Detroit
Urban vibe & unstoppable energy
Photos by Eva Fydrych, F. Maples Photography, and courtesy of Takoi
The beauty of travelling lies in discovering unexpected places in both popular and unknown destinations, meeting new people, and experiencing something new every single day. When we allow ourselves to step outside our comfort zone, try things we haven't tried before, be spontaneous and open-minded, that's the moment when we create the most memorable experiences and change an ordinary trip into something really special.
And that's exactly what happened during my stay in Detroit. Exploring the city through the eyes of local people allowed me to see much more than just the usual tourist attractions and find places that I would probably never discover on my own.
No matter what you heard about the Motor City before, try to put it aside for a while and let me take you for a magical journey around the city that is currently reinventing itself like never before. Enjoy the ride!
Downtown Detroit (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
SLEEP
Detroit Foundation Hotel (250 W Larned St, Detroit, MI 48226) is so much more than just downtown accommodation. This stylish boutique hotel, located across the street from Cobo Center, represents the city through local collaborations and displays works of Detroit's best artists.
Its vibrant restaurant, The Apparatus Room, offers New American cuisine (curated by Michelin-starred Chef Thomas Lent) and craft cocktails – all in an industrial-chic space and accompanied by a great selection of music.
Room 410, Detroit Foundation Hotel (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
EAT
Since the city's restaurant scene is growing rapidly, you might want to take a stroll along Woodward Avenue to find your own favourite spot.
Considered one of the best restaurants in the city, Townhouse Detroit (500 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226) celebrates modern American comfort food and offers a world-class dining experience in a very stylish setting.
Dime Store (719 Griswold St #180, Detroit, MI 48226) serves scratch-made traditional favourites and creative combinations, using only the freshest, high quality ingredients. It is open for breakfast, brunch, and lunch.
"Out for the night in Greektown? Indulging in Greek cuisine is a must. Go to New Parthenon, Golden Fleece, Pegasus Taverna and Santorini Estiatorio, they won’t disappoint." - Visit Detroit
Takoi (2520 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216) is a hip, compact dining room featuring an open kitchen, elevated Thai plates, and creative cocktails. Their food is inspired by the pantries and markets of Southeast Asia. Don't miss live DJs and relaxing weekend vibes on the patio!
Photo courtesy of Takoi (Click to enlarge)
Photo courtesy of Takoi
Photo courtesy of Takoi
DANCE
Detroit offers a lot of interesting nightlife options, including a couple of rooftop lounges such as 3Fifty Terrace (350 Madison Ave., Detroit, MI 48226) or Exodos Rooftop Lounge (529 Monroe St., Detroit, MI 48226). Bleu Detroit (1540 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48226) is an upscale nightclub with one of the best sound systems in the city and a perfect spot to indulge yourself in top-shelf liquor varieties throughout the night. Don't forget to dress to impress!
Movement Music Festival is an annual three-day event held during Memorial Day weekend. The celebration of Detroit's electronic music legacy takes place in downtown at Hart Plaza.
3Fifty Terrace (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
Downtown Detroit (Photo by F. Maples Photography)
Artwork by Kehinde Wiley, Detroit Institute of Arts (Photo by Eva Fydrych)
Visiting Detroit Institute of Arts (Photo by F. Maples Photography)
There are so many fun things to do in Detroit, that I won't even try to prepare a comprehensive list of everything that should be seen, but instead will give you a selection of places and activities that I enjoyed most.
My favourite attractions included: Detroit Institute of Arts (Diego Rivera murals are stunning!), Motown Museum, Fisher Building, Guardian Building, Detroit Segways, MoGo Bikes, Cranbrook Art Museum and its beautiful gardens (a little outside Detroit, so be prepared to take Uber or drive), exploring the city rooftops, discovering the local street art scene, visiting iconic Shinola store, bowling, and – last but not least – dining out.
One of many parks in the city (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
Botanical garden (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
Downtown Detroit (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
Shinola store (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
ESCAPE
Belle Isle Park is a perfect spot if you want to avoid the crowds and relax. The park is home to the oldest aquarium in the country (designed by famed Detroit architect, Albert Kahn), a small botanical garden, a sand beach featuring gorgeous downtown views, and more!
"The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory is an exotic and rare collection of plants from around the world. It is the oldest continually-running conservatory in the United States and is divided into five distinct sections: Palm House, the Tropical House, the Cactus House, a sunken Fernery, and the Show House.
The Conservatory occupies a 13-acre parcel of land shared by the formal gardens and the Lily Pond. On the grounds is the Levi Barbour Memorial Fountain designed by Marshall Fredericks, a Japanese Tohro donated to Detroit in 1985 by the city of Toyota, Japan, and the Peacock Sundial erected in 1927." - Belle Isle Conservancy
Belle Isle Aquarium (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
Sculpture by Mark di Suvero, Cranbrook Art Museum (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
Cranbrook Art Museum (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
Shopping at Fairlane Town Center in Dearborn (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
Dining in Mexicantown, Southwest Detroit (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
Enjoying Underwood Rose at Avalon Cafe and Bakery (1049 Woodward Ave., Detroit MI 48226)
Street art (Photo by F. Maples Photography)
The Heidelberg Project (3600 Block of Heidelberg, Detroit, MI, 48207) is probably one of the most creative and unusual art installations you will ever see.
"In 1986, artist Tyree Guyton returned to Heidelberg, the street where he grew up on Detroit’s East Side, and found it in shambles, riddled with drugs and deepening poverty. Bruised by the loss of three brothers to the streets, Guyton was encouraged by his grandfather to pick up a paintbrush instead of a weapon and look for a solution.
Armed with a paintbrush, a broom and neighborhood children, Guyton and Grandpa began by cleaning up vacant lots on Heidelberg Street. From the refuse they collected, Guyton transformed the street into a massive art environment. Vacant lots literally became “lots of art” and abandoned houses became “gigantic art sculptures.” Guyton not only transformed vacant houses and lots, he integrated the street, sidewalks and trees into his mammoth installation and called the work, the Heidelberg Project (“HP”)". - The Heidelberg Project
Three Guyton and Eva Fydrych (Photo by F. Maples Photography)
The Heidelberg Project (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
DON'T MISS!
Often referred to as Detroit’s best kept secret, Jazz Cafe (350 Madison Ave., Detroit, MI 48226) brings the finest in music and atmosphere. Once you walk in, you will be transported to a room that has been home to various musicians, artists, and Broadway performers, from Jeff “Tain” Watts to Elaine Stritch to John Sinclair. Sit back, relax, and let the magic of jazz music take you for a journey you will never forget.
One of Detroit's most iconic buildings, GMRENCEN (400 Renaissance Center, Detroit, MI 48243), features destination dining, General Motors vehicles, a four-screen theatre, fitness centre, an array of shops, and stunning river views. Take a complimentary tour of the building and enjoy the sights of the Detroit RiverWalk!
Weekends at the Eastern Market are not to be missed. Attending the Saturday Market (every Saturday until 4pm, year-round) is an experience that is undeniably Detroit and has been a cornerstone of the city for 125 years. Sunday Market (every Sunday until 4pm, June through September) is not your traditional farmers market. It features art, jewelry, local products, antiques, entertainment, live music, and more. This street market is the perfect chance to discover items that are uniquely Detroit and Michigan made.
Inside GMRENCEN (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
Downtown Detroit (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
Downtown Detroit (Photo by F. Maples Photography)
DID YOU KNOW?
- Detroit has long been associated with music. It is a birthplace of Motown (a legendary record company founded by Berry Gordy, Jr.) and techno. You can't talk about electronic music without mentioning Detroit! The Motor City continues to be a hot spot for jazz and popular music as well, with a vibrant club scene, some of the most exciting young artists in the business and, of course, the world-class Detroit Jazz Festival (taking place from 31st August to 3rd September this year).
- WOW air (a low-fare, long-haul airline based in Iceland) offers 19 connections to / from Detroit, including all major cities in Europe, and also other destinations such as New Delhi and Tel Aviv. Highly recommended!
- The Shinola Hotel, a thoughtfully-curated hospitality experience, is set to open in fall 2018. The main building will be located at 1400 Woodward Avenue.
More coming soon!
________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Special thank you to Visit Detroit and WOW air for organising our trip in May 2017.
Good, detailed post. Detroit has been doing much better than what many still believe. It's also safer than perceived.
ReplyDeleteWell said. Thank you!
Delete