It was about 4 hours into my visit to Detroit that I realized I was in one of America’s greatest cities. Have you spent some time in Detroit? Did you fall in love with the architecture, the heart, the real the raw, the great people?
When I only have a few days in a city, I have to hit the ground running and there’s no sense / not much time to linger in a tiny hotel room (Trumbull and Porter is pretty great if you need a place). So! Knowing that I only scratched the surface of this incredible city, here are some of the things that I enjoyed in my short time in Detroit.
If you’re a Detroit local (or enthusiast) please feel encouraged to leave your suggestions in the comments below for all of us.
1 • Please know that the burger at Grey Ghost is one of the best I’ve ever had. Actually, scratch that. This was the best burger I’ve ever had and I hope you too are lucky enough to share it with a rad friend like Megan.
2 • The ladies at Bon Bon Bon make some stellar chocolate bites. Don’t sleep on visiting their shop in Hamtramck where the walls are pink and red and the chocolate tempers to create super creative flavor bites. I mispronounced Hamtramck no less than 14 times until I blurted out to my Lyft driver… OH LIKE HAM SAMICH! No disrespect and I still mispronounce it. Once you get the knack of Hamtramck, go for the chocolate and the girl-power vibes.
3 • Definitely explore the art and vision of The Heidelberg Project where a struggling neighborhood and vacant lots were turned into an expression of strength and imagination. You can read more about it here.
4 • Speaking of art. The Detroit Institute of Art makes for a very well spent afternoon. It’s easy to lose track of time. The Art of Rebellion exhibit is important.
5 • Oh heeeeey Sister Pie! I love me some lady bakers and this place is earnest and charming and badass and they make a real good cookie too. Go for a post breakfast coffee, cookie, and sit if you don’t have time to snarf a whole pie.
6 • Rose’s Fine Foods is the most comfortable and lovely diner… so much so that if you’re like me you’ll think you can open your own equally lovely diner with with edible flowers on your homemade cakes and a badass lady rocking the griddle top.
7 • You’ll make friends of strangers and have a very fine cocktail at Selden Standard.
8 • I try to hit up a yoga class in every city I visit because it helps me balance all the burgers and pie and cocktails. I invariably misjudge how close I should lay out my mat next to another student. It’s honestly strange how different each city is about this. Denver gets real cozy with their mats, y’all. Detroit folks want a bit more space. If you’re visiting, Citizen Yoga has an affordable visitor rate for $25!
9 • The best way to really know what’s up with a city? Go to a weekday baseball game. Here’s what I learned at the Tiger’s Game, Detroit is down to party on a Wednesday and I say OK!
10 • First a cup of coffee at Astro in Corktown… then a bowl of noodles at Ima– no need to order the extra noodles unless your eyes are bigger than your stomach like meeeeee.
Thank you to each and every one of you that took the time to come to my book signing in Detroit. It really means so much to me and it was so SO great to meet you. Thank you for sharing your vibrant city with me!
My love to you… now get yo body to Detroit!
xo Joy
Joanna
So glad you visited and bummed I was out of town for your signing! Next time you’re back, clear your schedule for Supino in eastern market (such good pizza!) and Green Dot (corktown) for the best sliders…like, for real. enjoy! :)
Sarida
As a Detroiter, I have to say that for a short visit, that’s a pretty good list. Those are some of my favorites and one new place that’s on my list. Glad you enjoyed your stay. So nice to meet you at Pages! Cheers.
Rachel L.
Next time try Green Dot Stables – lots of fun sliders to try, awesome atmosphere! And if you want something classic – American or Lafayette Coney Island.
Tracy
Thanks for saying mice things about Detroit. It’s always been a great city and I’m so happy that folks are now recognizing it. Next time you’re in town, check out the Dequindre Cut (old rail line that was converted to a biking/walking/running path and has some of the best murals in the city). It connects my two favorite spots in Detroit, the Detroit River and Eastern Market. After almost twenty years away, I’m closing on a co-op in Detroit TODAY!!!
Tracy
*nice
susan in detroit
YAY Detroit!
So many cool things to do, see and so many great people. Thanks for swinging by and sharing the good news!
For next time, Detroit Experience Factory (detroitexperiencefactory.com) offers up awesome tours with tons of information. NOT your typical, cheesy tour at all. And don’t miss a drink at Two James distillery (twojames.com). YUM! And maybe stay out late for some banging, original Detroit Techno and House…..
I suppose I could go on and on…. :)
Meryl
A few suggestions for another set of trips:
– the Detroit Zoo, always a lovely visit
– Royal Oak – a great walking community, with some great opportunities for people watching, in addition to the shopping
– Orchestra Hall – one of the only acoustically perfect performing halls in the country (literally, not a bad seat for sound in the house), and it’s absolutely beautiful inside to boot
– the salt mines under the city. seriously. take the tour.
– the Motown Museum (which is about to undergo expansion) – pop music and culture history!
And yes, I’m a Detroit area native. :)
Jane
I need a slice of that Toasted Marshmallow Butterscotch pie in the 5th photo!! Also, I’d be interested to see where the burger from Holy Grale in Louisville (where I live) ranks on your burger list. I’m not as well-traveled as you, but it’s the best burger I’ve ever had.
Ellen
Agree with other commenters that the Eastern Market is a must. Also, let me help you, it’s ham-tram-ick.
Ellen
If you make it to Detroit again, get yourself a meal at Detroit Vegan Soul. It’s amazing and unique!
Alex
So wonderful to hear such kind words about Detroit. I’m a big fan of Bon Bon Bon (they ship their bon bons now!) and Sister Pie. I truly hope you visit Ann Arbor next time – Mani Osteria and Zingerman’s alone would make the trip worth it!
Maggie
My husband and I grew up in Detroit and we’ve always pronounced it Hamtramick
fkulbaba@comcast.net
I grew up in a close suburb of Detroit and have been gone now almost 30 years, living in Nashville. I remember driving to the Eastern Market every week with my father to purchase vegetables/meat for our small Italian grocery store. Such fond memories. It is soooo refreshing to hear a positive blog about Detroit, for it is a great city and it’s blogs like this that will continue to shed positive light on the city and its people! Thank you, well done.
Megan
So nice to see Detroit love! I’ve been saying for years ‘Detroit is on the upswing!’ and lately it’s really been true. So wonderful! :)
Amy (Wooden Spoon Baking)
Oh hooray, these are all my favorite things in Detroit, too. And so proud of you for figuring out the Hamtown pronunciation. We’ve lived there a year and a half and I still love saying it!
Barb Larson
I’m so happy you’re experience in my home town was a good one. Detroit has taken a beating in the media, but we’re a resilient bunch, and we’ll overcome. This post helps.
Becky B
It takes some doing to learn how to properly say Hamtramck :) My mom grew up there, my dad in nearby Grosse Pointe, so I spent a good portion of my childhood holidays and summers in the Detroit area….so happy to see a positive article about the city!!
Amanda
Thank you for visiting and for posting this! It’s rare to hear positivity about Detroit from those who are not from the area. Tigers games are definitely the best atmosphere, and I’m not even into sports! Another great, almost hidden, restaurant is Wright & Company. Thanks!
joythebaker
Thank you!!
Katie @ Live Half Full
Thanks for showing Detroit some love! I grew up there, but live in Chicago now. Happy to see Bon Bon Bon on the list. I grew up with the founder- she’s the BEST!
Kristiana
HAHA at the comment on the personal space desired for Denver versus Detroit folks. Me being from Michigan, Northerners definitely do like their space. Laughed out loud that you noticed this ;) Great post, Joy! Thanks for highlighting one of my favorite places in my state! #proud
Kristiana
Also – so glad you went to Astro! So good.
MaryBeth Wehbe
Detroit is great but “Up North” Michigan is awesome! Lake Michigan is the largest lake. It is so beautiful and we even have Mario Batali in our “hood”!
Chloe
So glad to see this post — I’m from another city that, like Detroit, often serves as a punchline but is actually pretty fantastic. It’s great to hear that you enjoyed your trip and hopefully this will give these wonderful Midwestern cities some more positive exposure — they’re just super places to live and visit, full of good food and good people. (PS, Come to Cleveland some time!)
joythebaker
I will absolutely come to Cleveland!
Chloe
Yes, please do!!
mimi
I’m bummed that I didn’t hear about your signing, but glad you had a great time visiting us! You are correct, Detroit is always down to party at a Tigers game!
Rebecca
I used to live in northwest Ohio and went to the Detroit Institute of Arts with students many times. That + Mexican food = happiness for me. So glad you could find other cool things! It’s a great city.
lizziejane
Thank you, Joy! Love your positive energy for this wonderful place – we’d love to have you back to check out more gems (Supino’s, The Sugar House, Eastern Market) to keep spreading the good word that our city is a full of great people, food and drink – Detroit is a treasure!
Molly
I don’t live too far from Detroit, but I avoid it at all costs. Maybe I shouldn’t because you make it seem pretty great. (Go Tigers!!!) I’m glad you had such a good time there in JULY but come winter I bet you’re singing a different tune! lol :-) Brrrrrrrrrrrr
Tracy A
Thanks for showing Detroit some love! It’s a great city that has been the butt of too many jokes. I’m so glad you enjoyed your time here!!!
Rebecca
Your post makes me so happy. Yay for positive posts about Detroit! Next time check out Detroit Vegan Soul, so good.
Macaire
I would never in a million years have thought to myself, “I think I’ll go to Detroit for my next vacation!,” but now that’s EXACTLY what I want to do! Thanks for highlighting the jewels in a city that usually gets a bad rap!
Britney Davis
Detroit is a hidden gem of culinary delights! My husband went two years ago and found a hole in the wall bar that served the BEST seafood mac n’ cheese I have ever had!
Glad you had a great trip!
Kdragon
Thank you for the Detroit Love??We are very proud of how this city is changing and yet staying the same. There is SO much to see, eat and do! Please come back and explore all this gorgeous state can offer! Your blog is a bright spot in my week.
Kdragon
Didn’t mean ??. I meant !!
valentina
Thank you so much for publishing something so positive about our amazing city! Here’s hoping that you find your way back here again sometime soon — you need to visit Eastern Market and so much more. Come in the fall for cider and donuts, and we’ll show you why midwest stays best.
Camille
I grew up in Michigan and I just started grad school in Detroit, and I can’t believe there are still so many places I haven’t visited yet! I’m sad that I couldn’t come to your book signing but hopefully you’ll be back???
Liz G
Mabel Gray in Hazel Park. The best.
joythebaker
Yes I’ve heard such things! I’ll have to make it on my next visit!
mimi
Just ate there last night for the first time and I was blown away! Great food, atmosphere, staff, everything!
Jen T
Thank you for recognizing how great Detroit is! I live about two hours away every time we visit we make sure to hit up Slows BBQ in Corktown.
Amy DeKok
I LOVE that you got to so many of my favorite places..next time I hope you get to go to Eastern Market..and my fav coffee shop in Ferndale??. When people find out my roots are by Detroit they often have a snarky remark. I hate that as they only hear the negative…I love all that is happening in that great city!!
Megan knows ALL the cool places to go! Enjoy!!
Christa
Completely agree about the Eastern Market. A wonderful place to not only shop, but enjoy humanity!
Jayme
What is your favorite coffee shop in Ferndale?
Lauren @ Today We Bake
I grew up outside Detroit and live in Ann Arbor now. There are so many places worth visiting, but at the very top of my list is the Eastern Market. Come on a Saturday or a Tuesday in the summer for amazing fresh produce and great people. While you’re there, get lunch at Russel Street Deli and stop by Devries and Company 1887 for the best artisanal cheese selection you could ever want. If you have extra time, swing over to Belle Isle (an island in the middle of the Detroit River with museums and playgrounds) and check out the flower conservatory.
Lee
I grew up just outside of Detroit and I always try to do something new in the city when I go back. There’s always something popping up. Thanks for showing so much love to the Motor City.
Jenni
I grew up in a Detroit and I get it drives me crazy that most of the time all you hear or read about is the bad stuff. This is awesome:).
Gigi Fudge
You were in my city!!! Ahhhh! Next time you’ll stay with us!!! there is still so much more to see you! Thank you for visiting thank you for loving this awesome place !
Rena
Unfortunately, I have never been to Detroit. Obviously it is really a great city!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
Lottie Gibbons
I’ve never been to America, but Detroit looks so cool!
http://www.lottiegibbons.com