Detroit — Travelrags

AfarOct 12, 2026

The Detroit Neighborhoods That Shaped Black Culture—and the Artist Keeping It Alive

Fiber artist Taylor Childs guides you through Detroit's historic Paradise Valley and Black Bottom—from their legendary roots to the new and OG spots keeping their spirit alive.

20 things in this story

Concert of ColorsFestivalevent held in July
Avenue of FashionNeighborhooddistrict on Livernois where artist Taylor Childs lives
Wildemere ParkNeighborhoodneighborhood where artist Taylor Childs' family lived
Apex BarBarfamily-run bar in the North End, now closed
North EndNeighborhoodcultural site, important for Black entertainment and business
Paradise ValleyNeighborhoodhistoric Black district, hub of entertainment and business
Black BottomNeighborhoodadjacent historic Black neighborhood
Detroit Month of DesignFestivalSeptember event taking over venues across the city
Aretha's Jazz CaféRestaurantjazz cafe with a lot of programming
Cliff Bell’sNightclubThe New York Times called Cliff Bell’s: “The place to be in Detroit!” Featuring live jazz, great food and drinks and an…
SavannahBlueRestaurantbrings Southern flavor to Northern soul food
Fixins Soul KitchenRestaurantnew soul food spot loved by many
Elephant RoomRestauranteclectic charm with tin ceilings and retro pub fare
Sugar Hill Arts DistrictNeighborhoodarea worth the drive north for arts experiences
N’Namdi Center for Contemporary ArtGalleryfeatures a beautiful collection
Hope for FlowersPlaceboutique of Detroit designer Tracy Reese
Cure NailhousePlaceexperimental space turning manicures into art
Taylor Childs StudiosPlaceplace to pick up creations
Vintage Eastern MarketMarketexpertly curated vintage clothing
Griot Music LoungeBar

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AfarOct 9

This Detroit Liquor Store Is Also One of the City’s Most Exciting Art Galleries

Painter Dominick Lemonious turned an East Side Detroit liquor store into a thriving art space—and it's just one stop on his neighborhood guide.

19 things in this story

Belle IsleSightexpansive park on an island in the Detroit River
Push Gallery at Liquor Basket GratiotMuseumart gallery within a liquor store
Detroit Institute of the ArtsMuseumvenerable museum in Midtown
Detroit Fine Arts Breakfast ClubPlaceopen community of creatives
Harper GalleriesMuseumowned by DFAB co-founder Henry Harper
Gratiot AvenueNeighborhoodEast Side artery with vintage cars
Woodward Dream CruiseFestivalNorth America's biggest one-day automotive event
MotorCities National Heritage AreaPlacefocuses entirely on automotive history
Dequindre CutTrailtwo-mile greenway with murals and art
Eastern Market After DarkFestivalbrings 125 artists to Eastern Market
Shadow GalleryMuseumoffers art, drinks, and music
Louie’s Ham & Corned BeefFast foodan Eastern Market institution
Clique RestaurantRestaurantclassic diner famous for its breakfast spread
the BlockRestaurantEnjoy bold comfort food and handcrafted cocktails at The Block Detroit, a lively Midtown spot for happy hour, brunch,…
Saffron De TwahRestaurantmodern Moroccan bistro
If My Mind Can Conceive ItSightmural by Dominick Lemonious
Lasky Recreation CenterPlacehoused in a 1940 WPA building
Marygrove Conservancy’s Madame Cadillac Main Dining HallPlacehosts weekly art meet-up DFAB
Le Petit DejeunerRestaurant

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AfarOct 9

The Murals Turning Detroit’s Mexicantown Into an Outdoor Gallery

Seven murals, one neighborhood, and the celebrated Mexican artist bringing Mexicantown's Latinx story to life in Southwest Detroit.

15 things in this story

MexicantownNeighborhoodcommunity is a boldly visible, larger-than-life canvas
Corpus Art DetroitMuseuminclusive space for community and visitors to engage with art
Plaza del Norte Welcome CenterSightfeatures muralist’s joyful Reconnecting Bagley Street mural
Xochi’s Gift ShopSightmural is like a window to what you can find inside
Mexicantown BakeryBakeryfuel up with tres leches cake or pan dulce
Most Holy Redeemer ChurchSighthomage to story of immigrant agricultural workers
E & L SupermercadoSightIt’s why generations of families have been shopping here for decades.
Hacienda Mexican FoodsRestaurantHome of “313 Urban Chips,” we produce gluten-free tortillas and chips made with non-GMO stone ground corn in Detroit's…
DualitySightexplores the multitudes within the real people of community
Matrix Theatre CompanyPlacecatch an event or workshop
TigrisRestaurantnewly opened with hi-fi listening bar
Mexican Village RestaurantRestaurantDetroit’s oldest Mexican spot
Tamalería Nuevo LeónRestaurantquick, authentic bite
Bagley StreetNeighborhood
West Vernor HighwayNeighborhood

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AfarOct 8

Detroit’s East Side Is Having a Moment—Here’s Where to Go, According to a Local

Photographer Elonte Davis shares the restaurants, green spaces, and cultural touchpoints that make Detroit's East Side worth the trip.

17 things in this story

Belle Isle ParkSightIsland park with skyline and river views.
Shinola HotelHotelQuintessentially Detroit.
Detroit Institute of ArtsMuseumVenue for Concert of Colors.
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American HistoryMuseumLocated in the city's Midtown Cultural Center, The Wright is one of the world's oldest and largest independent…
OsbornNeighborhoodOne of the best places to meet the real people of Detroit.
Zorba’s Coney IslandRestaurantA classic diner, open for breakfast.
Lape SoulfoodRestaurantTry turkey chops, macaroni, and greens.
Food ExchangeRestaurantOrder the Big Baby corned beef sandwich.
They SayRestaurantAnother East Side favorite.
Me & You Kitchen + CocktailsRestaurantFrames itself as “East Side energy”.
Blue Martini Sports LoungeRestaurantEnd your evening with a nightcap.
Belle Isle CasinoSightRenaissance Revival landmark available for private rental.
Movement Music FestivalFestivalAnnual electronic music festival at Hart Plaza.
Chevrolet Detroit Grand PrixFestivalRev races through downtown streets in early June.
Concert of ColorsFestivalHeats up each July in venues around Midtown.
Black Bottom | Black Legacy FestivalFestivalTakes place every year in mid-August.
Detroit Blues CafePub

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AfarOct 6

Inside Detroit’s Most Unexpected Museum—and the Neighborhood Around It

From the MBAD African Bead Museum to Detroit's grandest boulevards, artist Olayami Dabls offers a journey through African culture and community.

16 things in this story

MBAD African Bead MuseumMuseumCampus of murals and installations in NW Goldberg neighborhood
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American HistoryMuseumDabls was first curator and artist-in-residence
Bishop ParkSightEnjoy weekend entertainment like the Kickball Classic
West Grand BoulevardNeighborhoodNotable thoroughfare with art and people
WDET’s The BoulevardPlaceRadio show with techno and house soundtrack
Motown MuseumMuseumUndergoing a $75 million expansion slated to open in 2027
Fisher BuildingSightArt deco masterpiece known as Detroit’s largest art object
Peacock RoomRestaurantVintage, size-inclusive glamour retail experience
WoodwardNeighborhoodCentral avenue, home to the world’s first mile of concrete highway
Baobab FareRestaurantParagon of East African cuisine, nominated for James Beard Award
Yum VillageRestaurantAfro-Caribbean fare with locally sourced ingredients
Museum of Contemporary Art DetroitMuseumRecently hosted a retrospective of Dabls’ work
Hudson’s DetroitSightNewly built building with permanent installation of mural
Grand River AvenueNeighborhoodRoute to see Dabls’ public art murals
Beads muralSightDabls mural on the north wall
Snake muralSightDabls mural on the south wall

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Condé Nast TravelerOct 6

15 Best Hotels in the Midwest: Readers’ Choice Awards 2026

Condé Nast Traveler readers rate their top hotels the country's heartland.

14 hotels in this story

Shinola HotelHotelWelcome to Shinola Hotel.
The Godfrey Detroit, Curio Collection by HiltonHotel
Elsewhere
The Pfister HotelHotelMilwaukee, United StatesThis icon of a hotel, built in 1893 near the city's historic Third Ward, is home to the largest collection of Victorian…
Le Méridien Columbus, The JosephHotelColumbus, United StatesOpened in early 2015.
Fidelity Hotel ClevelandHotelCleveland, United StatesBest for: Business travelers, discerning couples, small families with a little one (or pet) are also warmly welcomed…
Hewing HotelHotelMinneapolis, United StatesExperience historic charm and modern comfort at Hewing Hotel in Minneapolis featuring stylish rooms, a rooftop spa and…
Hyatt Regency MilwaukeeHotelMilwaukee, United StatesMilwaukee is one of the US’s cities to watch, as we noted in last year’s Readers’ Choice Awards —from having a festival…
Hotel Kansas City – The Unbound Collection by HyattHotelKansas City, United StatesA historic downtown hotel offering big-city polish with a Midwestern price tag.
Amway Grand Plaza hotelHotelGrand Rapids, United States
Crossroads HotelHotelKansas City, United States
The Farnam, Autograph CollectionHotelOmaha, United States
The Charmant HotelHotelLa Crosse, United States
Hyatt Regency MinneapolisHotelMinneapolis, United States
Ironworks Hotel IndyHotelIndianapolis, United States

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AfarAug 20

7 U.S. Cities Where the Riverfront Is the Place to Be

Where to eat: Ladder 4 Wine Bar, situated in a 1910 former firehouse, is about three miles west of downtown. Ever-changing dishes, such as the Hokkaido scallops with green almonds, ramps, and ...

25 things in this story

Wheelhouse DetroitPlaceRent a bike for the day.
Belle IsleSightCycle the promenade to this island.
Shinola HotelHotelInspired by Detroit's architecture and brand.
San MorelloRestaurantSouthern coastal Italian restaurant.
Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial ParkParkViews of Canada and the city's downtown skyline.
Detroit Riverfront ConservancyPlaceFill out the form to request a speaker or tour to update your donation contact information and for all general…
Diamond Jack's River ToursPlaceDocents narrate Motor City's industrial past.
Ambassador BridgeSightCycle the promenade to this bridge.
Ladder 4 Wine BarRestaurantWe take the wine and the food very seriously.
Little VillageNeighborhoodArts space in a historic church.
Elsewhere
White RiverSightIndianapolis, United StatesRestoration of the river.
Frank’s Paddlesports LiveryPlaceIndianapolis, United StatesOffers paddling trips.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway MuseumMuseumIndianapolis, United StatesRace a qualifying lap with immersive simulators.
Riverside ParkParkIndianapolis, United StatesHome to Frank's Paddlesports Livery.
InterContinental IndianapolisHotelIndianapolis, United StatesLuxury hotel opened in 2025.
AstreaRestaurantIndianapolis, United StatesRooftop bar with a panoramic view.
Monument CircleParkIndianapolis, United StatesGathering place at the heart of the city.
BluebeardRestaurantIndianapolis, United StatesChampions Indiana agriculture.
Holy RosaryPlace of worshipIndianapolis, United StatesNeighborhood where Bluebeard is located.
Amelia'sBakeryIndianapolis, United StatesBakes bread next door to Bluebeard.
Through2EyesPlaceIndianapolis, United StatesBlack-owned company offering city history tours.
Graco ParkParkMinneapolis, United StatesRiver landing, picnic tables, restored island.
Boom Island ParkParkMinneapolis, United StatesBike the new riverside trail to this park.
Paddle Bridge Kayak ToursPlaceMinneapolis, United StatesSign up for a history lesson.
St. Anthony FallsSightMinneapolis, United StatesSite of a Dakota Nation-led project.

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Atlas ObscuraAug 13

RoboCop Statue in Detroit, Michigan

RoboCop is a fictional, cybernetically enhanced Detroit police officer from the RoboCop franchise. Beginning in 1987 with the film “RoboCop”, the stories of RoboCop center around, Officer Alex James Murphy after he has been cybernetically enhanced and continues to fight crime in Detroit. In early 2011, the Detroit mayor and his communications team solicited suggestions for improvements to the c…

2 things in this story

Eastern MarketMarketThe statue is located just south of Mack Ave.
RoboCop StatuePublic artwork

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Condé Nast TravelerJul 31

The Best Hotels in Detroit—and Why the City Belongs on Your Travel List

A former resident and frequent Detroit visitor shares her favorite hotels in the city.

24 things in this story

RiverwalkHotelPasti menang jika main slot777 dan slot88 di situs bonanza slot gacor 777 online agar menang dalam permainan zeus slot…
Belle IsleSightspend an afternoon
The Siren HotelHotelglass-enclosed terrace atop the former Wurlitzer building
RoostHotelset inside the Book Tower, a 1920s skyscraper
Le SuprêmeRestaurantFrench bistro could be a love letter to Paris
Hiroki SanRestaurantpours sake with gold-flecked sushi
The Aladdin SaneRestaurantBowie-named lounge mixes cocktails by candlelight
Monarch ClubRestaurantmidcentury-inspired cocktail den with 360-degree open-air deck
ElementHotelenjoyable base with apartment-style rooms and suites
MadcapCafégrab a coffee
Hotel David WhitneyHotel1915 landmark with soaring atrium and fireplaces
Library BarRestaurantpours cocktail riffs named for lumber baron family
Ford FieldSightIt primarily serves as the home of the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL), the Mid-American Conference…
Comerica ParkSightIt has been the home of the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB) since its opening in 2000.
Detroit Foundation HotelHotelinside a 1929 firehouse with industrial edges
Apparatus RoomRestaurantlight-flooded bar crowned with hundreds of hanging bulbs
Shinola HotelHotelknits five historic downtown buildings into one stay
San MorelloRestaurantwood-fired pizza and housemade pasta
Detroit Institute of ArtsMuseumvisit for free
Candy BarRestaurantsip bubbles below a glittering disco ball
CheninRestaurantbiodynamic wines and butter-lavished treats
downtownPlace of worshiphighly walkable area
Eastern MarketMarket
Fox TheatreTheatre

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OutsideJul 10

Detroit Will Surprise and Amaze You

From scenic canal tours to open-air art walks, there’s so much to explore in the Motor City

28 things in this story

Belle Isle ParkSighthistoric park on the Detroit River with city views
Oudolf GardenParkrenowned garden on Belle Isle
Anna Scripps Whitcomb ConservatoryAttractionoldest continually running conservatory in the country
Iron Bell TrailTrailsouthern trailhead on Belle Isle
Detroit RiverSightThe river, which forms part of the international border between the U.S.
RiverwalkHotelPasti menang jika main slot777 dan slot88 di situs bonanza slot gacor 777 online agar menang dalam permainan zeus slot…
Frederick Law OlmstedPlaceHe is considered to be the father of landscape architecture in the United States.
Ralph C. Wilson Centennial ParkSightpark on the Riverwalk
Hart PlazaParkPhilip A.
Dequindre Cut GreenwayTrailpath connecting Riverwalk with Eastern Market area
Eastern MarketMarketone of the oldest continuously running markets
Detroit Institute of ArtMuseumpremier art museum with over 65,000 works
Heidelberg ProjectAttractionIt was created in 1986 by the artist Tyree Guyton, who was assisted by his wife, Karen, and grandfather Sam Mackey.
Detroit RiverwalkTrailaward-winning greenway along the banks of the Detroit River
McDougall-HuntNeighborhoodneighborhood with The Heidelberg Project
Detroit Industry MuralsSightmurals by Diego Rivera depicting factory workers
Detroit SailsPlaceoffers public and private tours of the river
Detroit Cycle BoatPlacefloating party boat for river excursions
Detroit River SportsPlaceshowcases the area’s canal system, the “Venice of Detroit”
Jefferson ChalmersNeighborhoodneighborhood with canals and green spaces
Greyhaven IslandSightisland visited on Detroit River Sports tour
Fisher MansionSighthistoric mansion visited on Detroit River Sports tour
Coriander Kitchen and FarmRestaurantfarm-to-table option near Detroit River Sports
Detroit International RiverwalkSight
MacArthur BridgeSight
William Milliken State Park and HarborSight
Wheelhouse DetroitPlace
Belle IsleSight

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