Corktown

History
Must-Sees
Where To Stay

Why Visit?

Detroit’s oldest neighborhood is now its trendiest: welcome to Corktown.

Today, this historically Irish neighborhood mixes influence from its Mexican and European immigrants, resulting in a uniquely Detroit, tight-knit community.

Here, you’ll find some of Detroit’s buzziest new restaurants, standing shoulder-to-shoulder
with stalwart favorites (case in point: Duly’s Place, a retro spot to grab a coney dog, once praised by Anthony Bourdain himself).

Beyond dining, there’s no shortage of activities in vibrant Corktown – whether you’re up for throwing axes, browsing vintage shops, touring a distillery, strolling the red brick streets, or downing a pint.

Visitors also flock to Corktown to witness the remodeled Michigan Central, which is being hailed as the most important adaptive reuse project to ever happen in Detroit. This place must be seen to be believed, and the same can be said of the rest of Corktown, too.

History of the neighborhood

Corktown, which is Detroit’s oldest neighborhood, traces its roots to an influx of Irish
immigrants in the 1840s, who were driven away from County Cork due to the Great Irish Potato Famine. These immigrants built humble homes and businesses in the area we now call Corktown, developing a deep foundation of community that still exists today.

Over the years, Corktown welcomed immigrants of other cultures. In the 1920s, in the wake of World War I, Mexican and Latin American immigrants began settling in the area looking for work in Detroit’s booming automotive industry.

Throughout the 1900s, Corktown struggled against demolitions and redevelopment projects that never quite came to fruition. However, the neighborhood has been experiencing a renaissance since the early 2000s, with innovative new businesses moving in.

The best example of Corktown’s renaissance is the redevelopment of Michigan Central, an abandoned train station which was taken over by Ford Motor Company as a tech and mobility hub, and opened to the public in 2024.

You certainly won’t get bored in Corktown. Here are some of the best things to do in the area:

  1. Take a tour of Michigan Central. Ford Motor Company invested nearly $1 billion into transforming this former eyesore of an abandoned train station into a 30-acre state-of-the-art hub for tech startups and entrepreneurs. You can book a tour through Detroit History Tours, but do so in advance because tours sell out.
  2. Go on a DIY pub crawl at any of Corktown’s watering holes along the walkable Michigan Avenue. Take a tour or tasting at Two James Spirits, which is Detroit’s first distillery since prohibition. Other top picks include Sugar House, Motor City Wine, Lager House, Nemo’s Bar, Batch Street Brewing, or Corktown Taphouse.
  3. Splurge on some vintage shopping at Eldorado General Store, Mama Coo’s Boutique, BORO, Sonic Juju, or Catalogue. Corktown is arguably Detroit’s best neighborhood for vintage clothes and wares.
  4. Go out to eat at one of Corktown’s popular restaurants and cafes. The area is increasingly known as home to some of Detroit's best restaurants. Enjoy award-winning barbecue at Slow’s BBQ, modern Japanese cuisine at Ima Izakaya, Canadian poutine at Brooklyn Street Local, delicious waffles at Folk, and Irish-German-Italian fare at Cork and Gabel.
  5. Spend a night gaming at The Yard at Corktown, an expansive entertainment center with axe throwing, darts, cornhole, pinball, shuffleboard, giant beer pong, bars, food trucks, and a large outdoor space.

Where to Stay

Corktown’s hotel scene has grown over the past few years, and there are now several places
to stay in the neighborhood.

Trumbull & Porter is a boutique hotel featuring 144 guest rooms, each filled with unique Detroit and Michigan-made furniture and artwork. There’s affordable on-site parking, a 24-hour gym, and a stylish café.

The Godfrey is a new, luxury, 227-room hotel that’s also home to an elegant rooftop bar (IO Rooftop Lounge) and restaurant (Hamilton’s).

Hostel Detroit, located in north Corktown, is geared toward curious travelers on a budget. This is the only hostel in Detroit. It’s an educational nonprofit that’s community-focused and offers volunteer-led tours.

How Can I Get to Corktown?

The easiest way to reach Corktown is by driving or rideshare, but it’s also served by DDOT and SMART buses. It’s possible to walk from downtown Detroit to Corktown, following Michigan Avenue for about 30 minutes.

What is the best way to explore Corktown?

You can explore Corktown on foot, especially along Michigan Avenue. You may prefer to use a bikeshare or car for some parts of the neighborhood.

Where can I park?

Parking in Corktown includes both free and metered street parking, as well as paid lots. You can use the Park Detroit app to find available lots and metered parking. If you’re visiting Michigan Central, park at Bagley Mobility Hub.

Distance from DTW

Corktown is a 20 to 30 minute drive from Detroit Metro Airport (DTW), depending on traffic.

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