TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.) Art & History
2.) Activities
3.) Bars
4.) Live Music
5.) Restaurants
6.) Coffee and Bakeries
____________________________________________________________________________
1.) Art & History
- Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA)
Museum featuring 100+ galleries with American & global art on display, from ancient to modern eras, including the Detroit Industry Murals by Diego Rivera (Frida Kahlo’s husband). Great cafe inside.
- Ford Piquette Plant
The birthplace of the Model T. The restored 1904 factory for the Ford Model T features historical tours and many original cars.
- Motown Museum
Collection of the label's art & memorabilia plus the famous studio A & The Supremes' costumes.
- The Heidelberg Project
The Heidelberg Project is an outdoor art project in the McDougall-Hunt neighborhood on Detroit's east side.
- Tours:
Architecture tour: https://detroit.curbed.com/maps/detroit-buildings-architecture-tour
Bus tour: https://thedetroitbus.com/tours/
Hart Plaza: The Spirit of Detroit, Joe Louis’ “Fist”, and Dodge Fountain
- Outside of the city:
Greenfield Village & Henry Ford Museum (car required)
The Ford House in Grosse Pointe
____________________________________________________________________________
2.) Activities
- Bike Ride Through the City
Detroit Riverwalk and Dequindre Cut Greenway
Bike rentals: https://www.wheelhousedetroit.com/
All Detroit Greenways: https://detroitgreenways.org/
- Belle Isle Park
A Detroit River island and park featuring a beach, an aquarium, a conservatory, playgrounds, and a zoo/nature center.
- Fowling Warehouse (Hamtramck)
An industrial locale for drinks and "fowling", which is a game similar to bowling, but footballs are thrown to knock down bowling pins.
- Feather Bowling at Cadieux Cafe
The game originally was a Belgian pastime akin to horseshoes and Bocci. Though little is known about the exact origin of the game, it is probable that the resemblance of the balls to the wheels of cheese is no mistake.
- Eastern Market
Vendors sell everything from tacos to colorful produce every Saturday. Sundays see the space packed with local jewelers and artists. Hip cafes and warehouses are being revitalized with murals.
- Greektown
Bars, restaurants, casinos, you name it.
- Shopping in Midtown
Shinola, gift shops, bookstores, etc.
____________________________________________________________________________
3.) Bars
Cocktail bars
- Kiesling
Close to Jam Handy. Cocktail bar with a “living room” feel and nice patio.
- The Upright
Speakeasy under Oak and Reel, near Jam Handy.
- The Monarch Club
Upscale cocktail bar with a view. Located at the top of the Element Hotel.
- Evening Bar
Intimate hotel bar with low lighting and comfy seating serving artisan cocktails & bar snacks located in the Shinola Hotel.
- Two James Spirits:
Local distillery preparing a range of handcrafted spirits, with a tasting room & bottles for sale.
- The Sugar House
Intimate pub serving classic and specialty cocktails, beers, organic wine, and small plates of bar bites. One of the first fancy bars in Detroit.
Other Bars
- Old Miami
Rustic gathering point with beers & live music, plus a pool table, darts & a fun backyard.
- Bronx Bar
Old-timey haunt with a pool table and jukebox - amazing burgers.
- Jacoby's
Old-world beer garden, known for presenting classic German fare & a long beer list since 1904.
- Sweetwater Tavern
Original 1880s brick walls surround this eatery famous for marinated wings & housemade sauces.
- Z’s Villa
Casual American restaurant offering a seasonal patio with outdoor horseshoes & beach volleyball.
- Queens Bar
Laid-back spot in downtown Detroit with a great patio.
Breweries
- Motor City Brewing Works-Midtown
Small brewpub with a warm vibe & local art serves brick-oven pizzas with flagship and seasonal beers. Rooftop patio located in midtown close to shopping and other distractions.
- Atwater Brewery & Tap House
Lively brewery offers a rotating selection of craft beers plus hosting tasting events. Great rooftop, located near the water.
- Founders Brew Co. Detroit
Hip taproom for house-brewed beers and food, plus a patio with fire pits.
- Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria & Brewery
Vibrant outpost offering a range of house beers, plus pizza and sandwiches, in rustic-chic digs.
____________________________________________________________________________
4.) Live Music
- PJ’s Lager house - live music, good vibes.
- Nancy Whiskey - No-frills, neighborhood hangout since 1902 with live music, weekly drink specials and a covered patio.
- Northern Lights Lounge
Relaxed with a patio and live music or DJ on some nights.
- Cliff Bell’s
Swanky, restored art deco club serves creative, eclectic fare with live jazz on stage nightly.
- Motor City Wine
Hip wine bar offering regional wines paired with charcuterie nibbles and live jazz with a cozy patio.
- TV Lounge
The vibrant late-night hot spot garners raves for its high-energy DJs, cocktails, and stylish atmosphere.
____________________________________________________________________________
5.) Restaurants
New American
- Selden Standard
A stylish spot for seasonal, locally sourced New American small plates & craft cocktails.
Casual
- Mudgie’s Deli
Quaint deli for house-smoked meat sandwiches, homemade soups & craft beer.
- Slow’s BBQ
Slow-cooked meats paired with hearty sides and craft beers aplenty in a cozy, rustic space.
- Mercury Burger & Bar
Upbeat grill with a modern diner vibe turns out creative burgers, plus hot dogs, poutine & shakes.
- Lafayette Coney (late night)
Legendary hot dog diner offering a no-frills menu of chili-topped dogs, burgers, and fries. Please don’t go to American Coney next door. Just don’t.
Italian
- Oak & Reel:
Italian & seafood restaurant near Jam Handy. Speak easy downstairs (see cocktail bars).
- Ottava Via:
Italian cuisine, including pizza & panini, served in a stylishly quaint, antiques-adorned space. (Bocce ball courts out back!)
- SheWolf Pastificio & Bar
Trendy restaurant featuring contemporary Italian plates and cocktails in a sophisticated dining room.
- Suppino’s Pizza
Two locations – one in Eastern Market and one in New Center near the Jam Handy. Not Detroit-style but it is delicious.
Middle Eastern
- Bucharest Grill
Trendy Middle Eastern & American counter-serve doling out shawarma, sandwiches, burgers & dogs. The shawarma has fries in them. Just do it.
- Leila
Chic eatery serving Lebanese staples such as falafel, meat dishes, and hummus, plus creative cocktails.
Brunch
- Honest Johns
Relaxed eatery dishing breakfast all day and American classics in a dive bar with a jukebox.
- Hudson Cafe
Clean-lined cafe specializing in updated brunch dishes, with a coffee bar and fireplace lounge area. Great pancakes.
- Grand Trunk Pub
Bar in a converted 1900s-era railway station features high ceilings, 170+ craft beers, and eclectic eats.
- Dime Store
Hip, airy spot offering creative spins on brunch favorites, plus craft beer and classic cocktails.
- The Brooklyn Street Local LLC
A carefully sourced menu of breakfast & lunch fare including vegetarian and vegan picks in cozy digs.
- Townhouse
Modern American cuisine and liberation flare; a fusion of tradition and culinary innovation.
____________________________________________________________________________
6.) Coffee and Bakeries
- Milwaukee Coffee
Milwaukee Coffee by day, Kiesling bar by night. Near Jam Handy. Great coffee and cafe-ish food.
- Sprkbox
Neighborhood coffee shop and bar by day, Techno club by night.
- Avalon Cafe & Bakery - locations downtown and in Midtown
Casual counter-serve for salads, sandwiches and organic, housemade pastries & fresh bread.
- Madcap Coffee
Great coffee and sweet treats.
- La Ventana Cafe
New coffee shop.
- Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters Detroit
Coffee shop. Trendy.