The New Heart and Soul of Detroit

Detroit’s resurgence is in full swing, and it shows. The tide has shifted with more people moving downtown than away from it. Old buildings are getting a fresh polish. Creative food and drink options are filling in the gaps. There’s a lot to see and do, and the energy is contagious.

Detroit had a long history of attracting innovators and earned its nicknames “The Motor City” and “Motown” with pride. But fortunes turned, and the city languished through some rough times. Now, after struggling to rebuild, there’s a new sense of opportunity here. The innovators are back.

The Guardian building in downtown Detroit.

BUILT IN DETROIT

One company leading the charge is Shinola. With a fresh take on design and an emphasis on quality, the company is aiming to bring manufacturing jobs back to Detroit, and it’s working. Shinola’s watches, turntables and hand-built bicycles have made it a global lifestyle brand. The “Built in Detroit” concept is creating a lot of new jobs for Detroiters. Next up for the company is The Shinola Hotel, opening soon in the heart of downtown. Where else?

Visiting Detroit can be easy. Stay downtown, tour architectural gems and check out the hot list of dining options. No need to venture very far. Many new places and classics spots are downtown and in easy-to-reach neighborhoods like Midtown and Corktown.

WHERE TO START? FOLLOW THE FOOD

The sprawling Eastern Market near downtown is a hub of culinary activity. Fresh produce is abundant on Saturdays when local farmers take over. But restaurants, butchers, cheese-mongers, and coffee roasters are permanent fixtures every day.

Astro Coffee in Corktown.

Colorful hand-painted murals on many of the buildings create a vibrant streetscape. It’s a convenient area to spend the day shopping, dining and exploring. During summer peak, The Eastern Market draws daily crowds of over 30,000 people.

CHECK OUT MIDTOWN AND CORKTOWN

Midtown may be the city’s most resurgent neighborhood. Once neglected, the area is now thriving with new retail and restaurant options. One highlight is the Canfield Street Building which houses Third Man Records, Shinola and the Jolly Pumpkin Brewery.

Third Man Records should be on the hit list for any music lover visiting Detroit. Founded by musician Jack White, this place is both a record store and a funky novelties lounge. Large windows connect it to a fully operational vinyl record pressing plant in the back. Public tours allow vinyl buffs an up-close experience.

Two doors down is Shinola’s flagship store. The warm and open space is perfect for perusing the company’s sleek product line. An in-store café serves fresh-brewed Shinola coffee. Recharge after shopping at the Jolly Pumpkin Brewery. More midtown destinations include City Bird, the spot for local handmade goods. There’s also Avalon International Breads, famous for cinnamonbrioche buns and delicious coffee.

Historic Corktown is also within easy reach of downtown. Find quirky retail shops, bars, and restaurants here. Most lie in and around the eerie shadow of the monolithic Central Train Depot. Renovation plans are in place for the abandoned landmark.

The Apparatus Room inside The Detroit Foundation Hotel.

Slows Bar-B-Q, an early Corktown pioneer, has mouthwatering BBQ and killer mac & cheese. Nearby Batch Brewing Company serves up tasty small - -batch brews. Batch’s community tables add a beer hall vibe, and the menu is a crowd pleaser. The friendly staff knows its beer and is happy to talk about it.

For a quick perk-up check out Astro Coffee. Serious coffee lovers line-up for artful pour-overs. A few doors down sits Sugar House, a dark and cozy gem that Esquire Magazine named one of the “Best Bars in America.”

The Eastern Market near downtown Detroit.

THE ART OF THE CITY

The Guardian Building downtown is an architectural gem and a highlight of the city. The 1920’s interior is jaw-dropping. Open to the public, the place is perfect for self-guided tours.

The Detroit Institute of Art has one of the finest collections of art in the world including Diego Rivera’s “Detroit Industry” frescoes, and the Heidelberg Project is a permanent outdoor art exhibit that draws rave reviews.

Avalon International Breads bakery outpost in Midtown.

Motown—Mo’ fun! Head out to the city of reinvention and experience the revitalization.