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.