If you’re in town for the NFL Draft and wake up in Detroit for the first time, we want you to know that there are plenty of great places to go and things to do in the city.
However, there’s no need to turn to Google to plan your itinerary—Detroiters know the best places.
I take to the streets of Detroit so you can hear directly from people who live in the city about the places you need to see and visit.
There are many different opinions about places to see and eat in Detroit, but there’s one thing everyone can agree on: If you haven’t been here in a few years, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
“Just come down, enjoy it and have a good time, that’s what it’s all about. “Just enjoy the city, it’s come a long way in the last few years,” said Eugene Cooley, manager of Evie’s Tamales.
Detroit is ready for draft visitors, and longtime Detroiters have you covered.
Let’s start with the food. Coney Dogs are who we are. known for, and while there are staples like Lafayette and American right next to each other, how about a rabbit in Mexicantown?
“Anywhere here in Mexicantown, the bakery on La Gloria Street, for us true Southwesterners, we have to go to Duly’s for a Coney Dog, we have to, it’s a must,” Cooley said.
You’ll need something to bathe that rabbit dog with.
“We have, by far, the best Bloody Mary’s in Michigan,” said David Zarkin, general manager of Vivio’s in Eastern Market.
Just a few miles up the road you will find Greektown.
“Greektown is fun because you can walk, you can eat well, and you can eat good pastries,” another person said.
What about things to see? Detroit is Motown and the Motown Museum is open to the public. And did you hear that the Detroit Institute of Arts was named America’s best art museum by USA Today?
“Definitely the DIA, there are always cool things to see at the DIA,” Darryl Andrzejewski said.
You may have noticed that Detroit is surrounded by a lot of water.
“My best place for Detroit has always been Belle Isle, especially in the spring, all the flowers are blooming and the energy is lively there,” Karrim Hunter said.
“Try going around the Riverwalk.”
At the end of the day, the city is ready, so come hungry, get ready to explore, and get ready to have fun.