Hi all,
Excited to have all of you come visit the place I call home this weekend for the draft, and to show you that everything you may have heard about the place is wrong. I've called this city home for the past decade, and have a fierce pride, love, and loyalty to it.
I noticed that didn't have any posts for those coming to visit the city this weekend, and that while there are lots of articles being published for those visiting - everyone is telling you to get a coney, and yes those are good - many of my favorite places that make this place so special are not represented.
I spoke with the mods and have made this post to help out those visiting. I'll be providing a few of my local favorites, but would love to answer every question visitors have on places to see and things to do.
Just remember when you get back home - say nice things about Detroit
Food
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Greendot Sliders - slider joint that does more than hamburgers and cheeseburgers, but a variety of unique flavors (kimchi, pork, and hot chicken to name a few). Everything is ala-carte, and there's weekly rotating mystery specials (meat, dessert, and drink). Very affordable, and to me really encapsulates the vibe of the city
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El Rey de las Arepas - A Venezuelan restaurant tucked back in the springwells neighborhood of southwest Detroit, the Miggy Special (named after Miguel Cabrera) allows you to pick a variety of apetizers/arepas, and I have never gone wrong.
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Baobab Fare - East African food up in the New Center area of Detroit.
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Pizza - Not just coneys, Detroit is well known for its signature style square pizza. Buddys is good, and convenient downtown, but for my money go to either Grandma Bob's, Pie Sci, or Michigan & Trumbull
Drinks
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Kiesling - Neighborhood cocktail bar in New Center. Good drinks, not pretentious or expensive. Great ambiance
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Candy Bar - Located in the siren hotel, but make a reservation
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Bronx Bar - Local dive in midtown where younger folks in their 20s and 30s hang out
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Tenacity Craft - underrated brewery in the new center area
Shopping
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CityBird - My favorite Detroit-centric gift shop in the city. Tons of cool cards, shirts/crewnecks, hats, chotchkies that are all inspired by Detroit.
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Shinola
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John K King - One of the largest (by volume) used book sellers in the world. Tons and tons of rare and collectable books.
Entertainment
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TECHNO!!!!!! - We are the city that created Techno and have a scene envied globally. Marble Bar, TV Lounge, and Spot Lite are the big three for me in terms of the electronic clubs here (TV's 12 hour party is Saturday), but there are also great venues playing music in Tangent Gallery, Temple Bar, and Motor City Wine. Check out for better info on parties over the weekend.
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Music - Beyond techno, there's a great scene for other types of music. PJ's Lager House, Old Miami, UFO Factory, and Northern Lights Lounge all may have various other stylings of music, especially garage rock.
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Architecture - Some of the best art deco buildings in the country. The Guardian Building goes without saying - you must go inside too. But also the inside of the Fisher building in New Center is a site to behold.
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Tigers Game - The tigers have a home series over the weekend, with a bobblehead giveaway on Saturday for one of our radio broadcasters
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Belle Isle - I believe the largest city park in the country, and larger than central park. There is an end point of Belle Isle that provides as gorgeous view of the Detroit skyline.
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Eastern Market - The local farmers market that is open on Saturdays and Sundays, but I'd specifically check out Gratiot Central Meat Market (get the pierogis there!!) and then head over to Vivio's for a bloody mary. Or head to Thomas Magee's to watch any soccer in the morning.
Neighborhoods
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Hamtramck - A separate municipality surrounded by Detroit, this area once home to many Polish immigrants has now scene an influx of many immigrants from the middle east - specifically bangladesh (to my knowledge). There's so much great food there, and an ample amount of dive bars (kellys and Smalls come to mind) that are all within walking distance of one another.
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Southwest/Mexicantown - my favorite part of the city. Drive around anywhere and just pick a spot, restaurant or truck. I've had many an out of towner friend surprised at the quantity of quality authentic Mexican food in Detroit. Dulys coney is here, and there is a large sect of locals who swear it's better than both lafayette and American.