Skip the walking and spend a day on an e-scooter in Detroit

Story By: Max White

Warm weather is coming back to Detroit, and with that means the arrival of the e-scooters throughout the city.

What started with just a couple companies a few years ago has turned into a quick way to get around for residents and visitors. If you’re looking for a day on an e-scooter in Detroit, here’s how to spend it.

There are many great places to pick up a scooter in Detroit, and you’ll find a wide variety in the downtown area. Grab your scooter from anywhere downtown, and head east to Eastern Market. On Saturday mornings, this is the place to be. It’s a great place to start your day among the people trying local flavors, coffee and much more.

Germack Coffee has been roasting beans or more than a decade in Eastern Market, and they’re a great place to start your day at Eastern Market. They have coffee from Central America, South America, Africa and the Pacific region. While you’re there, make sure to go next door to Germack Pistachio Co., which is approaching its 100th anniversary. Try their mixed nuts or their pistachios.

After you’re done shopping in Eastern Market, you can take the Dequindre Cut, a 2-mile greenway that is 20 feet wide with lanes for bicycles and walkers. It runs from Mack Ave. all the way to the Detroit Riverfront, with stops in Eastern Market and near Lafayette Park. After your ride on the cut, take the Detroit Riverfront toward Downtown and ride past the beautiful Renaissance Center and see the Detroit skyline.

Now, you’re back in the heart of Downtown Detroit and it’s the perfect time for lunch. Not far from Hart Plaza you’ll find Grand Trunk Pub, which is located in a building that once housed the Grand Trunk Railroad offices.

The pub is all about Michigan and features brunch items as well and lunch and dinner entrees. We suggest started with the fried pickle chips before enjoying the Grand Trunk Pub Reuben.

If you’re looking for a uniquely Detroit experience, you have to try American Coney Island or Lafayette Coney Island, right next to each other along Michigan Ave. That’s where you’ll get the delicious dog with chili, mustard and onion on it.

With plenty of time left in the afternoon, you can hop on the scooter and head north along Woodward where you’ll pass Comerica Park, the home to the Detroit Tigers, and Little Caesars Arena, the home to the Detroit Red Wings and Pistons. Just a couple miles north and you’ll be in Midtown.

In Midtown, you can explore the Wayne State University campus, or check out one of the many museums in the museum district – The Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Historical Museum, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History or Michigan Science Center.

If you’re looking for a great afternoon snack, you can head to Avalon International Bread for a cookie after the museum.

Finally, north to New Center to check out the Fisher Building, often called “Detroit’s largest art object.” You can do some shopping and check out the beautiful interior of the first floor, going three stories up. It’s hard to put into words how beautiful the building is, so be sure to check it out.

It’s probably time for dinner by this time, and there is no shortage of restaurants in New Center or back in Midtown.

Baobab Fare was recently named one of the best new restaurants in the country, offering East African food in the city. There’s also YumVillage, which offers Afro-Caribbean food, or Supino Pizza, selling New York-style slices of pizza.

In Midtown, there’s Jolly Pumpkin Brewery, which has a variety of delicious food, or Motor City Brewing Works, which has great pizza. Selden Standard is another great option, along with Grey Ghost or The Peterboro.

Finally, when you head back into Downtown Detroit to finish the night, make sure to check out the Detroit Brew Trail. Detroit has a ton of breweries, and while you shouldn’t drink and ride a scooter, there are plenty of options to safely get from one brewery to another in the city.

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