Detroit, Michigan - What to See + Do in a Weekend
HISTORY
Inhabited by French colonists in 1701, Detroit was originally founded as a New France fur trading post. Detroits full original name is Fort Pontchartrain du détroit. Today, Detroit serves as Michigan’s sports hub for fan favorites of teams such as the Detroit Lions, Pistons and Tigers.
Aside from sports, the city is known for its diverse cuisine, astonishing theatre and fun nightlife. My original intent when flying to Detroit from Minneapolis was to attend Mariah Carey’s Christmas concert. What I learned in a short, yet fun-packed weekend was that a weekend was not even close to enough time to explore the rich culture and entertainment that this bustling city offers.
WHERE TO STAY
Seasoned travelers know that choosing where to stay can make or break a trip. There are a lot of factors to consider depending on the mood you are going for as well as the sights you are planning to see. For this weekend specifically, I chose a charming boutique hotel in Downtown Detroit that offered me not only an elegant stay but was also walking distance from Detroit’s most popular restaurants, theatres and clubs.
The Inn at 97 Winder
ADDRESS: 97 Winder St, Detroit, MI 48201
PROS: The boutique hotel is charming and pleasing to the eye. It offeres guests a comfortable stay in a Victorian style home that is clean and welcoming. The hotel is within walking distance from some of Detroit’s fan favorite sights including The Belt, Fox Theatre, and various museums and sports arenas. I would recommend this hotel if you are doing a solo or couple’s stay. Lastly, there is a continental breakfast and coffee provided seven days a week.
CONS: There are three flights of stairs with no elevator so keep this in mind if you are looking for a place that is wheelchair accessible or if you have any physical issues. There is also not a lot of amenities at this facility. If you are fan of hot tubs, swimming pools, fitness centers, etc., then this may not be the choice for you. Simple yet comfy is the name of the game for this hotel.
WHAT TO DO
1. Stroll through The Belt
The Belt is a culturally redefined alley in the heart of downtown Detroit. Named for its physical orientation in a former downtown garment district, The Belt is located between Broadway and Library Street and links Gratiot and Grand River. What was once a desolate alley is now a location filled with street art and popular nightlife bars and restaurants. During the day the alley feels like your average alley but at night the strip comes to life and is packed with music, vibrant colors and of course lots of people.
2. Grab a snack at Astoria Pastry Shop
Located in the heart of Greektown district is Astoria, an award winning pastry shop that offers visitors a selection of over 100 pastries. Here, customers can find everything from macaroons to tortes to various European pastries.
ADDRESS: 541 Monroe St, Detroit, MI 48226
3. Visit the Henry Ford Museum of American Innvoation
Those who are not car fanatics may opt out of visiting this sight, but I encourage you to visit since this museum displays far more than just different cars. As you enter the museum and walk right to left, down the line are different cars and their evolution over time. Different displays throughout the museum showcased some of the first airplanes and steamboats that were created. The most important takeaway for me was the evolutionary piece and learning about how cars and other objects were tweaked and improved based on what was trending during each time period.
ADDRESS: 20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI 48124
4. Experience a show at Fox Theatre
Opened in 1928, Fox Theatre is not only a hub for performances but is also a designated Historical Landmark. The theatre has a lavish interior with a blend of eastern motifs. Many Motown artists performed on stage in the 1960’s featuring Detroit talent such as The Temptations, The Supremes and Smokey Robinson. The interior of the theatre is something to be experience just for its own sake. You enter into the outer foyer through the brass doors and make your way into the colossal grand lobby which covers 3,600 squre feet and rises six stories high.
During my visit to Fox Theatre, I had the honor of experiencing Cirque Dreams Holidaze. This annual tradition wraps a Broadway-style production around an infusion of contemporary circus arts. The show in itself was a whimsical experience that brought the Christmas spirit to life and had the audience chuckling.
ADDRESS: 2211 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
5. Visit Motown Museum
Guests will be transported through time while viewing curated exhibits, the actual apartment Berry Gordy lived in with his family during the label’s earliest days, along with original recording equipment and the legendary Studio A. Each tour is led by a knowledgeable guide, who will share the interesting history, fascinating anecdotes and captivating stories that all took place at Hitsville U.S.A.
ADDRESS: 2648 Berry Gordy Jr. Boulevard, 2648 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48208
HOURS: Wednesday - Sunday 10am-6pm
PRICE: The range varies but up to $20 per person.
6. Party at Delux Fluxx
This stop is definitely what I would call a pleasant surprise. Your travel experience always depends on what you are in the mood for. If your mood is a night on the town then this stop is a must while visiting Detroit. The atmosphere was fun with the neon nights, hip music and dance floor. Delux Fluxx has two locations: Detroit and New York, NY. The club features various DJs and fun cocktails.
ADDRESS: 1274 Library St, Detroit, MI 48226
PRICE: A majority of the events at Delux Fluxx have a $5 cover that are available at the door only.
7. Get your game on at Grand River Ball Room
If you are a fan of arcade games, pinball machines and skee ball, then this stop has your name written all over it. I’m the type of girl that could play arcade games for hours on end so having such a fun spot to do that in Detroit really spiced up my experience and brought the inner child out of me. There are a total of 12 pinball machines, as well as Can Can Wonderland, a rotating selection of beer, wine, seltzers, ciders, and select cold liquor taps and mixers. Plus a bartender who spins vinyl and takes requests.
ADDRESS: 1260 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226
8. Stop at SPKRBOX
This was my last stop for the night for my final night in Detroit and it was the perfect ending to a whirlwind weekend. When I looked up Spkrbox online and saw that it was a coffee shop that stayed open until 2am, it made me really question the coffee shops in Minnesota and their early closures. My drink of choice was the Pure Evil Latte which consisted of espresso, cherry, amaretto and steamed milk. Underneath the coffee shop is a techno nightclub.
ADDRESS: 200 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
Detroit made a lasting impression on me, and my only regret is not having more time to explore all that the city has to offer. The delicious food and rich history and culture blew me away and left me wanting more. I look forward to the next time that I visit this bustling city. If you’ve made it this far, thank you for your time in reading about my weekend journey to Detroit.
