Detroit, Michigan has changed vastly over the last decade, despite having one of the highest poverty rates in the nation. Of course, those rates present some distinct challenges when it comes to providing economic opportunity.
But the Motor City has been dramatically revitalized over the last 15 years since filing for bankruptcy in 2013. In fact, in 2022, TIME magazine listed Detroit as one of the World’s Greatest Places. Travelers can help the city just by passing through as it’s now home to the USA’s first electric vehicle charging road.
This lends credence to its moniker, Motor City—but for the modern age. So come with us as we Experience a Revitalized Detroit Rock City Like Never Before.
Downtown Detroit – Where the Transformation Begins
While Detroit may seem to have been lost when the city filed for bankruptcy in 2013, it has quickly returned to its proverbial feet. Downtown Detroit is where you can witness the transformation in real-time.
Fashion and art are returning, and historic buildings are being restored to their original splendor. But that’s not all. New urban areas, cafes, restaurants, and green spaces are popping up throughout the city. Some may recall the good old days when the Motor City became one of the world’s wealthiest cities in the wake of the post-World War I auto industry boom.
Now, visitors can see this in a unique and distinct way by taking a guided tour of the city. This way you can experience the city’s stunning art deco architecture in places like the Guardian Building, the Detroit Public Library, or the Detroit Opera House.
Touring the Michigan Revitalized Motor City’s Museums
Admire the revitalized 441-foot (134-meter) tall Fisher Building, AKA the Eiffel Tower of Detroit for its stunning architectural designs. Art and history fans can feel days exploring the city’s museums. Check out cars and trains of old in the Detroit Historical Museum or visit the Motown Museum where The Temptations, The Supremes, and other famous Motown artists recorded their hit songs.
At the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, you can see memorabilia, films, and photographs exploring the African American legacy. Drop by the Michigan Science Center and catch an IMAX flick or learn about the cosmos. At Detroit Institute of Arts see Vincent van Gogh’s painting Sef Portrait or catch a glimpse of other important works of art.
More to Detroit than History – Time to Have Some Fun
A revitalized Downtown means more than museums and architecture. It means fun. There are plenty of spots to dance your heart out or see live music in one of the many hip Motor City joints. Stop by Cliff Bell’s, one of Detroit Rock City’s oldest jazz joints, and enjoy cocktails and live music.
Explore the city’s beautiful river walks and gardens. Enjoy some outdoor entertainment via Campus Martius Park. Cross Detroit’s famous MacArthur Bridge built in 1909 to see Detroit’s natural parklands on Belle Island along the Detroit River.
The revitalized city is best experienced via car, but you can just as easily do it by renting a bike or using the Detroit People Mover – the city’s automated transit system. Detroit Metro Airport is a short 30-minute drive from Downtown.
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