Things to do in Detroit
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Cadieux Café
'It's beautiful to be Belgian', they say at this cafe, and in this case they are right. The Cadieux has been doing great Belgian food for years with all the classics like mussels and pomfrites and of course plenty of beautiful Belgian beer to drink. There's feather bowling available as well, which is Belgian-style bocce with some live music thrown in.
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Lafayette Coney Island
The 'coney' - a hot dog smothered with chili and onions - is a Detroit specialty. When the craving strikes (and it will), take care of business at Lafayette. The minimalist menu consists of burgers, fries, pies, donuts and beer, in addition to the signature item. Cash only.
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Greektown
Busy Greektown has restaurants, bakeries and a casino. Early each day, the large halls at the Eastern Market fill with a melting pot of bartering shoppers and vendors. Specialty shops, delis and restaurants surround the site.
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New Parthenon
Flaming saganaki cheese and the cry of 'Opa!' are a Detroit tradition at this bustling Greektown restaurant that commands a loyal following. The grape leaves reign supreme.
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Cass Cafe
The Cass is a bohemian art gallery fused with a bar and restaurant serving soups, sandwiches and veggie beauties, like the lentil-walnut burger. Service can be fickle.
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Henry Ford Museum
Few could ignore the historical impact of one of earliest artifacts of the 20th century: the first ever Henry Ford automobile. The museum remains much as Ford originally planned and is - surprise! - a massive shrine to the automobile and its impact on America. The Wienermobile used in 1936 by Oscar Meyer hot dogs is a particular knockout.
Henry Ford and 11 associates opened the Ford Motor Company in 1903. They kicked off their tiny operation in a converted Detroit wagon shop and employed 10 people. Today, Ford is the second largest car and truck maker in the world, with a staff of 370,000.
Ford was born and raised in Dearborn, a small town not far from Detroit. In 1915, h…
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Motown Historical Museum
The Motown Historical Museum comprises a string of modest houses that became known as 'Hitsville USA' after Berry Gordy launched Motown Records here - and the careers of Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight and Michael Jackson - with an $800 loan in 1959. Gordy and Motown split for the glitz of Los Angeles in 1972, but you can still step into humble Studio A and see where the famed names recorded their first hits. A tour takes about 90 minutes, and consists mostly of looking at old photos and listening to guides' stories.
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Heidelberg Project
Welcome to the Heidelberg Project, the brainchild of street artist Tyree Guyton, who wanted to beautify his run-down community (which has the dubious distinction of being the USA's most economically depressed 'hood). Get here by taking Gratiot Ave northwest to Heidelberg St; the project spans from Ellery to Mt Elliott Sts.
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Bronx
There's not much inside Detroit's best boozer besides a pool table, dim lighting and a couple of jukeboxes filled with ballsy rock and soul. But that's the way the hipsters, slackers and rockers (the White Stripes used to hang here) like their dive bars. They're also fond of the beefy burgers served late at night and cheap beer selection.
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Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit
We've listed this gallery under 'Clubs' because on Friday nights it throws off-the-hook dance parties with DJs who spin rare funk, soul and disco 45s. The events provide a social outlet for locals and bring a lot of pride to this not-so-great neighborhood. Note this is not the same place as MOCAD .
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Eastern Market
Busy Greektown (centered on Monroe St) has restaurants, bakeries and a casino. Produce, cheese, spice and flower vendors fill the large halls at the Eastern Market on Saturday. Specialty shops, delis and restaurants surround the site and operate most other days.
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Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit
The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit is located in what was an abandoned, graffiti-slathered auto dealership. Heat lamps hang from the ceiling over peculiar exhibits that change every few months. An organic-oriented café with free wi-fi adds to the young scene.
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Renaissance Center
GM's glossy, cloud-poking headquarters is a fine place to grab a bite (in the Wintergarden), take a free hour-long tour (Monday through Friday at noon and 2pm) or embark on the riverfront walkway.
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Detroit Zoo
The Arctic Ring of Life at the Detroit Zoo is the world's largest polar exhibit. It includes first-rate displays on Inuit culture and a 'polar bear tube, ' where the huge white creatures swim overhead. It's located just north in Royal Oak. Parking costs $5.
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Slows Bar BQ
Slows Bar BQ Mmm, slow-cooked southern-style barbecue in Corktown. Carnivores can carve into the three-meat combo plate (brisket, pulled pork and chicken). Vegetarians have options from okra fritters and mac 'n' cheese to a faux-meat barbecue sandwich.
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Baker's Keyboard Lounge
Everyone from Miles Davis to Thelonious Monk to Nina Simone has let loose at the self-proclaimed 'world's oldest jazz club' on Detroit's far northwest side. It's rumored that the historic lounge may shutter due to financial constraints, so get here while you can.
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Wright Museum of African American History
The Wright Museum of African American History holds less than it would seem from the impressive exterior, though it's worth a look inside. The full-scale model of slaves chained up on a dark, creaking slave ship will leave you chilled.
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Apartment
With a heaven and hell theme, this is the spot in Detroit for dancing. Housed in an old piano store, the venue is now a techno hothouse. If ever there was a masquerade ball for the apocalypse then this would probably be the place.
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Pure Detroit
Local artists create stylish products for Pure Detroit that celebrate the city's fast-cars-and-rock-music culture. This auto-centric outlet in GM's headquarters offers clocks made out of pistons and handbags cut from Camaro upholstery.
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Motor City Brewing Works
Motor City fires up crisp-crusted pizzas in its brick oven, though you might be tempted to make a meal of house-brewed beer (Ghettoblaster wins praise) or the local cheese plate. For maximum effect, consume them on the rooftop patio.
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Comerica Park
Next door to Ford Field, the Tigers (in case you hadn't guessed from the giant stone animals roaring over the entrance) play pro baseball here. The park is particularly kid friendly, with a small Ferris wheel and carousel inside.
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Southern Fires
Choose from cornmeal-encrusted catfish, braised short ribs and the 3in-thick slab of meatloaf at this soul food restaurant. Sides are succulent collard greens, sweet potatoes and buttered cornbread. It's located near Belle Isle.
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Puppet ART/Detroit Puppet Theater
Soviet-trained puppeteers perform beautiful shows in this 70-person theater; a small museum displays puppets from different cultures. Shows are typically held on Saturday afternoons.
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Bert's Marketplace
Wynton Marsalis has sat in at this tiny jazz bar near the Eastern Market. Snap your fingers to the beat, or use them to shovel in the ribs, catfish and other soul food from the menu.
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