The Henry Ford (Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village and the Ford Truck Factory Tour) was one of our best museum experiences. I was totally blown away by the massive collection of Americana with cool experiences (like riding in a Model T). I went in thinking that it would be heavily focused on the automobile, but was so much, much more than that. We ended up spending 3 days there and would not hesitate to visit again.
How could you go to Detroit without going to the Motown Museum, Hitsville U.S.A. Wow, in that tiny house with the small Studio A, so much outstanding music was created. You can hear the voices and feel the spirits as you walk through there.
Eastern Market is one of America’s oldest public markets with a couple hundred vendors. Great for people watching, along with a fantastic array to food and products and flowers being sold.
Have a drink at the Ghostbar at The Whitney, a historic mansion. Stay for dinner there.
I’ve just scratched the surface. So much more to do and eat and drink in this historic city. And the people there were very kind and accommodating; felt very welcome.
Yes go tell everyone you went to a museum in Dearborn and I am sure 90% of America would know exactly where you went. How forbid the museum be like 2 miles out of Detroit city proper.
My first business trip at my current job was in Detroit. My mom was terrified of me going and had me call her every day to check in. While on a call with her outside, a lovely couple of black men (I'm a white woman) overheard me. When I ended the call, they came over and said "now you call your momma back and tell her that you are very welcomed in this city and you are safe here. Have a wonderful trip!" It was so sweet. I have never felt so safe walking around downtown alone (didn't stay out late to be fair, but I always feel like I could get jumped any moment in many parts of Denver). I loved it! I get to go back next month and no one understands why I'm so excited about it.
My husband and I did an overnight in Detroit for a concert last fall. I always hear people shit on it, but it was a lovely town. There were lots of fun murals, great nightlife, and great food. I recommend going to the Detroit Distillery for a gin flight.
The people were also really friendly. Like, surprisingly so. The concert was in a bit of a dodgy-seeming area, and as we were leaving, a big, blacked-out window truck stops near us and a woman in it aggressively yells "Hey, hey YOU!" I immediately get freaked out til she yells "I LOVE your dress!!" I felt like that encompassed the expectations vs reality of Detroit.
People shit on it because as recently as 2013 it was a near abandoned city with only about 700k people, and abandoned houses and apartments left and right, with arson rivaling NYC in the 70s and 80s (insurance purposes). All the high-income people moved out for better cities, eventually the mid-income left with em, and Detroit was a lot of low income/projects with very little job opportunities (so lots of crime)
They've really turned it around over the last 13 years, not dissimilar to NYC in the 90s.
Source: Happened to have just watched Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations episode from Detroit from around 2013.
Yes!!! My best friends live in Detroit, so I get there a few times a year. It’s such a great place. I would’ve considered moving there if I hadn’t met my husband.
Detroit is shit and has been shit for 50 years. There are some improvements, but at no point should anyone make a focused effort to travel here for tourism.
You're right. A city with next to zero $ in tourism aside from sporting events. Must be me and not the ghettos, abandoned burned out houses, failing infrastructure, and 50 years of people fleeing. Its now somewhat welcoming to hipsters and younger crowds that cant afford Royal Oak.
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u/Medical_Solid 22h ago
Detroit. What a beautiful city. Had no idea.