What to bring
Hunters for unusual souvenirs and rare gizmos should go straight to the Detroit Mercantile Co store. (3434, Russell St). They sell everything from vintage posters to art. Most of the goods are made in Detroit and Michigan, which is what tourists take. An excellent memory of a visit to the automotive capital will be the cap of the American brand Stormy Kromer or the Carhartt jacket – brands that have been producing work clothes since the 19th century. You can put all this in a convenient bag with the inscription “Detroit”.
Discerning shoppers looking for something a little different will find an 1889 reproduction of the Michigan state map or a leather baseball.
At Detroit Mercantile Co. there are also small souvenirs for 2-3 bucks: flags of the city and state, logos of automobile companies.
Another place for custom shopping is the Shinola Detroit Store (441, W Canfield St), which sells bikes, watches and leather accessories made in local factories. The price tag in this store is much higher than average, but it’s still worth visiting at least for the sake of the tour.
Cuisine and restaurants in Detroit
According to toppharmacyschools, Detroit has a wide variety of gastronomic establishments: gourmet restaurants with overpriced prices, cafes, fast food establishments, bars. Everywhere dominates American cuisine with its invariable steaks, nuggets and grill. Also, many places serve Italian dishes (mostly pizza) and traditional Latin American snacks.
Lunch / dinner for two with one serving of alcohol (a glass of beer or wine) in a non-pretentious restaurant will cost 50-60 USD, in a Greek tavern – 40-45 USD, “Big Mac” or “Combo Set” at McDonald’s costs 6-7 USD.
A wonderful alternative to McDuck is the local fast food restaurants, where they cook the legendary The Coney Dog’s and Deep Dish Pizza. These two city staples can be enjoyed at Lafayette Coney Island (118, W Lafayette Blvd) and Buddy’s Pizza (17125, Conant St).
The Coney Dog’s is a thin hot dog topped with chili, raw onion and yellow mustard. Deep Dish Pizza is a square deep pizza dish with appetizers and salads, whose crispy crust is sure to impress.
Attractions
City attractions tell the traveler the story of the rise and fall of Detroit. On the walls of the skyscrapers of Downtown, chapters of success are written, through the openings of the windows of the once beautiful and original buildings of Midtown, the prose of many years of decline peeps through, the connection between the past and the future is imprinted in the iron ceilings of the Ambassador Bridge.
Detroit has an incredible number of museums of a completely different focus. The automotive theme is revealed at the Henry Ford Museum and the Walter Chrysler Museum. It is not difficult to guess that the expositions are devoted to the formation and development of the Ford and Chrysler corporations, as well as to the personalities of their founders. The most exciting thing is the halls with rare cars.
The Institute of Arts, which includes several dozen art galleries, exhibits works by famous American and world masters, as well as exhibits collected from all continents: jewelry, ceramics, furniture, tapestries. The museum boasts sculptures by Donatello, frescoes by Diego Riviera, paintings by Titian, Degas, Caravaggio.
Of the small galleries, the Motown Historical Museum (2648 W Grand Blvd), dedicated to the recording studio of the same name, is interesting.
The City Opera House at 1526 Broadway Street, opened in 1922, is a must-visit. The exterior design of the building is modern in style, while inside the breathtaking interior is combined with perfect acoustics. Another notable stage is the Fox Theatre. It looks like a business center from the outside and almost a palace inside. American pomposity and Las Vegas-style megalomania are immediately visible. There are performances, films, shows and concerts.
To create a complete impression of Detroit, you need to get out of Downtown and dive into city blocks (of course, with all precautions).
Tourists are especially attracted by the vast territories of the abandoned “prairies” of Middtown with dozens of collapsing buildings and the huge Central Station of the apocalyptic view, gaping with holes of broken windows. In contrast to these dull but mesmerizing views, Greektown stands apart, where entertainment is concentrated, casinos and luxury hotels work. This area is very colorful and “cheerful” against the gloomy background of the same Mexicotown and North Corktown.
Holidays and Events in Detroit
One of the biggest local events in January is the famous auto show. In the spring, the Ann Arbor Film Festival (70 km from Detroit) and the Metro Times Blowout Music Festival are held. And if you feel like spending time outside, check out the St. Patrick’s Day Parade or the Detroit Music Awards.
During the summer, downtown hosts an annual arts festival and GM River Days, followed by an Independence Day celebration. August is notable for the biggest event – the Woodward Dream Cruise, a 9-mile classic car ride along Woodward Avenue. There are many celebrations in Detroit in December, including the Allen Park Neighborhood Tree Festival and the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Weather
The decisive influence on the weather in Detroit and throughout the state of Michigan is the proximity of the Great Lakes. The climate in this area is moderately cold. Due to the high humidity, winter in the city is not characterized by extremely low temperatures. In January-February, snowfalls and light frosts sometimes occur.
Summer is warm and comfortable, dry and hot days are quite rare. The best months to travel to Detroit are July and August. In the spring there is a lot of precipitation – it rains every 2-3 days. In autumn, you can run into a tedious drizzle hanging in a veil from morning to evening.
