Whatever you thought you knew about the Motor City, think again. America’s comeback city has plenty more to offer folks than just good ol’ American cars. The burgeoning city is also home to great restaurants, historic sites and beautiful neighborhoods worth perusing. Take a look at our pick of best shops, eats and scenes in Detroit.
Hot Hoods To Visit
A mini-guide to Detroit's most popular areas.
Downtown/Eastern Market
North of the Detroit River, central Detroit is easily considered one of the most walkable areas in the country and in many ways the spiritual center of Metro Detroit. Here you can see the Tigers, Lions and Red Wings play, and glimpse of General Motors’ headquarters; a focal point of the Renaissance Center located directly on the river. The Eastern Market is the perfect location to kick-off a weekend. Just a short distance from most downtown hotel, it’s an ideal gathering spot for locals and visitors alike. Tens and thousands of people flood the area to buy and sell everything from locally grown vegetables to freshly made bread. And if you’re not in the mood to shop, hit up one of the many local cafés for breakfast and a healthy dose of people-watching.
Dearborn
Just past Southwest Detroit, which has been home to a large Mexican-American population for more than 100 years, is Dearborn. The Ford Motor Company calls this neighborhood home, along with a large Arab population – nearly 30 percent of the 100,000 residents. Dearborn is known for one the state’s most important attractions, The Henry Ford, as well as the largest drive-in movie theater in the United States, the Ford-Wyoming, coming in at a whopping nine screens.
Hamtramck
The diverse and packed area of Hamtramck is a world of its own, outside the larger city of Detroit. Nearly 50 percent of residents are foreign-born with a majority once calling Bangladesh and Yemen home. Polish roots run heavy here with restaurants and bakeries attracting folks from all over Souteastern Michigan. Despite the residential feel, a handful of entertaining bars and clubs make this an area worth visiting at night.
Brush Park
Nestled neatly in a 24-block area, surrounded by Woodward, Mack, Beaubien and the Fisher Freeway, is a neighborhood reserved for the Detroit’s elite residents. If you have ever dreamed of living in a storybook neighborhood, Brush Park is where you will want to be, as streets are lined with homes dating back to the Second Empire and French Renaissance era. Close proximity to I-75 places you minutes from a game at Comerica Park or the slots machine at the casino. The Eastern Market is also nearby for your local produce needs.
Rivertown
If you want to be in the heart and center of Detroit city-life, then Rivertown is the place to be. Located directly on the river, the area boasts great access to downtown and excellent views. Residents pay a bit extra for apartments and condos that overlook the water, but many say it’s worth the price. Without walking too far, you can stumble across some of the best restaurants, bars and clubs the city has to offer making it an ideal community for young professionals.. In warmer months, the area is home to a number of exciting festivals.
10 Things To Do, See And Eat In Detroit This Fall
For more places to venture to in the nation's capital, head over to Uptown’s Detroit Guides page for listings.