Detroit has developed an impressive wine culture, and you don't have to spend a fortune to enjoy it. Across Downtown Detroit and nearby neighborhoods, you'll find wine bars, restaurants, and lounges where the focus is often on interesting, well-chosen wines at approachable prices. That emphasis on value—finding wines that deliver more than their price suggests—is part of what makes Detroit's wine scene particularly enjoyable. Detroit's First Lady of Wine Detroit's wine culture has also been shaped by some remarkably accomplished wine professionals. One of the most influential is Madeline Triffon, widely known as Detroit's “First Lady of Wine.” Triffon became the first American woman to earn the title Master Sommelier and only the second woman in the world to pass the examination. She passed the U.S. Master Sommelier exam in 1987, one of only a small number of candidates to succeed that year. Triffon's career has been closely connected to Detroit. She has directed wine programs for some of the city's best-known restaurants and has helped introduce generations of Detroit-area diners to wines from around the world. She joined Plum Market in 2011, where she continues to work with wine, education, tastings, and events. Her approach to wine has also emphasized quality and value rather than simply choosing the most expensive bottle. In a 2014 interview, Triffon recommended numerous wines in the $10–$30 range and highlighted regions and producers that offered particularly strong value. A Strong Wine Community in Michigan Michigan's wine credentials extend beyond Detroit. The state has produced a surprisingly strong group of wine professionals, including Madeline Triffon and Claudia Tyagi, both of whom earned the Master Sommelier title. Historical Michigan wine coverage also documented three Master Sommeliers working in the state, including Ron Edwards. Michigan's wine industry itself has also grown considerably, particularly in the Traverse City, Leelanau Peninsula, and Old Mission Peninsula regions. Michigan is especially known for cool-climate varieties such as Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir. That gives Detroit wine drinkers something particularly interesting: excellent wines from Michigan alongside an enormous selection of wines from around the world. Detroit Wine Culture: What Makes It Different? For us, one of the most appealing things about Detroit's wine scene is that it doesn't have to feel intimidating. The best wine bars make it easy to order a glass, ask questions, try something unfamiliar, or simply find a bottle you enjoy. You'll find everything from: Relaxed wine bars with approachable bottles Restaurants with serious wine programs Natural and low-intervention wine selections Michigan wines Old World and New World selections Wines by the glass Small-production and lesser-known producers Food-friendly wines selected specifically for the menu And, importantly, a great bottle doesn't have to be an expensive bottle. Our Favorite Detroit Wine Bars We've selected our recommended wine bars based on the quality of the wine, atmosphere, food, and overall experience—not simply the size of the wine list. Our Favorite - The Royce The Royce is our favorite places to explore wine in Downtown Detroit. The selection ranges well beyond the familiar names, and the atmosphere makes it easy to settle in for a glass or stay for a bottle. It's exactly the kind of place where you can discover something new without feeling like you need to be a wine expert. Explore our guide to Detroit's best wine bars → Detroit Wine: Quality Over Price Detroit's wine culture is a good reminder that wine doesn't have to be complicated—or expensive—to be interesting. A well-selected $20 bottle can be more enjoyable than a $100 bottle if it suits your taste, your meal, and the occasion. That emphasis on value, discovery, and accessibility is one of the things we like most about drinking wine in Detroit. Whether you're looking for a relaxed glass after work, a bottle to share over dinner, or a place to discover something completely new, Detroit's wine bars are worth exploring. Local Tip Don't automatically choose the most expensive wine on the list. Ask what's drinking well, what's a good value, or what the staff is excited about. That's often how you'll find the most interesting bottle. Explore our Best Detroit Restaurants, Coffee Shops, Rooftop Bars, Cocktail Bars, Bars, and Detroit Things To Do The Royce Wine Bar Detroit, MI

Detroit is known around the world for automobiles and manufacturing, but its influence on design goes far beyond the auto industry. Detroit was named a UNESCO City of Design in 2015, recognizing its history as a center of industrial and modernist design and its continuing creative community. Detroit remains the first and only UNESCO City of Design in the United States, according to Design Core Detroit, the organization that serves as the steward of Detroit's City of Design designation. For visitors, that design legacy is easy to see. It appears in Detroit's historic architecture, automotive design, furniture, public spaces, adaptive-reuse projects, art, fashion, and the work of today's local designers. Why Is Detroit a UNESCO City of Design? Detroit's design history is deeply connected to its industrial past. The city became a center of innovation as automobile manufacturers, architects, engineers, furniture designers, and industrial designers developed new ways to make products, buildings, transportation, and everyday life more efficient and accessible. Detroit's modernist design legacy includes influential figures such as Eero Saarinen, Charles and Ray Eames, Florence Knoll, Minoru Yamasaki, and Albert Kahn. UNESCO describes Detroit as a cradle of American modernist design and a global center for industrial design. That history continues today through Detroit's creative businesses, design schools, architecture firms, artists, manufacturers, and community organizations. What Makes Detroit's Design Scene Unique? Detroit's design identity isn't confined to museums or architecture tours. You can see it throughout the city: Architecture — Art Deco skyscrapers, modernist buildings, historic industrial structures, and innovative new developments Automotive design — Detroit's longstanding influence on transportation and industrial design Furniture and product design — From historic manufacturing to today's independent designers Graphic and fashion design — A growing creative community producing work in studios throughout the city Public and community design — Projects that use design to improve neighborhoods and public spaces Adaptive reuse — Historic factories, warehouses, and commercial buildings being transformed for new uses Art and installations — Public art and temporary installations that change how people experience Detroit The result is a city where design is part of the landscape rather than something confined to a single museum or district. Detroit Month of Design One of the best ways to experience Detroit's design community is Detroit Month of Design, the city's annual design festival produced by Design Core Detroit. The Detroit Month of Design 2026 takes place September 1–30, 2026, with more than 100 Events taking place throughout Detroit. The 2026 theme is “Design Moves the Future,” focusing on how Detroit designers are using creativity to solve problems, build resilience, and shape the future. Events include: Exhibitions Installations Product launches Talks Tours Workshops Open studios Design experiences Community-led projects The 2026 festival is particularly interesting because its programming focuses on practical design solutions involving climate resilience and sustainability, mobility and transportation, materials and fabrication, and civic and community-led design. Explore the 2026 Detroit Month of Design The official festival calendar includes events throughout Detroit, with programming organized by neighborhood and design discipline. Explore the complete 2026 Detroit Month of Design calendar → Detroit Month of Design — Official Website Where to Experience Detroit Design You don't have to visit during September to experience Detroit's design heritage. Downtown Detroit Downtown is filled with some of Detroit's most impressive historic architecture, including Art Deco (see our article: Detroit’s Hidden Art Deco Architecture Masterpieces) and early-20th-century skyscrapers. The Guardian Building, Penobscot Building, and David Stott Building are particularly good examples of the city's architectural legacy. New Center & Milwaukee Junction North of Downtown, New Center and Milwaukee Junction provide another perspective on Detroit's design history. The area connects Detroit's industrial and automotive past with a growing collection of creative businesses, studios, restaurants, and renovated historic buildings. Corktown Corktown demonstrates how Detroit's historic architecture is being adapted for contemporary life. Historic buildings and former industrial spaces now house restaurants, businesses, creative organizations, and new developments. Michigan Central Michigan Central is one of Detroit's most visible examples of historic preservation, technology, mobility, and contemporary design coming together. The restored Michigan Central Station anchors a larger innovation district focused on transportation, technology, and the future of mobility. Detroit's Design Legacy Is Still Evolving Detroit's UNESCO designation isn't simply recognition of what the city accomplished decades ago. It reflects an ongoing design community. Today, designers, architects, artists, educators, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and community organizations continue to use design to address transportation, housing, sustainability, public spaces, manufacturing, and neighborhood development. That's part of what makes Detroit interesting: the city's design history isn't just something to look back at. It's still being created. Why Detroit's Design Matters Detroit's design story helps explain much of the city you see today. The same city that helped redefine automobile design also produced influential architecture, furniture, graphics, manufacturing systems, and modernist ideas. Today, that tradition continues through a new generation of Detroit designers and creative businesses. For visitors, you don't need to be a design expert to appreciate it. Look up at the buildings, notice the details, explore the neighborhoods, visit the museums, and pay attention to how old industrial spaces are being reused. Detroit's design legacy is everywhere. Our Local Tip If you're visiting Detroit in September, plan around Detroit Month of Design. With events spread throughout the city, it's a particularly good opportunity to see neighborhoods, studios, exhibitions, installations, and creative spaces you might otherwise miss. The 2026 festival runs September 1–30. Explore our Best Detroit Restaurants, Coffee Shops, Rooftop Bars, Wine Bars, Hotels and Things To Do Detroit Month of Design Events

Detroit's skyline is changing faster than it has in decades. From the transformational Hudson's Detroit development and Gordie Howe International Bridge to new hotels, entertainment venues, and healthcare campuses, billions of dollars are reshaping the city. Whether you're a visitor planning a trip, a former Detroiter keeping tabs on the city, or simply curious about Detroit's revitalization, these are the major Detroit development projects to watch in 2026. Last Updated: June 2026 Major Detroit Development Projects in 2026 Hudson's Detroit JW Marriott Detroit University of Michigan Center for Innovation Henry Ford Future of Health Gratiot Technology District Cadillac Square Renaissance Center Little Caesars Arena Hotel Detroit City FC Stadium Gordie Howe International Bridge Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building The Reckmeyer The Belle 2205 Cass Residential Tower Detroit Solar Neighborhood Initiative Hudson's Detroit Development The 12-story office building of the Hudson's Detroit project is expected to open this year and "welcome a variety of tenants and events," said Kofi Bonner, CEO of its owner, Bedrock. General Motors will be among the first tenants as the automaker has said it expects to move in by January 2026 and occupy the top four floors of the mixed-use office, retail and event space structure. It stands next to the 685.4-foot-tall skyscraper currently under construction, including work underway on the Detroit Edition hotel and The Residences at the Detroit Edition luxury condos. Bedrock has said availability will start in 2027. June 2026 Status: Partially Open The 12-story office building opened in phases in 2025. General Motors officially began moving into its new headquarters in January 2026. Retail tenants are opening. The Detroit EDITION Hotel and luxury residences remain under development. Condo pre-sales are underway. JW Marriott Detroit Waterfront Hotel Construction continues through the winter on the waterfront hotel Detroit-based Sterling Group is building on the site of the former Joe Louis Arena in downtown Detroit. The project remains on track to open in early 2027 before the NCAA Final Four at Ford Field, said Claude Molinari, chairman of the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority. The authority oversees Huntington Place, which will be connected to the hotel via a skybridge. June 2026 Status: Under Construction Construction continues on the former Joe Louis Arena site. The hotel remains targeted to open before the 2027 NCAA Final Four. A skybridge will connect it to Huntington Place. University of Michigan Center for Innovation: In District Detroit, the University of Michigan is constructing the University of Michigan Center for Innovation. The effort has been supported by a $100 million donation from Stephen Ross and land donation from Olympia Development. The project is expected to bring innovation and research space to the city and foster growth in fields like technology and medicine. The $250 million project at 2121 Cass will have a greater physical presence with construction this year, said Scott Shireman, director of UMCI. The building is on track to open in 2027. “We’re making good progress and it’s exciting to see the frame of the building going up," he said. "We’ve been actively doing work over this past year. We laid the foundation. Now, we’re kind of building up the skeleton structure of the building. We’ve started building the steel structure out of the ground.” June 2026 Status: Under Construction Major construction is ongoing at District Detroit. Opening remains scheduled for 2027. Supported by Stephen Ross and Olympia Development. Henry Ford Future of Health Henry Ford Health is making progress on its multi-faceted $3 billion Future of Health project, which also involves the Detroit Pistons and Michigan State University. In addition to a $2 billion hospital expansion, plans include a new research center with Michigan State University, a 20-story patient tower, a commercial corridor with two new residential buildings and a parking garage. The expansion of Henry Ford Hospital broke ground in the fall and will include new hospital beds, operating rooms and an emergency room, totaling 1.2 million square feet of space altogether. The building is under construction with footing, civil work and site work, said Jerry Darby, vice president of campus planning, development and design for Henry Ford Health. “We expect in 2025 by mid-year to start with steel and vertical construction,” he said. The hospital is projected to be completed by mid-2029 and open by the end of that year. June 2026 Status: Major Construction Underway The $3 billion project is progressing. Structural work is underway. Completion remains projected for late 2029. Gratiot Technology District The initial phase of development on Bedrock’s 14-acre site at Gratiot is expected to start in 2025 with the construction of a 220,000-square-foot Life Science Innovation Building, Bonner said. The venture at the failed jail site is in partnership with incoming tenants BAMF Health, Michigan Innovation Headquarters, Ferris State University, Wayne State University and its TechTown Detroit. BAMF hopes to welcome patients in 2027, Bonner said. June 2026 Bedrock's life sciences district continues site preparation. Anchor tenants remain committed. BAMF Health expects a 2027 opening. Cadillac Square Redevelopment Construction on Bedrock's long-awaited Development at Cadillac Square is set to begin in the second quarter of 2025. It sits between Monroe and Randolph Streets, adjacent to Campus Martius Park. Part of the development includes Cosm Detroit, an immersive technology, media and entertainment venue operator that will bring its Shared Reality live sports and entertainment concept to Cadillac Square. The venue is set to break ground in 2025 and open in 2026. June 2026 Status: Construction Underway Work has begun. Cosm Detroit remains targeted for a 2026 opening. Renaissance Center Redevelopment Another significant project in Detroit to keep an eye on is the proposed partial demolition and redevelopment of the Renaissance Center. GM, partnering with Dan Gilbert’s Bedrock Detroit, has proposed a $1.6 billion renovation plan that includes tearing down two of the towers — 300 and 400 — and repurposing underutilized spaces. Requests for public funding for the project could continue in 2025. GM and Bedrock have said they’re looking for $350 million in public support, with $250 million from the state and $100 million from the Downtown Development Authority. June 2026 Status: Proposed / Approvals Advancing Bedrock and GM continue pursuing the $1.6 billion redevelopment. Funding commitments have progressed. The plan still includes demolition of Towers 300 and 400 and riverfront improvements. Little Caesars Arena Hotel The District Detroit development consists of 10 new builds and renovation projects, including the 14-floor Little Caesars Arena Hotel. The Hotel will have 291 guest rooms and be located in downtown Detroit just south of the arena. The developers are planning to break ground sometime in 2025. June 2026 Status: Planning Phase Developers continue preparing the project. Groundbreaking has not yet occurred. Fox Theatre Hotel Project Will get guest accommodations when they convert office space into 177 hotel rooms. June 2026 Status: Planning Conversion plans remain active. No major construction updates have been announced. Merchants Building Hotel Built in 1922 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, will be transformed into a 130-room boutique hotel with office space and ground-floor retail. June 2026 Status: Proposed Redevelopment planning continues. Future timelines remain fluid. Detroit’s Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts After opening almost 100 years ago, is getting an update with a $125 million expansion. By spring 2027, a new seven-story, 100,000-square-foot structure will be built next to the original building at the corner of Brush and Madison and will feature a new concert hall, recital hall, and recording and practice studios. June 2026 Status: Under Development The $125 million expansion remains on track. Completion is still anticipated in 2027. Detroit City Football Club’s New Soccer Stadium In 2027, soccer fans can expect to enjoy at the site of the former Southwest Detroit Hospital at Michigan Avenue and 20th Street; it will serve as the club and city’s permanent home for exciting soccer games. The groundbreaking is slated for spring 2025. June 2026 Groundbreaking activities have commenced. The stadium remains targeted for a 2027 debut. Gordie Howe International Bridge The Gordie Howe International Bridge, which will link Detroit with Windsor, Ontario, is now visible on Google Maps and has a new roadside sign installed ahead of its planned fall 2025 opening. The bridge’s entry signage can be seen along Interstate 75 in southwest Detroit. Once finished, the 1.5-mile bridge will offer six traffic lanes and a toll-free pedestrian and bicycle path, making it the first international crossing to support both vehicle and nonmotorized traffic across the Detroit River. June 2026 This is the biggest update. The bridge itself is finished. Testing and commissioning have been completed. August 2026 - Bridge is open! The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park is on track to open to the public in October 2025, taking its place as another significant piece of Detroit’s revitalization. The park, named after 54-year owner of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, is a testament to Wilson’s appreciation for Detroit – the city where he grew up and called home. Wilson, a philanthropist, left behind a legacy and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, has become the park’s main financial backer. The Detroit waterfront parcel and its 22 acres of once little used, flat greenspace along W. Jefferson Ave. is no more. The unproductive space has been replaced by a sloping hill for winter sledding and summertime movie viewing, a lush two-acre water garden, and a Copenhagen inspired play area for kids. Additionally, there will be two basketball courts. This dynamic park has something for all ages. June 2026 Status: Open The park officially opened in 2025. Visitors can now enjoy: the water garden, sledding hill, basketball courts, children's play areas, expanded riverfront access. Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building Redevelopment Status: Under Construction The landmark federal building at 477 Michigan Avenue is undergoing a major modernization and redevelopment. The project is expected to bring new office space and increased activity to the west side of downtown. Expected Completion: 2027. The Reckmeyer Status: Under Construction Located at 1320 Broadway, this historic redevelopment will bring new residential units to Detroit's entertainment district. Expected Completion: 2026. The Belle Status: Under Construction Another Broadway redevelopment project, The Belle will add new housing to downtown Detroit as part of the city's growing residential base. Expected Completion: 2027. 2205 Cass / UMCI Residential Tower Status: Under Construction Adjacent to the University of Michigan Center for Innovation, this residential tower is helping transform District Detroit into a mixed-use neighborhood supporting students, faculty, and tech workers. Expected Completion: 2027. Detroit Solar Neighborhood Initiative Status: Moving Forward One of Detroit's lesser-known but potentially transformative projects involves the development of neighborhood solar fields across vacant land in the city. The initiative covers approximately 165 acres in several Detroit neighborhoods and aims to: Reduce blight, Generate renewable energy, Provide energy-efficiency improvements to nearby residents. The city is transitioning portions of the program to DTE Energy after the original developer exited the market. Detroit Development Projects Frequently Asked Questions What are the biggest Detroit development projects in 2026? Detroit's largest projects include Hudson's Detroit, the Gordie Howe International Bridge, Henry Ford Future of Health, the JW Marriott waterfront hotel, and Renaissance Center redevelopment. When will Hudson's Detroit open? The office portion is expected to open in 2025, while the hotel and residential components continue toward later phases. When does the Gordie Howe Bridge open? The bridge is scheduled to open in fall 2025. What is the University of Michigan Center for Innovation? The District Detroit project will bring research, innovation, and educational space to downtown Detroit. University of Michigan Center for Innovation Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park Development

Detroit is famous for its automotive history, but it also boasts some remarkable Art Deco architecture. These buildings offer a glimpse into a defining era of Detroit design, from soaring skyscrapers to intricate interiors. For anyone interested in architecture and Detroit history, these Detroit Art Deco architecture landmarks are well worth exploring. Whether we're locals or just visiting, exploring these architectural wonders will give us a new appreciation for the city's rich history. Detroit's Hidden Art Deco Architecture Masterpieces Detroit, often known for its automotive history, also boasts some stunning Art Deco architecture. These hidden gems showcase the city's rich cultural heritage and artistic flair. Let's take a tour of some of the most captivating Art Deco buildings in Detroit. Guardian Building The Guardian Building, often referred to as the "Cathedral of Finance," is a prime example of Art Deco design. Its intricate details and vibrant colors make it a must-see. This skyscraper, completed in 1929, features a stunning lobby adorned with colorful tiles, murals, and mosaics. The exterior showcases a blend of Native American and Aztec motifs, making it a unique architectural marvel. Fisher Building Another iconic structure, the Fisher Building, stands as a testament to Detroit's architectural prowess. Its grandeur and elegance are sure to leave you in awe. Designed by Albert Kahn, this building boasts a lavish interior with marble, brass, and mosaics. The exterior is equally impressive, with its limestone and granite facade. Don't miss the stunning frescoes in the lobby. Penobscot Building The Penobscot Building, a towering presence in Detroit's skyline, is a blend of Art Deco and Native American influences. Its design elements make it a standout. Completed in 1928, this building features a striking facade with geometric patterns and Native American motifs. The lobby is equally impressive, with its ornate detailing and grand chandeliers. David Stott Building The David Stott Building, with its sleek lines and elegant design, is a classic example of Art Deco architecture. Its presence adds to the charm of Detroit's skyline. This 38-story skyscraper, completed in 1929, features a distinctive stepped-back design. The exterior is adorned with intricate brickwork and terra cotta details, while the lobby showcases beautiful marble and brass accents. Albert Kahn Building The Albert Kahn Building, named after its renowned architect, is a lesser-known gem in Detroit's Art Deco collection. Its design is both elegant and functional. Completed in 1931, the building features a sleek limestone facade with subtle Art Deco details. The interior is a blend of marble, brass, and wood, creating a sophisticated and timeless atmosphere. Kean Building The Kean Building is a structure of significant importance both for the city of Detroit and the United States as a nation. The building embodies the distinctive characteristic features of the time in which it was built and the Art Deco style. Because of that, the Kean Building was officially included in the National Register of Historic Places on July 9th, 1985. Discover Detroit's Art Deco Gems Detroit's Art Deco architecture stands as a testament to the city's rich history and vibrant culture. From the stunning Guardian Building to the intricate details of the Fisher Building, these hidden masterpieces offer a glimpse into a bygone era. Exploring these architectural wonders not only reveals the city's artistic heritage but also showcases the craftsmanship and vision of the designers who brought them to life. The Importance of Art Deco in Detroit Art Deco is more than just a design style; it represents a significant period in Detroit's history. This architectural movement emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, reflecting the optimism and progress of the time. It was a period when Detroit was booming, and its buildings mirrored that growth. Why We Should Appreciate Art Deco Taking the time to appreciate these architectural treasures can deepen our connection to Detroit. Each building tells a story, reflecting the city's evolution and resilience. So next time we're in Detroit, let's make sure to look up and take in the beauty of its Art Deco gems. We'll find that these structures are more than just buildings; they're pieces of history waiting to be discovered. Detroit's Penobscot Building - Art Deco More Detroit Architecture Worth Seeing Book Tower The Book Tower, with its unique design and historical significance, is a standout in Detroit's architectural scene. Italian Renaissance Revival with Art Deco elements that add to its charm. This 36-story building, completed in 1926, features a distinctive copper roof and ornate detailing. The interior is equally impressive, with its marble floors, grand staircases, and intricate plasterwork. Masonic Temple The Masonic Temple, the largest of its kind in the world, is a marvel of Art Deco design. Its grandeur and intricate details make it a must-visit. Completed in 1926, this massive structure features a blend of Gothic Revival and Art Deco elements. The interior is a labyrinth of ornate halls, theaters, and meeting rooms, each adorned with intricate details and stunning craftsmanship. Buhl Building The Buhl Building, though less known, is a hidden gem in Detroit's architectural landscape. Neo-Romanesque with Art Deco elements that are subtle yet captivating. Designed by Wirt C. Rowland, this building features a sleek limestone facade with geometric patterns. The lobby is a blend of marble, brass, and wood, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Detroit's Masonic Temple

Detroit's churches are some of the city's most impressive architectural treasures. This guide is not about religion or religious practice. It is about the extraordinary buildings, craftsmanship and history found inside and outside Detroit's historic churches. Detroit was founded in 1701, and over the centuries the city grew from a small French settlement into a major American city. As Detroit expanded, new communities established churches that often became architectural and social anchors for their neighborhoods. Today, those buildings tell stories that go far beyond religion. They reflect Detroit's immigrant communities, industrial wealth, changing neighborhoods, architectural movements, the Underground Railroad, the civil rights movement and the city's remarkable history of preservation. Some of Detroit's churches are nearly two centuries old. Others were designed by some of the city's most important architects and contain spectacular stained glass, carved woodwork, marble, mosaics, murals and elaborate Gothic interiors. And in many cases, the interiors are even more impressive than the exteriors. Detroit: A City of Historic Churches Detroit has long been known as a City of Churches. As different communities settled throughout Detroit, churches became important neighborhood landmarks. Polish, German, Irish, Italian, African American and other immigrant communities established congregations and built increasingly elaborate houses of worship. The result is an extraordinary architectural collection spread throughout the city. Detroit's historic churches include examples of: Gothic Revival Romanesque Revival Victorian Gothic Late Gothic Revival Byzantine architecture Renaissance Revival Art Deco Neoclassical design Many contain remarkable craftsmanship that is difficult to appreciate from the street. If a historic Detroit church is open to visitors, be sure to look inside. Architecture Worth Exploring During the 19th and early 20th centuries, American architects embraced European architectural traditions and adapted them for American cities. Detroit became a particularly rich showcase for Gothic Revival and Romanesque Revival architecture. Look for soaring vaulted ceilings, pointed arches, elaborate stonework, stained-glass windows, carved altars, decorative tile, murals and intricate woodwork. Some interiors can feel more like European cathedrals than buildings in an American industrial city. That contrast is part of what makes Detroit's architecture so fascinating. Detroit Churches and the Underground Railroad Detroit's churches also played an important role in one of the most significant chapters of American history. Before the Civil War, Detroit was a critical stop on the Underground Railroad. The Detroit Historical Society describes the city as a “Doorway to Freedom” because it was one of the final stops for freedom seekers escaping slavery before crossing the Detroit River into Canada. Churches and religious organizations were among the places where freedom seekers could find assistance. Second Baptist Church Second Baptist Church is particularly important to this history. Founded in 1836, it became a vital Underground Railroad station. The Detroit Historical Society reports that the congregation sheltered an estimated 5,000 freedom seekers over more than 30 years. Abolitionists including Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth and John Brown were associated with the church's anti-slavery activities. This history gives Detroit's historic churches an importance that extends well beyond architecture. Churches and Detroit's Civil Rights History Detroit's churches continued to serve as important community institutions long after the Underground Railroad era. Many became centers for civic organizing, social services and civil rights activism. Central United Methodist Church, for example, has been involved in social justice issues for generations. The Detroit Historical Society notes its history of involvement in causes ranging from antiwar protests to civil rights and describes the church as “The Conscience of a City.” Other historic Black churches became important gathering places during Detroit's long struggle for racial equality. When exploring Detroit's historic churches, the buildings themselves tell only part of the story. The people and communities connected to them are equally important. Historic Churches Worth Seeing There are dozens of historic churches throughout Detroit, but several stand out for their architecture, history or location. Sweetest Heart of Mary Catholic Church 4440 Russell Street Sweetest Heart of Mary is one of Detroit's most spectacular examples of Gothic Revival architecture. Its soaring brick exterior, elaborate interior, stained glass and ornate woodwork make it one of the city's most impressive historic churches. The building is particularly striking because of its scale and level of architectural detail. Ste. Anne de Detroit St. Anne Street Founded in 1701, Ste. Anne de Detroit is one of the city's most historically significant religious institutions. Its history reaches back to the founding of Detroit itself. The current church building dates from the 19th century and represents one of the city's most important connections to its French colonial beginnings. Old St. Mary's Catholic Church 646 Monroe Street Located in the heart of Detroit's Greektown area, Old St. Mary's is one of the city's best-known historic churches. Its Romanesque Revival architecture and elaborate interior make it particularly impressive. Its location also makes it easy to combine with other downtown attractions. Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church 629 East Jefferson Avenue Saints Peter and Paul is one of Detroit's oldest surviving churches. Its massive Romanesque Revival structure is an important part of the architectural history of downtown Detroit. The church is also close to Campus Martius, the Detroit RiverWalk and other downtown attractions. Mariners' Church 170 East Jefferson Avenue Mariners' Church dates to the 1840s and was designed in the Perpendicular Gothic style. Its history is unusual. When Detroit planned a new civic center in the 1950s, the entire 3,000-ton church was moved approximately 880 feet to its present location. During the move, workers discovered a tunnel beneath the church associated with its Underground Railroad history. It is one of Detroit's most remarkable architectural stories. Cathedral Church of St. Paul 4800 Woodward Avenue Designed by renowned architect Ralph Cram, the Cathedral Church of St. Paul is an outstanding example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture. Its massive stone construction and dramatic interior make it one of Detroit's architectural landmarks. Located near the Detroit Institute of Arts and Wayne State University, it is an easy addition to a Midtown architecture tour. St. Matthew's & St. Joseph's Episcopal Church 8850 Woodward Avenue St. Matthew's and St. Joseph's combines impressive Gothic architecture with an important African American history. The present building was designed in the English Gothic style and includes carved oak features, Pewabic tile, stained glass and a historic Skinner organ. The church's history is also connected to Detroit's Underground Railroad and Black community. Central United Methodist Church 23 East Adams Avenue Located downtown, Central United Methodist Church is a striking Gothic Revival building dating to the 19th century. Its architecture includes Ohio granite construction, a distinctive tower and an elaborate interior. But its history may be even more compelling than its architecture. For generations, Central has been associated with social justice, civil rights and peace activism. Detroit's Historic Churches Were Neighborhood Anchors One of the most interesting things about Detroit's churches is the way they influenced the development of neighborhoods. Churches were often built at the center of growing communities. St. Albertus Catholic Church provides a good example. As the Polish community grew around the church, homes and businesses developed nearby. Historic Detroit notes that the neighborhood became Detroit's first Polish neighborhood, with residents intentionally building close enough to walk to church. This pattern repeated throughout Detroit. Church → community → homes → businesses → neighborhood. The churches weren't simply buildings. They helped shape Detroit itself. Why Detroit's Church Architecture Matters Detroit's historic churches are important because they preserve several layers of the city's history at once. They reveal: Detroit's architectural history The buildings showcase some of the city's finest examples of Gothic, Romanesque and other revival styles. Detroit's immigrant history Churches became anchors for Polish, German, Irish, Italian and other immigrant communities. Detroit's African American history Black churches became centers of community organization, education, civil rights and resistance. Detroit's Underground Railroad history Several churches and their congregations helped freedom seekers on the journey toward Canada. Detroit's neighborhood historyChurches often helped establish and define the communities that grew around them. Take a Detroit Church Architecture Tour You don't need to visit every church to appreciate Detroit's architectural legacy. A self-guided tour can be organized around several neighborhoods. Downtown & Greektown Start with: Old St. Mary's Saints Peter and Paul Mariners' Church Central United Methodist Church These can be combined with downtown attractions including Campus Martius, the Guardian Building and the RiverWalk. Midtown Combine: Cathedral Church of St. Paul St. Matthew's & St. Joseph's Detroit Institute of Arts East Side Explore: Sweetest Heart of Mary St. Albertus Other historic churches throughout the surrounding neighborhoods Look Inside One of the biggest mistakes visitors make is appreciating Detroit's historic churches only from the street. The interiors can be spectacular. Look for: Stained glass Carved wood Marble columns Elaborate altars Mosaics Historic organs Pewabic tile Murals Decorative ceilings Sculptures Original architectural details Some of the most beautiful details are easy to miss from outside. Preservation of Detroit's Churches Preserving these buildings is a significant challenge. Many were constructed more than 100 years ago and require constant maintenance. Some remain active congregations. Others have smaller memberships or have been repurposed. Preservation organizations continue to draw attention to their architectural and historical importance. Preservation Detroit's Historic Churches Tour, for example, highlights several of Detroit's historic churches and allows visitors to experience their interiors. Historic Detroit also maintains an extensive database of historic Detroit buildings, including churches. A Local's Take Detroit's historic churches deserve to be considered alongside the city's better-known architectural attractions. They are not simply places of worship. They are architecture, history, neighborhood landmarks and records of the people who built Detroit. From the French origins of Ste. Anne to the Gothic Revival grandeur of Sweetest Heart of Mary, from the Underground Railroad history of Second Baptist and Mariners' Church to the civil rights legacy of Central United Methodist, these buildings reveal a Detroit that cannot be understood from a downtown skyscraper or automobile museum alone. You don't have to be religious to appreciate them. Come for the architecture. Stay for the history. And look inside.

Revitalization of Downtown Detroit Detroit's downtown has undergone a remarkable transformation that has caught the attention of travelers worldwide. Once infamous for its economic struggles, the city has invested billions into rejuvenating its urban core. This investment has led to a thriving scene filled with new businesses, trendy restaurants, and vibrant cultural venues. The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation reports that over $7 billion has been poured into the city's revitalization efforts since 2010. This surge of investment has not only breathed new life into the area but also created an inviting atmosphere that draws tourists eager to experience the city's renewed energy. Visitors find themselves captivated by the bustling streets, lively events, and the palpable sense of optimism that now defines downtown Detroit. Cultural Renaissance Detroit is experiencing a cultural renaissance that has breathed new life into its arts scene. The city boasts an array of galleries, theaters, and music venues that cater to diverse artistic tastes. The Detroit Institute of Arts stands as a must-visit destination, housing an impressive collection of masterpieces that captivate art enthusiasts. Detroit's rich musical heritage, from the soulful sounds of Motown to the pulsating beats of techno, continues to resonate with visitors from around the globe. The Detroit Jazz Festival, a celebrated event, showcases the city's musical prowess and draws crowds eager to immerse themselves in the rhythmic magic. This cultural revival has solidified Detroit's reputation as a hotspot for creative expression. Culinary Scene on the Rise Detroit's culinary scene has become a magnet for food lovers seeking diverse and delectable experiences. The city's dining options reflect its multicultural heritage, offering everything from classic Coney Island hot dogs to upscale farm-to-table eateries. According to a 2022 report by the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association, the city's restaurant industry has experienced a remarkable 15% growth in recent years. Food enthusiasts are flocking to Detroit to savor its gastronomic delights and explore the innovative creations of local chefs. Food tours have become a popular way for visitors to discover hidden gems and indulge in the city's culinary treasures. Sports and Entertainment For sports enthusiasts, Detroit is a dream destination. The city is home to several professional sports teams, including the Tigers (MLB), Lions (NFL), Pistons (NBA), and Red Wings (NHL). The fervor of Detroit's passionate sports fans creates an electric atmosphere that enhances the travel experience. The Little Caesars Arena, a premier venue that opened in 2017, hosts a variety of sports and entertainment events, from thrilling games to captivating concerts. Visitors can immerse themselves in the excitement of live sports and entertainment, making Detroit a must-visit for those seeking adrenaline-pumping experiences. Historical Significance Detroit's rich history adds depth and intrigue to its appeal as a travel destination. The city's past is woven into the fabric of its present, offering visitors a chance to explore its historical significance. The Detroit Historical Museum and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History provide fascinating insights into the city's role in the automotive industry and civil rights movements. Strolling through historic neighborhoods and landmarks allows travelers to connect with Detroit's storied past. The city's historical significance enriches the travel experience, inviting visitors to delve into its captivating narrative. A Welcoming Community The heartwarming hospitality of Detroit's residents creates a welcoming atmosphere that leaves a lasting impression on visitors. Locals take immense pride in their city and eagerly share its stories and experiences with newcomers. This sense of community adds a personal touch to the travel experience, making visitors feel like they belong. As Detroit continues to grow and evolve, the spirit of its residents remains a key factor in its transformation into a surprising travel favorite.

Note: A Local's Guide Detroit does not recommend all the same venues and things to do that are in this article. But this article is included here because Travel + Leisure highlights internationally the reasons to visit and enjoy Detroit. This article does reinforce several of the themes A Local's Guide Detroit uses - Detroit's food scene, arts and culture, walkability, neighborhoods, riverfront, and sports. Incredible art, great dining, and river views. You can't keep Motor City down for long. By Iona Brannon Travel + Leisure Magazine Published on March 1, 2026 To paraphrase Mark Twain, the reports of Detroit's death have been greatly exaggerated. In fact, the city, which is the most populous in the state of Michigan, is slowly building a reputation as one of the coolest places to visit in the Midwest, with a thriving culinary scene, gorgeous outdoor spaces, and a rich history to boot. The city is perhaps best known for its legacy as the U.S.'s premier car manufacturing hub. The first auto companies set up shop in Detroit around the turn of the 20th century, and by 1917, the city's plants produced over one million cars per year. Beyond manufacturing, though, Motor City significantly impacted American pop culture. This is where Blues giants like Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, and John Lee Hooker cut their teeth performing at venues throughout the city. And of course, Detroit is the home of Motown, and gave rise to stars such as The Temptations, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, and Stevie Wonder. The city also had a profound influence on other genres such as R&B, gospel, hip-hop, and even techno. Today, Motor City is tapping into its creative history and Midwestern roots and blossoming once more. "In other places, people try to recreate this authenticity, and in Detroit, we just have it,'" says Jeanette Pierce, founder and president of City Institute, a company that specializes in educational walking tours of Detroit. Here, visitors will find a walkable downtown centered around a restored plaza and a meandering riverwalk. The city also has a rich arts and culture scene. While here, you can check out Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry Murals and the world-famous Motown Museum. From historic jazz venues to Burundian restaurants and craft cocktail bars set on former church grounds, Detroit truly has it all, served with a heaping helping of Midwestern hospitality. Downtown With restored historic buildings, restaurants, and bars, Detroit’s downtown scene has plenty to explore. Campus Martius Park serves as the epicenter, having once transformed from an ugly five-way intersection. The “mile zero” point of origin for the entire city of Detroit sits in a glass circle in front of the park's restaurant. The Detroit RiverWalk has stunning waterfront views, while sports venues, including Ford Field, Comerica Park, and Little Caesars Arena, bring a bustling energy to the district. Corktown Detroit's oldest surviving neighborhood, Corktown, has beautifully restored Victorian homes and a thriving restaurant and bar scene. This compact, walkable area is the only place in the city with the colorful Victorian houses similar to those famous in San Francisco. The neighborhood has become a hub for innovation and community, home to restaurants like Mudgie’s Deli and Slows Bar BQ (one of Detroit's first nationally recognized restaurants), Motor City Wine, and Ima (award-winning ramen and izakaya). Eastern Market Beyond the famous Saturday market, this district has colorful murals that transform buildings into outdoor art galleries. Detroit is the only UNESCO City of Design in the United States and has painted over 600 murals in the last decade. Businesses like Rebel Nell (which transforms graffiti from abandoned buildings into jewelry) are a must-see. Midtown/Cass Corridor Housing the Detroit Institute of Arts, Wayne State University, and the Detroit Public Library, Midtown is the city's cultural and educational heart. The Canfield/Cass area is a walkable shopping district with local makers and heritage brands. Browse City Bird for locally-made gifts and Michigan treasures, Bon Bon Bon for inventive artisan chocolates, the Shinola flagship store, Carhartt flagship store (which was originally founded in Detroit), and Third Man Records. West Village This charming historic neighborhood was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Visit Marrow, Sister Pie, Norm's Diner, and the dog-friendly Barkside bar, along with boutiques like Faircloth and Eugenie for the quintessential West Village experience.

Little Village Detroit: Where Art, Food and Community Meet Detroit's East Side has a new destination worth exploring. With national recognition from TIME and USA TODAY, Little Village is no longer a secret. Little Village Detroit is a growing cultural corridor bringing together contemporary art, historic architecture, restaurants, bars, public spaces, recreation and community projects. At its center is The Shepherd, a historic church transformed into an arts and cultural center. Around it, a collection of independent businesses and creative projects is turning formerly underused properties into places to eat, drink, see art and spend time. And Little Village is still growing. New restaurants, businesses, galleries and waterfront development are extending the district toward the Detroit River and Belle Isle, making this one of the most interesting areas of Detroit to watch. Little Village Detroit – Recognized as One of the World's Greatest Places Little Village has already received significant national recognition. In 2025, TIME Magazine named Little Village one of its “World's Greatest Places,” recognizing the Detroit destination for its distinctive combination of art, culture, food, architecture and community-focused development. The recognition puts Little Village among a select group of destinations around the world highlighted by TIME for their cultural significance and appeal to visitors. For Detroit, the recognition is particularly notable because Little Village represents a different kind of destination. Rather than being built around one major attraction, it brings together a collection of creative spaces, independent businesses, restaurants, public art and community projects. The TIME recognition also reflects how quickly Little Village has developed into one of Detroit's emerging cultural destinations. And the story isn't finished. With new restaurants, businesses and the planned Stanton Yards riverfront development continuing to take shape, Little Village is becoming an increasingly important part of Detroit's cultural landscape. The Shepherd: The Heart of Little Village The centerpiece of Little Village is The Shepherd, a historic Romanesque-style church at 1265 Parkview Street. The former church has been transformed into a contemporary cultural arts center with exhibition spaces, a public library, performance space and community programming. The building itself is worth seeing, but The Shepherd is more than an arts venue. Its grounds have been transformed into publicly accessible spaces where visitors can walk, gather and experience art outside the traditional museum setting. The Nave and Great Lawn The grounds surrounding The Shepherd include The Nave, a landscaped pedestrian promenade connecting the buildings and outdoor spaces. The Great Lawn provides open green space for visitors and community events. Together, these spaces make The Shepherd feel more like a cultural campus than a traditional gallery. Charles McGee Legacy Park One of the most distinctive outdoor attractions is Charles McGee Legacy Park, honoring the late Detroit artist Charles McGee. The sculpture park brings contemporary art into a public outdoor setting and reflects one of Little Village's central ideas: art doesn't have to be confined to a museum or gallery. Visitors can walk through the park while exploring the rest of The Shepherd campus. It Takes a Village Skatepark Little Village also includes It Takes a Village Skatepark, bringing recreation into the heart of the cultural district. The skatepark was designed with the involvement of artist McArthur Binion and skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, adding another connection between Detroit's creative community and the national skateboarding world. The skatepark is a good example of what makes Little Village different from a conventional arts district. The goal isn't simply to create places to look at art—it is to create places where people actually spend time. Little Village Library Inside The Shepherd is the Little Village Library, a public library curated by Black Art Library founder Asmaa Walton. The library adds an educational and community component to the arts center and reinforces Little Village's emphasis on making culture accessible to the neighborhood. Warda Pâtisserie Just behind The Shepherd is Warda Pâtisserie, located in BridgeHouse. The pâtisserie comes from James Beard Award-winning chef Warda Bouguettaya and offers French-inspired pastries and breakfast fare. For visitors, Warda is an easy addition to a Little Village visit—particularly if you're exploring The Shepherd in the morning or early afternoon. Father Forgive Me Father Forgive Me has quickly become one of Little Village's best-known food and drink destinations. The wine and cocktail bar occupies a former garage on The Shepherd campus and combines cocktails, wine and food with the unusual setting of the surrounding arts campus. It has also received national attention. In 2026, Father Forgive Me was named one of USA TODAY's Bars of the Year, putting the Detroit bar among a select group of standout bars recognized nationally. That recognition gives visitors another reason to make the trip to Little Village—and demonstrates how quickly the neighborhood's food and beverage scene has gained attention. A Toda Madre: Tony Hawk and George Azar Bring a New Restaurant to The Shepherd Little Village is getting another major addition to its food and cultural scene. Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk is partnering with Detroit chef George Azar, the chef behind Flowers of Vietnam, on A Toda Madre, a new restaurant scheduled to open at The Shepherd in early 2027. The location is particularly fitting. A Toda Madre will be part of the same cultural campus that already includes The Shepherd, Warda Pâtisserie, Father Forgive Me and It Takes a Village Skatepark. For Hawk, the connection to Detroit goes beyond opening a restaurant. His involvement with the skatepark makes A Toda Madre a natural extension of his relationship with The Shepherd and Detroit's skateboarding community. George Azar brings the Detroit culinary connection. As the chef and owner of Flowers of Vietnam, Azar has become one of the city's best-known chefs. The restaurant is still in development, so menus, hours and an exact opening date have not yet been announced. But when A Toda Madre opens, visitors will be able to eat in the same cultural campus as the skatepark—another example of how Little Village is combining food, art, recreation and culture in one destination. LANTERN: Art, Design and Creative Businesses A short distance from The Shepherd is LANTERN, an adaptive reuse project transforming a former bakery into a mixed-use arts and education destination. LANTERN is home to arts organizations, artist studios and independent creative businesses. It expands Little Village beyond The Shepherd and creates another cluster of creative activity within the neighborhood. Cøllect Beer Bar One of the businesses connected to the Little Village creative community is Cøllect Beer Bar on Kercheval Avenue. Cøllect offers beer, wine, cider and non-alcoholic options in a casual neighborhood setting. It adds a more relaxed stop to the Little Village experience and is a good place to combine with a visit to LANTERN and the other creative businesses along Kercheval. Riverwards Produce Another addition to the neighborhood is Riverwards Produce, a neighborhood grocery store planned for Kercheval Avenue. The store is being developed by Detroit native Vincent Finazzo, who returned to Detroit after more than a decade in Philadelphia. Riverwards is designed around fresh produce, with an emphasis on products from Michigan and the Great Lakes region. Plans also include a fresh juice bar and hot lunch. Unlike many of Little Village's attractions, Riverwards is aimed as much at local residents as visitors. That is important. A successful neighborhood destination needs places where people actually live their daily lives—not just places they visit for an afternoon. Pewabic Pottery Just a short distance from Little Village is Pewabic Pottery, one of Detroit's oldest and most important cultural institutions. Founded in 1903, Pewabic remains a working pottery, architectural tile studio and ceramics education center. It makes an excellent companion stop to Little Village because the two destinations offer very different views of Detroit's arts scene: Pewabic represents more than a century of Detroit craftsmanship, while Little Village focuses heavily on contemporary art, creative reuse and new cultural spaces. ALEO Detroit For visitors who want to stay in Little Village, ALEO Detroit offers a particularly unusual option. The boutique bed and breakfast occupies the former rectory of The Shepherd. Staying here puts visitors directly in the middle of the cultural campus, surrounded by art, green space, restaurants and creative businesses. Stanton Yards: Little Village Heads to the River Perhaps the most ambitious part of Little Village's future is Stanton Yards. The planned waterfront development will transform a former industrial and marina site along the Detroit River into a 13-acre cultural and waterfront destination overlooking Belle Isle. Plans call for new commercial and creative space, boat slips, waterfront parks and public gathering areas. This could significantly expand Little Village beyond its current arts campus and connect the neighborhood directly to Detroit's riverfront. Lumana Art Foundation Stanton Yards is also expected to become home to a major new cultural institution. Jennifer Gilbert, founder of the Lumana Art Foundation, is developing plans for a new cultural arts venue in Detroit's east riverfront area near Belle Isle. The foundation is intended to support artists and cultural programming while creating another major destination for the Detroit arts community. The planned venue would become part of the larger cultural development at Stanton Yards, further connecting Little Village with the Detroit River and Belle Isle. The project is still in development, but its potential is significant: Little Village could eventually stretch from its current creative campus all the way toward a new riverfront cultural destination. What to Do in Little Village Detroit You can easily spend several hours exploring Little Village. Start at The Shepherd Explore the galleries, architecture and public library before heading outside to the Great Lawn and surrounding grounds. Walk the Outdoor Art Spaces Visit Charles McGee Legacy Park, walk The Nave and see the outdoor installations around the campus. Visit the Skatepark Check out It Takes a Village Skatepark and see how recreation has become part of the cultural campus. Grab Something to Eat Stop at Warda Pâtisserie for pastries or breakfast. Have a Drink Visit Father Forgive Me for wine and cocktails, or head to Cøllect Beer Bar for a more casual beer-focused stop. Explore LANTERN Check out the creative organizations, studios and businesses operating inside the former bakery. Visit Pewabic Combine your Little Village visit with a trip to nearby Pewabic Pottery. Stay Overnight For a completely different Detroit experience, consider staying at ALEO Detroit, located within the Little Village campus. How Long Do You Need? Plan on two to four hours for a first visit to Little Village. If you add Pewabic Pottery, lunch or drinks, you can easily make it a half-day Detroit itinerary. Because Little Village continues to add businesses, exhibitions and events, there are reasons to return. Belle Isle is just down the road. Why Little Village Is Worth Visiting Little Village represents a different side of Detroit's revival. It isn't centered on a single attraction. Instead, it brings together historic architecture, contemporary art, food, drinks, public space, recreation and independent businesses. The Shepherd provides the cultural anchor. Warda and Father Forgive Me add food and drink. LANTERN expands the creative community. Cøllect adds a neighborhood beer destination. Pewabic provides a connection to Detroit's long history of craftsmanship. And projects such as Riverwards Produce, A Toda Madre, Stanton Yards and Lumana point toward an even larger future. For visitors who have already seen downtown Detroit's major attractions, Little Village offers a chance to explore one of the city's most creative and rapidly changing areas. A Local's Take Little Village is still evolving—and that's part of its appeal. You can visit today and see a remarkable transformation already underway, while knowing that more restaurants, galleries, public spaces and waterfront attractions are coming. The combination is what makes Little Village special: you can see art, eat, have a drink, skateboard, explore historic architecture and discover Detroit's next generation of creative businesses—all within a relatively small area. If you're looking for something beyond the usual Detroit itinerary, put Little Village on your list. Little Village Detroit Father Forgive Me Detroit

Commentary by A Local's Guide to Detroit Detroit dance culture has always felt different. After reading Devine Blacksher's recent New York Times guest essay, "The City Where People Still Know How to Dance", I realized he had captured something many Detroiters instinctively understand: people here don't go out just to be seen. They go out to participate. Why Detroit Dance Culture Feels Different What makes Detroit dance culture unique isn't just techno or Movement Festival. It's the willingness of people to join the dance floor without worrying about appearances. As someone who writes about Detroit, I've spent years describing the city's restaurants, bars, festivals, and neighborhoods. But Blacksher managed to capture something that's much harder to explain: the feeling of being on a Detroit dance floor. His essay argues that Detroit nightlife feels different because people aren't performing for one another. They aren't dancing to be seen. They're dancing because they genuinely love the music. As he writes, Detroit reminds us that "the music and the love in the room matter more than the performance of being seen." That observation resonated with me immediately. Detroit's Dance Floors Aren't Spectator Sports Anyone who has spent time in Detroit's nightlife scene recognizes what Blacksher is describing. Whether you're at Movement Festival, TV Lounge, Spot Lite, Marble Bar, Paramita Sound, or a neighborhood DJ night, there's a noticeable absence of self-consciousness. People participate. Nobody is grading your dance moves. Nobody cares what you're wearing. The expectation isn't that you'll watch. The expectation is that you'll join in. Movement Isn't the Whole Story The essay naturally centers around Movement, Detroit's internationally known electronic music festival. But one of its most memorable scenes takes place away from Hart Plaza. Blacksher describes Moodymann's Backyard Bar-B-Q Boogie, where people danced in the rain while eating hamburgers, hot dogs, and Better Made chips as Moodymann played records and occasionally paused to tell stories. I loved that image because it illustrates something Detroiters already know: The city's musical soul doesn't belong exclusively to festivals or famous venues. It belongs to neighborhoods. Backyards. Block parties. Community spaces. Why Detroit Still Feels Different Detroit gave the world Motown. Detroit gave the world techno. But perhaps Detroit's greatest contribution isn't a genre. It's a way of experiencing music. There's less pressure to look cool. Less emphasis on exclusivity. Less concern with documenting every moment for someone else's approval. Instead, there's a willingness to be present. To move. To connect. A Reminder of What Going Out Can Be Reading Blacksher's essay felt less like discovering something new and more like hearing someone finally put words to an experience many Detroiters recognize instinctively. The roots of Detroit dance culture extend far beyond Hart Plaza. They show up in neighborhood bars, block parties, and backyard gatherings across the city. In a world increasingly built around performance, Detroit still offers spaces where authenticity wins. Where strangers become dance partners. Where age, status, and background temporarily fade into the music. Where going out isn't about being seen. It's about feeling something. And maybe that's why people continue to come here searching for an experience they can't quite find elsewhere. Because in Detroit, people still know how to dance. Editor's Note This article is a commentary on Devine Blacksher's New York Times guest essay, "The City Where People Still Know How to Dance," published June 13, 2026. Brief quotations are included for purposes of commentary and discussion. Readers are encouraged to support the original work by reading the essay through The New York Times. Explore More Detroit Nightlife on ( A-Locals-Guide-To-Detroit.com ) Detroit This Weekend – Find upcoming concerts, comedy shows, sporting events, and entertainment happening across the city. Best Detroit Bars – Discover our favorite neighborhood bars, sports bars, and local hangouts. Cocktail Bars – Elegant lounges, speakeasies, and date-night destinations. Rooftop Bars – Skyline views and summer favorites. Things to Do in Detroit – Explore museums, neighborhoods, annual events, and more local experiences. Detroit Annual Events – Discover all of Detroit's Annual International Events including Movement. Detroit Hart Plaza - Movement Festival in Detroit 2026

This is a collection of recent magazine and newspaper articles describing Detroit as "One of the Hottest Cities to Visit." AFAR Magazine Where to Go in 2024 The 25 most exciting places around the world to visit next BY TIM CHESTER, SARIKA BANSAL, BILLIE COHEN November 28, 2023 From a British city reimagining its industrial past and a laid-back Kenyan island free of cars to the best place in North America to see the total solar eclipse, our 25 picks for where to go next year have several traits in common: Each is an awe-inspiring, joy-inducing destination where human connection and creativity define the travel experience. These 25 places (listed in no particular order) offer ample opportunities for conscientious, sustainable exploration—exactly what AFAR’s travelers who care are seeking right now. Cheers to a year of getting out there.—The Editors Detroit, Michigan Detroit’s  Michigan Central , a Beaux-Arts former train station, has been reimagined as a transportation R&D lab with retail, dining, and community spaces—just one example of how everything old is new again in this city. The  Motown Museum  will roll out a $65 million upgrade throughout 2024 that includes performance spaces, interactive exhibits, and a music education center. The hip  Cambria Hotel  (in a 1936 radio broadcasting building by Albert Kahn, one of Detroit’s great architects) is the latest in a string of landmarks refashioned as boutique hotels. And a new glass-and-steel tower on the site of the 1927  Hudson’s store  will open a 48th-floor observation deck in 2024.  —Amy S. Eckert AFAR Magazine 7 Midwestern Towns for Modern Architecture Lovers To experience some of America’s most exciting building designs, head to the heartland. By  Nicholas DeRenzo    •  March 25, 2024 Detroit, Michigan Detroit's skyline is rife with art deco skyscrapers that show off its status as an economic powerhouse in the early 20th century. The Motor City is also one of the top places to take in the works of Japanese American architect Minoru Yamasaki, best known for designing the Twin Towers. For the best introduction to his works, check out the campus of  Wayne State University , home to four of his buildings: the 1958  McGregor Memorial Conference Center , known for its serene reflecting pool and geometric skylight; the 1960  College of Education  building, which is lined with 120 precast concrete "trees"; the 1964  Prentis Building , designed in the international style; and the 1964  Helen L. DeRoy Auditorium , which features Gothic-inspired arches. Elsewhere around the metro area, Yamasaki's works include  One Woodward Avenue  (his first skyscraper), the  Federal Reserve Bank Annex , and the  Temple Beth El , which features a unique shape that calls to mind the biblical Tent of Meeting. Time Magazine, July 2022 WORLD'S GREATEST PLACES 2022 Detroit Newfound glory The city made Time Magazine’s “World’s 50 Greatest Places” list, which ranked the top 50 international destinations to explore. In the United States, time is recommending the hip west coast centers of Portland, Oregon, and San Francisco, the Florida coastal cool of Miami, and Michigan’s “Comeback City” Detroit. The United Business Journal, May 2024 Detroit’s Unique Path: From ‘Doom Loop’ to Urban Revival Model Story by Rahul Kuma The recent resurgence of downtown Detroit represents a remarkable turnaround for a city that once grappled with economic decline and urban decay. Transforming from a symbol of urban blight to a model for urban revitalization, Detroit’s downtown has emerged as a vibrant hub of activity and growth, drawing accolades for its stunning reinvention.   The city’s journey towards revitalization can be traced back to the tumultuous decades of the 1980s and 1990s when downtown Detroit served as a stark reminder of urban decline. The closure of iconic landmarks like the Hudson’s department store and widespread layoffs in the automobile industry contributed to a downward spiral marked by population loss and economic stagnation. The city’s filing for Chapter 9 bankruptcy in 2013, the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history, further underscored the extent of its challenges.    However, Detroit’s resilience and determination to rebound have been evident in its recent transformation. Strategic investments by local stakeholders, including business magnate Dan Gilbert, have played a pivotal role in revitalizing downtown Detroit. Gilbert’s commitment to the city, exemplified by his multi-billion-dollar investments through Bedrock Detroit, has spurred a wave of redevelopment projects and catalyzed economic growth.   Central to Detroit’s resurgence is its appeal to a diverse demographic, including millennials, Gen Zs, and retiring boomers, seeking walkable neighborhoods, green spaces, and vibrant cultural amenities. The city’s historic architecture, repurposed for modern uses such as residential conversions and office renovations, has contributed to its charm and desirability as a place to live, work, and play. Notably, the relocation of General Motors’ headquarters to downtown Detroit symbolizes the city’s revitalization efforts and underscores its status as a thriving business and innovation hub. The redevelopment of the Hudson’s site into a mixed-use skyscraper, set to house GM’s new global headquarters alongside upscale residences and a luxury hotel, represents a significant milestone in Detroit’s revitalization journey. As Detroit continues to attract new residents, businesses, and investment, its downtown stands as a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and community collaboration in revitalizing urban centers. The city’s resurgence serves as an inspiration for other municipalities grappling with similar challenges, offering a blueprint for achieving sustainable economic growth and revitalizing urban landscapes. Wall Street Journal Detroit Is Reversing Property Doom Loop BY KONRAD PUTZIER April 22, 2024 Barely a decade after Detroit declared bankruptcy, the city is emerging as America’s most unlikely real-estate boomtown. A development frenzy has gripped Detroit’s central business district. Big companies, including Ford and developer Related Cos., are spending billions of dollars on office buildings and other properties. Dan Gilbert, a Detroit native and the billionaire co-founder of home lender Rocket Mortgage, is leading the city’s revitalization. His new skyscraper, still under  construction, recently topped out at 681 feet, making it the city’s second-tallest tower. It sits across the street from downtown Detroit’s first Gucci store.   The city's residential market is also taking off. Home prices in the area are up 40% since 2020. The number of apartments downtown has more than doubled to 5,903 since 2010, according to the Downtown Detroit Partnership. Detroit's business district transformation offers lessons to other cities that are struggling to revive their empty downtowns and avoid being sucked into a debilitating doom loop.   Detroit's downtown recovery is already ahead of schedule. Its abundance of once - empty buildings offered opportunity. Many are nearly a century old, with small floors and beautiful architecture, said Eric Larson, CEO of the Downtown Detroit Partnership. These are exactly the types of buildings that work well as apartment conversions. In more robust markets, such as Midtown Manhattan, these buildings would have been torn down and replaced by characterless glass office towers with cavernous floors. But in Detroit, they remained as ruins, waiting for someone with money and local pride to come and convert them. That turned out to be Gilbert, who moved his mortgage company's headquarters downtown from the suburbs in 2010. Safety was an initial concern. The company built its own security apparatus with guards and cameras to make employees feel safe, but soon found that they needed little convincing to go downtown, Gilbert said. He began buying up nearby buildings in part to make sure they wouldn't fall to speculators and decay. He calls his real-estate development strategy the "big bang approach." Downtown needed apartments, retail and modern office space. "Well, what do you do first?" he asked. "We thought, you really have to do it all at the same time to make it work." Gilbert's companies bought more than 130 properties downtown, spending billions. His real-estate venture, Bedrock Detroit, converted the Book Tower, a century-old, 38- story Italian Renaissance Style skyscraper, into apartments, a hotel, offices, retail, event space, bars and restaurants. The $400 million project opened last year. Bedrock is building its 681-foot skyscraper on the site of the former Hudson's department store, It will include luxury condominiums and a hotel, And the neighboring office building that GM is moving into is part of the project.   The hulking ruin of Michigan Central, Detroit's former train station, became a symbol of urban decay. Dwindling tax revenue helped bankrupt the city in 2013. Ford reinvests But spurred by Gilbert's commitment, others began pouring money into downtown real-estate projects. Carmaker Ford is spending more than $900 million to redevelop Michigan Central and surrounding properties. The train-station building is scheduled to open in June. Related chairman and Detroit native Stephen Ross is partnering with the local Ilitch family, owners of Little Caesars Pizza, on a $1.5 billion development  at the northern edge of downtown that will include apartments, a hotel, offices and retail . "One thing people forget is Detroit has a lot of old and new money," said Richard Florida, an urban studies professor at the University of Toronto. Rock-bottom office rents long ago forced developers to come up with other things to build. They added casinos and sports venues and restored aging theaters. That made downtown less office-dependent, an advantage in the age of remote work. "An allegedly smart urbanist would have probably said don't do that-billions of dollars on stadiums and casinos," Florida said. "It sounds odd to say this, but in a way their downtown looks more like a Miami or Las Vegas."   The bankruptcy and headlines of Detroit's decay also created more urgency in the city and state to shower developers with tax breaks. These are often controversial but are important because rents in Detroit are too low for projects to pay off otherwise. The Michigan Central project, for example, is set to receive more than $200 million in tax incentives.   Downtown still has challenges. Foot traffic is down from 2019, largely because of remote work. That means fewer customers for local businesses. Rising interest rates and skittish banks have made it harder to pay for development. The joint venture between Related and the Ilitch family's Olympia Development was scheduled to start building the first offices at their $1.5 billion project last year, but pushed that back. Still, there is little doubt that downtown Detroit is turning around when many other office districts are heading in the opposite direction. "If somebody would have told you there was going to be a Gucci store in Detroit 10 years ago, I mean, I would have laughed at them," Gilbert said. Wall Street Journal Your Next Vacation Destination: Detroit, Ben Cohen April 27-28 2024 When the hip travel magazine Afar selected the most exciting places to visit this year, the list was packed with "awe-inspiring, joy-inducing" spots like Paris, Rome, Fiji, Bhutan, Machu Picchu and Detroit. Wait. Detroit? Yes, only a decade after the biggest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history, Detroit has something else to declare: We're a tourist destination. This week, hundreds of thousands of fans invaded the city for the NFL draft, and they began to understand why the bustling downtown area has urban theorists comparing Detroit to Las Vegas and Miami. So much has changed about Detroit in recent years that even the Lions are good these days. You don't have to be anywhere near the Motor City to be struck by its transformation. In fact, I recently walked past a bus stop in New York and noticed an advertisement with three words that I had never seen before: COME TO DETROIT. To make sure I wasn't hallucinating, I reached out to Claude Molinari, the chief executive of the nonprofit Visit Detroit and one of the driving forces behind this marketing blitz. "Come here, stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, visit our attractions and find everything there is to do and see in Detroit," Molinari says. He thinks your next convention should be in Detroit. Also, your next vacation. It's all part of his mission to change the very way you think about the city. Forget the reputation. He wants you thinking about music, theater and world-class museums, cool architecture, parks and public squares, three casinos, four professional sports teams, a rich history of innovation and the deep blue water of the Detroit River. "People come here and think it's the Caribbean," he says. In any business it is easy to see problems. It's harder to look for hidden promise. But success often requires the unwavering persistence to will even the most improbable outcomes into existence. Last year, Detroit welcomed 17 million visitors, more than any year since the pandemic and not nearly enough for Molinari. He's set a goal of 25 million visitors by 2030. Which explains why posters for Detroit are suddenly popping up in New York. As it turns out, that bus stop display was part of a campaign rolling out across the country and around the world. Visit Detroit is strategically targeting specific markets where people are more inclined to, well, visit Detroit: East Coast and Midwest cities that are short flights or longer drives away, Texas during the spring and summer, European countries with non- stop service to this Delta Air Lines hub. Some will come because they have to, but most will come because they want to: 17% of Detroit's visitors come for meetings and conventions, 24% for other business and 58% for leisure, according to the organization. No matter why they come, Molinari is convinced they will want to come back. They might even decide to stay forever. "If we can get 'em here," he says, "we'll get ’em here." But the only thing that might take longer than revitalizing a city is rebranding it. Visit Detroit is America's oldest visitors' bureau and has been in the business of selling the city for more than a century. But not since it was one of the wealthiest places in the world has someone in Molinari's position been able to sell what he feels when he walks around downtown on a perfect spring day: hope. For too long, Detroit was caught in a "doom loop," which is not a description of Lions fandom but something even more dismal. A doom loop is what happens when a city spirals out of control. "Tax revenue falls, services suffer, businesses close and disorder moves in. Residents leave, commuters and shoppers stay away and the cycle is self-reinforcing," as The Wall Street Journal explained. But this week brought a fascinating article by my colleague Konrad Putzier about how Detroit liberated itself from the dreaded urban doom loop with billions of dollars in real-estate investments. These days, America's most beleaguered city is remaking itself as "America's most unlikely real-estate boomtown," as he wrote. It won't happen overnight, if it ever happens. His organization has studied why groups don't visit Detroit and found that not having enough hotel rooms is the primary reason they choose to go else- where. To compete for blockbuster concerts, sporting events and industry conference the city will have to double its 6,000 hotel rooms, Molinari says. But the doom loop is over. Now he's betting on a boom loop: The more Detroit builds, the more people will come to Detroit. Who needs Machu Picchu?