It should come as no surprise that the city that built so many millions of cars is itself built for driving. The road infrastructure in Detroit is comprehensive – good job, as this is a huge city you’ll want to explore by car.

The main difference is that you’ll be driving on the right side of the road and overtaking on the left. It’s worth getting familiar with some of the Detroit and Michigan state driving rules before you arrive, although they don’t differ much from those of other states.

Seat belts are compulsory and speed limits vary from 25mph in residential areas to 70mph on freeways. There are a few rural freeways in the state that have a 75mph limit – these will be clearly signed. One note on freeways: when there are only two lanes, you must drive in the right-hand lane at all times except when overtaking. On three-lane highways you can drive in any lane.

The city itself sits next to both Lake St. Clair to the east and Lake Erie to the south, and the road system is largely grid-based. A number of interstates cut through the city, leading to different parts of the state. The I-96 goes north-west to state capital Lansing, while the I-94 leads you northeast to Sarnia, a city just across the border in Canada that sits on Lake Huron.

Alternatively, head west on the I-94 for Ann Arbor, a town that houses a renowned university and is famed for its liberal arts and foodie scene – a great choice for a day trip from Detroit.

From the history of Motown to the world of motoring and hot new restaurants, Detroit has plenty of things to see and do regardless of how long you plan to spend in the city.

Motown Magic

You can argue that cars are Detroit’s greatest ever gift to the world, but many will make a case for the marvellous music of Motown. Visit the Motown Museum to journey back into that history, and learn about how Berry Gordy helped to bring the world the genius of Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson many more.

The museum has ambitious expansion plans for the future but is already an essential stop. Studio A is still here, the site of so many legendary recordings. Step inside and feel the history – especially in a room full of old master tapes and the very microphone that Marvin sang sweet magic into.

A food resurrection

When both the New York Times and Washington Post dedicate column inches to your hot new food scene, you must be doing something right. The former called it a ‘culinary oasis’, the latter a ‘food mecca’. The foodie transformation has been made easier by people moving back to a city with plenty of empty buildings up for grabs and low rents into the bargain. The result has been truly transformative.

La Feria on Cass Avenue is one of the great success stories, bringing a taste of Spain to the city. The focus is on unfussy, well-sourced tapas such as boquerones, pork loin with sweet sherry and churros with chocolate to finish.

Rose’s Fine Food on East Jefferson Avenue bills itself as ‘The Ultimate Diner’. Here, diner-staples are elevated with great ingredients – eggs and grits, pancakes and syrup – while daily special sandwiches are in huge demand. Tuck into a blue cheese patty melt with buffalo sauce or a bowl of rice with maple bacon, kimchi, mushrooms, avocado and fried egg.

Shock of the new

That sense of things stirring also extends to the hotel and cultural scene. New opening The Foundation is a fine hotel with an equally fine restaurant where you can get a skate wing schnitzel or venison osso bucco. It's helping to spearhead a revival of interest in its district.

There’s a large theatre scene in town – second only to Broadway in the US in terms of size, while the Detroit Institute of Arts is one of the nation’s best galleries.

A city of new possibilities, with shopping, culture, art, music and food scenes all going from strength to strength, now is the best time to visit the Motor City. Car hire in Detroit makes it so much easier to experience it all.