Detroit

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As far as Michigan goes, there’s more to do there than you might think. Detroit, in particular, has dozens of museums, art, and history than anywhere else in the Wolverine State. It’s a city that’s still ripe with its own unique sense of culture. You’ll never run out of things to do in Detroit.

As far as Michigan goes, there’s more to do there than you might think. Detroit, in particular, has dozens of museums, art, and history than anywhere else in the Wolverine State. A mere lake-breadth away from Canada, Detroit has a rich history from its ties to the automobile industry to being the birthplace of Motown. As well as Detroit’s solid musical legacy that includes names such as Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye, it’s a city that’s still ripe with its own unique sense of culture. You’ll never run out of things to do in Detroit.
<h2>1. Marvel at the Heidelberg Project</h2>
Since the disbanding of industry, some parts of Detroit have fallen into a state of disrepair. However, to judge a unique city by its past is to miss out on the sense of community, bringing it back together. The Heidelberg Project is an art project on the east side of Detroit. Created in 1986 by one man who saw beauty in the rundown neighborhood in which he grew up, this outdoor art installation covers an entire block.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1027466" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/shutterstock_791106118.jpg" alt="Heidelberg project, an outdoor museum created to make the city's first indoor and outdoor museum as an attraction" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>2. Immerse Yourself in Literature at John K. King Used and Rare Books</h2>
In a city esteemed for its culture, there's one treasure trove of a bookstore that takes the crown. John K. King Used &amp; Rare Books is an independent bookseller that has more than a million books in stock at all times. According to Salon magazine, the store has one of the biggest and strangest collections in the country. Whether you're keen on romantic novels, French philosophy, or art, John K. King has the book for you.

[caption id="attachment_1027467" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="wp-image-1027467 size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/8266263806_9712ff66b8_b-1024x683.jpg" alt="Detroit Bookstore" width="1024" height="683" /> Ian Muttoo on Visual Hunt CC BY-NC-SA[/caption]


<h2>3. Take a Day Trip into Canada</h2>
Did you know that you can see Canada from Detroit and Detroit from Canada? It's true, and not only that, but it also might be worth taking a day trip across or under Lake St. Clair. There are two ways to get to Ontario from Detroit, one of which is the almighty Ambassador Bridge. Your second choice is the Detroit-Windsor tunnel. There are plenty of reasons you might decide to get oot and aboot in the Great White North. Be it for Tim Horton's, an exceptional Canadian beer, or an adventure around Point Pelee National Park. Remember, however, to take your passport to cross the border.

[caption id="attachment_1027479" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-1027479" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/GettyImages-860340824-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="The Ambassador Bridge links Detroit, Michigan, USA with Windsor, Ontario, Canada." width="1024" height="683" /> Steven_Kriemadis / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>4. See Live Music in a Totally New Way</h2>
For the birthplace of Motown to not have a thriving music scene would be ludicrous. Thankfully, the streets of Detroit are still alive with the sound of music. All kinds of music, even. As well as being home to the infamous Fillmore, there are hundreds of bars across town that have seen the likes of hometown heroes The White Stripes play their stages. From jazz to soul to the blues and rock 'n roll, music aficionados will be in heaven in Motor City.

[caption id="attachment_1027484" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-1027484" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/josh-hammond-771587-unsplash-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="Detroit, United States All of the Lights" width="1024" height="683" /> Photo by Josh Hammond on Unsplash[/caption]


<h2>5. Take a Trip to the Eastern Market</h2>
If you're visiting Detroit for some time, you should absolutely head to the Eastern Market. People from all over the world visit the city just to experience one of the state's oldest urban farmer's markets. For more than 150 years, the Eastern Market has offered shoppers farm-to-table produce, blooming bouquets of flowers, live music, and most importantly, community. The neighborhood around the market has also exploded with hip eateries and bars you don't want to miss.

[caption id="attachment_1027483" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="wp-image-1027483 size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/jorge-flores-223750-unsplash-1-1024x681.jpg" alt="Eastern Market, Detroit, United States" width="1024" height="681" /> Photo by Jorge Flores on Unsplash[/caption]


<h2>6. Try Out Some World-Class Mead</h2>
Have you ever tasted mead? If not, Detroit is the perfect place to indulge in the sometimes sweet honey-tinged drink of the past. Oddly enough, Michigan's mead industry is booming. Where most cities in the US have their own craft and specialty beers, in Detroit, it's all about mead. In fact, Detroit is the premier region for mead, and there are dozens of meaderies just waiting to have their produce tried out. What are you waiting for?

[caption id="attachment_1027482" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-1027482" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/GettyImages-531014355-1024x681.jpg" alt="Bar scene in downtown Detroit" width="1024" height="681" /> ZoobiePhoto / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. Visit the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory</h2>
Once known as the Belle Isle Conservatory, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory does a lot to live up to its former name. Located in a small island park of the same name, set on the Detroit River, the park exists to protect and preserve the unique character of Detroit's surrounding nature. While you might not immediately think of green spaces in the same breath as Detroit, this botanical garden and its greenhouse are a stunning reminder of the beauty of Michigan's land.

<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-1027487" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/shutterstock_56674003-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory on Belle Isle Island Park in Detroit, Michigan" width="1024" height="683" />


<h2>8. Get a Photo Taken of Your Aura</h2>
Those of us who like the truly unique might love the option provided by Detroit's Aura Aura. What started as an experimental photography project has now become one of the most sought after things to do in Detroit for the influencer generation. As well as offering its patrons the chance to have a photograph taken of their aura, Aura Aura also sells vintage clothing, records, and more.

[caption id="attachment_1027486" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-1027486" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/kahari-king-384409-unsplash-1-1024x768.jpg" alt="Detroit, USA" width="1024" height="768" /> Photo by Kahari king on Unsplash[/caption]


<h2>9. Munch Through the Best Soul Food in the Country</h2>
A lot of cities around the country will argue for the top spot when it comes to soul food. That being said, Detroit is up there with the best of them. Its streets are lined with incredible soul food restaurants that will have you wanting to eat nothing else. Soul food is, after all, one of the biggest parts of Detroit's food scene. You'd be depriving yourself if you didn't try Savannahblue or Sterling's at least once. Trust us.

[caption id="attachment_1027485" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-1027485" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/stanford-smith-369293-unsplash-1024x683.jpg" alt="Rusted Crow - Detroit Michigan" width="1024" height="683" /> Photo by Stanford Smith on Unsplash[/caption]


<h2>10. Go Urban Exploring in the Grande Ballroom</h2>
Although it closed its doors in 1972, Detroit's Grande Ballroom is still a huge part of the city's history. In its time, Michigan's greatest rock venue saw the likes of Cream, Fleetwood Mac, and Led Zeppelin take to its stage amongst hundreds of others. The building is now in disrepair but has found a second life as a hotspot for urban explorers. One search for photographs of this stunning piece of architecture and you'll want to see it for yourself. Additionally, the venue recently passed restoration tests, meaning we might also get to see gigs there in our lifetime.

[caption id="attachment_1027458" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-1027458" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/499027347-1024x683.jpg" alt="Grande ballroom detroit" width="1024" height="683" /> summersetretrievers / Getty Images[/caption]

Unique Things to do in Detroit

Michigan is an awesome all&#x2d;season vacation destination with over 11,000 inland lakes on the lower and upper peninsula.

Michigan is an awesome all-season vacation destination. This mitten-shaped state boasts over 11,000 inland lakes on the lower and upper peninsula. Michigan has bustling urban hubs in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Lansing. The state also has a charming country appeal. Farms and orchards beckon visitors with the taste of fresh, seasonal food. In summer, the lake beaches entertain water sport enthusiasts. Winter brings the skiers and boarders to the slopes of Bittersweet Ski Resort and Mt. Brighton, 45 miles northwest of Detroit.
<h2>1. Kitch-iti-kipi – Manistique</h2>
Kitch-iti-kipi means ‘big cold water’ and is often referred to only as ‘the big spring.’ One of the upper peninsula’s most popular attractions, this freshwater spring gushes 10,000 gallons of water per minute. Water enters through limestone fissures, but it is still a mystery where the water comes from. The waters of this geological wonder are crystal clear. Lake trout are itching to give you a run for your money. Ancient trees are encrusted with minerals. Get to the best vantage points for photos on the floating observation raft.

<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-1022244" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/shutterstock_1058548568-1-1024x668.jpg" alt="spring natural fissures freshwater" width="1024" height="668" />


<h2>2. Grande Ballroom</h2>
In downtown Detroit, the Grande Ballroom has a long history as a jazz dancehall, dance club, rollerskating rink, and storage facility before it finally closed for good in 1972. The art deco designed building fell into disrepair and neglect; however, in 2018, the Grande Ballroom was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

[instagram-image url="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4VawFdH7PU/" caption="nancywantsart" captionUrl="https://www.instagram.com/nancywantsart/"]


<h2>2. Belle Isle Aquarium – Detroit</h2>
Built on an island in the Detroit River, this beautiful 1904 Beaux-Arts style building is the oldest in the country. Forty-six tanks are home to exotic species from around the world. Electric eels, stingrays, and coral reef fish dart here and there. A coveted exhibit is a Mbu pufferfish from the Congo River Basin.

[instagram-image url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BTaXVI_hsgR/" caption="james.m.gates" captionUrl="https://www.instagram.com/james.m.gates/"]


<h2>3. Motown History Museum – Detroit</h2>
Housed in the former home of Barry Gordy, Jr., Hitsville U.S.A. was the first headquarters for Motown Records. Music, artwork, costumes, and photographs are among the memorabilia. Gordy’s apartment is restored to its 1959-60 appearance. Tour the original bedroom and living room furnished with the original sofa. The early days shipping department was the dining room table, still in evidence. View Studio A, where recording artists such as The Jackson Five and Marvin Gaye recorded their music.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-1022238 size-full" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/shutterstock_762509584.jpg" alt="motown music original home gordy" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>4. Graffiti Alley in Ann Arbor</h2>
Just off East Liberty Street in Ann Arbor sits graffiti alley, an ever-changing art scene popular with local artists. In 1999, the walls were painted over and a local artist painted a portion of it with original work. But soon after, it was once again defaced and painted over and new artists continue to add to its evolution.

[instagram-image url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGskaS6JTwm/" caption="the_floaty_professor" captionUrl="https://www.instagram.com/the_floaty_professor/"]


<h2>4. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – Glen Arbor Township</h2>
Despite being dubbed ‘sleeping bear,’ the black bears who call this lakeshore home are awake regularly. Be vigilant and give them space. This park was named “Most Beautiful Place in America” in 2011. Five miles of rolling dunes sit atop a plateau. These remarkable dunes on Lake Michigan run 35 miles along the Lower Peninsula and cover 50,000 acres. If you like a challenge, take the 3.5-mile Dune Climb.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1022240" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/shutterstock_1046102770.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>5. Cherry Point Farm Lavender Labyrinth – Shelby</h2>
This expansive labyrinth is so large it’s viewable on Google Earth. One mile from Lake Michigan, the fragrant lavender is in bloom from mid-July through August. The labyrinth represents the months, weeks in a year, and days of the week. There are 12 circles with 52 posts and seven cross pieces. Family-owned for four generations; this sweet-smelling monument facilitates peace, meditation, and relaxation. Take a contemplative journey to the center, where 30 meticulously manicured herb beds anchor the space. Stop at the farm’s market for pies, bread, and pastries made on-site with homegrown produce.

[caption id="attachment_1022213" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/146001013-1024x643.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/146001013-1024x643.jpg 1024w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/146001013-300x189.jpg 300w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/146001013-768x483.jpg 768w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/146001013.jpg 1200w" alt="labyrinth lavender local market produce" width="1024" height="643" /> Domofon / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary</h2>
Thunder Bay is aptly named ‘Shipwreck Alley’ due to volatile weather and perilous shoals. Over 100 vessels have been recovered and identified, from wooden schooners to steel-hulled freighters. This protected area of Lake Huron is a heavily utilized shipping lane between upper and lower Great Lakes. The cold fresh water keeps the watercraft and sailors’ personal effects well-preserved. You have unrestricted access to explore the shipwrecks. You can dive, snorkel, canoe or kayak to the partially submerged vessels. Glass-bottom boat tours are also offered for landlubbers.

[caption id="attachment_1022214" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/114381207-1024x718.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/114381207-1024x718.jpg 1024w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/114381207-300x210.jpg 300w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/114381207-768x538.jpg 768w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/114381207.jpg 1200w" alt="shipwrecks lake huron dive snorkel" width="1024" height="718" /> Orchidpoet / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. Turnip Rock</h2>
Turnip Rock in Lake Huron is an island formed over thousands of years through erosion caused by storm wave after storm wave. Trees and other greenery grows on this small island. The local area is privately owned, so visitors must view the island from a boat or over the frozen river in the winter.

[instagram-image url="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmbvf1sljDi/" caption="natiyarber" captionUrl="https://www.instagram.com/natiyarber/"]


<h2>7. Tunnel of Trees – Harbor Springs to Cross Village</h2>
Ranked one of the most scenic drives in the nation, the Tunnel of Trees delivers exceptional beauty. Hardwoods and evergreens weave a cool canopy over motorists and bikers. The openings in the forests serve up unsuspected vistas of the lake or snow-cloaked dark-green hemlocks. The feel on this narrow two-lane byway is slow, curvy, flowing, and familiar. In autumn, hardwoods flame in brilliant hues. In spring, carpets of trilliums border the road and carpet the forest floors. Along the road, pick up market-fresh produce, and stop for a tasting at a winery.

[caption id="attachment_1022215" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/601147160-1024x683.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/601147160-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/601147160-300x200.jpg 300w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/601147160-768x512.jpg 768w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/601147160.jpg 1200w" alt="hardwood canopy two-lane" width="1024" height="683" /> a_Taiga / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>8. Welcome to Hell, MI</h2>
There's some debate about how Hell acquired such an outlandish name, but the locals have fully embraced it, which is apparent from the variety of fitting signs around town and jokes to be heard. Visitors can sign up to be the "Mayor of Hell" for a day and get a key to the city before being impeached as part of the fun.

[instagram-image url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCoEOFlD7jY/" caption="_madmax_media_" captionUrl="https://www.instagram.com/_madmax_media_/"]


<h2>8. There's Nothing to Whine About in Traverse City</h2>
A game of golf followed by a grape adventure takes you for a Michigan walk on the wild side. There are numerous courses to try; one aptly named “The Bear,” most likely for obvious reasons recognized once played. The softer side of the city blooms with fragrant cherry blossoms in Spring. For a silent, meditative change of pace, sail on Grand Traverse Bay. Lean back, listen to the wind in the sails, and gaze spot where majestic azure skies meet the verdant hills. For more relaxation, have a floating bed and breakfast aboard the 1800s coasting cargo ship, the tall ship Manitou.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1022241" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/shutterstock_218315191.jpg" alt="golf wine sailing tall ship" width="1000" height="576" />


<h2>9. American Museum of Magic</h2>
The American Museum of Magic in Marshall is the largest public magic museum in the country and boasts over half a million pieces in its collection. Visitors can peruse props from many famous magicians, including a milk can escape apparatus used by Harry Houdini. The fantastic thing about this museum is that the entire collection was acquired over the lifetime of just one man, Robert Lund, a writer with a fascination with all things magic. Historians of magic can also visit the separate research center, which houses over a million archived pieces and a library.

[instagram-image url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BGDi9EznxVI/" caption="biggfoot19" captionUrl="https://www.instagram.com/biggfoot19/"]


<h2>9. Mackinac Island</h2>
The Jewel of the Great Lakes, this secluded island is not accessible by car, a prohibition declared in 1898. The island is a mere 8.2 miles wide. You can walk, bike, or take a romantic horse-drawn carriage everywhere on the island. Skip stones at the harbor’s edge or watch the boats sail by. Don’t miss sampling at least one of the 29 flavors of homemade fudge, a famous Island icon. Stroll among maritime artifacts at the museum. Attend a reenactment of soldiers drilling and canons booming at the Colonial-era Fort Mackinac.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1022242" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/shutterstock_599741957.jpg" alt="vehicle free fudge maritime museum" width="1000" height="638" />


<h2>10. Windmill Island – Holland</h2>
Immerse yourself in charming Dutch culture at this recreated village. The 36-acre seasonal park is pet-friendly and invites you to partake in guided costume tours. The village has the only authentic working Dutch windmill in the United States, a five-story DeZwann. Open from mid-April to mid-October, this lovely island has a hand-painted Dutch carousel. Kids love the garden and playground. For one week in May, the island is ablaze with tulips of all shapes and sizes. Parades, concerts, artisan marketplaces, and fireworks make this week an awesome time to be in Holland – Michigan, that is.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1022243" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/shutterstock_404408869.jpg" alt="recreated seasonal working windmill" width="1000" height="663" />

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Unique Things to do in Detroit

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