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  • Detroit's Historic Churches: Architectural Marvels

    This Blog is not intended to have any religious meaning or importance. Rather, the focus is on Detroit's magnificent church architecture and history (underground railroad and US civil rights). Founded in 1701, Detroit has grown to 138 square miles (a land mass greater than Manhattan, Boston, and San Francisco combined ) and more than 800 churches. Over those 221 years, Detroit moved from French to British to U.S. control, spreading out each time a new church attracted a new community around it. 15 Most Beautiful Churches in Detroit More than 250 Detroit structures, including more than 20 of the city’s larger religious institutions, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These significant structures, with their different designs and profiles, maintain Detroit’s beauty since they were made to last (regardless of whether they currently have thriving populations). Many of us enjoy traveling, so whenever we visit a new location, we automatically search for the places that are in high demand. Prepare to see some of Detroit’s top attractions, including Fort Street Presbyterian Church, Old St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Sweetest Heart of Mary Church, and more. When we drive through the churches in the Detroit area, we can’t help but stop and gaze at their magnificent and enticing architecture. Each of these 15 gorgeous churches has a rich history that should be enjoyed, whether or not you are a member. Architectural Tours -- Churches & Cathedrals Tour Overview In the 19th century, American designers picked up on the European "revivalist" trend toward Medieval architecture and transformed it into what has become known as the Victorian Gothic and Late Gothic Revival styles.  Dozens of Detroit churches and cathedrals embody elements of these styles.  Note that the interiors of many of these buildings are as or more impressive than the exteriors, so be sure to take a look inside.  In addition to great architecture and history, these churches maintain some of the oldest, finest and rarest vessels and vestments. These 12 Churches In Detroit Will Leave You Absolutely Speechless Detroit's churches feature stunning architecture and rich history, making them notable landmarks in the city. The churches around Detroit provide such amazing and alluring architecture to the city; we can't help but to stare at them when we drive past them. Whether you are a member of one of these 12 exquisite churches or not, each one holds rich history that should be appreciated. Historic Detroit - Churches Website with a great listing of historic City of Detroit churches. EXPERIENCE DETROIT Attractions & Self-Guided Tours Tour Overview In the 19th century, American designers picked up on the European "revivalist" trend toward Medieval architecture and transformed it into what has become known as the Victorian Gothic and Late Gothic Revival styles.  Dozens of Detroit churches and cathedrals embody elements of these styles.  Note that the interiors of many of these buildings are as or more impressive than the exteriors, so be sure to take a look inside.  In addition to great architecture and history, these churches maintain some of the oldest, finest and rarest vessels and vestments. Preservation Detroit - Historic City of Churches Tour Detroit has long been a city of churches, at one time claiming more churches per square mile than any other city in the country. Join us for this annual walking tour of four of Detroit’s most famous and beautiful churches as we tour the inside of these historic sites around Greektown.  Stay tuned for news on the 2025 City of Churches tour.

  • One of the Hottest Cities to Visit - Detroit!?

    This is a collection of recent magazine and newspaper articles describing Detroit as "One of the Hottest Cities to Visit." AFAR Magazine Where to Go in 2024 The 25 most exciting places around the world to visit next BY TIM CHESTER, SARIKA BANSAL, BILLIE COHEN November 28, 2023 From a British city reimagining its industrial past and a laid-back Kenyan island free of cars to the best place in North America to see the total solar eclipse, our 25 picks for where to go next year have several traits in common: Each is an awe-inspiring, joy-inducing destination where human connection and creativity define the travel experience. These 25 places (listed in no particular order) offer ample opportunities for conscientious, sustainable exploration—exactly what AFAR’s travelers who care are seeking right now. Cheers to a year of getting out there.—The Editors Detroit, Michigan Detroit’s  Michigan Central , a Beaux-Arts former train station, has been reimagined as a transportation R&D lab with retail, dining, and community spaces—just one example of how everything old is new again in this city. The  Motown Museum  will roll out a $65 million upgrade throughout 2024 that includes performance spaces, interactive exhibits, and a music education center. The hip  Cambria Hotel  (in a 1936 radio broadcasting building by Albert Kahn, one of Detroit’s great architects) is the latest in a string of landmarks refashioned as boutique hotels. And a new glass-and-steel tower on the site of the 1927  Hudson’s store  will open a 48th-floor observation deck in 2024.  —Amy S. Eckert AFAR Magazine 7 Midwestern Towns for Modern Architecture Lovers To experience some of America’s most exciting building designs, head to the heartland. By  Nicholas DeRenzo    •  March 25, 2024 Detroit, Michigan Detroit's skyline is rife with art deco skyscrapers that show off its status as an economic powerhouse in the early 20th century. The Motor City is also one of the top places to take in the works of Japanese American architect Minoru Yamasaki, best known for designing the Twin Towers. For the best introduction to his works, check out the campus of  Wayne State University , home to four of his buildings: the 1958  McGregor Memorial Conference Center , known for its serene reflecting pool and geometric skylight; the 1960  College of Education  building, which is lined with 120 precast concrete "trees"; the 1964  Prentis Building , designed in the international style; and the 1964  Helen L. DeRoy Auditorium , which features Gothic-inspired arches. Elsewhere around the metro area, Yamasaki's works include  One Woodward Avenue  (his first skyscraper), the  Federal Reserve Bank Annex , and the  Temple Beth El , which features a unique shape that calls to mind the biblical Tent of Meeting. Time Magazine, July 2022 WORLD'S GREATEST PLACES 2022 Detroit Newfound glory The city made Time Magazine’s “World’s 50 Greatest Places” list, which ranked the top 50 international destinations to explore. In the United States, time is recommending the hip west coast centers of Portland, Oregon, and San Francisco, the Florida coastal cool of Miami, and Michigan’s “Comeback City” Detroit. The United Business Journal, May 2024 Detroit’s Unique Path: From ‘Doom Loop’ to Urban Revival Model Story by Rahul Kuma The recent resurgence of downtown Detroit represents a remarkable turnaround for a city that once grappled with economic decline and urban decay. Transforming from a symbol of urban blight to a model for urban revitalization, Detroit’s downtown has emerged as a vibrant hub of activity and growth, drawing accolades for its stunning reinvention.   The city’s journey towards revitalization can be traced back to the tumultuous decades of the 1980s and 1990s when downtown Detroit served as a stark reminder of urban decline. The closure of iconic landmarks like the Hudson’s department store and widespread layoffs in the automobile industry contributed to a downward spiral marked by population loss and economic stagnation. The city’s filing for Chapter 9 bankruptcy in 2013, the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history, further underscored the extent of its challenges.    However, Detroit’s resilience and determination to rebound have been evident in its recent transformation. Strategic investments by local stakeholders, including business magnate Dan Gilbert, have played a pivotal role in revitalizing downtown Detroit. Gilbert’s commitment to the city, exemplified by his multi-billion-dollar investments through Bedrock Detroit, has spurred a wave of redevelopment projects and catalyzed economic growth.   Central to Detroit’s resurgence is its appeal to a diverse demographic, including millennials, Gen Zs, and retiring boomers, seeking walkable neighborhoods, green spaces, and vibrant cultural amenities. The city’s historic architecture, repurposed for modern uses such as residential conversions and office renovations, has contributed to its charm and desirability as a place to live, work, and play. Notably, the relocation of General Motors’ headquarters to downtown Detroit symbolizes the city’s revitalization efforts and underscores its status as a thriving business and innovation hub. The redevelopment of the Hudson’s site into a mixed-use skyscraper, set to house GM’s new global headquarters alongside upscale residences and a luxury hotel, represents a significant milestone in Detroit’s revitalization journey. As Detroit continues to attract new residents, businesses, and investment, its downtown stands as a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and community collaboration in revitalizing urban centers. The city’s resurgence serves as an inspiration for other municipalities grappling with similar challenges, offering a blueprint for achieving sustainable economic growth and revitalizing urban landscapes. Wall Street Journal Detroit Is Reversing Property Doom Loop BY KONRAD PUTZIER April 22, 2024 Barely a decade after Detroit declared bankruptcy, the city is emerging as America’s most unlikely real-estate boomtown. A development frenzy has gripped Detroit’s central business district. Big companies, including Ford and developer Related Cos., are spending billions of dollars on office buildings and other properties. Dan Gilbert, a Detroit native and the billionaire co-founder of home lender Rocket Mortgage, is leading the city’s revitalization. His new skyscraper, still under  construction, recently topped out at 681 feet, making it the city’s second-tallest tower. It sits across the street from downtown Detroit’s first Gucci store.   The city's residential market is also taking off. Home prices in the area are up 40% since 2020. The number of apartments downtown has more than doubled to 5,903 since 2010, according to the Downtown Detroit Partnership. Detroit's business district transformation offers lessons to other cities that are struggling to revive their empty downtowns and avoid being sucked into a debilitating doom loop.   Detroit's downtown recovery is already ahead of schedule. Its abundance of once - empty buildings offered opportunity. Many are nearly a century old, with small floors and beautiful architecture, said Eric Larson, CEO of the Downtown Detroit Partnership. These are exactly the types of buildings that work well as apartment conversions. In more robust markets, such as Midtown Manhattan, these buildings would have been torn down and replaced by characterless glass office towers with cavernous floors. But in Detroit, they remained as ruins, waiting for someone with money and local pride to come and convert them. That turned out to be Gilbert, who moved his mortgage company's headquarters downtown from the suburbs in 2010. Safety was an initial concern. The company built its own security apparatus with guards and cameras to make employees feel safe, but soon found that they needed little convincing to go downtown, Gilbert said. He began buying up nearby buildings in part to make sure they wouldn't fall to speculators and decay. He calls his real-estate development strategy the "big bang approach." Downtown needed apartments, retail and modern office space. "Well, what do you do first?" he asked. "We thought, you really have to do it all at the same time to make it work." Gilbert's companies bought more than 130 properties downtown, spending billions. His real-estate venture, Bedrock Detroit, converted the Book Tower, a century-old, 38- story Italian Renaissance Style skyscraper, into apartments, a hotel, offices, retail, event space, bars and restaurants. The $400 million project opened last year. Bedrock is building its 681-foot skyscraper on the site of the former Hudson's department store, It will include luxury condominiums and a hotel, And the neighboring office building that GM is moving into is part of the project.   The hulking ruin of Michigan Central, Detroit's former train station, became a symbol of urban decay. Dwindling tax revenue helped bankrupt the city in 2013. Ford reinvests But spurred by Gilbert's commitment, others began pouring money into downtown real-estate projects. Carmaker Ford is spending more than $900 million to redevelop Michigan Central and surrounding properties. The train-station building is scheduled to open in June. Related chairman and Detroit native Stephen Ross is partnering with the local Ilitch family, owners of Little Caesars Pizza, on a $1.5 billion development  at the northern edge of downtown that will include apartments, a hotel, offices and retail . "One thing people forget is Detroit has a lot of old and new money," said Richard Florida, an urban studies professor at the University of Toronto. Rock-bottom office rents long ago forced developers to come up with other things to build. They added casinos and sports venues and restored aging theaters. That made downtown less office-dependent, an advantage in the age of remote work. "An allegedly smart urbanist would have probably said don't do that-billions of dollars on stadiums and casinos," Florida said. "It sounds odd to say this, but in a way their downtown looks more like a Miami or Las Vegas."   The bankruptcy and headlines of Detroit's decay also created more urgency in the city and state to shower developers with tax breaks. These are often controversial but are important because rents in Detroit are too low for projects to pay off otherwise. The Michigan Central project, for example, is set to receive more than $200 million in tax incentives.   Downtown still has challenges. Foot traffic is down from 2019, largely because of remote work. That means fewer customers for local businesses. Rising interest rates and skittish banks have made it harder to pay for development. The joint venture between Related and the Ilitch family's Olympia Development was scheduled to start building the first offices at their $1.5 billion project last year, but pushed that back. Still, there is little doubt that downtown Detroit is turning around when many other office districts are heading in the opposite direction. "If somebody would have told you there was going to be a Gucci store in Detroit 10 years ago, I mean, I would have laughed at them," Gilbert said. Wall Street Journal Your Next Vacation Destination: Detroit, Ben Cohen April 27-28 2024 When the hip travel magazine Afar selected the most exciting places to visit this year, the list was packed with "awe-inspiring, joy-inducing" spots like Paris, Rome, Fiji, Bhutan, Machu Picchu and Detroit. Wait. Detroit? Yes, only a decade after the biggest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history, Detroit has something else to declare: We're a tourist destination. This week, hundreds of thousands of fans invaded the city for the NFL draft, and they began to understand why the bustling downtown area has urban theorists comparing Detroit to Las Vegas and Miami. So much has changed about Detroit in recent years that even the Lions are good these days. You don't have to be anywhere near the Motor City to be struck by its transformation. In fact, I recently walked past a bus stop in New York and noticed an advertisement with three words that I had never seen before: COME TO DETROIT. To make sure I wasn't hallucinating, I reached out to Claude Molinari, the chief executive of the nonprofit Visit Detroit and one of the driving forces behind this marketing blitz. "Come here, stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, visit our attractions and find everything there is to do and see in Detroit," Molinari says. He thinks your next convention should be in Detroit. Also, your next vacation. It's all part of his mission to change the very way you think about the city. Forget the reputation. He wants you thinking about music, theater and world-class museums, cool architecture, parks and public squares, three casinos, four professional sports teams, a rich history of innovation and the deep blue water of the Detroit River. "People come here and think it's the Caribbean," he says. In any business it is easy to see problems. It's harder to look for hidden promise. But success often requires the unwavering persistence to will even the most improbable outcomes into existence. Last year, Detroit welcomed 17 million visitors, more than any year since the pandemic and not nearly enough for Molinari. He's set a goal of 25 million visitors by 2030. Which explains why posters for Detroit are suddenly popping up in New York. As it turns out, that bus stop display was part of a campaign rolling out across the country and around the world. Visit Detroit is strategically targeting specific markets where people are more inclined to, well, visit Detroit: East Coast and Midwest cities that are short flights or longer drives away, Texas during the spring and summer, European countries with non- stop service to this Delta Air Lines hub. Some will come because they have to, but most will come because they want to: 17% of Detroit's visitors come for meetings and conventions, 24% for other business and 58% for leisure, according to the organization. No matter why they come, Molinari is convinced they will want to come back. They might even decide to stay forever. "If we can get 'em here," he says, "we'll get ’em here." But the only thing that might take longer than revitalizing a city is rebranding it. Visit Detroit is America's oldest visitors' bureau and has been in the business of selling the city for more than a century. But not since it was one of the wealthiest places in the world has someone in Molinari's position been able to sell what he feels when he walks around downtown on a perfect spring day: hope. For too long, Detroit was caught in a "doom loop," which is not a description of Lions fandom but something even more dismal. A doom loop is what happens when a city spirals out of control. "Tax revenue falls, services suffer, businesses close and disorder moves in. Residents leave, commuters and shoppers stay away and the cycle is self-reinforcing," as The Wall Street Journal explained. But this week brought a fascinating article by my colleague Konrad Putzier about how Detroit liberated itself from the dreaded urban doom loop with billions of dollars in real-estate investments. These days, America's most beleaguered city is remaking itself as "America's most unlikely real-estate boomtown," as he wrote. It won't happen overnight, if it ever happens. His organization has studied why groups don't visit Detroit and found that not having enough hotel rooms is the primary reason they choose to go else- where. To compete for blockbuster concerts, sporting events and industry conference the city will have to double its 6,000 hotel rooms, Molinari says. But the doom loop is over. Now he's betting on a boom loop: The more Detroit builds, the more people will come to Detroit. Who needs Machu Picchu?

  • Detroit - A UNESCO "City of Design"

    The Michigan metropolis is the only city in America to receive the UNESCO honor. This designation puts Detroit's design assets to work, ensuring a more sustainable and equitable future for all Detroit residents. Detroit American City of Design - Detroit Named First American City of Design by UNESCO Architectural Digest, December 2015 This week Detroit became the first American city to be named a UNESCO City of Design, an honor that recognizes a city's design legacy and commitment to promote cultural and creative industries, joining a total of 116 cities in UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network. The application to UNESCO was put forth by DC3, a five-year-old network founded by Business Leaders for Michigan and committed to fostering creative fields in the state. It included a video by Emmy Award–winning filmmaker Stephen McGee that highlighted the city’s historic and present-day relationship with design. “Detroit’s legacy of design is rich and includes Eames, Knoll, Bertoia, Diffrient, Rapson, Weese, Saarinen, Libeskind, Yamasaki, Kahn, Dow, Earle, and scores of others,” DC3 interim executive director Ellie Schneider told AD. “Design continues to play a significant role in our economy, and it was important that our application reflect our city’s contributions to the global design community, both historically and today.” Detroit American City of Design - The city has been lauded as of late for its cultural renaissance (including by Architectural Digest), with companies like Shinola and a slew of new hotels, restaurants, and galleries returning focus to a city that was once the epicenter of American industrialism. A pride of place and a dedication to upholding this reputation make the future bright for Detroit—no doubt it will more than live up to UNESCO’s standards. Design Core Detroit As a UNESCO City of Design, Detroit is part of a network of 40+ cities around the world using design to improve the lives of everyday people. ​ As one of the 250 members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), our goal is to establish Detroit's unique role as a global leader in inclusive design through collaborative action. The cradle of American modernism, Detroit’s legacy as a global center of design is rich and includes Eames, Knoll, Bertoia, Diffrient, Rapson, Weese, Saarinen, Libeskind, Yamasaki, Kahn, Dow, Earle and scores of other prolific designers. Detroit is one of the few cities that has fundamentally changed the way the world works, lives and moves. Many credit Detroit as the city where the practice of industrial design was invented and perfected; with General Motors establishing one of the world’s first corporate design departments and College for Creative Studies establishing the world’s first transportation design curriculum during the 1930’s. The infrastructure, workforce and youth educational programs in Detroit allow design to be the driving force behind Detroit's economic development. Design is not only a party of our history, but it also has the potential to drive us towards a better future. ABOUT UNESCO CREATIVE CITIES The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was created in 2004 to promote cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development. The almost 300 cities which currently make up this network work together towards a common objective: placing creativity and cultural industries at the heart of their development plans at the local level and cooperating actively at the international level. DETROIT CITY OF DESIGN CHALLENGES The City of Design Challenge provides a platform to develop ideas that improve access and opportunity in Detroit through the practice of inclusive design, putting the people of Detroit at the heart of the process. The program builds on existing momentum by partnering with community leaders to offer direct support, accelerating the impact of leaders and helping others to learn from their experiences. Fostering mutually beneficial relationships between designers & the communities in Detroit, this initiative connects directly to the UNESCO Detroit City of Design Action Plan by providing community-led groups access to resources to advance their solutions. CCS Join Design Core Detroit for the 2024 Detroit American City of Design- Detroit Month of Design, September 1 -30, 2024. Open Call for Detroit Month of Design is now live and the theme for 2024 is Creative Currents. Detroit Month of Design is a citywide collaboration of creativity that gathers designers, consumers, residents and the greater community to celebrate Detroit’s role as a national and global design capital. Detroit Month of Design returns for its 14th annual edition this September 1-30, 2024! Every September, partners across Detroit—from emerging studios to established companies and educational institutions—come together to show off their latest works and ideas. These cross-disciplinary events take place in all corners of the city, highlighting the talent and innovation that makes Detroit a UNESCO City of Design. The Detroit Month of Design activates spaces all over the city with experiences ranging from exhibitions, installations, product launches, talks, tours, workshops and parties. 2024 THEME This year's theme, Creative Currents, pays tribute to Detroit’s unique legacy of artistry and innovation, while emphasizing the importance of collaboration and collective action as we look to the future. The ripple effect of Detroit’s design history stretches across the globe, spanning time and space. Detroit forever changed the way the world lives, works, and moves. Today, the resonant connectivity of Detroit’s creative community creates a collaborative circuit where inventive energy flows freely as creative minds unite and amplify each other's ideas. Creative Currents amplifies the notion that for our region to prosper, we must be deliberate about creating spaces where the flow of information, opportunities, and creative solutions can move freely and equally.  The Detroit Month of Design exists as a platform for creating these intentional spaces. ​ Today, the creative minds in Detroit hold the keys to our collective success. As we move through this time marked by rapid changes in our economy, environment and tech, the innovators of today embody Detroit’s Legacy in Motion. ​ ABOUT THE MONTH OF DESIGN Detroit Month of Design is a citywide collaboration of creativity that gathers designers and the greater community to celebrate Detroit’s role as a national and global design capital. Detroit Month of Design returns for its 14th annual edition this September 1-30, 2024! Every September, partners across Detroit—from emerging studios to established companies and educational institutions—come together to show off their latest works and ideas. These cross-disciplinary events take place in all corners of the city, highlighting the talent and innovation that makes Detroit a UNESCO City of Design. Open Call: Detroit Month of Design 2024 Participate in the 14th Annual Detroit Month of Design. Event Organizers, Artist Opportunities, Venue Hosts, Partner Opportunities & more... Apply: Open Call UNESCO The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) comprises cities from around the world that have recognized creativity and cultural industries as essential for sustainable urban development. As of now, there are 350 cities in the network, covering seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art Design Film Gastronomy Literature Media Arts Music

  • Best Downtown Detroit Wine Bars!

    Downtown Residents discuss the Best Downtown Detroit Wine Bars' Focus on Wonderful "Value" Wines Downtown Detroit and the Detroit-area Wine Scene Detroit and southeastern Michigan have an exceptional wine culture. Certainly, there is a great variety of fine wines at their appropriate high prices. But notably, many Downtown Detroit Wine Bars focus on wonderful "value" wines – wines with great taste at a great price. Only about half of U.S. states are home to a Master Sommelier, and just a handful can point to a woman Master Somm on its roster of wine professionals. Remarkably, Michigan is home to three Master Somms — all of them women. Most notably for southeast Michigan is Madeline Triffon, an American wine specialist and Master Sommelier. Ms. Triffon has had a significant influence on the Detroit area wine culture - especially in regards to approachable Value Wines. Upon her completion of the Master Sommelier test in 1985, she was the ninth American, the first American woman, and overall, only the second woman in the world to pass. She has been nicknamed "Detroit's First Lady of Wine." In 2012, she was named IntoWine.com's 90th most influential person in the United States wine industry. Michigan’s enviable group of top-tier sommeliers isn’t the only way the state punches above its weight when it comes to women in the wine industry. From award-winning winemakers and restauranteurs to vineyard owners, distributors, wine bars, and importers, women are undeniably at the forefront of the state’s wine scene. Recommended Best Downtown Detroit Wine Bars Ping Ho has transformed the Downtown Detroit wine scene with her Royce Wine Bar and Marrow Restaurant. She purveys a tremendous selection of value wines and is committed to featuring wines made by independent producers, especially those who use biodynamic farming practices or other sustainable methods. Mikiah Westbrooks recently opened Brix Wine Bar in the Rivertown area of Downtown Detroit, a great new addition to Downtown Detroit Wine Bars. Brix’s new 1,400-square-foot space is a mix between a wine bar and a cozy lounge, with hardwood floors, shelves of red and white wine stocked in one corner and dark red loveseats and small, wooden coffee tables taking up another. A wonderful and comfortable spot to enjoy a bottle or two. Ladder 4 Wine Bar is another new addition to Downtown Detroit Wine Bars. This is one of the coolest spaces for a bar in Detroit. Ladder 4 occupies a century-old fire station in Southwest Detroit. With seating for 300 on two floors, the space still manages to be intimate, thanks in part to the staff’s dedication to spreading the gospel of natural wines. Rooftop outdoor lounges round out the space for a unique Detroit experience. The wines come from small operations, usually family vintners who produce wines grown organically and biodynamically. An unusual focus on Eastern Europe and the comeback of post-Soviet collective wine practices. Vertical Detroit Wine Bar and Restaurant is Detroit’s premier high-end wine bar and restaurant. Vertical Detroit serves as a wine bar/restaurant/retail space in the historic Paradise Valley district of Downtown Detroit. Although a great restaurant, this venue has an amazing selection of fine- and value- wines; the wine list is a book of several hundred varietals from around the world. The staff is very wine knowledgeable; it is not uncommon for staff to be pursuing Master Sommelier courses. The renovated below-street-level space offers a warm, inviting space to enjoy your wine. Great outdoor patio in-season. And, of course, all the dining restaurants in Downtown Detroit have excellent wine lists - expensive and value wines. Additionally, at these restaurants you will find wine-knowledgeable somms or waitstaff to assist with wine selection. Enjoy your visit to the Best Downtown Detroit Wine Bars!

  • Getting Around Downtown Detroit

    Downtown Residents describe the best ways to "get around" Downtown Detroit. Although a major metropolis, Detroit’s restaurants, entertainment venues, hotels, and cultural highlights are closely co-located in the downtown, or near-downtown area; maybe 2-3 square miles. Getting around downtown Detroit is quite easy. You won't spend hours traveling from place to place; you will spend minutes. Walking the city is the best way to see the sights. To help you out, we have included map locations in a-locals-guide-detroit for the best Downtown Detroit coffee shops, breakfast/lunch/dinner restaurants, craft beer, wine bars, cocktail bars, top things-to-do. Easiest Getting Around Downtown Detroit - Lyft and Uber Lyft and Uber have a very robust presence in the Detroit area, a great way to get around town. Typically, clean cars, friendly drivers, very little waiting. Maybe the best way of getting around downtown Detroit. Metro Cab Metro Cab is Michigan’s largest and best taxi company, servicing Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and all of Southeast and West Michigan. Metro Cab is the only taxi service allowed by DTW to provide curbside service in Detroit. If a specific pickup time is needed, a reservation is recommended, but the dispatch center can help 24 hours a day if a ride is needed on short notice. Use the Metro Cab App for booking a ride with up to 6 passengers in the Metro Detroit area. If you need a ride within 3 hours, call 734-997-6500 24hours per day. Get the App: Detroit Airport Limo Cars Service Whether your travel is business or personal, it’s always a pleasure in a luxurious Sedan, Limousine, SUV or Large Van of our company. Provides door-to-door service, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Along with serving the Detroit Metropolitan area, they specialize in service to and from Detroit Metro Airport. We provide exclusively low rates for excellent service. Make Online Reservation Now Call: 1-800-892-6467 Book 24h in advance and save 10% Checker Cab Traditional city cab service. Checker has been operating in Detroit since 1921, and we are the largest livery company in Michigan. There is always a Checker nearby to service all your transportation needs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year - 313-963-7000. Get the app: MoGo Detroit MoGo Detroit is a nonprofit bike share system for quick trips around town; MoGo is a fun, flexible, and convenient way to get around. Downtown Detroit is very bike friendly and biking is a great way to see the city. Detroit is particularly easy to bike around – a big city, but not a lot of traffic.  Ride the Detroit Riverwalk for sure. Get the Pass - Purchase a pass online, with the Transit App, or at any one of our touch screen stations. Cash payment and flexible payment options are available.  Download the Transit app to find the nearest MoGo station, plan a trip, purchase a pass, and unlock a bike! With Transit, view the number of bikes and available docks at any station in real time! Get the App: Use Transit to sign into your MoGo account, get a ride code, and check out a bike. Use Transit to unlock bikes at a lite station after you've purchased a pass at a touch screen kiosk. Sign into your account using your credit card to unlock another bike. MoGo is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Easily plan MoGo trips with DDOT, SMART, People Mover, QLine, and ride share. E-Scooters for Getting Around Downtown Detroit E-scooters are very popular for getting around downtown Detroit and are readily available. City of Detroit E-Scooters- Users of scooters should operate the vehicles in a safe manner, keep the public right-of-way clear, and follow any additional rules from the company they rent their scooter from. Detroit residents that participate in any state of federally-run assistance program are eligible for discounts to scooters. 1.    Age Requirement: Riders must be at least 18 years old to operate electric scooters in the city. 2.    Helmets: While helmets are recommended, they may not always be enforced. It’s good practice to wear one for safety. 3.    Sidewalk Usage: Avoid riding scooters on sidewalks. Stick to the road or designated bike lanes. 4.    Speed Limit: Abide by the maximum speed limit of 15 mph while riding electric scooters. The City of Detroit has introduced a curfew that renders rentable electric scooters unusable between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights in Detroit’s Central Business District (bordered by the Lodge, I-75, I-375 and the Detroit River). Lime (e-scooters and e-bikes) Google Play LINK Scooters Google Play - Boaz Bikes Google Play: Bird Rides, Inc. Google Play - Spin - Electric Scooters Google Play: Detroit People Mover The Detroit People Mover (DPM) is a fully automated light rail system that operates on an elevated single-track loop in Detroit's central business district. Launched in 1987, the system’s 13 stations provide quick connections between the courts and administrative offices of several levels of government, sports arenas, exhibition centers, major hotels, and commercial, banking and retail districts. EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2, 2024 THE DETROIT PEOPLE MOVER IS OPERATING A ZERO-FARE PILOT PROGRAM, WITH A FARE-FREE POLICY FOR ALL RIDERS THROUGHOUT 2024. Detroit People Mover Interactive Map: Detroit Q-Line The most convenient and comfortable way to experience the Woodward corridor, with streetcars arriving every 15 minutes. Runs from Downtown Detroit at Jefferson Ave. up to Grand Blvd in New Center; and returns. An easy way of getting around downtown Detroit. The QLINE connects riders to sports and concert venues, museums, special events and recreation, and many of Detroit’s premier retail, restaurants, and bars. The QLINE's 3.3-mile route runs on Woodward Ave. with 12 stops serving neighborhoods such as New Center, North End, Midtown and Downtown Detroit. The QLINE streetcars run from: Monday - Saturday: 8AM - 12AM Sunday: 8AM - 9PM ROUTE HIGHLIGHTS & DESTINATIONS Click on any of the 12 QLINE STATIONS for a brief selection of destinations and resources available via the QLINE. Detroit QLine Station Map & Guide Bus System The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) is the largest public transit provider in Michigan that serves the city of Detroit, surrounding suburbs, and neighboring cities, including Highland Park and Hamtramck. DDOT prides itself on providing reliable, clean, safe, and efficient service to an average of 85,000 riders daily. DDOT Sytem Map Bus Schedules

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