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
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
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.
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.
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.
