A Detroit Girl's Guide to the Motor City

Museums/Art
Hitsville/Motown Museum is home to all things Motown music. The newly renovated and expanded museum houses artifacts from the likes of Diana Ross and The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, all of the Motown greats. On display is also the iconic fedora and crystal-beaded glove that Michael Jackson donated to the museum in 1988.

Detroit Institute of Arts tops USA Today’s list of best art museums in the nation. Its expansive world-class collection has over 65,000 works and is among the most comprehensive in the country.

Eastern Market is the largest public market (over 43 acres) district in the USA. First opened in 1841, it is located just over a mile from downtown. It's a hub for farmers to sell their produce, meat, spices and other goods. Throughout the market you can also find art galleries, eateries and other specialty businesses.

Murals In The Market is an international mural festival that occurs annually in Detroit’s Eastern Market. While the murals stay up year round, during the festival, which typically occurs towards the end of September annually, there are artists panels, meet and greets, artist dinners, block parties and more.

Detroit Underground Railroad: With Detroit’s proximity to Canada it was one of the last stops for enslaved people seeking freedom in Canada via the underground railroad. Take an official Detroit Underground Railroad Tour to see the historic Detroit stops on this pathway to freedom.

The Charles H. Wright African American Museum has been a beacon of Black history archives for over 50 years. The remarkable facility of over 150,000 square feet has over a dozen permanent and visiting exhibits and programs.

Day trips (optional)

Windsor, Ontario, Canada: Detroit is the one place in the U.S. where you go south to get to Canada and it’s worth the quick tunnel or bridge drive. Just across the Detroit River is Windsor, Ontario where you can sit riverside and enjoy an opposing view of the Detroit skyline, visit Caesars Casino (assuming you haven’t had your fill of gambling fun from Detroit’s 3 casinos), enjoy its gardens and parks or visit one of its many wineries, including a few on Windsor’s Pelee Island, such as Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards or Oxley Estate Winery

Baobab Fare is a “celebration” of east African food and culture. It, in fact, is more than just a restaurant, but also a community gathering place.

Savannah Blue for upscale “contemporary northern” soul food and tasty cocktails in the heart of Detroit.

Petty Cash Detroit on Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion on the northwest side of the city is an upscale neighborhood restaurant offering tasty small plates and craft cocktails.

Willow is a quintessential hidden speakeasy. Reservations are essential to enjoy this small, dimly lit cocktail lounge’s spirits and chic vibe.