorCity Casino Hotel features men’s and women’s lounges, with thermal whirlpools, large steam rooms, dry saunas, and rain shower facilities. It offers 10 private treatment rooms and a couple’s suite. Guests can enjoy such services as facials, massages, and the Motor City Mud Bar. 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-309-4595; motorcitycasino.com
Immerse Spa
Prepare to experience a new level of pampering and relaxation at Immerse at MGM Grand Detroit. Guests enjoy luxurious treatment rooms, an indoor saltwater pool, and a state-of-the-art fitness enter. MGM Grand Detroit, 1777 Third Ave., Detroit; 313-465-1656; mgmgranddetroit.com
The Woodhouse Day Spa
In the heart of downtown Detroit, Woodhouse offers an escape from the bustle of the city, with a range of body and skin care treatments. 1447 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-965-6270; woodhousespas.com
BELLE ISLE
PHOTO: ADOBESTOCK
PHOTO: COURTESY
Amore da Roma
For more than a century, beginning in 1890, the Sossi family operated Roma Café in a historic building near Eastern Market; then, in 2017, Guy Pelino, who had been working at the restaurant as executive chef, took over the family business and reopened it as Amore da Roma. Guests can expect a classic Italian American dining experience. The menu from Pelino includes delectable Italian sausage, pastas, seafood, and steaks, plus a fine selection of wines and spirits. 3401 Riopelle St., Detroit; 313-831-5940; amoredaroma.com
Anchor Bar
Featuring bar food done right and drinks that will have you feeling good without the high price, the specials make Anchor Bar a great spot to hang out before a big game, concert, or night on the town. 450 W. Fort St., Ste. 100; Detroit; 313-964-9127; anchorbardetroit.com
Andiamo
Since 1989, Andiamo has never strayed from its founding principles of delivering fine Italian cuisin, prepared by hand every day, and using the freshest seasonal ingredients. 400 Renaissance Center, Ste. A-403, Detroit; 313-567-6700; andiamoitalia.com for more locations.
Apparatus Room
The Foundation Hotel’s restaurant is located in what was the Detroit Fire Department headquarters. Chef Thomas Lents, who returned home (along with his Michelin-star reputation) to launch the restaurant, ran the kitchen until Chef Rece Hogerheide took over in 2023. 250 W. Larned St., Detroit. 313-800-5600; detroitfoundationhotel.com/apparatus-room
Baker’s Keyboard Lounge
This nearly century-old jazz club has seen the likes of John Coltrane, Billie Holiday, and Dizzy Gillespie perform on its stage. Aside from exploring its famous legacy and enjoying the live music, people also stop by for a bite of its popular fried chicken entree. 20510 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-345-6300; bakerskeyboardloungedet.com
Bar Pigalle
Nestled inside The Carlton Lofts in Brush Park, this restaurant beautifully complements the neighborhood’s former nickname, the Little Paris of the Midwest, by serving French-inspired cuisine, such as the duck confit with ondant sweet potato, watercress, and orange vinaigrette. 2915 John R Road, Detroit; 313-497-9200; barpigalle.com
Barda
True to Argentine culture, the restaurant celebrates traditional meat dishes. Carne y hueso features finel chopped beef tartare, topped with spicy horseradish, with a dense bone filled with buttery marow. Costilla, a short rib dish, arrives in a pepper-coriander crust, and slices of rare bife, or strip loin steak, lie on a bed of chimichurri-infused butter. 4842 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313- 952-5182; bardadetroit.com
Baobab Fare
This African restaurant urges diners to venture into culinary territories they might otherwise evade. Take the mbuzi, which stars a goat shank that is slow-roasted until the meat is so tender, it slides off the bone with eas. 6568 Woodward Ave., Ste. 100, Detroit; 313-265-3093; baobabfare.com
Eat&Drink
From cocktails to multicourse meals, Detroit’s food scene has a lot to o er. We’ve narrowed it down to the best bites to give you a small taste of the Motor City.
Bohemia at the Detroit Club
Located inside the newly refurbished private club, Bohemia offers an eclectic fin-dining experience for members and guests alike. Down the hall is The Library, home to one of the city’s best happy hours, during which several cocktails — including a vodka collins with cane sugar syrup, a Luxardo cherry, and charred lemon peel — are only $7. 712 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-338-3222; thedetroitclub.com
Buddy’s Pizza
When it comes to Detroit-style pizza, Buddy’s is where it all began in 1946. Baked in forged-steel pans borrowed from local automotive plants, their pizzas boast a light and crispy crust and are made with pepperoni directly on the dough, crumbled Wisconsin brick cheese, and stripes of sauce skimmed across the top. It was the fist known square pizza in the U.S., and now, more than 75 years later, the style has become a national favorite. 17125 Conant St., Detroit; 313-892-9001; buddyspizza.com for more locations
Cadieux Café
This east-side institution was a slice of home for early Belgian immigrants. It serves up several varieties of mussels, plus hearty dishes such as Belgian Rabbit. Belgian authenticity also takes a physical form in featherbowling. 4300 Cadieux Road, Detroit; 313-882-8560; cadieuxcafe.com
Caucus Club
The reborn icon emphasizes service and a traditional steak and seafood theme, with such signature dishes as wood fied baby back ribs, blackened Scottish salmon, and an array of steaks. 150 W. Congress, Detroit; 313-965-4970; caucusclubdetroit.com
Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails
The menu is dependent on the fresh produce that is delivered daily. If you’re lucky enough, you might be able to get a taste of their crispy mirin brined pork shoulder with kimichi and chinese BBQ . 15 E. Kirby St. Ste. D, Detroit; 313-338-9466; chartreusekc.com
Cli Bell’s
This restored art deco spot offers small plates, such as Rock ’n’ Rye chicken wings, and large plates, like shrimp and grits and grilled salmon. Jazz prevails on the bandstand. 2030 Park Ave., Detroit; 313-961-2543; cliffbellscom
Coriander Kitchen and Farm
Enjoy a farm-to-table meal with fresh herbs and vegetables grown in the McDougall-Hunt neighborhood while sitting by a creek connected to the Detroit River. 14601 Riverside Blvd., Detroit; 313-822-4434; corianderkitchenandfarm.com
FREYA
PHOTO: E. E. BERGER
Cork & Gabel
This Corktown eatery is an ode to filling European staples. Try the chicken marsala, featuring a pan-seared 7-ounce chicken breast, a sauteed wild mushroom blend, wild rice, and seasonal grilled vegetables, cooked in a Lombardo Ambra Sweet Marsala wine sauce. 2415 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-638-2261; corkandgabel.com
Cuisine
Some of the most creative cooking around can be found at this townhouse. Premium ingredients sell the dishes, which include beef short ribs braised in soy and honey, beef tenderloin, lamb chops, and — for dessert — sou° e of the day. 670 Lothrop Road, Detroit; 313-872-5110; cuisinerestaurant.com (Note: Not wheelchair accessible.)
D. Prime Steakhouse
MGM Grand Detroit’s modern spin on the classic steakhouse features flame-grilled prime cuts and fresh seafood in a distinctive lounge-like setting. Standout dishes include spare ribs with a Vernors ginger ale glaze and the signature D. Prime Burger, which is topped with bacon confit, aged cheddar, and a fried egg. 1777 Third Ave., Detroit; 313-465-1645; mgmgranddetroit.com
Dakota Inn Rathskeller
It’s one big German lovefest. The combo plate features bratwurst and knackwurst, with hot German potato salad and red sauerkraut. 17324 John R St., Detroit; 313-867-9722; dakota-inn.com
Detroit Shipping Co.
This bi-level destination, created out of shipping containers, o˝ ers a variety of food options, ranging from the Caribbean-fusion dishes at Coop to Thai fare from Bangkok 96. 474 Peterboro St., Detroit; 313-462-4973; detroitshippingcompany.com
Dime Store
This popular breakfast and lunch spot adds just the right retro touch to a contemporary American menu typified by fresh, hearty omelets and Benedicts early in the day. 719 Griswold St., Ste. 180, Detroit; 313-9629106; eatdimestore.com
El Barzon
Norberto Garita prepares Italian and Mexican cuisines with his wife. Try the mini-tacos with beef, chicken, steak, goat, or Mexican sausage, or the mole poblano. The Italian influence takes the form of spaghetti carbonara, lasagna, and zuppa di pesce (seafood soup). 3710 Junction Ave., Detroit; 313-894-2070; elbarzonrestaurant.com
Fishbones Rhythm Kitchen Cafe
New Orleans dishes, including fried catfish beignets, jambalaya, and barbecued shrimp are on the menu. The restaurant is also dedicated to steak and seafood and includes a sushi bar. 400 Monroe St., Detroit; 313-965-4600; fishbonesusa.com
Folk
Folk is a charming Corktown storefront dishing up an all-day brunch menu. It’s an o˝ shoot of the Farmer’s Hand grocery and farmers market. The menu focuses on beautifully plated dishes like salads, quiche, and sandwiches. Frothy lattes are highly sought after, too. 1701 Trumbull Ave., Detroit; 313-742-2672; folkdetroit.com
Freya
Find elegant, elevated dining served inside a warm and inviting space in Detroit’s Milwaukee Junction district. Chef de Cuisine Phoebe Zimmerman’s regularly rotating fixed-price dinners invite guests to tap into a world of flavors and sensations — with vegan and spirit-free options. 2929 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-351-5544; freyadetroit.com
Green Dot Stables
The menu of sliders — with 20-plus eclectic bun toppings, including Cuban, Korean, and “Mystery Meat” — packs in fans. Local beers are spotlighted alongside chicken paprikash soup, a nod to the neighborhood’s Hungarian origins. 2200 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit; 313-962-5588; greendotstables.com
Giovanni’s Ristorante
This old-school Italian restaurant o˝ ers an outstanding lasagna. Elaborate veal and seafood dishes and desserts like orange Creamsicle cheesecake round out the o˝ erings. 330 S. Oakwood Blvd., Detroit; 313-841-0122; giovannisristorante.com
Grey Ghost
This spot is a contemporary steakhouse. Oysters are served with nontraditional accompaniments. The bill of fare also includes lamb wellington and steaks. Brunch o˝ ers dishes like corned pork belly Benedict and Thousand Island hollandaise. 47 Watson St., Detroit; 313-262-6534; greyghostdetroit.com
Golden Fleece
Spend a night dining in Greektown’s longest-standing restaurant, starting with a flaming saganaki and a joyous “Opa!” Then, peruse the menu containing various Balkan comfort foods like chicken gyros, spinach pie, and french fries sprinkled with feta and oregano. 525 Monroe St., Detroit; 313-962-7093; goldenfleece detroit.com
Highlands
Occupying the top two floors of the Renaissance Center, Highlands comprises three concepts. A steakhouse of the same name provides high-end dining, while the more casual Hearth 71 serves dishes cooked over an open fire. The third concept is named High Bar and serves spirits and desserts. 400 Renaissance Center, Floors 71 and 72, Detroit; 313877-9090; highlandsdetroit.com
Hop Cat
Hop Cat was named the No. 1 brewpub in the country by RateBeer.com. The gastropub prides itself on o˝ ering quality comfort food, exemplified by its Cosmik Fries — beer-battered fries served with a signature crackedblack-pepper seasoning and warm cheese sauce, or loaded with bacon, onion, and pickled jalapenos. 4265 Woodward Ave, Detroit; 313-769-8828; hopcat.com
The Hudson Café
This popular breakfast and lunch spot serves up creative takes on eggs Benedict, pecan-banana pancakes, and apple-walnut stu˝ ed French toast, as well as savory sandwiches and salads for lunch. 1241 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-237-1000; hudson-cafe.com
Iggy’s Eggies
Jammy-yolk egg sandwiches, breakfast burritos, and more are on the menu at Iggy’s Eggies’ walk-up window. Take your breakfast or lunch to a table at nearby Capitol Park for a true downtown experience. 34 W. Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-986-1174; iggyseggies.com
Ima
This ramen hot spot has three locations and a Midwest emphasis. Ima tacos trade the traditional shell for a slice of jicama, stu˝ ed with spicy shrimp, roasted tofu, or garlic chicken. Appetizers include edamame, dumplings, and clams. 2100 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313306-9485; imanoodles.com for more locations.
Jojo’s ShakeBar
Enjoy decadent milkshakes topped with cookies and candy, along with a full menu of comfort-food classics and a long list of specialty cocktails, at this classic diner-inspired cafe and bar. Located inside The District Detroit, the joint also boasts arcade games and a convenient walk-up window. 88 W. Columbia St., Detroit; 313-462-4315; jojosshakebar.com
Joe Muer Seafood
In 2019, the Joe Muer name celebrated 90 years in metro Detroit. Since 1929, Joe Muer has upheld a tradition of dining and service excellence. Guests can enjoy classic, fresh fish and creative specialties in an elegant atmosphere. 400 Renaissance Center, Ste. 1404, Detroit; 313-567-6837; joemuer.com for more locations.
Kuzzo’s Chicken and Wa es
Several recipes, including a thin wa° e, are family specialties at ex-NFL player Ron Bartell’s spot. Think comfort food, kicked up a notch: fried catfish, salmon croquettes, and cornbread. 19345 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-861-0229; kuzzoschickenandwa˛ es.com
La Dolce Vita
A combination of new and traditional Italian cuisine is key at this hideaway. Recommendations include the sauteed lake perch, served in a lemon caper cream sauce, and the veal scaloppini with artichokes. There’s an impressive wine list as well. 17546 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-865-0331; ldvrestaurant.net
La Feria
Authentic Spanish tapas are served in a small storefront. A rotating array of these small dishes includes bacon-wrapped dates, pork and rice sausage, charcuterie plates, and grilled sardines. The house sangria is a fine accompaniment. 4130 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-285-9081; laferiadetroit.com
Le Suprême
This Paris-inspired brasserie pays homage to the City of Light with its 1920s-inspired décor on the historic Book Tower’s ground floor. There’s pastis, absinthe,
explore Detroit
France-themed cocktails, and over 300 wines. Standout dishes include the escargots, honey-roasted duck breast, and trout amandine. 1265 Washington Blvd., Detroit; 313- 597-7734; lesupremedetroit.com
Leila
This family-owned restaurant inside the historic Farwell Building serves traditional Lebanese dishes inspired by the owner’s mother. Here, you’ll find staple like shish tawook and baba ghanoush and desserts like baklava and knafeh with ackawi cheese and rose syrup. 1245 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-816-8100; leiladetroit.com
London Chop House
Established in 1938, this venerable spot still turns out classic dishes like oysters Rockefeller, French onion soup, and Wagyu New York strip. 155 W. Congress St., Detroit; 313-962-0277; thelondonchophouse.com
Mario’s
This Detroit classic, which dates back to 1948, features linen-covered tables, wood-paneled walls, and tableside preparation. Italian dinners still start with an antipasto tray and continue through soup, salad, pasta, and entree. Small plates? Not a chance. This is old-school dining. 4222 Second Ave., Detroit; 313-8321616; mariosdetroit.com
Marrow
This West Village restaurant and butcher shop hybrid is an ode to meat, especially unusual cuts. Diners walk through the butcher shop, bypassing cases of pastrami and sausage, before entering the restaurant. Offerings from a sample tasting menu include roasted bone marrow and local lamb ragù. 8044 Kercheval Ave., Detroit; 313-513-0361; marrowdetroit.com for more locations
Mink
This raw bar with sustainably sourced seafood like oysters and caviar offers an immersive dining experience. The fie-course chef’s tasting menu with optional beverage pairings changes once a month. While indoor high-top bar seating is reserved for the chef’s tasting menu, Mink also offers fist come, fist served patio seating for walk-in diners. 1701 Trumbull, Detroit; 313-351-0771; minkdetroit.com
Oak & Reel
Hour Detroit’s 2022 Restaurant of the Year sources the area’s freshest seafood for its coastal Italian-inspired menu, which also features house-made pasta and locally sourced produce. 2921 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-270-9600; oakandreel.com
Parc
From the sweet, smoky aromas of wood-fied Argentine grill and dry-aged beef to revolving seasonal menus, spectacular views, and the gentle glow of the dining room, Parc delivers an experience unlike any other in the city. 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-9227272; parcdetroit.com
Pegasus Taverna
The cry of “Opa!” resounds in the long-standing Greektown restaurant, which also has a location in St. Clair Shores. It boasts an extensive menu, from
moussaka and spinach pie to gyros and roast lamb. 558 Monroe St., Detroit; 313-964-6800; pegasustavernas.com for more locations
Penny Red’s
Adjoining The Brakeman, Shinola Hotel’s beer hall, Penny Red’s offers “Damn Fine Fried Chicken,” honey-butter biscuits, and Southern sides. 1445 Farmer St., Detroit; pennyreds.com
The Peterboro
A contemporary take on American-Chinese fare gives new life to the cuisine, with appealing and robustly spiced dishes. 420 Peterboro St., Detroit; 313462-8106; thepeterboro.com
Prime + Proper
This modern interpretation of a classic American steakhouse includes prime steaks and seafood, plus a raw bar, four varieties of caviar, and such appetizers as roasted bone marrow. 1145 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-636-3100; primeandproperdetroit.com
Prism
Hollywood Casino at Greektown’s eatery is located off the main casino. The menu includes steaks, fresh seafood, and an extensive variety of wines. 555 E. Lafayette St., Detroit; 313-309-2499; hollywoodgreektown.com
The Royce
Inside this charming loft-style wine bar and shop, you’ll find ed wines from Italy, France, and South Africa made by producers who practice organic and low-intervention winemaking. 76 W. Adams Ave., Ste. A, Detroit; 313-481-2160; theroycedetroit.com
Savannah Blue
This restaurant takes its inspiration from the Deep South but gives it a big-city spin, with such dishes as braised oxtail, seared salmon, and twice-dredged fried chicken. Accompaniments include yam and arugula salad, fltbreads, and fresh sides such as garlic-infused spinach. 1431 Times Square, Detroit; 313-926-0783; savannahbluedetroit.com (Note: Not wheelchair accessible.)
Selden Standard
Chef Andy Hollyday, a 2015 and 2016 James Beard semifinalist, does arm-to-table scratch cooking with ideas borrowed from around the world, including France, Italy, Spain, and the American South. 3921 Second Ave., Detroit; 313-438-5055; seldenstandard.com
SheWolf Pastificio & Bar
Chef Anthony Lombardo takes fresh and house-made to a new level with this restaurant inspired by Italian cooking specific to ome. Milling all of his own flour or his pastas, breads, and polenta in-house, Lombardo serves a selection of simple but elegant regional Italian dishes. 438 Selden St., Detroit; 313-315-3992; shewolfdetroit.com
Sindbad’s Restaurant and Marina
Sitting by the Detroit River, this long-lasting establishment prides itself on serving some of the best perch, pickerel, shrimp, and scallops in Detroit, along with its signature clam chowder. 100 St. Clair St., Detroit; 313-8228000; sindbads.com
Slows Bar BQ
This project turned a pair of 1880s buildings into a comfortable, brick-and-wood-lavished place for fans of pulled pork, ribs, and chicken. 2138 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-9828; slowsbarbq.com for more locations.
The Statler
This European-inspired bistro and market serves classic French cuisine with an updated flai. Crispy duck leg confit, steak tartae, and bouillabaisse Provencal are just a few of the options. On Sundays, a refined brunch men serves up croque madame, eggs Benedict with butter poached lobster meat, and a crispy chicken and waffle dish with maple cream syrup and bacon lardons. 313 Park Ave., Detroit; 313-463-7111; statlerdetroit.com
Symposia
Located in the heart of downtown Detroit inside the Atheneum Suite Hotel, Symposia serves Mediterranean cuisine inspired by Greece, Italy, Spain, and more. A signature can’t-miss dish is the Spanish octopus with romesco, Yukon potato, and chorizo Iberico. 1000 Brush St., Detroit; 313-962-9366; symposiadetroit.com
Takoi
Thai-Laotian fare here is marked by pungent curries and dishes fragrant with fresh herbs, ginger, and lime. 2520 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-855-2864; takoidetroit.com
Tap at MGM Grand Detroit
Enjoy pub classics, such as the Tap Classic Burger, savory wings, and fried mac and cheese. The beverage menu features more than 50 draft and bottled beers. Guests can enjoy their favorite sports games on more than 40 HD televisions. 1777 Third St., Detroit; 313-465-1234; mgmgranddetroit.com
Townhouse
This Detroit spinoff of the popular Birminham spot is worth a try for the architecture alone — particularly the massive retractable glass roof. But don’t skip on the truffle fries. This hot spo ramps up styled dining in Detroit. 500 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-723-1000; townhousedetroit.com
Vertical
There are a number of small-plate options at this wine shop and restaurant, including house-made foccacia and a selection of pates, alongside much sturdier stuff, such as the wolverine lamb strip with tahini yogurt and chickpeas. 1538 Centre St., Detroit; 313-732-9463; verticaldetroit.com (Note: not wheelchair accessible.)
The Whitney
This restaurant, housed in Detroit’s most iconic mansion, specializes in classic American cuisine and features beef Wellington and pan roasted rosemary chicken. The Ghostbar offers a great happy hour and live jazz. 4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-832-5700; thewhitney.com
Wright & Co.
Small plates are the focus. There’s also an expansive bar featuring imaginative craft cocktails as well as beer and wine. 1500 Woodward Ave. 2nd floo, Detroit; 313-962-7711; wrightdetroit.com
Livingston
Picturesque Livingston County makes for a perfect getaway, with natural landscapes — including acres of parks, wooded trails, and fresh lakes — at every turn. Walk the historic streets of Howell, escape the bustle of city life at Whitmore Lake, and enjoy a cold treat in Hell (ironic, yes). Dynamic communities, vibrant entertainment, outdoor activities, and delicious cuisine make this region an obligatory stop on any true Michigan adventure. Here are just a few highlights that o er a glimpse into the old and the new of Livingston County.
Washtenaw
PHOTO: VAIL RESORTS
Mount Brighton is home to 24 trails and 130 acres of skiable terrain.
Communities
A mix of modern and historic, the cities, towns, and villages of Livingston County are bustling with tourist attractions, local favorites, and scenic views.
Brighton
With shops, boutiques, and restaurants, Brighton offers a lively downtown experience. The center of town, Mill Pond, is surrounded by businesses and homes, along with public sites — the three-pronged Tridge bridge, the Imagination Station playground, music venues, and public art. Brighton is located in southeast Livingston County, near I-96.
Fowlerville
Running for over 130 years, the Fowlerville Family Fair takes place in July and includes farm animal exhibitions, tractor pulls, demolition derbies, rodeos, monster truck rallies, and more. The town may have an Old World appeal, but it’s also known to host large events, such as concerts and festivals. Fowlerville is located off I-96, near Howell.
Green Oak
Streams, lakes, woodlands, and rolling hills make Green Oak, established in 1835, a serene Michigan township. It is valued as a standout recreational retreat, encompassing Huron Meadows Metropark and the Island Lake State Recreation Area along the Huron River. Green Oak is located just south of the intersection of U.S. 23 and I-96.
Hamburg
The largest municipality in Livingston County, Hamburg is home to 32 named lakes, as well as numerous ponds, marshes, creeks, and streams. This southern Michigan haven provides abundant outdoor activities, which include biking, camping, and swimming. Hamburg is located about 5 miles south of Brighton.
Hartland
Hartland Township was founded in 1836 and has managed to retain its small-town charm. Visitors can step back in time when they visit the region’s museums and survey its architectural treasures, such as the Cromaine Library. Populated by quaint buildings housing local shops, Hartland provides a slice of the past — but with all the modern amenities. It is located about 10 miles north of the Brighton-Howell area.
Hell
Step into Hell and become mayor for a day. Against a rural backdrop, the small town features a host of eccentric attractions, such as Smitty’s Hell Saloon and Hell’s Chapel of Love. With ice cream, souvenirs, and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be dubbed “Mayor of Hell,” the town takes visitors on a truly memorable adventure. Hell is about 20 miles northwest of Ann Arbor, near the border of Washtenaw County.
Howell
The city of Howell is located just off I-96, directly in the center of Livingston County. First platted in 1835 by a group of settlers from Detroit, the town blends old-school charm with an urban feel. A 2018 Great American Main Street Award winner, downtown Howell is a cultural destination with historic sites and thriving local businesses.
Pinckney
A reprieve from the exhausting pace of city life, Pinckney features thousands of acres of parks, a chain of lakes, and several golf courses. The scenic town offers fishing, boating, camping, hiking, and mountain biking. Pinckney is the place to refresh and relax, just 20 miles north of Ann Arbor.
Whitmore Lake
Accommodating aquatic activities from swimming, waterskiing, and boating to ice-skating and hockey year-round, Whitmore Lake is a water lover’s haven. With a 750-acre lake at its center, the picturesque community offers lakeside views in addition to a downtown area full of quaint local shops. Whitmore Lake is situated north of Ann Arbor, off U.S. 23.
Arts&Entertainment
Explore Livingston County’s thriving cultural scene, from community orchestras to art walks along wooded trails.
Performing Arts, Arenas & Theaters
Brighton Center for the Performing Arts
A premier entertainment venue, the Brighton Center for the Performing Arts aims to nurture and promote artists. The 900-seat auditorium hosts a variety of shows, including concerts, dance performances, and comedy acts, while also dedicating space to various community events. 7878 Brighton Road, Brighton; 810-299-4130; brightonperformingarts.com
The Dio
A professional live theater company offering both dining and entertainment, The Dio has presented several popular shows, including Violet, Dracula, Bus Stop, and Always a Bridesmaid, as well as some original works. The Dio’s productions have received multiple awards and nominations. 177 E. Main St., Pinckney; 517-672-6009; diotheatre.com
Livingston Symphony Orchestra
Livingston Symphony Orchestra is a nonprofit community group that seeks to bring classical music and education to the people of Livingston County. Members range from skilled high schoolaged musicians to seasoned professionals. 129 N. Hibbard St., Fowlerville; 517-304-8203; lso.org
Oaken Transformations
Sculpture and Poetry Walk
Part nature excursion and part art exhibit, this outdoor public tour focuses on showcasing the work of talented poets and artists with ties to Michigan. Participants will enjoy juried poetry and renowned sculptural pieces while exploring a half-mile stretch of Brighton’s gently wooded trails. 6893 Grand River Ave., Brighton; 810-229-9180; miartwalk.com
Leisure
Visitors of all ages will delight in activities like camping, horseback riding, and frolicking in a 10,000square-foot playground.
Outdoor Destinations
Brighton Imagination Station
The Imagination Station is a 10,000-square-foot playground at the heart of downtown Brighton. A series of wooden structures serve as a play area for children. Adults, meanwhile, can stroll along the Mill Pond or across the Tridge — a bridge that doubles as a nature walkway. 400 Cedar St., Brighton; 248-797-0829
Brighton Recreation Riding Stable
Saddle up on a gentle horse and enjoy the scenic views of the Brighton Recreation Area. The yearround outdoor facility provides lessons, hayrides, trail rides, and more that the whole family can enjoy. 6660 Chilson Road, Howell; 810-534-5063; brightonrecridingstable.com
Green Oak Village Place
Even shopping in Livingston County offers an outdoor experience. At Green Oak Village Place, clothing stores such as T.J. Maxx, JCPenney, and Athleta are nestled among eateries like Rollin Stone Wood Fired Pizza and Salsarita’s Fresh Mexican Grill. 9608 Village Place Blvd., Brighton; 810-225-0337; shopsatgreenoak.com
Hell Creek Ranch and Campground
A mid-Michigan gem, the Hell Creek Ranch and Campground is a family-oriented park that offers fun activities for children of all ages. Among them are guided trail rides, hand-led pony rides, fishing, and swimming. Nearby downtown Hell provides food and ice cream options. 10866 Cedar Lake Road, Pinckney; 734-878-3632; hellcreekcampground.com
Livingston Centre Historical Village
With turn-of-the-century buildings inspired by locations across the county, the Livingston Centre Historical Village is a step back in time. Visitors are treated to tours of a schoolhouse, a farmhouse, and a railroad depot. Tours are by appointment, but during the Fowlerville Fair and the Fowlerville Fall Fest, buildings are open to the public. 8800 W. Grand River Ave., Fowlerville; 517-223-8186; fowlervillefamilyfair.com
Eat&Drink
From ice cream in Hell to lunch by the lake, here’s a taste of Livingston County’s colorful and delicious cuisine.
2Fog’s Pub
Located in the basement of the Heart of Howell building in downtown Howell, 2Fog’s distinctive speakeasy atmosphere is accompanied by craft beer, cocktails, and New American fare. 118A W. Grand River Ave., Howell; 517-518-8056; fogspub.com
Brewery Becker
Out of a renovated historic building constructed circa 1873, Brewery Becker serves artisanal ales in a gorgeous taproom. Along with limited-edition beverages and new beers released each week, the microbrewery features such events as open-mic nights and yoga classes. 500 W. Main St., Brighton; 810-844-0225; brewerybecker.com
The Creamatory at Screams
Enjoy Hershey’s ice cream in Hell when you order a fresh-made waffleone and “droppings” from a coffin. , conquer the Gravedigger Sundae and earn your Death Certificte. 4045 Patterson Lake Road, Hell; 734-878-2233; gotohellmi.com
Diamonds Steak and Seafood
This premier family-owned and -operated steakhouse puts guests fist. Its something-foreveryone philosophy is to thank for an inclusive menu that features hand-cut steaks, steakhouse burgers, and fresh fish and shellfish, asell as dietary restriction-friendly options. Among them are the Beyond Burger and a selection of gluten-free pastas. 101 W. Grand River Ave., Howell; 517-548-5500; diamondshowell.com
Firewood Grill
Housed in a contemporary space, Firewood Grill serves wood-fied American fare from a menu of appetizers, drinks, and specials. Chef Toma operates on a strict farm-to-table philosophy, fashioning quality meals from locally sourced ingredients. 1202 E. Grand River Ave., Howell; 517-618-7204; fiewoodgrillonline.com
Hell Saloon
A bar and diner in one, Hell Saloon offers American fare with devilish charm — Fallen Angel Wings, Two
Horn Chili, Sinner’s Delight, and more — alongside live music. Guests will also find an assortment o beverages, bottled and on tap. 4095 Patterson Lake Road, Pinckney; 734-648-0669; hellsaloon.com
Jackie’s Custard Co. on Mill Pond
With custard trifles and caes, plus delicious flvors of the week, this family-owned parlor is a key stop for dessert lovers. 415 Mill Pond Lane, Brighton; 810-588-6581
Mackle’s Table and Taps
With fresh and traditional menu items like truffle fries, coconut shrimp, and an assortment of burgers, Mackle’s Table and Taps offers a memorable dining experience in a casual and inviting atmosphere. 1774 Old U.S. Highway 23, Howell; 810-632-3400; macklestableandtaps.com
Ore Creek Mountain Grill
New American dishes come with a mesmerizing view at Ore Creek Mountain Grill, overlooking the ski slopes of Mount Brighton. Try the Parm Fries or the Fish Dinner, an entree that features barramundi, brussels sprouts, grilled artichokes, and roasted tomatoes. 4141 Bauer Road, Brighton; 810-229-9581; mtbrighton.com
Spicer’s Winery
Located inside the farm market at Spicer Orchards, this winery offers walks through the vineyard and a tour of the distillery and cider press. Guests
can enjoy the charming view from the patio while sampling Spicer’s beverages, from fruit wine to hard ciders. They can also snack on a charcuterie board, with a choice of either honeycomb and brie or cranberry and goat cheese, and the chicken bacon ranch wrap. 10411 Clyde Road, Fenton; 810-632-7692; spicerorchards.com
Sushi Zen
Stop by this sushi house for delicious Japanese cuisine. Favorites include the classic avocado and tuna rolls as well as a selection of more imaginative options, such as the Hometown, the House Specialty, and the Regular. 114 W. Grand River Ave., Brighton; 810-225-3330; sushizenusa.com
Tomato Bros.
Tomato Bros. provides guests with great food and service in a family-friendly atmosphere. Savor staples like Greek salads, hand-rolled breadsticks, award-winning barbecue ribs, and pizza on-site, or order them to go. 3030 W. Grand River Ave., Howell; 517-546-9221; tomatobros.com
Zukey Lake Tavern
Zukey Lake Tavern was built on the shore of Zukey Lake during Prohibition. It features kidfriendly menus, rooftop dining, a large fieplace, and — on Friday and Saturday evenings — live entertainment. 5011 Girard Drive, Pinckney; 810-231-1441; zukeylaketavern.com
DIAMONDS STEAK
Macomb
Macomb County is among the top five largest counties in the state. It’s home to several of the region’s most important thoroughfares and is therefore a nexus for many of metro Detroit’s best dining, shopping, and leisure venues. Plus, with more than 130 parks covering nearly 12,000 acres, it’s filled with ways to escape when you need a breath of fresh air. With a balance of dynamic urban areas and pristine natural features and agricultural lands, Macomb County’s cities and rural villages make it a great place to live, work, and play.
Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill in Armada sprawls across 120 acres of land.
Oakland
Washtenaw
Wayne Resources Livingston Detroit Macomb
Communities
Farmland and waterfront property, small historic towns and auto industry-fueled suburbs — Macomb County has it all. Here’s a look at just a few of its cities, towns, and villages.
Mount Clemens
Mount Clemens has been an appealing destination for over a century. In the early 1900s, the city drew people from near and far to its mineral baths, known for their curative powers. Its downtown has experienced renewed vitality in recent years, thanks to an array of newer restaurants and bars joining an already thriving business district of government and law o˜ ces.
New Baltimore
Established as a village in 1867, this coastal city rests along Lake St. Clair’s Anchor Bay and takes full advantage of the waterfront, with a public park and a beach. Historic buildings line the downtown shopping district.
Romeo
Charming Victorian homes surround a pretty downtown area in a city known for its vast peach and apple orchards. Today, the land surrounding this historic village is beginning to fill in with new homes and retail.
St. Clair Shores
This former quintessential 1950s suburb located on the shores of Lake St. Clair has a Downtown Social District — where you can find live music, food trucks, and folks walking with alcoholic beverages — and the shoreline’s “Nautical Mile,” packed with excellent restaurants, bars, and major marinas. Property along the canals has also become valuable, and much of the city consists of well-kept brick homes.
Sterling Heights
Scads of subdivisions sprouted up here starting in the 1970s, and so did retail spaces. Today, Sterling Heights features just about every national retail establishment and restaurant chain known to the American suburbanite.
Utica
Fraser
This 2-square-mile, once-small village experienced a major growth spurt when the GM Technical Center opened in nearby Warren in 1956. A host of auto-related companies dot its main stretches.
Macomb Township
Now that the suburb is growing once again after a housing lull, Macomb Township residents are watching the farmland around them morph into subdivisions, big-box retail stores, and more.
Located in western-central Macomb County, this modest city of roughly 5,000 residents not only places you in close proximity to the surrounding attractions but also delivers some quaint gems of its own, including a tango studio and an annual zombie festival.
Warren
This suburb holds what’s been dubbed “The Versailles of Industry.” The GM Technical Center opened in 1956, and the autoworkers and their families followed. It’s Michigan’s third largest city.
Arts&Entertainment
As the Macomb County population continues to grow, so do enlightening cultural opportunities and exciting events.
ArtsPerforming Venues
Macomb Center for the Performing Arts
Since 1982, the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts has been entertaining patrons with top-quality performers like the Beach Boys. 44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Township; 586-286-2141; macombcenter.com
Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre
Built on the grounds of the 120-acre Freedom Hill County Park, it’s Macomb County’s premier outdoor amphitheater. Concertgoers can expect the diverse array of leading touring acts they’ve come to enjoy at other 313 Presents venues. 14900 Metropolitan Parkway, Sterling Heights; 313-471-7000; 313presents.com
Museums & Art Centers
Anton Art Center
The center is an advocate for art opportunities, o˜ ering all manner of exhibitions, from juried, statewide competitions to invitational and student shows. 125 Macomb Place, Mount Clemens; 586-469-8666; theartcenter.org
Crocker House Museum
This stately 1869 residence allows visitors a glimpse into the late-Victorian homelife experience. The museum is open for guided tours by appointment only. 15 Union St., Mount Clemens; 586-465-2488; crockerhousemuseum.com
Lorenzo Cultural Center
The center explores the influences and experiences that shape our community’s heritage, examining topics from a variety of perspectives and creating interactive opportunities for learning, celebration, and entertainment. 44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Township; 586-445-7348; lorenzoculturalcenter.com
Michigan Transit Museum
The depot was built for the Chicago, Detroit, and Canada Grand Trunk Junction Railroad to serve the growing village. Here you will find enlightening exhibits and a railroad gift shop. 200 Grand Ave., Mount Clemens; 586-463-1863; michigantransitmuseum.com
Selfridge Military Air Museum
This museum features full-size aircraft and millions of artifacts and memorabilia spanning from the turn of the 20th century to the present. Selfridge Air National Guard Base, 27333 C St., Ste. 1011, Harrison Township; 586-239-6768; selfridgeairmuseum.org
PHOTO: COURTESY OF MICHIGAN LOTTERY AMPHITHEATRE
UTICA
explore Macomb
Bay-Rama Fishfly Festival
The Bay-Rama Fishfly estival is a prime example of the “if you can’t beat ’em, celebrate ’em” philosophy. Instead of moaning about the annual infestation of the smelly, squishy bugs (which are actually a sign of a healthy marine ecosystem), New Baltimore hosts a fie-day festival, complete with carnival rides, fieworks, a parade, and even a Miss Bay-Rama pageant. bay-rama.com
Clinton River Canoe and Kayak Rentals
Clinton River Canoe and Kayak Rentals is a family-owned business offering trips for people of all skill levels. While you explore the waters of the Clinton River, keep an eye out for fish and bids, including the great blue heron. 37328 Utica Road, Sterling Heights; 248-421-3445; clintonriverkayak.com
Cruisin’ Gratiot
Sure, the Woodward Dream Cruise gets a lot more attention, but the Gratiot cruisers have just as great a claim to stake, thanks to this nice, slow ride that really shows off their heels. It wouldn’t be summer without a visit. cruisin-gratiot.com
Jimmy John’s Field
If you build a minor-league ballpark in the ’burbs, will they come? The United Shore Professional Baseball League was launched in 2016 to find out. immy John’s Field in downtown Utica hosts a four-team group where everybody is the home team. Personal touches include foul-line cabanas, a kids T-ball park in the right-field orner, and a picnic area down the left-fiel line. Plus, there’s a full-service bar behind home plate. 7171 Auburn Road, Utica; 248-601-2400; uspbl.com
Michigan Peach Festival
Hosting the Michigan Peach Festival since 1931, Romeo has got it down pat. The fie-day event — featuring such activities as fun runs, parades, craft fairs, concerts, and classic car shows — is a Labor Day tradition. romeopeachfestival.com
Huron Pointe Sportsmen’s Association
In addition to its 3D archery ranges and indoor, winter, youth, and adult archery league facilities, the association is home to a sporting clays course, trap and skeet fields, and a 100yard rifle and handgu range. 35800 E. 28 Mile Road, Lenox; 586-749-5420; huronpointe.org
PHOTOS: HURON-CLINTON METRO PARKS (TOP); COURTESY OF USPBL (BOTTOM)
LAKE ST. CLAIR
JIMMY JOHN’S FIELD
Leisure
With a variety of malls and spas, Macomb County encourages you to shop till you drop … then put the bags down and enjoy some well-deserved post-purchase pampering.
Birmingham Jewelry
Shopping
Birmingham Jewelry has been family-owned and -operated since 1975. It’s a full-service store that boasts the largest selection of engagement rings in Michigan. 34756 Dequindre Road, Sterling Heights; 586-939-5100; birminghamjewelry.com
Macomb Mall
Discover trendy looks at Old Navy and H&M, or treat yourself to candles and cosmetics at Bath & Body Works and Ulta Beauty. 32233 Gratiot Ave., Roseville; 586-293-7800; shopmacombmall.com
Pu Cannabis Company
Pu˜ Cannabis Company serves both recreational and medical-use customers out of its four metro Detroit locations — Utica, Hamtramck, Center Line, and Madison Heights. Each o˜ ers a wideranging selection of flower strains, vapes, edibles, concentrates, and more. 44825 Van Dyke Ave., Utica; 586-788-7833; puffutica.com for more locations
The Mall at Partridge Creek
In addition to 90 retailers and restaurants, this expansive open-air mall boasts a movie theater, free Wi-Fi, children’s play areas, and doggie comfort stations equipped with water bowls and waste bags. 17420 Hall Road, Clinton Township; 586-226-0330; shoppartridgecreek.com
Outdoor Destinations
Apple Orchards
Apples are among Michigan’s top crops (the state ranks third in the nation). Come fall, it’s time to make cider out of those apples. Out here, Blake’s historic farm, founded in 1946, is king. Also consider a visit to Westview Orchards and Adventure Farm in Romeo. blakefarms.com; westvieworchards.com
Lake St. Clair
Lake St. Clair is the star of the county. Go soak in the sights, smells, and sounds of the beach at Lake St. Clair Metropark (though the locals still call it Metro Beach). With its bustling, 1,600-foot boardwalk and ample shoreline, bikers, runners, and walkers can enjoy abundant lakeside views. There’s also a sandy beach, par-3 golf, and more. metroparks.com
Stony Creek Metropark
Enjoy the 14 miles of hilly, heavily wooded dirt trails that line the southwest side of Stony Creek Metropark. There is also a 500-acre lake for boating and fishing, as well as lush woodlands, a nature center, sports fields, and sledding and toboggan hills. 4300 Main Park Road, Shelby Township; 586-781-4242; metroparks.com/stony-creek-metropark
Bocci Salon & Spa
Salons & Spas
Open six days a week, Bocci o˜ ers services that range from hair coloring and styling to facials and massages. Visit the space to build your own experience or select one of Bocci’s custom packages. 13800 Canal Road, Sterling Heights; 586-247-4343; boccisalon.com
Mind and Body Spa
This Mount Clemens studio o˜ ers a˜ ordable pricing for a variety of massages, including Swedish, deep tissue, and pregnancy. You can also treat your skin to an herbal body wrap or release stress and muscle tension with a hot-stone therapy session.
59 N. Walnut St., Ste. 307, Mount Clemens; 586-412-1627; massagemindbody.amtamembers.com
STONY CREEK
Eat&Drink
Is there any better way to experience a region than through its food and beverages? Not likely. From burgers to brews and steak to salmon, here’s a taste of Macomb County.
Andiamo Warren
The flgship restaurant that started it all, Andiamo Warren Ristorante serves Italian dishes in a warm atmosphere. 7096 E. 14 Mile Road, Warren; 586-268-3200; andiamoitalia.com for more locations.
Bad Brad’s
The rustic setting at Bad Brad’s is just right for its menu of St. Louis ribs, beef brisket, and pulled pork. Sides and barbecue sauces are prepared with just as much care as the slow-cooked meat. 36845 Groesbeck Highway, Clinton Township; 586-789-7320; badbradsbbq.com for more locations
Bar Verona
This eatery employs a modern approach to authentic Italian cooking, which fuses the traditional with the unconventional. 59145 Van Dyke Ave., Washington; 586-473-0700; barverona.com
Blake’s Tasting Room
Enjoy a variety of brews from one of the U.S.’s top-producing hard cider brands. The menu offers bar-food staples with a twist, like the eye-catching Apple Burger, stacked with melted Swiss, onions, apple, and apple cider ketchup on a brioche bun. Plus, the tasting room is steps away from familyfriendly seasonal activities at Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill. 17985 Armada Center Road, Armada; 586-784-5343; blakefarms.com/blakes-tasting-room
Booma Bar & Kitchen
Booma’s menu of contemporary American staples includes glazed salmon, shrimp stir-fry, filet mignon, and— at the top of the heap — a 20-ounce cowboy rib eye. 52969 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township; 586-991-6104; mybooma.com
The Brewery Restaurant
Old-fashioned in the best ways: service, portion size, and setting. Signature dishes at The Brewery are file and frog legs, pork chops with applesauce, veal Parmigiana, and French onion soup au gratin. Specials include blackened grouper, flounder or sordfish, ack of lamb, and a 24-ounce rib eye. 39950 Hayes Road, Clinton Township; 586-286-3020; thebreweryonhayes.com
Chung Ki Wa
A Korean restaurant’s soups are a testament to its mastery of the fare, and Chung Ki Wa’s do not disappoint — especially the yuk ke jang: hot and spicy beef broth with beef, egg drop, vegetables, and noodles. And the layer of crispy rice in the dolsot bibimbap is perfection. 2101 15 Mile Road, Sterling Heights; 586-264-4488; chungkiwash.com
Cloverleaf Bar & Restaurant
Cloverleaf’s square, Detroit-style pie was created by the late Gus Guerra in 1946. Pizza may be the name of the game, but it’s joined on the menu by wings, subs, and salads. 24443 Gratiot Ave., Eastpointe; 586-777-5391; cloverleafrestaurant.com
Da Francesco’s Ristorante & Bar
This local favorite has offered friendly service and quality Italian cuisine for over 15 years. Specialities include lobster ravioli, homemade gnocchi, and tiramisu. 49521 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township; 586-731-7544; dafrancescos.com
Detroit Fish House Steak & Oyster Bar
The steaks at Detroit Fish House are USDAcertified prim, and the seafood is all “top of the catch” and impeccably fresh. Featured wine varieties are hand-selected from all over the world. Reservations accepted; children’s menu available. 51195 Schoenherr Road, Shelby Township; 586-739-5400; detroitfishhousecom
El Charro
When you’re craving comfort, Macomb County’s longtime “home of the puffy tco” offers just that. Start with the complimentary chips and salsa, grab a “monster-size” margarita, and work your way to tacos, enchiladas, wet burritos, chimichangas — or even a Mexican Pizza. 16720 E. 14 Mile Road, Fraser; 586-294-3520; elcharrousa.com for more locations
Ernie’s
From deep dish Detroit style pizzas to salads made with imported olives and cherries from Traverse City, there are a variety of fresh options at this Clinton Township location. It also offers space to hold events and catering services. 16655 19 Mile Road, Clinton Township; 586-286-8435; erniesmi.com
Filippa’s
This long-standing Shelby Township eatery specializes in steaks and chops, as well as handrubbed, marinated, wet-roasted baby back ribs slathered in a sweet sauce. There are also seafood, tapas, and classic Italian dishes. 45125 Mound Road, Shelby Township; 586-254-1311; filippascom
Firehouse Pub and Grill
Three fiefihters got together to open this casual gastro sports pub that goes far beyond burgers, pizza, and hot wings. The kitchen also churns out St.
Louis-style dry-rubbed ribs, salmon on a cedar plank, and a notable mac and cheese. 23018 Greater Mack Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-776-0062; see Facebook
Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Café
Classic New Orleans dishes, such as fried catfish, beignets, jambalaya, muffulettas, and barbecued shrimp are on the menu, alongside steak, seafood, and sushi. 23722 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-498-3000; fishbonesusa.com
Gaudino’s
Gaudino’s Italian dishes utilize imported pastas, seasonings, and sauces, as well as house-made sausages straight from its own butcher counter. A focal point of the space is the open kitchen, where talented cooks craft pastas, pizza, salads, and various entrees, including a lovely branzino Milanese. 27919 Harper Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-879-6764; gaudinos.com
Host Utica
With a rotating cast of chefs that shifts about once every one to three months, Host Utica is a great place to get a fist taste of concepts from upand-coming culinarians. The Instagram-friendly dining room has a full-service cocktail bar as well as brunch and dinner service, plus coffee and pastries. 7759 Auburn Road, Utica; 586-488-0134; hostutica.com
Ike’s Restaurant
This authentic Lebanese restaurant is known for its excellent chicken shawarma and lamb kebabs, as well as for its wide array of vegetarian dishes. 38550 Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Heights; 586-979-4460; ikesrestaurant.com
Isla
The cuisine at this Filipino restaurant, formerly sheltered at Fort Street Galley, reflects the culinary traditions of its founders’ Iloilo City hometown. Annatto is used to punch up the color of chicken adobo, the unofficial dish of the Philippines, and juicy mangoes complement sweet and savory dishes. 2496 Metro Parkway, Sterling Heights; 586-883-7526; isladetroit.com
J. Baldwin’s Restaurant
In addition to both thin-crust and deep-dish pizza, J. Baldwin’s serves cedar-planked salmon, sesame-seared tuna, and cauliflower steak, accompanied by breads, salad dressings, and sauces, all house-made. 16981 18 Mile Road, Clinton Township; 586-416-3500; jbaldwins.com
Kashmiri Kitchen
The food here runs the gamut of India’s widely varied cuisine. Confounded by the selection?
The lunch buffet offers a great place to start. 44631 Mound Road, Sterling Heights; 586-726-8811; kashmirikitchenmichigan.com
HOST UTICA
explore Macomb
Khom Fai
This Macomb staple serves a modernized take on Thai food. Sip a specialty cocktail and start with small plates like satay skewers, Rangoon, or sesame yellowfin tuna and enjoy entrées like drunken noodles, red curry, or Khom Fai’s sig nature fried chicken. 48856 Romeo Plank Road, Macomb; 586-247-7773; khomfai.com
La Saj Lebanese Bistro
This traditional Middle Eastern spot has linencovered tables and a well-dressed waitstaff. The menu offers a range of familiar-sounding dishes, including creamy hummus, savory grape leaves, flavorful shawarma, and spinach pie. 13776 Southcove Drive, Sterling Heights; 586-566-6600; lasaj.com
Louis’ Chop House
The specialty here is Black Angus beef, with prime rib as the signature dish. Tableside preparation of Caesar salad, bananas Foster, and cherries jubilee adds pizzazz. 50355 Gratiot Ave., Chesterfield; 586-949-9566; louischophouse.com
Luigi’s: The Original
This cozy Italian eatery opened its doors in 1953. The sizeable menu offers prime rib, pasta, pizza, and well-prepared seafood. 36691 Je°erson Ave., Harrison Township; 586-468-7711; luigisoriginal.com
Mr. Paul’s Chophouse
This venerable establishment is a bastion of red meat and classic dishes, including such tableside presentations as chateaubriand, and Caesar salad. These are accompanied by a solid selection of seafood and pasta. 29850 Groesbeck Highway, Roseville; 586-777-7770; mrpaulschophouse.com
Old Stone Bar & Grill
This little spot on the side of the road tends to surprise people with the quality of its fare. The atmosphere may be casual, but the fresh fish an seafood, cut-to-order steaks, and herb-roasted duck are fist-class. 60730 Van Dyke Ave., Washington Township; 586-781-6544
Plaza Mexico
The Mexican cuisine is freshly prepared, with tortillas being about the only item not made in-house. Standouts include the guacamole, enchiladas in salsa verde, nachos, grilled-steak tacos, and chicken tacos. 18322 E. Nine Mile Road, Eastpointe; 586-777-8144; plazamexicoeastpointe.com
Sapori Italian Restaurant
The name of this restaurant is a Sicilian word meaning “flvors.” The menu features beef tip panzanella salad — tomato, cucumber, celery, onion, basil, peppers, all tossed in house-made balsamic vinaigrette — and a multitude of pastas, such as lasagna, seafood risotto, and Sicilian-style ravioli. 6067 26 Mile Road, Washington Township; 586-786-4674; saporirestaurant.com
Steakhouse 22
Steak, seafood, pork chops, ribs, and more are on the menu at this longtime Shelby Township establishment. Founded in 1992 under another name by Greek immigrant and former London Chop House cook Nick Andreopoulos, the restaurant is a Macomb County go-to for great steaks and more. 48900 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township; 586-731-3900; steakhouse22.net
Testa Barra
This spot from chef-restaurateur Jeff Baldwi and his wife, Rosemarie, offers modern Italian fare in an upbeat setting. House-made pastas star in such dishes as sriracha fettuccine with blackened scallops and candied bacon. Handtossed pizza offerings include a guanciale, goat
This serene downtown Mount Clemens eatery offers Thai fare made with house-ground spices. Everything is prepared to order and presented meticulously atop patterned china. 60 Cherry St., Mount Clemens; 586-783-1727
Waves
Choosing an appetizer is no easy task, with such options as shrimp and crab cheese bake, grouper nuggets, and steamed mussels. Entrees include crab cakes, crab legs, and a variety of pastas, alongside several offerings from the “fried station.” 24223 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-773-3840; waveschillgrill.com
PHOTO: KAILEY HOWELL
DETROIT FISH HOUSE STEAK & OYSTER BAR
Oakland
Oakland County is home to more than 1 million residents. Main attractions include the Detroit Zoo, Pine Knob Music Theatre, Somerset Collection, and Cranbrook House & Gardens — just to name a few. You’ll also find diverse communities and walkable downtown districts.
PHOTO: COURTESY OAKLAND COUNTY
The ruggedly beautiful Indian Springs Metropark in White Lake Township has trails galore and an 18-hole golf course.
Washtenaw
Wayne Resources
Macomb Livingston
Detroit Oakland
explore Oakland Communities
Visitors to Oakland County can explore a wide array of neighborhoods, ranging from rural to cosmopolitan. The area also o ers abundant recreational and cultural experiences. Here are just some of its diverse cities, towns, and villages.
Berkley
In recent years, this suburb has evolved into a creative hub, with a quaint downtown district. Public murals adorn many of its unique restaurants, whimsical boutiques, and quirky décor shops.
Birmingham
Birmingham o˜ ers a vibrant, walkable downtown with more than 300 retailers and a diverse assortment of restaurants; clothing, gift, and antique stores; salons; spas; co˜ ee shops; and art galleries. It’s surrounded by charming tree-lined neighbor-
hoods that contribute to the small-town aesthetic. At the same time, it’s an a° uent urban area with highly rated public and private schools that consistently rank as some of the finest in the United States.
Bloomfield Hills
This is one of metro Detroit’s most upscale areas. Rolling hills, small lakes, and impeccably designed homes that rest on lush, landscaped lots give this city cachet. Be sure to visit the renowned Cranbrook Academy of Art’s gorgeous and historic campus, as well as the Cranbrook Institute of Science.
Clarkston
This historic village features high-quality restaurants and antique shops, all within a stone’s throw of lovely restored homes with giant, welcoming porches and picturesque landscaping.
Farmington/Farmington Hills
Farmington was founded in the mid-1800s, and today it’s a suburb with a vital downtown shopping district and a mix of historic and newer residential properties, with homes from the 1960s as well as more modern subdivisions.
Ferndale
Ferndale is known for its mix of small-town neighborhoods and vibrant downtown districts, as well as its atmosphere of inclusivity. In addition to a plethora of businesses o˜ ering eclectic shopping and dining, the city boasts an innovative arts scene and multiple parks and green spaces.
Franklin
This charming wooded enclave is home to many stunning historic and contemporary homes. Walk through the tiny downtown, which features a few shops, a church, the Franklin Grill, and the Franklin Cider Mill — a falltime favorite for delicious cider and doughnuts.
Hazel Park
Sandwiched between Detroit to the south and Madison Heights to the north, this small, unassuming town has blossomed into an unlikely destination for metro Detroit’s foodies. There’s the essential Detroitstyle destination Loui’s Pizza as well as Mabel Gray, helmed by former Top Chef contestant James Rigato.
Holly
Many of Holly’s restored buildings house tiny boutiques and specialty shops, but the town is also known for the wide range of exhilarating outdoor activities it o˜ ers.
Milford
An eight-square-block area featuring distinctive Victorian homes, complete with manicured lawns and gingerbread borders, surrounds one of the county’s pioneer towns. Upscale housing developments have popped up for homeowners
who want large homes with modern amenities.
Novi
Novi has grown significantly in the past few decades. Thanks to a huge population jump in the 1990s, it has become a lively suburb, brimming with national chain restaurants and stores. Another big draw is Twelve Oaks Mall.
Pontiac
This Rust Belt city is on the upswing. The seat of Oakland County since 1820, its downtown is lined with lively restaurants, plus art galleries and theaters like the landmark Flagstar Strand Theatre. The Crofoot is a stop for touring acts, and the Pontiac Transportation Museum tells the story of the industry from which the city blossomed.
Rochester
A charming and quaint downtown brimming with inviting retail shops, restaurants, and bars is this northern suburb’s crown jewel. The town’s Main Street is set aglow with more than 1 million colorful LED lights every holiday season, while farmers markets, outdoor concerts, and street fairs draw visitors from all over metro Detroit during the warmer months.
Rochester Hills
This family community has plenty of shopping and dining options, like the venues you’ll find at The Village of Rochester Hills, and tons of bike paths and parks. The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm is great place to learn about the area’s agricultural past, enjoy a picnic on the grounds, or take a dip in Paint Creek.
Royal Oak
This hip city’s Main Street offers more nightlife in one spot than just about anywhere else in the county. Restaurants, cafés, clubs, bars, galleries, and specialty shops line the downtown roads. Royal Oak also features desirable residential areas, with homes from the 1920s to the 2020s.
Southfield
With more than 10,000 businesses, Southfield is one of Michigan’s leading centers of commerce. It also has a variety of housing options, plus an abundance of parkland and recreational opportunities.
Troy
The largest city in Oakland County, Troy is a vibrant business and technology center and is one of the top places to live for families. The city’s assets include A-plus-rated schools, 800 acres of parkland, and plenty of dining and shopping options, especially at the Somerset Collection.
West Bloomfield Township
Metro Detroiters have been drawn to this lake community since some built summer cottages along its banks many years ago. Over time, a number of these structures were demolished to make way for upscale homes, but builders still find the area ripe for subdivision development.
ROCHESTER HILLS
could possibly consume. You won’t regret it. 135 N. Rochester Road, Clawson; 248-597-1051; docsweets.com
Arts&Entertainment
Oakland County is practically bursting at the seams with theaters and galleries. Luckily, there are also plenty of parks that o er a break from the hustle and bustle.
Play
ArtsPerforming Venues
Meadow Brook Amphitheatre
Located on the campus of Oakland University, Meadow Brook opened in 1964. Its traditional and eclectic programming has flourished ver the years. Today, concerts of all genres highlight and utilize the venue’s unique ambiance and intimate setting from May to September. 13554 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills; 313-471-7000; 313presents.com
Pine Knob Music Theatre
After being renamed to DTE Energy Music Theatre in 2002, when DTE Energy purchased the naming rights, the venue’s original name was reinstated in 2022. Pine Knob Music Theatre is a preferred venue for many of the nation’s top touring acts. The season runs from Memorial Day through September or October. 33 Bob Seger Drive, Clarkston; 248-377-0100; 313presents.com
Big Tommy’s Comedy
Club
Big Tommy’s is a premier comedy club located in the lower level of the Big Tommy’s Parthenon restaurant. Every Friday and Saturday night, professional stand-up comedians perform for your entertainment. Dinner-and-show packages are available. 40380 Grand River Ave., Novi; 248-615-2102; bigtommys.com
Cranbrook House & Gardens
Enjoy the seasonal flwers and trees of this architecturally significant Bloomfield Hil manor on your own, or make a reservation for lunch and afternoon tea with a group. The house and gardens are one of several public areas on the Cranbrook Educational Community. 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills; 48-6453200; science.cranbrook.edu; housegardens.cranbrook.edu
Emagine Entertainment
Headquartered in Troy, Emagine Entertainment has several locations across Michigan in Wayne, Livingston, Macomb, and Washtenaw counties. As the fist theater in the state to open with all stadium seating, Emagine continues to provide a relaxed atmosphere with power reclining seats and the option to order pizza and popcorn while watching your film
Go Comedy Improv Theater
See a show or take a class; either way, you’ll have a blast. In addition to putting on improv and sketch comedy shows featuring both amateurs and professionals, the Go Comedy Improv Academy is an in-house training program for improv and sketch comedy. Go Comedy also works with local businesses to provide improv workshops, training, and shows. 261 E. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale; 248-327-0575; gocomedy.net
Heavner Canoe and Kayak Rental
If you’ve ever wanted to experience wilderness paddling without straying too far from urban comforts, book a trip with Heavner Canoe and Kayak. Based in Milford, the company guides its adventurers through quaint towns and state recreational areas, stopping along the way to hike, swim, and observe the area. 2775 Garden Road, Milford; 248-685-2379; heavnercanoe.com
DOWNTOWN BERKLEY
The Hermitage Gallery
Feast your eyes on 18th-, 19th-, and 20th-century oil paintings at this 15,000-square-foot space located in the heart of downtown Rochester. The Hermitage Gallery is also home to sculptures and pieces of abstract art at prices that appeal to the masses. The gallery’s services include free consultations, delivery, and installation. 235 S. Main St., Rochester; 248-656-8559; hermitagegallery.com
Hub Stadium
Along with a menu of Detroit-style pizzas, tacos, burgers, and more, the Hub o˜ ers bombowling (throwing footballs at bowling pins) and axe throwing, specializing in large parties and corporate team-building events. 2550 Innovation Drive, Auburn Hills; 248-364-4000; thehubstadium.com
Legoland Discovery Center
At the Legoland Discovery Center, families with children ages 3 to 10 can enjoy a world of creativity, color, and building fun in the ultimate
indoor Lego playground. Features include both global and local landmarks made from more than 1 million bricks in Miniland, as well as Legothemed rides. 4240 Baldwin Road, Auburn Hills; 248-409-6001; legolanddiscoverycenter.com
Meadow Brook Hall
The story behind Meadow Brook Hall is not your typical boy-meets-girl tale. Lumber baron meets widow of automotive aristocrat by the surname of Dodge, husband and wife found Oakland University, and the two live happily ever after in their 110-room Tudor revival mansion. Nevertheless, the Dodge and Wilson families’ ornate Rochester Hills manor makes a fantastic venue for house and garden tours. 350 Estate Drive, Rochester; 248-364-6200; meadowbrookhall.org
Red Oaks Waterpark
Splash the summertime heat away at Red Oaks Waterpark. This family-friendly getaway in
Madison Heights features waterslides, a wave pool, and a Soak Station, where kids can play among the waterfalls and water jets. Red Oaks also includes plenty of picnic areas for when your group gets hungry — just be sure to wait an hour before getting back in the pool. 1455 E. 13 Mile Road, Madison Heights; 248-858-0918; oakgov.com
Village Canoe Rental
Village Canoe o˜ ers trips lasting from one to six hours. 1216 Garden Road, Milford; 248-685-9207; villagecanoe.com
Woodward Dream Cruise
The Woodward Dream Cruise, which takes place annually in August, attracts 1 million visitors and 40,000 muscle cars, street rods, and specialinterest vehicles. Woodward Avenue, or M-1, also centers the region — are you from the east side or the west side? If you want to give your car a hot lap, the M1 Concourse in Pontiac has climatecontrolled “car condominiums” and a highperformance race track. woodwarddreamcruise. com; m1concourse.com
Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center
This local organization promotes art appreciation through active participation. 1516 S. Cranbrook Road, Birmingham; 248-644-0866; bbartcenter.org
Cranbrook Institute of Science and Cranbrook Art Museum
This natural history museum o˜ ers exhibits, a planetarium, and an observatory. The art museum is a leading museum of contemporary art, architecture, and design. 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills; 248645-3200; science.cranbrook.edu
Janice Charach Epstein Gallery
Park West Gallery
Museums & Art Centers
The Janice Charach Epstein Gallery is located inside the Jewish Community Center. 6600 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield; 248-432-5579; jccdet.org
Founded in 1969, the gallery consists of an impressive 63,000-square-foot gallery and art conservation facility. You can see both for yourself, as the premises are open for public and educational visits. 29469 Northwestern Highway, Southfield; 248-354-2343; parkwestgallery.com
The
Zekelman Holocaust Center
The The Zekelman Holocaust Center is a moving documentation of the Holocaust as well as Jewish culture and Jewish peoples’ contributions to society. 28123 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills; 248-553-2400; holocaustcenter.org
LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER AT GREAT LAKES CROSSING
Washtenaw
explore Oakland Leisure
Whether your passion is shopping, getting pampered in a salon, or soaking up the sun, Oakland County has something for everyone.
Birmingham Shopping District
Shopping
Birmingham’s vibrant downtown features a wide variety of shopping and dining options and personal services. Two movie theaters and a centrally located park add to the fun. Special events include a farmers market, two art fairs, outdoor movie nights, a Day on the Town shopping event, a worldfamous classic car show, free weekly summer concerts, and a charming outdoor holiday market. Old Woodward Ave. and Maple Ave., Birmingham; 248-530-1200; allinbirmingham.com.
Breeze/Trucenta LLC
Since 2015, the founders of Trucenta have bootstrapped and hustled to build one of Michigan’s most successful cannabis companies. Their award-winning retail brand Breeze opened in Hazel Park in 2020 — the fist recreational provisioning center in Oakland County. The vertically integrated company is composed of outdoor and indoor cultivation operations, a processing lab that is one of the largest-capacity cannabis oil extraction facilities in the state, manufacturing, and wholesale distribution in addition to its retail destination. Trucenta continues to be rooted in its local beginnings and desire to balance legacy with forward thinking. 1675 E. Maple Road, Troy; 833-927-3393; trucenta.com
CB2
Located in the heart of downtown Birmingham is Michigan’s fist CB2, featuring modern furniture divided by room type within the nearly 6,000-square-foot store. Available on-site are designers who will assist customers at no additional charge. 100 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-230-8800; cb2.com
Fredrick Jewelers
With on-site designers, Fredrick’s has been crafting fine qualiy jewelry since 1953, and its storefront boasts an extensive collection of rings,
necklaces, earrings, and custom slide bracelets. 889 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills; 48-6460973; fredrickjewelersmi.com
Great Lakes Crossing
For deals on designer handbags and clothing, visit Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn Hills. This enclosed shopping mall has more than 200 restaurants and stores, including a new Primark. Plus, it’s home to the Sea Life Aquarium. In other words? There’s something for both kids and adults. 4000 Baldwin Road, Auburn Hills; 248-4545000; greatlakescrossingoutlets.com
Greis Jewelers
Located in Farmington Hills, Greis Jewelers features a variety of engagement rings, wedding bands, and luxury timepieces for men. It also stocks designer jewelry by some of the most reputable makers in the industry, including Mikimoto, Roberto Coin, and Leo Pizzo. 32940 Middlebelt Road, Farmington Hills; 248-855-1730; greis.com
Harp’s Lingerie
The store carries a wide variety of intimate apparel for everyday, bridal, and special occasion needs. Hard-to-find sizes are Harp’s specialty; you’ll find band sizes from 32 to 54 and cup sizes from AA to N. 265 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-642-2555; harps-lingerie.com
Leon and Lulu
The store offers one-of-a-kind furniture, clothing, and Michigan-made gifts in two historic locations. Stop in to shop, attend a special event, or enjoy complimentary coffee and popcorn while you look around the showrooms. 96 W. 14 Mile Road, Clawson; 248-288-3600; leonandlulu.com New Standard Provisioning Center
With 10 neighborhood locations across Michigan, New Standard Provisioning Center has worked hard to make each location a unique expression of the local community. Like its other outlets, New Standard’s Hazel Park and Ann Arbor stores offer cannabis in different forms, like flwer, edibles, vaporizers, pre-rolls, concentrates, topicals, tinctures, and merchandise and accessories. Free delivery in select locations. 24906 John R Road, Hazel Park; 248-873-0420. Also in Ann Arbor; go to anewstandard.com for more info
Oakland Mall
Conveniently located just off I75, Oakland Mall is home to a wide range of retailers with clothing and accessories, plus a food court. 412 W. 14 Mile Road, Troy; 248-585-6000; oaklandmall.com
Optik Birmingham
A trusted optometry and optical boutique in downtown Birmingham with a wide range of eyeglasses and sunglasses. 247 W. Maple Road, Birmingham; 248-646-6699; optikbirmingham.com
PGA Tour Superstore
At this 42,000-square-foot facility, customers can find a ariety of golf equipment, accessories, and apparel. There are also club fittins and lessons offered by certified teching professionals; on-site club regripping, repairs, and shaft adjustments; and a 1,333-square-foot putting green practice space. 21061 Haggerty Road, Novi; 947-813-5128; pgatoursuperstore.com
The Rust Belt Market
The Rust Belt Market houses a collection of local small businesses selling unique products, such as those you might find t an art fair. Visit to help support local artists and musicians. 22801 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-238-8728; rustbeltmarket.com
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DIPTYQUE
Somerset Collection
With stores like Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Prada, Saks Fifth Avenue, Balenciaga, Dior, Gorjana, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Monica Rich Kosann, Ti˜ any & Co., Tory Burch, Burberry, Versace, and Zara, Somerset Collection represents the pinnacle of luxury retail excellence. 2800 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy; 248-643-6360; thesomersetcollection.com
Tapper’s Jewelry
The family-owned Tapper’s Jewelry has been a staple in the metro Detroit community since 1977. With generations of experience and the largest diamond selection in Michigan, Tapper’s is consistently voted the best place to buy an engagement ring and best jeweler by readers of Hour Detroit magazine, and the best jewelry store by Metro Times. Top brands include David Yurman, Mikimoto, Gucci, and John Hardy. 6337 Orchard Lake Road (in the Orchard Mall), West Bloomfield; 248-932-7700. Also in Novi and Troy; for details go to tappers.com
Tender
A chic local shop that specializes in women’s clothing and accessories, Tender brings exclusive labels to downtown Birmingham. With the help of a friendly stylist, you can discover collections by designers like N21, Dries Van Noten, Erdem, Rabanne, Simone Rocha, and more. 271 W. Maple Road, Birmingham; 248-258-0212; tenderbirmingham.com
Twelve Oaks Mall
With 200 distinctive stores, it’s no wonder Novi’s Twelve Oaks Mall attracts visitors from all over the metro area. Once you’ve made the rounds at retailers like Apple, Coach, Eddie Bauer, H&M, and Lululemon, head to the food court and treat yourself to something sweet. 27500 Novi Road, Novi; 248-348-9400; shoptwelveoaks.com
The Village of Rochester Hills
With a clock tower, a fountain, a gazebo, and tree-lined boulevards, The Village of Rochester Hills is a picture-perfect place to shop for loved ones. This bustling downtown district features respected national and local retailers like Banana Republic, Francesca’s, Pottery Barn, and Williams Sonoma. Street parking is available. 104 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills; 248-375-9451; thevorh.com
VIGA Boutique/Lyudviga Couture
Lyudviga Shneyders has been introducing women to her modern clothing line with the goal of providing elegance and high-quality wardrobe pieces for more than 25 years. The Russian-born designer creates couture dresses that are made in the heart of her store in Birmingham. When it comes to fashion, fit, and fabrics, she ensures a personalized experience for clients who seek elegant couture designer suits and dresses. 152 North Old Woodward, Birmingham; 248-5400105; vigausa.com
Outdoor Destinations
Holly Oaks ORV Park
A playground awaits owners of ATVs, dirt bikes, and motorcycles at this 113-acre o˜ -road park. Old mining roads and extreme terrain, including mudflats and 40-foot vertical cli˜ s, o˜ er challenging fun for drivers of all experience levels. 14551 Shields Road, Holly; 248-653-0710; oakgov.com
Huron-Clinton Metroparks
This regional park system consists of 13 Metroparks in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, and Livingston counties. Each Metropark provides a natural oasis from urban and suburban life by o˜ ering an ever-growing variety of year-round outdoor recreational and educational activities in safe, clean environments. Picnicking, fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, nature study, biking, golf, disc golf, winter sports, and a host of special outdoor programs and events are available. Each park is unique and o˜ ers its own slate of outdoor experiences. Annual passes are $35. Daily passes are $10. Locations and information can be found at metroparks.com
Salons and Spas
Cosmetic Dentistry Institute
Cosmetic Dentistry Institute provides all phases of general, cosmetic, sedation, and implant dentistry so you can have all of your dental problems conveniently treated in one o˝ ce. Whatever your dental needs are, Dr. Craig Goldin, Dr. Marcy Goldin, and Dr. David Whalen have you covered. 3415 Livernois Road, Troy; 248-519-1919; thedesignersmile.com
FACE
This multiple award-winning skin care, medical, and wellness practice has been recognized as the home of Hour Detroit’s best facial four years in a
row and has been seen on CBS, ABC, and NBC. FACE o˜ ers alternatives to plastic surgery and has the widest array of skin and facial treatments in the U.S., including 30 laser and facial technologies, injectables, body makeovers, and naturopathic medicine. 31350 Telegraph Road, Ste. 102, Bingham Farms; 248-663-0161; facebeautyscience.com
Krystyna’s European Spa
Using ambient lighting, soothing music, and calming scents, Krystyna and her talented sta˜ create a comfortable space for guests. The spa’s services include anti-aging facials, skin care treatments, aromatherapy messages, and more. 31815 Southfield Road, Beverly Hills; 248-540-0600; krstynaseuropeanspa.com
Margot European Day Spa
For more than 37 years, Margot has been pampering global travelers in its full-service European day spa in downtown Birmingham. Margot is proud to o˜ er traditional European spa treatments utilizing clinically proven ingredients. Medi spa services including cellulite reduction, skin-tightening, and fat destruction are also available. Preferred pricing for Townsend Hotel guests. 101 Townsend St., Birmingham; 248-6423770; margots.com
Rivage Day Spa
Rivage Day Spa features a 1,000-square-foot relaxation atrium, body massages, specialty facials, a cozy fireplace, and nail services. Along with one-of-a-kind product lines from around the world, Rivage o˜ ers medical spa services. 210 S. Old Woodward Ave., Ste. 250, Birmingham; 248839-2021; rivagedayspa.com
KENSINGTON METROPARK
Washtenaw
Macomb
explore Oakland
Eat&Drink
Sample, sip, and savor your way through Oakland County. Dining options include a variety of styles, settings, and ethnic specialties for every budget.
5th Tavern
Serving American fare in an upscale, businesscasual setting, 5th Tavern features globally inspired cuisine, seafood, steaks, salads, pasta dishes, and vegan and vegetarian options. A full-service bar offers craft cocktails, Michigan craft beers, house-made infusions, and an extensive wine list. 2262 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills; 248-481-9607. 7228 N. Main St., Village of Clarkston; 248-707-6111; 5thtavern.com
220 Merrill
This modern restaurant specializes in American cuisine. During the summer season, guests can enjoy patio dining accompanied by live music. Brunch is served on weekends. 220 Merrill’s happy hour menu includes options like spicy honey chicken wings, sweet and spicy calamari, beef meatballs, and top-shelf spirits. 220 E. Merrill St., Birmingham; 248-646-2220; experience220. com
Ale Mary’s
Beer finds its ay into many dishes, including the Brewery French Onion and Beer Cheese Burger, and for dessert, the Beeramisu: a vanilla porter take on the classic coffee-based dessert. 316 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-268-1939; alemarysbeer.com
Andiamo Bloomfield
Andiamo’s mission from day one 30-plus years ago has been to create made-from-scratch, simple fine Italian cuisine with fesh seasonal ingredients every day.
6676 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield ownship; 248-8659300; andiamoitalia.com for more locations.
Anita’s Kitchen
This modern Lebanese restaurant offers mouth-watering dishes. Try the Stuffed Grape Leaves or pizzas with a pita crust. 22651 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248548-0680. 45 W. Flint St., Lake Orion; 248-929-8914; anitaskitchen.com
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NOORI POCHA
Ashoka Indian Cuisine
It has one of the most extensive Indian menus in town, with entrees representing most regions, from the dosas of the south to the curries of the north. One of the most familiar dishes, tandoori chicken, is also one of the best at Ashoka’s Troy location. 3642 Rochester Road, Troy; 248-689-7070; ashokaindiancuisine.com
Cornbread Restaurant & Bar
Fine soul food is the premise at Cornbread Restaurant & Bar, from the traditional salmon croquettes to the catfish, the redeye gravy-smothered pork chop, and a notable Louisiana-style gumbo. 29508 Northwestern Highway, Southfield; 248-208-1680; cornbreadsoulfood.com
Bella Piatti
A number of visiting celebrities and professional athletes who stay at The Townsend Hotel have been inspired to check out the Italian fare at this attractive eatery, located right across the street. Veal medallions and tagliatelle Bolognese stand on their own. The notable wine list is a plus. 167 Townsend St., Birmingham; 248-494-7110; bellapiattirestaurant.com
Beppé
This neighborhood eatery has a little something for everyone — from bar staples like burgers to refined dishes like lamb belly; steak tartare; or the caponata made with roasted eggplant, olives,
trumpet mushrooms, Calabrian chiles, thyme vinaigrette, Manchego cheese, and bread. The drinks program features refreshing spritzes and a rotating selection of über-drinkable Italian wines. 703 N. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-607-7030; eatbeppe.com
Beverly Hills Grill
The brunch menu includes such selections as crabcake Benedict, corned beef hash with poached eggs, and the omelet du jour. There are plenty of dinner options as well, typified by creamy tomato soup, Caesar and kale salads, and a noteworthy burger. 31471 Southfield Road, Beverly Hills; 248-6422355; beverlyhillsgrill.com
Big Tommy’s Parthenon
Specialties at Big Tommy’s Parthenon include the restaurant’s famous rice pudding, domestic fresh lamb chops, fire-roasted artichoke chicken, and octopus cooked in wine sauce over orzo. 40380 Grand River Ave., Novi; 248-615-2102; bigtommys.com
Café Cortina
Selections include gnocchi with Bolognese veal porchetta ragu; and grilled shrimp with citrus basil aioli and spicy arugula. For dessert, try the crepes. 30715 W. 10 Mile Road, Farmington Hills; 248-474-3033; cafecortina.com
Café ML
Café ML is contemporary, both in decor and in its
globally inspired food. Chinese chicken salad and Korean fried chicken share the menu with burgers, steak frites, and fresh seafood. Garage door-style windows open onto the covered (and heated) patio. 3607 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Township; 248-6424000; cafeml.com
Casa Pernoi
Chef Luciano DelSignore’s pastas rolled by hand, eggplant fritti, and a roasted branzino typify the menu. For dessert, the cannoli cake layers sweet ricotta atop a spongy cake and a base of dark chocolate reminiscent of a Nestle Crunch Bar. 310 E. Maple Road, Birmingham; 248-940-0000; casapernoi.com
Churchill’s Bistro & Cigar Bar
You can buy your cigar — and you can smoke it here, too. Plus, the food is no ordinary bar fare. The menu features dry-aged steaks, pan-roasted sea bass, lamb chops, and much more. For beverages, the full bar boasts a large selection of whiskey, Scotch, and bourbon — as well as plenty of wine options. 116 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248647-4555; churchillscigarbar.com
Clawson Steak House
This venerable spot has been the red-meat emporium of choice for many since it opened in 1958. It serves steaks and other solid favorites from the roadhouse era. Completely unpretentious and friendly, it still offers live music and dancing Wednesday through Saturday. 56 S. Rochester Road, Clawson; 248-588-5788; clawsonsteakhouse.com
Coeur
With a world-class wine program and delectable desserts, Coeur offers seasonal plates like squash tempura; larger entrées include butternut squash risotto and short ribs. Order à la carte or leave it up to the chef with the five-course tasting menu and optional wine pairing. 330 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale; 248-466-3010; coeurferndale.com
The Corner
Home to the Ferndale location of Detroit Axe, The Corner is a one-stop shop for axe throwing, board games, cocktails, and elevated bar fare. Choose from a selection of pizzas, salads, and sandwiches, or design your own breakfast bowl with a custom combination of 10 cereal options. 344 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale; 248-720-5509; thecornerferndale.com
D’Marcos Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar
D’Marcos presents modern Italian fare in a relaxed neighborhood setting. The menu features an everchanging selection of fresh seafood, steaks, chops, and entree salads, alongside celebrated Italian classics. Those with gluten sensitivities and allergies will find a variety of dishes to enjoy. 401 S. Main St., Rochester; 248-759-4951; dmarcositalian.com
The Fiddler
A haven for metro Detroiters of Russian descent, The Fiddler is dedicated to such dishes as Georgian-style Cornish hens, house specialty lamb
OAK PARKER
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Washtenaw
BEPPE
chops, and stu˜ ed cabbage. And yes, the vodka does flow. 6676 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield; 248-851-8782; fiddlerrestaurant.com
The Fly Trap
This “finer diner” typifies trendy Ferndale with its tin ceiling, red-topped tables, and counter with swivel stools. It o˜ ers sandwiches, salads, pastas, and omelets. 22950 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248399-5150; theflytrapferndale.com
Forest
The menu is brief but designed to let the kitchen assemble punch-packing sharp flavors from various farm and market ingredients. Try the delightful pasta Bolognese, and the wonderfully understated Farm Egg. 735 Forest Ave., Birmingham; 248-258-9400; forestbirmingham.com
Hazel’s
This downtown Birmingham restaurant focuses on seasonal seafood. Its menu has featured items such as peel-and-eat shrimp, fish and chips, lobster bisque, and crab cakes. 1 Peabody St., Birmingham; 248-671-1714; eatathazels.com
Imperial
The menu o˜ ers California-style tacos on soft tortillas, including lime-grilled chicken, carnitas, and marinated pork, as well as slow-roasted pork tortas, and guacamole. 22828 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-850-8060; imperialferndale.com
J-Bird Smoked Meats
Here, you’ll find all manner of wood-smoked meats, served with such traditional sides as cornbread, gumbo, and black-eyed peas. Popular dishes include a sampler of pulled pork, brisket, and andouille sausage, as well as St. Louis ribs and half chicken. 1978 Cass Lake Road, Keego Harbor; 248-681-2124; jbirdsmokedmeats.com
Jim Brady’s
Jim Brady’s aims to recapture the aura of Diamond Jim Brady’s, which was founded in 1954. These days, it pays homage to the original with burgers just like they made them in 1954. The menu is rounded out by o˜ erings like baby kale with grilled salmon, a few mac and cheese variations, and a variety of “two handers” — better known as sandwiches. 1214 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-306-1954; jimbradysroyaloak.com
Joe Muer Seafood
Joe Muer Seafood features classic fresh fish and creative seafood specialties; plus premium aged meats, a sushi and raw bar, a piano bar, an award-winning wine list, and such dessert options as the famous coconut cake. 39475 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills; 248-792-9609.; joemuer.com for more locations.
Lelli’s of Auburn Hills
A “new” Lelli’s opened after several years in its original Detroit location. Menu covers read “Since 1939.” Dinners begin with an antipasto tray, creamy minestrone soup, green salad, a dish of
spaghetti, and then, nine times out of 10, a filet mignon with zip sauce. 885 N. Opdyke Road, Auburn Hills; 248-373-4440; lellisrestaurant.com
Lockhart’s BBQ
The smoker, where Lockhart’s dry-rubbed meats are smoked for eight hours, is the heart of this authentic barbecue. No fewer than 17 sides are o˜ ered to accompany these painstakingly perfected proteins, and a full bar, with a large selection of craft beer on tap, rounds out the dining experience. 202 E. Third St., Royal Oak; 248-584-4227; lockhartsbbq.com
Loui’s Pizza
Sure, you can now get a Michigan craft beer, but not much else has changed. And that’s a good thing. Parties dine on square pizzas with crisp crust, faintly charred around the edges. Hailed by food critics and Detroiters alike as one of the city’s most classic Detroit-style pizzas, it’s well worth a trip. 23141 Dequindre Road, Hazel Park; 248-547-1711; facebook.com/louispizza
Mabel Gray
Chef James Rigato produces some masterful dishes on this tiny handwritten menu, which does not miss a beat and specializes in reinterpretations of New American dishes. Choose a multicourse tasting menu or one of the rotating dishes from the day’s listing. 23825 John R Road, Hazel Park; 248-398-4300; mabelgraykitchen.com
Madam
Located inside the sparkling Daxton Hotel, Madam brings French and European flair to classic American cuisine through the use of seasonal ingredients and simple, perfected techniques. The restaurant’s airy yet refined decor makes it an ideal choice for a romantic date-night dinner, and its brunch. 298 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham; 248-283-4200; daxtonhotel.com
McVee’s Pub and Grub
O˜ ering a casual fine-dining experience with a mouthwatering lineup of traditional American cuisine that includes Certified Angus Beef steaks, pork chops, and hand-patted burgers. Fresh produce is locally sourced from Michigan vendors, and soups are prepared from scratch daily. 1129 E. Long Lake Road, Troy; 248-817-2980; mcveespubandgrub.com
The Meeting House
The interior has a hip feel, bolstered by gray-green walls with birch and ash trim, butcher-block tables, and spoke-backed chairs. This eclectic menu includes steak frites, and housemade potato chips with a hot Jarlsberg dip. 301 S. Main St., Rochester; 248-759-4825; themeetinghouserochester.com
Monarch Market Café
Located in Huntington Woods, the ultra-cozy Monarch Cafe serves co˜ ee, plus grab-and-go breakfast and lunch foods like bagels, sandwiches, and soup (and, lest we forget, gelato). It’s also
home to a specialty mini market with a mix of household items and ingredients — many of which are Michigan-made. 10099 W Eleven Mile Rd, Huntington Woods; 248-808-6881; monarchmc.com
Mon Jin Lau
Yes, there is almond boneless chicken, moo shu, and General Tso’s chicken. But it’s far better to explore the menu’s reach with dishes like Singapore noodles, combining chicken, shrimp, chiles, and curry with Chinese angel-hair pasta. 1515 E. Maple Road, Troy; 248-689-2332; monjinlau.com
The Morrie
Music and munchies can be a great combination when served in the right proportions. Such o˜ erings as the smoked chicken wings, teriyaki salmon, and Baja sweet potato tots, as well as the requisite burger and steak, appeal to a wide demographic. 511 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248216-1112. 260 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-940-3260
Noori Pocha
This retro Korean gastropub in Clawson will transport you to ’80s Seoul with its unmatchable aesthetic. The meal begins with complimentary tteokbokki, a rice cake cooked in a spicy red broth. From there, you can choose from a fine selection of import beers and entrées like the shareable booldak: spicy chicken and cheese served with jumeok-bap (rice balls with seaweed). 1 S. Main St., Clawson; 248-850-7512; nooripocha.com
Oak Parker
This lively neighborhood bar features thoughtful cocktails with a forward-looking food menu to match. Simplicity and a great bun make its smashburgers the perfect answer to a cold pint. You can also kick it up a notch with Hungarian sausage, schnitzels, or a pastrami sandwich. 13621 W Eleven Mile Rd, Oak Park; oakparkerbar. com
One-Eyed Betty’s
Picnic-style tables and blackboards lettered with scores of brew choices add a beer-hall sensibility to this popular spot. The kitchen delivers New Orleans-themed dishes, such as po’boy sandwiches, gumbo, and Cajun chicken and sausage, as well as a mouthwatering bacon burger. The weekend brunch features house-made doughnuts. 175 W. Troy Ave., Ferndale; 248-8086633; oneeyedbettys.com
O.W.L.
This Royal Oak spot o˜ ers sustenance for the early birds to the night owls. Dishes here include such diner musts as eggs, sausage and potato hash, burgers, and chicken wings as well as tacos and nachos served from the open kitchen. 27302 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; 248-808-6244; owlwoodward.com
Washtenaw
explore Oakland
Park 600 Bar + Kitchen
The menu is contemporary, with an array of small plates, such as the arugula and kale Caesar salad, and sandwiches, including a burger, at lunch. Dinner entrees, meanwhile, are typified y roasted duck confit, osso buco, and lamb meatballs. Royal Park Hotel, 600 E. University Drive, Rochester; 248453-8732; royalparkhotel.net
Phoenicia
This Lebanese spot has clean, contemporary lines that complement the French door-style windows. Don’t miss the morel mushrooms or roasted garlic cloves with tomato and basil as an appetizer. The entree menu expands to unexpected items, such as baby back ribs and sweetbreads. Service is spot on. 588 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-644-3122; phoeniciabirmingham.com
Pop’s for Italian
Expect well-prepared Italian dishes paired with an ambitious wine program. The menu starts with a list of pizzas. Try the burrata and prosciutto with arugula and the fried artichoke heart with aioli and lemon. Or, go for one of the many fresh pasta dishes, before finishing with something seet. The tiramisu, in particular, is a must. 280 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale; 248-268-4806; popsforitalian.com
Redcoat Tavern
The half-pound hamburger at Redcoat Tavern ranks high on the list of local favorites. Royal Oak and West Bloomfield ownship locations; redcoat-tavern.com
The Rind
Attached to Mongers’ Provisions in Berkley, The Rind serves signature cocktails from its full bar and offers wines by the glass and a selection of more than 150 bottles to choose from. In addition to snacks that pair well with wine, like marcona almonds, tinned razor clams, and (naturally) cheese and charcuterie, there’s heartier fare like a Wagyu pastrami reuben and fjod trout. 3125 12 Mile Road, Berkley; 248-468-4487; rindbar.com
Rose Room at 220
The Rose Room at 220 offers cocktails, fin wines, and spirits, alongside creative American bites, in a gorgeously-appointed hideaway. 220 Merrill St. (lower level), Birmingham; 248-645-2150; roseroom220.com
The Silver Spoon
This quintessential slice of Italy in Rochester features excellent food with professional, knowledgeable, and friendly service. Try the bucatini, made with pancetta, onion, red wine, and tomato sauce; the Saltimbocca alla Romana, veal scaloppini sauteed in white wine and lemon; and the veal tenderloin rolls, filled with panetta, parsley, and garlic, in a rich tomato sauce. 543 N. Main St., Rochester; 248-652-4500; silverspoonristorante.com
Sozai
To truly experience Sozai, you have to reserve a seat at the custom-built sushi bar, where chef Hajime Sato will curate a unique sustainable sushi dining experience called omakase. There’s also a menu offering crowd-pleasers like chicken karaage and rolls featuring familiar ingredients such as tuna, jalapeño, and avocado. 449 W. 14 Mile Road, Clawson; 248-677-3232; sozairestaurant.com
Stella’s Table
Previously known as the The Root Restaurant & Bar, the eatery has rebranded, now offering urban Italian cuisine. The cooking is precise, and the presentation is adventurous. 340 Town Center Blvd., White Lake Township; 248-698-2400; stellastablemi.com
Streetside Seafood
Small and cozy yet sophisticated, this Birmingham restaurant has a pared-down, seasonally rotating menu of fresh fishand seafood. Plus, daily specials are written in chalk on a blackboard. Favorites include the lobster club sandwich at lunch, and the sauteed lake perch at both lunch and dinner. 273 Pierce St., Birmingham; 248-645-9123; streetsideseafood.com
TigerLily
With an eclectic ambiance and extensive Japanese menu, TigerLily, found in downtown Ferndale, satisfies taste buds with the oalroasted lobster decorated with yuzu miso aioli and togarashi crumble and basted with mignonette. 231 W. Nine Mile, Ste. A, Ferndale; 248-733-4905; tigerlilyferndale.com
Toast
This metro Detroit brunch institution cooks up larger-than-life gourmet omelets, creatively topped pancakes, and inventive breakfast specialties in a friendly, dinerlike setting. Don’t leave without trying the house-brewed banana coffee —
Ferndale and Birmingham locations; eatattoast.com
Toasted Oak
Casual dining and good prices characterize this market and restaurant. The menu revolves around the charcuterie — house-made light kielbasa, Basque salt cod, steak tartare, potato salads, etc. — sold in the market next door and a list of hot grill items, such as steaks with bearnaise sauce, pastas, and salads. Wines are particularly tempting; select from the retail market and pay a corkage fee. 27790 Novi Road., Novi; 248-277-6000; toastedoak.com
Tom’s Oyster Bar
The menu at this old standby goes well beyond fis and chips and oysters on the half shell to include some elegant dishes, such as oven-roasted sea bass, crispy fresh sardine, and Scottish salmon, all handsomely garnished. A specialty is the Spanish coffee. 318 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-541-1186; tomsoysterbar.com
Vinsetta Garage
This restaurant, settled in a refurbished vintage car-repair shop, offers well-prepared comfort-food classics, such as burgers on pretzel buns, macaroni and cheese, pizzas, and roast chicken. There’s also a sizable gluten-free menu, ensuring no one is left out. 27799 Woodward Ave., Berkley; 248-548-7711; vinsettagarage.com
Voyager
Fresh seafood, with emphasis on oysters, is the name of the game in this hot spot, which can be found tucked into a Ferndale neighborhood. The space serves such dishes as crispy fried clams, peel-and-eat shrimp, whitefish sandwiches, and mahi-mahi, all of which are served by a knowledgeable crew. 600 Vester St., Ferndale; 248-6584999; voyagerferndale.com
Zalman’s Delicatessen
Zalman’s serves quintessential New York deli classics like sliced-to-order salmon, chopped salads, and custom-prepared sandwiches built using fresh bread, hand-sliced meats, and house-made condiments. 39475
COEUR
Washtenaw
Attend a University of Michigan football game, kayak the Huron River, do some fine dining, and discover other exciting attractions — both indoors and outdoors — in Washtenaw County.
PHOTO: LINDSAY RICHARDS
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Home to University of Michigan football, the Big House is the largest stadium in the U.S.
Washtenaw
Communities
Washtenaw County is a mix of quaint villages and pastoral landscapes — plus two great college towns — that o er plentiful cultural and culinary experiences. Here’s a look at just a few of the cities and towns that make up Washtenaw County.
Ann Arbor
Home to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor is a small college town with big-city appeal. It is known for its bustling economy, thanks to a worldclass research center, along with abundant retail options, museums, and top-notch eateries.
Chelsea
This charming small town is known for its arts scene, which features the Purple Rose Theatre, founded by actor Je˜ Daniels. Its downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. And kids will love Timber Town Park.
Dexter
Located along the banks of the Huron River and Mill Creek, Dexter has a walkable downtown with historic businesses, good eats, a brewery, and a cider mill. Its Metroparks also o˜ er plenty to do, inlcuding biking on the trails and disc golf.
Manchester
This picturesque 19th-century village boasts a downtown marked by elegant, well-preserved architecture and a plethora of parks.
Milan
Milan o˜ ers tree-lined streets, more than 200 acres of parks, and a historic downtown district with a multitude of shopping and dining options.
Saline
Named for its ancient natural salt springs, this city features a vibrant downtown and a variety of outdoor recreation options that include walking trails, bike paths, and boat-launch ramps.
Ypsilanti
Colloquially known as “Ypsi,” this Washtenaw town is home to Eastern Michigan University and boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene.
Arts&Entertainment
Experience Washtenaw County through the historic streets, educational museums, and diverse attractions that make it one of Michigan’s must-visit destinations.
Play
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
This museum displays 250-plus interactive exhibits on nature, physics, health, mathematics, and more. 220 E. Ann St., Ann Arbor; 734-995-5439; aahom.org
Ann Arbor Skatepark
The 30,000-square-foot Ann Arbor Skatepark is free and open to the public year-round. 350 N. Maple Road, Ann Arbor; a2skatepark.org
Domino’s Farms Petting Farm
Domino’s is especially well known for raising rare breeds of animals and lodging unique creatures from around the world. 3001 Earhart Road, Ann Arbor; 734-998-0182; pettingfarm.com
Milan Dragway
Enjoy drag racing at this Milan-based track. Special events take place throughout the year, and season passes are available. 10860 Plank Road, Milan; 734-439-7368; milandragway.com
University of Michigan
Take a long stroll across the Diag on the University of Michigan campus, or catch a football game at the Big House. Whether you’re a Wolverines fan or simply seeking out a scenic route, the elegant, historical architecture of U-M’s central campus makes it a great place for a brisk walk or a day of people-watching. (Tip: Don’t step on the “M” in front of the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library. It’s said to be bad luck.) Located just north of South University Street in Ann Arbor; umich.edu
Cobblestone Farm
Museums & Art Centers
This historic farm re-creates mid-19th-century rural life with historical tours and activities from the Cobblestone Farm Association, and a rentable threestory oak timber frame barn perfect for weddings and other events. 2781 Packard St., Ann Arbor; 734-794-7120; a2gov.org/departments/parks-recreation
Michigan Firehouse Museum
Spanning over 26,000 square feet, the museum is an educational treasure trove that includes an original 1898 firehouse and a modern, multilevel exhibit display area. 110 W. Cross St., Ypsilanti; 734-547-0663; michiganfirehousemuseum.org
U-M Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
The magnificent, turreted, 1890s stone building and its 20,000-square-foot addition feature displays from the collection’s nearly 100,000 ancient and medieval objects from the civilizations of the Mediterranean and the Near East. 434 S. State St., Ann Arbor; 734-764-9304; lsa.umich.edu/kelsey
U-M Museum of Art
One of the largest university art museums, UMMA features more than 20,000 objects, including works by James McNeill Whistler, Helen Frankenthaler, Pablo Picasso, and Claude Monet. 525 S. State St., Ann Arbor; 734-764-0395; umma.umich.edu
U-M Museum of Natural History
The artifacts exhibited here represent more than 4 billion years of natural history and offer insight on a range of topics, including dinosaurs and diverse ecosystems. 1105 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-764-0478; lsa.umich.edu/ummnh
Leisure
From its charming bookstores and bustling malls to scenic views and outdoor amenities, Washtenaw makes taking it easy … well, easy.
Shopping
Arbor Hills
This outdoor mall is home to a curated lineup of shops, including Arhaus and Lululemon Athletica. Grab a cup of joe at Zola Bistro or a bite to eat at Bigalora. 3010-3070 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor; shoparborhills.com
Briarwood Mall
Anchored by Macy’s, Von Maur, and J.C. Penney, the shopping center also features a Tricho Salon & Spa and Totally Tea. 100 Briarwood Circle, Ann Arbor; 734-761-9550; simon.com/mall/briarwood-mall
Kerrytown Market & Shops
Located just a few blocks from downtown Ann Arbor, this shopping center features unique local vendors. Stop by Ann Arbor Spice Merchants for spices and teas and V2V for women’s apparel. 407 N. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-662-5008; kerrytown.com
Literati Bookstore
Along with offering a large collection of literature, the independent bookstore hosts author readings, book clubs, and poetry nights. 124 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor; 734-585-5567; literatibookstore.com
Thistle & Bess
Specializing in handcrafted pieces, this quaint shop proffers a careful curation of home, fashion, and beauty items 222 N. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-369-6092; thistleandbess.com
shop proffers a careful curation of home, fashion,
Outdoor Destinations
Argo and Gallup Park Canoe Liveries
Aluminum canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and paddleboats are available for rent. 3000 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor. 1055 Longshore Drive, Ann Arbor. a2gov.org/departments/ parks-recreation/play
Matthaei Botanical Gardens
Marvel at the beauty of nature year-round in the conservatory and across 300 acres of display gardens and nature trails. If you’re visiting between May and Labor Day, be sure to check out the bonsai collection. 1800 N. Dixboro Road, Ann Arbor; 734-647-7600; mbgna.umich.edu
Nichols Arboretum
Designed in 1906, Nichols Arboretum is a living museum nestled in the University of Michigan’s
NICHOLS ARBORETUM
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Washtenaw
explore Washtenaw
central campus. 1600 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor; 734-647-7600; mbgna.umich.edu
Skip’s Huron River Canoe Livery & Outfitters Park at Delhi Metropark to rent kayaks or aluminum or plastic canoes, then catch a ride to the starting point. 3902 E. Delhi Road, Ann Arbor; 734-769-8686; paddlethehuron.com
Eat&Drink
Washtenaw restaurants, pubs, grills, and wine bars o er up cuisines and wine collections that span the globe.
Anna’s House
With over 10 locations across Michigan, including in Milford, Kalamazoo, Grand Haven, and Ann Arbor, Anna’s House offers a retro dining experience with decor inspired by the 1950s. Whether you’re vegan or vegetarian or have dairy or gluten allergies, you’re sure to find a delicious beakfast or lunch item to enjoy. 445 E. Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor; 734-7269490; annashouseus.com
Aventura
Aventura is a fitting destintion for those with a taste for fine are with Spanish flai. Share dishes of paella piled with fresh seafood, chicken and sausage, or vegetables. Or, order rounds of traditional Spanish small plates, such as the Patatas Bravas — crispy potatoes served with a garlic aioli. To drink, request a pitcher of red or white sangria. 216 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor; 734-369-3153; aventuraannarbor.com
Bellflower
A restaurant housed in a former exchange of the Michigan Bell Telephone Co., Bellflwer answers Ypsilanti’s call for fine dining with an dventurous flai. Boudin sausage with roasted okra, baked oysters, and ginger ale- or Coca-Cola-roasted beets showed up on early menus as chef Dan Klenotic’s way of straddling the line between creole tradition and his own imaginative style. 209 Pearl St., Ypsilanti; bellflowerypsicom
Black Pearl
This seafood and martini bar is especially popular during patio season. But step inside for a host of craft cocktails and a seafood-forward menu that includes roasted scallops and fish tcos. 302 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-222-0400; blackpearlannarbor.com
Blue Llama Jazz Club
Blue Llama Jazz Club’s menu of American small plates centers on social dining and is full of fresh, jazzinspired flvors and authentic local ingredients. 314 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-372-3200; bluellamaclub.com
Café Zola
Crepes of all kinds dominate the breakfast and lunch
menus, alongside salads and sandwiches. Dinner is more formal, delivering eclectic dishes with origins in France, Turkey, Italy, and elsewhere. The wine list features pleasantly unusual selections. 112 W. Washington St., Ann Arbor; 734-769-2020; cafezola.com
The Common Grill
Commemorating the history of Chelsea in its handpainted wall murals, this intimate eatery serves up fresh takes on American cuisine. Its goat cheese ravioli, featuring an assortment of seafood, makes for a delicious lunchtime meal. 112 S. Main St., Chelsea; 734475-0470; commongrill.com
Dixboro House
Much like the restaurant’s ambience, the cuisine at Dixboro House is both refined and elaxed. Chef Garrett Lipar’s elegant but approachable menu hosts rotating seasonal from-scratch dishes that highlight local ingredients — pizzas, salads, seafood, and steaks served in a rustic barn that once housed The Lord Fox, an iconic restaurant in Ann Arbor’s historic Dixboro neighborhood. 5400 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor; 734-669-3310; thedixboroproject.com
The Earle
This refuge is well versed in provincial French and Italian cooking. Dinner patrons enjoy live jazz alongside dishes of lake perch, sauteed duck breasts, beef tenderloin sauteed with Roquefort or rolled in black pepper, and phyllo-wrapped vegetables. 121 W. Washington St., Ann Arbor; 734-994-0211; theearle.com
Gandy Dancer
Located in the restored 1886 Michigan Central Railroad Depot, the Gandy Dancer is an architectural landmark with an elegant dining atmosphere. The menu includes fresh seafood specialties, steaks, pasta dishes, and seasonal items from local farms. 401 Depot St., Ann Arbor; 734-769-0592; gandydancerrestaurant.com
Mani Osteria & Bar
This casual Italian restaurant offers freshness but at lower prices. It’s a blend of modern, eclectic Italian and old standbys. The housemade focaccia and fie roasted branzino are standouts. Try such pizza offerings as the classic Margherita and the quattro formaggi. 341 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 734-769-6700; maniosteria.com
Miss Kim
Chef Ji Hye Kim’s unique blend of modern Korean food highlights Michigan vegetables, from housemade kimchi to the tteokbokki (rice cakes). Some of the restaurant’s standouts include a craveable Korean fried chicken and its plant-based counterpart, the Korean fried tofu. 415 N. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-2750099; misskimannarbor.com
Peridot
This eatery offers both small plates and a drinks program inspired by chef Duc Tang’s Vietnamese roots. The cocktails incorporate ingredients like spiced pistachio, Thai basil, and bay leaf — with delightfully refreshing results. On the ever-changing menu, standout small plates have included ketchup
fried rice and the savory kampachi and prosciutto: a combination of Italian dry-cured ham and amberjack sashimi. 118 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 734-773-3097; peridota2.com
The Ravens Club
Several nights a week, live jazz accompanies the menu of classic and experimental dishes. Try the charcuterie plate with rillettes and headcheese, all made in-house, or the house-cured gravlax. 207 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-214-0400; theravensclub.com
Slurping Turtle
This casual ramen restaurant, owned by chef Takashi Yagihashi, has contemporary dining areas with communal tables and traditional seating. There are dishes for sharing, such as hamachi tacos and duck fat-fried chicken. Then there’s ramen, including spicy Tan Tan Men and Tonkotsu (traditional pork). 608 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 734-887-6868; slurpingturtle.com
Spencer
The food at this small but mighty spot is bright, fresh, and often surprising. The brief and very French menu changes frequently and is always imaginative. Previous dishes have included chicken-liver mousse with violet mustard and grilled bread, and orange duck confit with orth African spices. 113 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 734-369-3979; spencerannarbor.com
Taste Kitchen
Taste has a brief and constantly changing menu whose form and flvor patterns suggest an Asian influene. Main dishes include seared diver scallops with shiitake mushrooms and a miso-butternut squash puree, shaking beef with mixed greens, and sakura pork loin. 521 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 734-3694241; tastekitchena2.com
Venue by 4M
High-quality coffee; a diverse selection of alcoholic beverages, including cocktails and sustainably sourced wine; and a wide variety of elevated cuisine, such as goat cheese ravioli and whole roasted chicken with focaccia, can be found in this high-end mixed-use food hall. 1919 S. Industrial Highway, Ann Arbor; 734 822-9821; experience4m.com
Vinology
Natural brick walls join with dark-wood booths and tables to lend warmth, while tall ceilings create a spacious feel. The menu is contemporary American but includes selections from other cuisines. Fifty wines by the glass top the list, with about another 50 available by the bottle. 110 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734222-9841; vinologya2.com
Zingerman’s Roadhouse
This classic eatery — like its deli-based parent company — celebrates good American food from all corners of the country. The best may just be the buttermilk fried chicken and the macaroni and cheese, even if they are a little on the pricey side. 2501 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-663-3663; zingermansroadhouse.com
Wayne
Wayne County — the most populous county in Michigan — boasts a vast array of fine fare and fun activities. They range from grabbing a bite in Dearborn to enjoying the waterfront views in the Grosse Pointes.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF
At Greenfield Village in Dearborn, visitors can hitch a ride on the horsedrawn omnibus shuttle.
explore Wayne Communities
The cradle of the American automotive industry and Michigan’s most populous county is home not only to Detroit (see page 79) but to 40 other distinct communities as well. It shares borders with both Canada and Lake St. Clair. Here are a few of its highlights.
Grosse Ile Township
This township consists of more than a dozen islands in the Detroit River, the largest of which is known as Grosse Ile.
The Grosse Pointes
While each of the five Pointes — the city of Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe Shores, and Grosse Pointe Woods — has distinct elements, their common feature is walkable, tree-lined neighborhoods. Don’t forget to take advantage of their proximity to the waterfront by cruising Lakeshore Drive for some great views of Lake St. Clair.
Hamtramck
A city almost completely surrounded by Detroit, Hamtramck was originally the hub of a large Polish immigrant community. Today, the area is highly diverse and represents various ethnic groups. Neighborhoods mostly contain small, single-family homes. Hamtramck is bounded roughly by I-94 and Carpenter Street, and by St. Aubin Street, I-75, and Conant Street.
Northville
Downtown Northville is a picture-perfect, turn-ofthe-century American town. Historic homes dot the landscape, while newer upscale subdivisions take advantage of the idyllic hilly terrain a few miles from the downtown area.
Plymouth
In recent years, a variety of new restaurants, shops, and businesses have added to the appeal of Plymouth’s downtown area. Attractive, well-kept homes from the early 1900s to the present are well within walking distance.
Van Buren Township
Artfully blending rural character with suburban amenities, Van Buren Township is located along I-94 and I-275.
Dearborn
Ford Motor Co. World Headquarters splits this city into two parts: East Dearborn and West Dearborn. East Dearborn has a diverse retail and business district that features some of the Midwest’s best Middle Eastern restaurants, bakeries, and grocers. West Dearborn is made up of various restaurants
and stores, with upscale condos filling in. Visit the Henry Ford Museum, as well as its Greenfield Village and its Ford Rouge Factory.
Wyandotte
Wyandotte is one of the premier cities in the area known as Downriver, which lies south of Detroit, along the Detroit River. This city has a lively and active downtown association, with art stores and shopping. A variety of housing can be found in the vicinity.
Arts&Entertainment
The many attractions in Grosse Pointe, Dearborn, Plymouth, and the surrounding locales o er an up-close look at the arts, crafts, and inventions that have shaped the area.
Fowling Warehouse
Feeling inspired to toss the ol’ pigskin? Now, try heaving it at bowling pins! Sip a beer from the Warehouse’s full-service bar while you take a stab at fowling. It’s also the designated pregame spot for the Northern Guard Supporters — a lovably rowdy group of Detroit City Football Club fanatics. 3901 Christopher St., Hamtramck; 313-264-1288; fowlingwarehouse.com
Museums & Art Centers
Arab American National Museum
The Arab American National Museum is the sole museum in the country dedicated to Arab American history and culture, and it’s metro Detroit’s only Smithsonian a° liate. It is fittingly located in the city of Dearborn, where over 40 percent of the population
The lives and achievements of more than 240 automotive heroes are chronicled in the visual and interactive exhibits, vehicles, and authentic artifacts on display. 21400 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn; 313-240- 4000; automotivehalloffame.org
The Ford House
The family home of Edsel and Eleanor Ford is now National Historic Landmark. Resting along the shores of Lake St. Clair, the estate includes the residence, outbuildings, 87 acres of grounds and gardens, plus dining, shopping, and event spaces. 1100 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Shores; 313-884-4222; fordhouse.org
Ford Rouge Factory Tour
The Ford Rouge Factory Tour combines environmental innovation with industrial
ingenuity. Watch the Ford F-150s get assembled, visit what’s billed as the world’s largest “living” roof, watch a short film about the history of Ford and the company’s assembly process, and check out the actual cars, which have been produced at the plant since 1928. 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn; 313-982-6001; thehenryford.org
The Henry Ford
Explore history in a really cool setting at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. The Driving America exhibit’s world-famous collection of historically significant vehicles is a notable highlight. Or, head to Greenfield Village (on the same campus) for glassblowing demonstrations, Model T rides, and a tour of the Wright brothers’ home. 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn; 313-9826001; thehenryford.org
Greenmead Historical Park
Explore historical buildings, including a church, a school, and a general store, complete with penny candy and picnic facilities. 20501 Newburgh Road, Livonia; 248-477-7375; ci.livonia.mi.us
Plymouth Historical Museum
Highlights include a life-size re-creation of Main Street in the 1900s and the largest collection of Abraham Lincoln memorabilia in the state. 155 S. Main St., Plymouth; 734-455-8940; plymouthhistory.org
Polish Art Center
This extensive collection of Polish folk art carries Boleslawiec stoneware, books, posters, music, pisanki (hand-decorated Easter eggs), and pisanki decorating supplies. It also has boxes, plates, and carvings made of wood; Baltic amber; crystal; dolls in folk costumes; and much more. 9539 Joseph Campau St., Hamtramck; 313-874-2242; polartcenter.com
of wood; Baltic amber; crystal; dolls in folk costumes; 9539 Joseph Campau St., Hamtramck;
The War Memorial
This community hub for art, culture, and the humanities on the grounds of Grosse Pointe Farms’ historic Alger Estate recently celebrated its 75th year as a nonprofit. Its programming serves about 100,000 visitors yearly, ranging from community events and experiences for all ages to events that honor veterans. It’s home to Les Braves II: At Water’s Edge, the world’s only o° cial reproduction of the Les Braves art installation in Normandy, France. The Fred M. Alger Center is a rentable venue for weddings and other events, and historical tours of the grounds are available by appointment. 32 Lake Shore Drive, Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-881-7511; warmemorial.org
Wyandotte Museum
This charming 1896 Victorian home has its original decor still intact. 2610 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte; 734-324-7284; wyandotte.net
HENRY FORD MUSEUM
explore Wayne Leisure
Take it easy at the most relaxing destinations Wayne County has to o er, from luxury boutiques to outdoor adventures.
Shopping
Edmund T. Ahee Jewelers
This family-run business specializes in luxury brands like Roberto Coin, Mikimoto, Bez Ambar, Patek Philippe, and Cartier. It is also known for its engagement rings and custom pieces, which are constructed in-house by internationally awardwinning designers. 20139 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods; 313-886-4600; ahee.com
Capricious
Explore the latest trends in women’s clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories at this 3,800 square-foot boutique. Shop apparel from designers like Fifteen Twenty, J. Society, Soia & Kyo, and Frances Valentine; shoes by Aquatalia and Sam Edelman; or jewelry by French Kandi and Dean Davidson. 74 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-458-8719; capriciousgp.com
Fairlane Town Center
The shopping destination features more than 100 stores, including Macy’s, J.C. Penney, Michigan’s largest H&M, and the state’s fist House of Hoops Foot Locker. There’s also a food court and a P.F. Chang’s. 18900 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 800-9929500; shopfairlane.com
Herbology Cannabis Co.
Herbology is committed to providing only the highest quality cannabis products to its medical
strains of flwer along with edibles, concentrates, vape pens, topicals, and more. 11392 W. Jefferson Ave., River Rouge; 313-757-7684; shophcc.com
Laurel Park Place
Along with a selection of department stores, Laurel Park is the go-to destination for more than 70 shops, including Bath & Body Works and Claire’s, as well as restaurants like Bar Louie and Olga’s Kitchen. A Marriott hotel with nearly 225 rooms is attached. 37700 W. Six Mile Road, Livonia; 734-462-1100; laurelparkplace.com
Northville
The charming streets of downtown Northville are a prime shopping destination with stunning historic architecture. Stores on the city’s Main Street specialize in such wares as books, clothing, music, sporting goods, wine, art, and antiques. Main and Center streets, west of I-275, between Seven Mile and Eight Mile roads, Northville; 248-347-3900; northvillesquare.com
Plymouth
It’s the specialty shops that stand out in downtown Plymouth. Stop by Alpine Chocolat Haus for sweet treats, Bohemian Home for eclectic decor and jewelry, and Wheels in Motion for all your biking needs. South Main Street and West Ann Arbor Trail, Plymouth; 734-455-1453; downtownplymouth.org
Southland Center
The center features a Forever 21, a Pandora, a Cinemark Theatre, and BJ’s Restaurant, with the lattermost boasting an extensive beer menu. 23000 Eureka Road, Taylor; 734-374-2800; shopsouthlandcenter.com
Steven Bernard Jewelers
Steven Bernard Jewelers brings you jewelry ranging from stylish originals to timeless classics. Browse its intimate showroom, located in the popular “222” shops along Michigan Avenue in
The watches are hand-selected by owner Steven Adelson — a graduate gemologist who opened the store over 47 years ago. With his guidance, customers can custom design their own jewelry. Any item not in inventory may be special ordered. Adelson also appraises and repairs jewelry, including all fine atches. “Wish cards” are provided for those looking to drop a hint to a loved one. 22266 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-562-8484; stevenbernardjewelers.com
Westland Shopping Center
From extravagant scents sold at European Perfumes to women’s fashion by Charlotte Russe and sporting gear at Foot Locker, this Westland attraction offers a bit of shopping for everyone. It is anchored by J.C. Penney and Kohl’s. 35000 W. Warren Road, Westland; 734-425-5001; westlandcenter.com
Outdoor Destinations
Quirk Park
Already home to a park and playground, Quirk Park added Wayne County’s largest splash pad a couple of years ago. At over 4,000 square feet, the pad is complete with a dump bucket and nearly 20 spray features. 46425 Tyler Road, Van Buren Charter Township; 734-699-8900; vanburen-mi.org
Riverside Kayak Connection
The company offers tours of the Detroit River, Lake Erie, and the Huron River. 4016 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte; 734-285-2925; riversidekayak.com
Turtle Cove Family Aquatic Center
For more water fun that’s sure to delight children and adults alike, take to Turtle Cove, which offers waterslides, a kid’s sprayscape, a lazy river, and a lap pool. 17845 Savage Road, Belleville; 734-697-9181; michigan.org
Oro Spa
With locations in Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and Livonia, this spa is best known for its scalp treatments that help to hydrate and rejuvenate the scalp. Other services include haircuts, facials, brow lamination, waxing, and IV treatments, like the “Skin and Beauty Optimizer.” 28473 Warren Road, Garden City; oroestheticsspa.com for more locations
FAIRLANE TOWN CENTER
Eat&Drink
Wayne County eateries dish out the best in a plethora of cuisines, from Italian to Mexican and seafood to steak.
Al Ameer
This long-standing Lebanese restaurant is a recipient of the James Beard America’s Classics Award. Try the Beirut hummus — a spicy spin on the traditional chickpea spread — or sample a little of everything, chicken shawarma, meat shawarma, tawook kabob, two kafta served with hummus and salad, with the Al Ameer Platter. 12710 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn; 313-582-8185. 27346 Ford Road, Dearborn Heights; 313-565-9600; alameerrestaurant.com
Andiamo Livonia
Andiamo Livonia o˜ ers authentic Italian cuisine in an upscale setting. Dine on the four-season glass patio, savoring slections from the vast wine menu, or book the venue for your next business meeting or family celebration. 38703 Seven Mile Road, Livonia; 734-953-3200; andiamoitalia.com for more locations.
Aqua
This Plymouth spot concentrates on Asian fusion fare with such contemporary dishes as lamb chops and Korean steak bites. There’s also a selection of seafood entrees made with fresh ingredients delivered daily. 413 N. Main St., Plymouth; 734-335-7474; aquaplymouth.com
Atwater in the Park
Gleaming brewery equipment sits directly under the stained-glass windows of this former church, a courtyard biergarten completing the look. Beer, naturally, is the beverage of choice, while handholds, salads, and brewhouse favorites, like
the brewers mac and cheese with beer cheese sauce and garlic panko crumbs, compromise the menu. 1175 Lakepointe St., Grosse Pointe Park; 313344-5104; atwaterbeer.com
Brome Modern Eatery
Brome reinterprets a classic, o˜ ering organic, grass-fed, never-frozen burgers. There are beef, chicken, haddock, and vegetarian options — but no pork, as the restaurant is halal. There are also salads, fries, and cold-pressed juices. 22062 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-996-5050; bromemoderneatery.com
Bronze Door
Enjoy creative spins on classic dishes like sausage and peppers, beef Strogano˜ , walleye Milanese, and braised Colorado lamb shank at this upscale American brasserie by the Joe Vicari Restaurant Group. 123 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313886-8101; bronzedoorgp.com
PHOTO: COURTESY OF BROME MODERN EATERY
BROME MODERN EATERY
explore Wayne
Cantoro Italian Market and Trattoria
Housed in a giant market, this restaurant serves great traditional Italian food, mimicking European market concepts adopted by Chicago and New York. On its do-not-miss list is the tagliatelle alla Bolognese: wide, flt pasta with a sauce made of ground veal, beef, sausage, and pancetta. 15550 N. Haggerty Road, Plymouth; 734667-1199; cantorotrattoria.com
Da Edoardo
Italian specialties at this eatery range from pastas with Bolognese sauce to elaborate veal and seafood dishes. 19767 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods; 313-881-8540; daedoardogp.com
Dirty Dog Jazz Café
This jazz club features performances by top guest musicians and an American bistro menu. Starters include lump crab cakes and blackened shrimp with cilantro lime butter sauce. There’s also filet mignon and salmon Florentine. 97 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-882-5299; dirtydogjazz.com
Fiamma Grille
This contemporary spot creates a seasonal rotating menu that has offered tasty dishes like the crab cakes, a smoked plate, and a traditional Italian antipasti appetizer. Entrees have included seared ahi tuna with basmati rice and a delicious peppercorn-crusted New York strip steak. 380 S. Main St., Plymouth; 734-4169340; fiammagrillandbar.com
Haraz Co ee House
In 2021, the fist Haraz Coffee House opened in Dearborn. The Yemeni coffee shop quickly blossomed into a rapidly growing franchise, serving up refreshing beverages like the iced pistachio latte, plus traditional baked goods. The adeni chai combines Indian masala tea fused with Yemeni tea leaves, cardamom, and cinnamon.
Hungarian Rhapsody
This Downriver restaurant offers what has become rare in the area: authentic Hungarian dishes, from chicken and veal paprikas and beef goulash to palascinta (crepes) and pastries in a big, bustling dining room done up with garlands of red peppers and colorful porcelain plates. 14315 Northline Road, Southgate; 734-283-9622; therhapsodyrestaurant.com
Jumps
Omelets and pancakes rule the morning fare at this from-scratch restaurant, while lunch is typified y sandwiches, salads, and a white chicken chili. 63 Kercheval Ave., Ste. 105, Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-882-9555; jumpsrestaurant.com
Karl’s Cabin
Karl’s Cabin is a throwback to the old Michiganhighway country diner, but such dishes as smoked Angus brisket — served with house andouille sausage, crispy onions, pickle, coleslaw, and barbecue zip sauce, on brioche — far surpass typical roadhouse fare. 6005 Gotfredson Road, Plymouth; 734-455-8450; karlscabin.com
Lucy & the Wolf
This Anglo-sounding restaurant delivers Spanishinspired tapas dining. Standouts include the bruschetta, fie roasted swordfish, and piri pir rubbed half chicken with garlic green beans. 102 E. Main St., Northville; 248-308-3057; lucyandthewolf.com
Luxe Bar & Grill
The simple menu comprises burgers served on brioche buns, alongside such entrees as wildcaught salmon, prime filet, and Geek-style lamb chops. It is rounded out by creative salads and sides. 115 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-924-5459; luxebarandgrill.com
M Cantina
M Cantina specializes in modern Mexican cuisine with Central American, South American, and Spanish influenes. Asian touches make it fusion: nuevo-Latino gourmet street food. Upon opening in 2018, it was dubbed one of metro Detroit’s 10 best new restaurants by Hour Detroit. 13214 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-399-9117; mcantina.com
Magdaleno Ristorante
This is old-school Italian cooking, and nearly every pasta is made in-house. The best appetizer is the Spiedini alla Romana, a decadent dish of bread, mozzarella cheese, garlic, cream, capers, lemon, and butter. 152 Elm St., Wyandotte; 734-283-8200; magdalenoitalian.com
Neehee’s
The vegetarian menu at this street-style Indian food restaurant is vast. We recommend trying the potato-eggplant curry or the Masala Crisp, with lentils and spice powder. Follow up a spicy entree with homemade ice cream. 45656 Ford Road, Canton; 734-737-9777; neehees.com for more locations.
Red Crown
This refurbished former gas station manages to retain its 1930s appeal. The culinary emphasis is placed on unfussy and skillfully prepared Mexican dishes, such as chipotle chicken tacos and seasonal vegetable tamales. 15301 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Park; 313-822-3700; redcrowngp.com
Roman Village
The Rugiero family has been serving up authentic Italian cuisine at Roman Village since 1964. Try out one of its signature dishes: Gnocchi Rita, Chicken Antonio, and Spaghetti Carbonara alla Bocelli. 9924 Dix Ave., Dearborn; 313-842-2100; antoniosrestaurants.com
The Sardine Room
The Sardine Room is (naturally) known for its seafood dishes, which include oysters, sashimi tuna, a shrimp cocktail, and the New England lobster. Of course, we can’t forget the joint’s signature butter-grilled Portuguese sardines. The red hot fried chicken sandwich is also worthwhile. 340 S. Main St., Plymouth; 734-4160261; thesardineroom.com
Shatila Bakery
Operating for over 40 years, Shatila Bakery has been offering a fine selection of Mediteranean pastries. Its offerings include baklawa, knafeh, katayif, mamoul, kashta, and cookies. Additionally, its custom cakes can be made to order for weddings, birthdays, holidays, and more. 14300 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn; 313-5821952; shatila.com
Table 5
Housed in a brick-walled 1890s storefront, Table 5 has all the necessary elements, from exceptionally good food and a short but excellent wine list to an atmosphere that combines small village charm with a great deal of casual sophistication. 126 E. Main St., Northville; 248-305-6555; table5.net
Tria
The Henry Hotel’s brasserie features a display oven and a floo-to-ceiling wine wall. The seasonal small-plate menu encourages sharing and includes fltbreads, a charcuterie board, and crispy fried shrimp. Or, choose a speciality craft sandwich like the barbecque bison burger. 300 Town Center Drive, Dearborn; 313-253-4475; triadearbornrestaurant.com
Whiskeys on the Water
This gastropub peppers its menu of typical bar fare with elevated dishes, such as steak bites with mushrooms and red peppers. And yes, it boasts an impressive list of whiskeys and bourbons. 2903 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte; 734-720-9738; whiskeysonthewater.com
PHOTO: COURTESY OF KARL’S CABIN
KARL’S CABIN
PHOTO:
Lodging and Wellness
If you’re looking for quality accommodations, longer-term rentals, or nearby conference centers, here’s where to get started. Plus, where to go for your health care needs.
HOTELS & CONFERENCE CENTERS
Macomb
A Victory Suites Warren: 2020 Walter P. Reuther Drive, Warren; 586-427-7000; avictoryhotels.com
A ordable Suites Detroit-Warren: 30180 N. Civic Center Drive, Warren; 810-558-7878; affordablesuites.com
Baymont by Wyndham Detroit-Roseville: 20675 E. 13 Mile Road, Roseville; 586-404-4169; wyndhamhotels.com/baymont
Best Western Warren Hotel: 7447 Convention Blvd., Warren; 586-977-7270; wyndhamhotels.com/baymont
Comfort Inn: 11401 Hall Road, Utica; 586-739-7111;choicehotels.com
Courtyard by Marriott Detroit-Warren: 30190 Van Dyke Ave., Warren; 586-751-5777; marriott.com
Courtyard by Marriott Detroit-Utica: 46000 Utica Park Blvd., Utica; 586-997-6100; marriott.com
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Roseville/Detroit Area: 31327 Gratiot Ave., Roseville; 586-859-0645; wyndhamhotels.com/ days-inn
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Warren: 7454 Convention Blvd., Warren; 586-276-5691; daysinn.com
Hampton Inn & Suites Detroit-Sterling Heights: 36400 Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Heights; 586-276-0600; hilton.com
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Detroit-Utica: 45555 Utica Park Blvd., Utica; 586-803-0400; ihg.com/holidayinnexpress Wingate by Wyndham Roseville-Detroit: 31900 Little Mack, Roseville; 586-285-5800; wyndhamhotels.com/wingate
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Detroit-Utica: 45311 Park Ave., Utica; 586-731-4700; wyndhamhotels.com/laquinta Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Roseville/Detroit Area: 20313 13 Mile Road, Roseville; 586-415-1000; wyndhamhotels. com/microtel
Towneplace Suites by Marriott Detroit-Warren: 7601 Chicago Road, Warren; 586-264-8800; marriott.com
Detroit
Aloft Detroit at The David Whitney: 1 Park Ave., Detroit; 313-237-1700; aloftdetroit.com
Atheneum Suite Hotel: 1000 Brush St., Detroit; 313-962-2323; atheneumsuites.com
Baymont by Wyndham Downtown Detroit Hotel: 3250 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313-568-2000; wyndhamhotels.com/ baymont
Cambria Hotel Downtown Detroit: 600 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit; 313-733-0300; cambriadetroit.com
Comfort Inn Downtown: 1999 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313-567-8888; choicehotels.com
Courtyard by Mariott Detroit Downtown: Enjoy a memorable Motor City stay at the Courtyard Detroit Downtown. Elevated comfort awaits in 260 rooms and suites with invigorating colors, enhanced lighting, and stylish furnishings. An overhead walkway connects the GM Renaissance Center just across the street. The hotel is also a minute’s walk from the People Mover and various popular attractions. 333 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313-222-7700; marriott.com
Daxton Hotel: 298 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-283-4200; daxtonhotel.com
Detroit Foundation Hotel: 5500; detroitfoundationhotel.com
Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center: floors above the Detroit River, the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center is located in the heart of downtown Detroit. The hotel’s location in the GM Renaissance Center provides guests with easy access to sports venues, shops, restaurants, and nightlife. Enjoy dramatic views of the Detroit skyline and Windsor as you get ready for a wonderful night’s sleep in our newly renovated guest rooms. 400 Renaissance Drive, Detroit; 313-568-8000; marriott.com
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Detroit-Dearborn: 5801
Doubletree Suites by Hilton Hotel Detroit DowntownFort Shelby: 525 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit; 313-963-5600; hilton.com
Fort Pontchartrain a Wyndham: 2 Washington Blvd., Detroit; 313-965-0200; hotelpontchartrain.com
The Godfrey Detroit, Curio Collection by Hilton: 1401 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-385-0000; hilton.com
Hilton Garden Inn Detroit Downtown: 351 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; 313-967-0900; hiltongardeninn.hilton.com
Hollywood Casino at Greektown: 555 E. Lafayette Ave., Detroit; 313-223-2999; hollywoodgreektown.com
Hotel Indigo Detroit Downtown: 1020 Washington Blvd., Detroit; 313-887-7000; ihg.com/hotelindigo
Hotel St. Regis Detroit: 3071 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-873-3000; hotelstregisdetroit.com
MGM Grand Detroit: The only Forbes four-star hotel in Detroit, with the only Forbes four-star spa in Michigan, the AAA Four Diamond Award-winning MGM Grand Detroit is the city’s first and only downtown hotel, gaming, and entertainment destination built from the ground up. The hotel features 400 chic and stylish guest rooms, including nine rooftop VIP suites and 56 opulent corner suites. Guests enjoy signature restaurants (Wolfgang Puck Steak as well
like you’re a million miles away, even if you’re coming from right down the street. If you’re visiting on business, our fully equipped 67,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art meeting and convention facilities will take your event to a whole new level. 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 866-782-9622; motorcitycasino.com
Rivertown Inn & Suites Downtown Detroit: 1316 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313-568-3000; therivertowninn.com
Huntington Place: 1 Washington Blvd., Detroit; 313-877-8777; huntingtonplacedetroit.com
Cranbrook Institute of Science: 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills; 248-645-3200; science.cranbrook.edu Crowne Plaza Auburn Hills: 1500 N. Opdyke Road, Auburn Hills; 248-373-4550; ihg.com/crowneplaza
The Daxton Hotel: Situated in the heart of downtown Birmingham, The Daxton is the epitome of style, sophistication, and good taste. It’s home to Madam, one of Hour Detroit’s best new restaurants of 2022, and both the restaurant and the hotel source ingredients from dozens of local independent farms. The Daxton has 151 hotel rooms, a dining room, a banquet space, and private dining rooms. 298 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-283-4200; daxtonhotel.com
Detroit Marriott Southfield: 27033 Northwestern Highway, Southfield; 248-356-7400; marriott.com
Detroit Marriott Troy: 200 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy; 248-680-9797; marriott.com
The Kingsley Bloomfield Hills - a Doubletree by Hilton: 39475 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills; 248-644-1400; hilton.com
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Detroit-Novi: 42100 Crescent Blvd., Novi; 248-344-8800; hilton.com Drury Inn & Suites Detroit-Troy: 575 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy; 248-528-3330; druryhotels.com
Embassy Suites by Hilton Detroit-Troy-Auburn Hills:
850 Tower Drive, Troy; 248-879-7500; hilton.com
Red Roof Inn Southfield: 28500 Northwestern Highway, Southfield; 248-213-4500; redroof.com
Ye Olde Walkerville Bed & Breakfast: 1104 Monmouth Road, Windsor; 519-254-1507; walkervillebb.com
APARTMENT RENTALS
City Club Apartments: Located in prime urban neighborhoods, City Club apartments feature superior design, unparalleled amenities, and innovative services. These green apartment buildings are environmentally sustainable, future-proofed, and wired for technology. Locally, City Club Apartments operates communities in Ann Arbor, Canton, Detroit, Farmington Hills, Royal Oak, Shelby Township, and Southfield. Detroit office: 31700 Middlebelt Road, Ste. 140, Farmington Hills; 248-385-3727; cityclubapartments.com Roost Apartment Hotel: 1265 Washington Blvd., Detroit; 844-697-6678; myroost.com
MotorCityRelocation.com LLC: This extended-stay alternative management company o ers turnkey furnished apartments with flexible leases in downtown Detroit and throughout metro Detroit. MCR o ers a wide range of temporary housing in its inventory and also manages and markets corporate housing options through smaller providers. 248-881-4937; motorcityrelocation.com
DEVELOPMENT
Downtown Detroit Partnership
This diverse group of business and community leaders works to enhance and fortify downtown Detroit’s urban
center through philanthropy, investment, and innovation. The organization stewards downtown Detroit’s public spaces — including its six public parks — and enhances the center’s appeal to businesses, residents, and visitors. 1000 Woodward Ave., Ste. 380:, Detroit; 313-566-8250; downtowndetroit.org
Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce
Since 2006, the Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce has been providing leadership and services to businesses throughout the Grosse Pointe communities. Its goal is to increase members’ visibility and sustainability. Support the chamber o ers to member businesses includes networking and strategic partnering opportunities, as well as marketing. 106 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-881-4722; grossepointechamber.com
Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development: This municipal department’s mission is to ensure Macomb’s economy is thriving by expanding the local business ecosystem and o ering assistance to growing industries in the area, including aerospace, alternative energy, and advanced manufacturing, creating new job opportunities for residents. 1 S. Main St., Floor 7, Mount Clemens; 586-469-5100; macombgov.org
Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority
Under the supervision of the city manager and eight to 10 board members, this committee works to encourage economic growth in downtown Royal Oak while preserving its historical aspects. Improving the city’s infrastructure and drawing consumers and businesses to the district are among the DDA’s priorities. 203 S. Troy St., Royal Oak; 248-246-3280; romi.gov
Visit Detroit
This nonprofit economic development organization aims to promote metro Detroit as a regional destination for conventions, businesses, meetings, and tourism. Its o cial website contains a first-timers guide, suggested itineraries, and food, retail, and activity recommendations in Detroit, Macomb County, Oakland County, and Wayne County. 211 W. Fort St., Ste. 1000, Detroit; 800-338-7648; visitdetroit.com
HEALTH CARE
Corewell Health System
corewellhealth.org
Corewell Health Beaumont Grosse Pointe Hospital, Grosse Pointe: 313-473-1000
Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital, Troy: 248964-5000
Corewell Health Dearborn Hospital, Dearborn: 313-5937000
Corewell Health Farmington Hills Hospital, Farmington Hills: 947-521-8000
Corewell Health Taylor Hospital, Taylor: 313-295-5000
Corewell Health Trenton Hospital, Trenton: 734-671-3800
Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, Royal Oak: 248-898-5000
Corewell Health Wayne Hospital, Wayne: 734-467-4000
Urgent care locations: corewellhealth.org
Detroit Medical Center
dmc.org
Call Center: 888-362-2500
Children’s Hospital of Michigan: Detroit; 313-745-5437
Children’s Hospital of Michigan-Troy: 248-524-7180
