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Oak & Reel
Credit: @kimdegiulio

If You Know, You Know: The Best of Detroit Outside of Downtown

Story by Sarah Cottrell

Detroit’s neighborhoods are truly the heart of this city. Whether it’s your first visit here or your one hundred and first, read on for fun ideas of places to explore while you shop, dine and have fun in the D.

Where to Eat & Drink

Michigan & Trumbull
Arguably Detroit’s best slice of ‘za – you’ve got to visit Michigan & Trumbull, currently based in the Corktown neighborhood (they are moving over to the Dreamtroit development this summer). In addition to delicious pizza, they are also great neighbors and community supporters – raising literal dough for organizations all over the city. The Cadieux e Pepe and Packard Pepperoni are fan favorites – extra vodka sauce on the side.

Oak & Reel
If you’re looking for a nice night out and don’t want to deal with paying for parking downtown, Oak & Reel
is for you. Located in Milwaukee Junction, this restaurant has a delicious modern Italian menu with a seafood focus, as well as gorgeous decor. There’s also a speakeasy in the basement called, UpRight, if you need an after-dinner cocktail, and this spot is around the corner from Kiesling, which is the perfect bar for a night cap.

Detroit75 Kitchen
If you just need a sandwich – Detroit75 Kitchen is the place. Located in a gas station parking lot on Detroit’s southwest side, the sandwiches and fries made by Chef Mike are unique, fresh, and consistently delicious. And don’t sleep on the strawberry lemonade!

Castalia Cocktails
At night, Sfumato Fragrances turns into not your average cocktail bar – they’ve created a menu inspired by all of their perfumes and scents. You can do a tasting menu, which lets you try half-pours of all of their current cocktails, or order a la carte. They also have a charcuterie board that was built with intention to pair with your cocktails. This is a unique experience, located in Midtown, that many use for a special occasion – but your special occasion could just be that it’s the weekend and you want to try something new.

Where to Shop

The Velvet Tower
The Velvet Tower is a pop up vintage shop located in the shipping containers of the Core City neighborhood. You don’t go to Velvet Tower with an item in mind, you go to Velvet Tower and let their carefully curated collection speak to you. Follow them on instagram to take a peek at their latest wares and see where, in addition to the shipping container, they are popping up next!

Boro
Located in the Milwaukee Junction district, Boro
is a woman-owned small business and hip place to shop. They feature modern & vintage style pieces, and you can consign your own special treasures by appointment. They are also working on something new called BORROW, which is a clothing rental program for special occasions.

The Red Hook Wine Side
Red Hook Coffee is a Detroit staple – but the Greenway outpost is doing things a little differently. Visit the coffee shop side for great cold brew, fantastic seasonal lattes and delectable pastries, and then saunter on over to Wine Side, where they’ve hand selected small production wines that are sure to pair well with whatever is for dinner. In addition to wines, they have a small selection of beverage and picnic accessories to help make your next gathering a stylish, delicious dream.

Spot Lite Detroit
Part gallery, part coffee shop, part record shop, and overall community hub, Spot Lite Detroit is another unique shopping experience...with a dance floor. Open at 10 am Wednesday through Saturdays and open late into the evening (think 1-2 AM most nights), it’s a great place to check out some new art, buy some old records, and cut a rug…if that’s your thing.

What to See

Detroit Murals / Street Art Tour
Sometimes a little sign from the city is just what you need to brighten your day. In addition to the longtime standards at Eastern Market, on the Dequindre Cut, and The Girl with the D Earring in Milwaukee Junction, check out the lesser known murals like Hey Detroit, You Got This by Her Murals at Hustle Flow Lab, Have A Nice Day, Detroit on Michigan, west of Supergeil in Corktown, and of course the vintage Vernors wall on the side of Corktown favorite, Folk Detroit.

Pewabic Pottery
Everybody knows Pewabic is famous in Detroit, but in addition to the gift shop, did you know they have a museum on site sharing the rich history of the craft in our city? When you visit the shop on Detroit’s east side, just climb up the stairs and wander around the rooms to take it all in – and the best part? It’s free!

Detroit ABloom
Another east-side favorite near the canals of the Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood, Detroit ABloom is a flower farm, native plant nursery, and “third place” for the community. It’s wonderful place to relax, meditate, or *literally* stop to smell the roses. They offer many events and workshops throughout the year for kids and adults, including Plant Swap and Social, and Vegan Fest.

The Schvitz
Looking to relax without the stuffiness of a traditional spa or massage place? The Schvitz in the North End is for you! $40 gets you access to various hot and cold pools, with the option to add on services based on the providers that are there that day. It’s no frills – so you’ll need to bring your own robe, swimwear and slippers. They also offer food and drink on site, making it easy to spend a day here. This historic bath house is a unique experience you’ll never forget.

Are you tired yet just thinking about where to fit all of these fun places into your agenda? Never fear – a return trip to Detroit is the best solution to this problem.