Where to Stay
There are lots of great options. Here are a few of my favorite.
The Shinola Hotel is a sophisticated, sleek urban option. However, the property goes beyond a hotel stay to bring you a Detroit experience. Make sure you explore the common spaces as the detail throughout the hotel is true artistry.
If you love history, the Detroit Foundation Hotel is a great place to stay. It’s the former home to Detroit’s former Fire Department Headquarters. I love the high ceilings, and the art deco feel throughout. There is also a museum showcasing the building’s history. The Foundation is right next to the TCF Center (Cobo Hall), which makes it a great pick if you’re in town for an event.
Element Detroit at the Metropolitan by Marriott is centrally located and within walking distance to most Detroit attraction venues. The style of the rooms is modern, simple, with full-size kitchens. This hotel will be a good home base if you are in the city for an extended stay.
Where to eat
Attached to the Shinola is the Brakeman, a unique bar that resembles a garage. This is a great spot to grab a drink, though the space can get loud on busy nights. They have craft beer on draft and a fun cocktail list. Food is limited, but they have fried chicken and honey-butter biscuits. I’m a biscuit girl; these are amazing. What stands out here is the token system they use. You purchase tokens at a cute both at the front to turn in for drinks at the bar.
The Apparatus Room at the Detroit Foundation Hotel is a chic stop for dinner with creative, delicious American cuisine. The enchanting atmosphere makes a cozy spot for drinks, especially its innovative cocktail menu and lounge seating options.
A casual spot for good beer and a homemade, rotating menu is Batch Brewing Company. The outdoor Biergarten with turf and picnic tables is full of charm and makes a great spot to hang out and chat.
If you’re a foodie and looking for a place where the flavors explode in your mouth, Marrow is your place to go. This neighborhood butcher shop is also a James Beard award-nominated restaurant. It has a farm to fork mission and utilizes local family-owned farms to source ingredients. It’s a surprisingly cozy atmosphere for a butcher shop.
Where to Play
You can easily spend a weekend here just exploring restaurants, bars, and cool hangout spots. There are also many sports and entertainment venues in Detroit. There’s always something to see and do. Check out the venue schedules before you plan your trip.