Where to Shop
City Bird & Nest
City Bird & Nest are two boutique shops right next door to each other selling Detroit and Michigan-themed items. You can get t-shirts, soaps, glasses, books, candles and much more. Next door at Nest, you can get household goods like planters, barware, candles and more.
Pure Detroit
You can get all the Detroit apparel you need or want at Pure Detroit. From t-shirts to jewelry and everything in between, Pure Detroit has creative and unique items for everyone.
Third Man Records
Detroit rocker Jack White founded Third Man Records and opened up his shop in the Cass Corridor in 2015. You can shop for vinyl records, and apparel, catch live music and even tour the vinyl record pressing plant in the back during your visit.
Shinola
Known for their watches but with other handcrafted goods, Shinola’s flagship store in Midtown Detroit lets you have a look at all of their incredible products. You can try on watches, check out the leather goods, and even enjoy a cup of coffee inside the shop.
Source Booksellers
Founded by retired Detroit educator Janet Webster Jones, Source Booksellers is an independent bookshop offering unique non-fiction books. They also have different events throughout the year where you can hear conversations with authors, book talks and more.
Detroit Denim Co.
Founded in 2010, Detroit Denim give syou an opportunity to build your own jeans, or check out the ones they have ready. Pop into their store and grab all of your denim needs in a variety of colors.
Where to Eat
The Whitney
One of the more historic restaurants in Detroit, The Whitney is inside an 1890s mansion along Woodward Ave. They’re known for their wine and beef wellington, so make sure to give it a try while you’re there. You can also check out the Ghost Bar at the top of the mansion, which is rumored to be haunted!
SheWolf
Offering contemporary Italian food, SheWolf has housemade pasta and delicious cocktails to make a great evening. They focus on modern Roman cuisine from Chef Anthony Lombardo, and tier menu changes often. Make sure to try the Cacio e Pepe
Selden Standard
Selden Standard has been nominated for several James Beard Awards with Chef Andy Hollyday. They focus on small plates with shareable portions, prepared in a wood-fired oven with local ingredients. They also have a great wine list and beer list with unique cocktails.
Rocco’s Italian Deli
You’ll want to try every sandwich on the menu at Rocco’s, which offers different Italian sandwiches and salads. Some of our favorites include the Il Rocco with hot soppressata, other meats, cheese and garlic-lemon aioli, or the chicken parm sandwich. You can also stop by the market while you’re there to get some Italian foods to make at home.
Royale With Cheese
You’ll find delicious, cheesy burgers and food at Royale With Cheese, named after the famous like from “Pulp Fiction.” On top of those burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches, they have crispy sidewinder fries, shakes, salads and more.
Mad Nice
Mad Nice is one of the newer restaurants in Detroit and focuses on modern Italian food with a lunch and dinner menu. Their unique pizzas are a must-try, and on top of pasta, they offer a variety of meat and fish.
![](https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/archive/uploads/2018/08/28154908/wsi-imageoptim-Selden-Standard_-Emily-Berger-38.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=4acfc81699815361c9f5f43945ea6998 320w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/archive/uploads/2018/08/28154908/wsi-imageoptim-Selden-Standard_-Emily-Berger-38.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=07859ef54628b5e329701961c5e408ba 540w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/archive/uploads/2018/08/28154908/wsi-imageoptim-Selden-Standard_-Emily-Berger-38.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=ae070edf5d40ad27141f7a7846be9a00 768w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/archive/uploads/2018/08/28154908/wsi-imageoptim-Selden-Standard_-Emily-Berger-38.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=b4b3eb420bf0fcec32cead757fc304ca 1024w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/archive/uploads/2018/08/28154908/wsi-imageoptim-Selden-Standard_-Emily-Berger-38.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=3249310d2408d44aebe699b7e84ddc24 1200w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/archive/uploads/2018/08/28154908/wsi-imageoptim-Selden-Standard_-Emily-Berger-38.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=04a04f7859ca377a32bd1b4388b43f99 1440w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/archive/uploads/2018/08/28154908/wsi-imageoptim-Selden-Standard_-Emily-Berger-38.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=6ab04c2737a7a49887f7b1b6c21788c7 1920w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/archive/uploads/2018/08/28154908/wsi-imageoptim-Selden-Standard_-Emily-Berger-38.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=ca00a0da16524b509be25f4302140b8e 2560w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/archive/uploads/2018/08/28154908/wsi-imageoptim-Selden-Standard_-Emily-Berger-38.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=c75c5e003d3134ba4aee39cf79f97dfd 3840w)
Where to Drink
Jolly Pumpkin
Make sure you have the Detroit Brew Trail pass with you when you visit Midtown. Jolly Pumpkin has more than a dozen beers on tap from both their brewery and their sister brewery, North Peak. You can try IPAs, sours, amber ales and more.
Motor City Brewing Works
Motor City Brewing Works has been brewing beer for nearly three decades as Detroit’s oldest operating brewery. They have several flagship brews, most famously their Ghettoblaster Mild Ale, an English-style mild ale.
Castalia at Sfumato
You’ll try cocktails you’ve never imagined at Castalia, an experimental cocktail bar that focuses on flavor and fragrance. They have alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks, and each comes with a matching scent that’s meant to enhance the flavor of your cocktail.
Willis Show Bar
Willis Show Bar re-opened a few years ago after it was originally open from 1949-1978. The upscale cabaret and cocktail bar has a great menu to go along with live music throughout the week.
The Old Miami
A well-known dive bar in Detroit, The Old Miami opened in 1980 by Daniel Overstreet, a Vietnam veteran. The bar is still a veteran’s bar, and any veteran can get free entry to all events. There’s a great list of drinks and events throughout the year.
Avalon
Located inside the Jolly Pumpkin, Avalon serves up great coffee, boozy drinks, pastries and more.
![](https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/archive/uploads/2018/08/21144535/wsi-imageoptim-Jolly-Pumpkin_Emily-Berger-30.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=25430063047ad214b22e21ee405bf223 320w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/archive/uploads/2018/08/21144535/wsi-imageoptim-Jolly-Pumpkin_Emily-Berger-30.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=bd3f0b35a8d415bb215ec42707be08bf 540w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/archive/uploads/2018/08/21144535/wsi-imageoptim-Jolly-Pumpkin_Emily-Berger-30.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=d605006907be751bfbd5444bfca0bcec 768w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/archive/uploads/2018/08/21144535/wsi-imageoptim-Jolly-Pumpkin_Emily-Berger-30.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=563249b86b2b53cf4686202835efec7a 1024w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/archive/uploads/2018/08/21144535/wsi-imageoptim-Jolly-Pumpkin_Emily-Berger-30.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=4e40f03522967310658606d518e98386 1200w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/archive/uploads/2018/08/21144535/wsi-imageoptim-Jolly-Pumpkin_Emily-Berger-30.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=8d372e47b93dab06caddbdc1cf821d21 1440w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/archive/uploads/2018/08/21144535/wsi-imageoptim-Jolly-Pumpkin_Emily-Berger-30.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=85de47f242a9fd1b870cb66dcbeeaeed 1920w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/archive/uploads/2018/08/21144535/wsi-imageoptim-Jolly-Pumpkin_Emily-Berger-30.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=50ddf12aa603a2773efb26b7310660d0 2560w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/archive/uploads/2018/08/21144535/wsi-imageoptim-Jolly-Pumpkin_Emily-Berger-30.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=307ff54231a25733e9065a642584a9ed 3840w)
Where to Explore
Detroit Institute of Arts
The DIA is one of the best art museums in the country and features more than 100 galleries with art and other artifacts throughout the history of the world. Some famous painters include Van Gogh, Diego Rivera, Picasso and more.
Detroit Historical Museum
You can learn all about Detroit’s history at the Detroit Historical Museum and see cool historical items. Make sure to also walk the streets of old Detroit on the lower level of the museum.
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
The Wright was founded in 1965 and is one of the top museums dedicated to African-American history and experience in the world. You can check out different programs, exhibitions and more at The Wright.
Michigan Science Center
There is fun for the whole family at the Michigan Science Center where people can get hands-on with more than 200 exhibits and have a blast trying new things. There is also a 4D theater, an IMAX Dome and a planetarium.
Museum of Contemporary Art
MOCAD offers different exhibitions and programs showing off contemporary art and focusing on art “as a means to nurture social change and human understanding.”
Wayne State University
You can walk around one of Detroit’s premier universities on the campus of Wayne State, right in the heart of Midtown. On the campus you’ll also find some unique architecture throughout some of the buildings.
![Woman in the DIA](https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/2023-photoshoot-images/Bureau_DIA_6811.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=81d9ceb00cf025c5c075733621048cb6 320w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/2023-photoshoot-images/Bureau_DIA_6811.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=4ca0b01de6de8898223887fad1b9d60f 540w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/2023-photoshoot-images/Bureau_DIA_6811.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=91cc4dd15404afc2a22095ce4bb9ba53 768w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/2023-photoshoot-images/Bureau_DIA_6811.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=0562ef721bff5133d452bf094965c918 1024w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/2023-photoshoot-images/Bureau_DIA_6811.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=0c63469c454bd25adaa35d580ccb5ce3 1200w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/2023-photoshoot-images/Bureau_DIA_6811.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=f381ded8cc2bb2cd419882cf8ce57206 1440w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/2023-photoshoot-images/Bureau_DIA_6811.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=f79509059288020a70da1d549af1a9bd 1620w)
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