First time in Detroit (Tons of concerts!!!) and I'd love to do some urban exploring. Any recommendations?
Anyone wanna join me? I'm slightly apprehensive about doing this on my own. Any tips of great places to roam with my camera? Holes in fences? That kinda thing
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Feel free to wander in downtown, midtown, corktown. No different from any city, just remain alert. No real hidden dangers in those areas. Most people who approach you on the street and look disreputable, are going to just "ask you a question" and then ask you for a few dollars. There are a couple universities and lots of students in midtown along with extra police. Beautiful homes in Indian Village, Woodbridge, Boston Edison. Preservation Detroit and The Wheelhouse are a couple places that offer walking and biking tours. Check out Detroit Bus Company to see if they have anything if interest going on while you are here.
Heidelberg Project (http://www.heidelberg.org/), Michigan Central Train Station, Corktown and of course Corktown itself
Look up, and find all or some of the following for some good culture/shots-
The Belt (it's a rotating art display that features painted and/or sculpted art on a rotating basis, in an alley that also has a cool bar, The Skip, in it, and the parking structure at the end of said alley (I think it's the Z-Lot) has lots of cool art on and in it)
Eastern Market- great place to get a slice at Supinos, do some shopping/eating/drinking, and lots of cool street art/murals. The D String music shop is a cool little store/space that also doubles as a jam/open mics spot, as well as a recording studio and poetry reading spot.
GRCC, otherwise known as Grand River Creative Corridor- basically a little strip of buildings and businesses where artists have been allowed to decorate or put murals up on and around the buildings. Just watch your step if you walk through any of the vacant/grassy areas, as there are occasionally holes that local wildlife have burrowed their homes into.
Lincoln Street Art Park- it's basically exactly what it sounds like. It's a really cool park right off the train tracks where people upcycle or repurpose lots of items what may have otherwise been tossed in a land fill into art, and lots of street art/paintings/murals in general. Not unusual for there to occasionally be events there that are posted or planned in advance, or even just impromptu. I have been to some really cool bonfires/parties/events here, and they've even done a Detroit/Lincoln Street Art Park version of American Gladiators there before.
Campus Martius- fun little park in the middle of downtown, pretty sure that they recently opened "the beach" there, nice place to people watch, sit/relax, plot your next move or sight to see.
Third Man Records- Record store and record pressing plant owned by Jack White, Detroit native son... (if you're in a snacking mood while in that area, head over to Treat Dreams midtown on Cass to grab a great ice cream!)
Lafayette Coney Island- the coney dog is a Detroit staple, you MUST try one while here. Do not be mislead, or think you're there when you get to the area and accidentally step into American Coney Island, LAFAYETTE Coney Island is where it's at!!!
Temple Bar- Cass Avenue & Temple, great little dive bar with an eclectic mix of cultures and people, featured in the Comedy Central show, Detroiters, and right by the new Little Caesar's Stadium that is almost done being built.
Renaissance Center/River Walk- the RenCen has a bunch of shops and restaurants in it, but even more importantly, across the street from it on the back side is part of the Riverwalk. You can see the Ambassador Bridge to Canada, as wells as look across the river to Canada.
Siser Pie- little independent Detroit pie/baked goods business on Kercheval; pretty much everything that comes out of one of those ovens are great, but you MUST try the salted maple pie!!
Belle Isle- this is technically a state park, and I think you MIGHT have to drop $5-10 or so bucks on a day pass if you're not from Michigan and are driving onto the island, but if you walk or bike onto the island, or travel with someone who has the recreation passport on their vehicle, free. There is an aquarium, a nautical musuem, gardens, a conservatory, and LOTS of park/wildlife stuff to check out, as well as great views around the entire island.
That's about it off the top of my head... lol
When will you be here, for how long?
Wow!!!!!! This is EXACTLYy "cup of tea". Done we're already on my radar, but I cannot tell you how much so appreciate this Craig! I'll be in Detroit May 25th - June 3rd Lots of appreciation flying across the big pond from Denmark Søren
Awesome!! I enjoy aiding locals and not so locals alike in the navigation and enjoyment of Detroit, glad to be of assistance!!