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Detroit is one of the great American cities. It’s the largest city in Michigan and one of the most important industrial and cultural hubs in the country.
Introduction to Detroit
Detroit has a rich history. The first European settlement was made on July 24, 1701, when French explorer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac (1658-1730) and Alphonse de Tonty (c. 1659-1727), along with over 100 settlers, started construction on Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit on the north bank of the Detroit River. By 1765, it was the largest European settlement between Montreal and New Orleans. The economy was based on the fur trade.
In 1760, during the French and Indian War, British troops took control and shortened the name of the settlement to Detroit. They later ceded it to the Americans after the Revolutionary War, but it almost completely burned down during the Great Fire of 1805.
Detroit rose from the ashes and served as the capital of Michigan, first as a territory and then as a state, from 1805 to 1847. It was incorporated as a city in 1815 and expanded to become a major shipping, manufacturing, and transportation hub. In the early 20th century, with the likes of Henry Ford (1863-1947) and Walter Chrysler (1875-1940), Detroit made its mark as the automotive capital of the world, earning the nickname The Motor City.
Detroit declined following deadly race riots in July 1967 and struggles affecting the auto industry in the 1970s. High unemployment and middle-class flight to the suburbs reduced its tax base, depressed property values, and created an increase in abandoned buildings and neighborhoods. Crime also skyrocketed. Despite attempts to increase investment, Detroit filed for bankruptcy on July 18, 2013.
Since then, the city has seen an influx of development and revitalization coupled with a rise in gentrification. Tourism has grown thanks to its contributions to music, art, and architecture, as well as its automotive history. It’s a great place to visit with plenty of attractions.
My Experiences in Detroit
Personally, my experiences in Detroit were for hockey or baseball games only. I rarely took the time to go sightseeing or visit some of the city’s great museums. When my brother got married there in December 2018, I took a few extra days to get to know the city better and I liked what I saw. Now I always look forward to visiting and exploring more. I’ll definitely dive more into the architecture and cultural attractions on future visits – I know I’m missing a lot here!
Getting to Detroit
Detroit Metro Airport is located about 20 miles outside downtown Detroit in the suburb of Romulus. It’s a hub for Delta and connects the city to several domestic and international destinations. I’ve never flown into the airport.
Detroit is an easy drive from cities such as Chicago, Indianapolis, Toronto, and Cleveland. I’ve done the drive several times from Chicago. There’s also an Amtrak service from Chicago to Detroit via Ann Arbor on the Wolverine line.
Getting Around Detroit
There are several public transportation options to get around downtown.
Buses
DDOT runs buses within the city. SMART runs buses out to the suburbs. Check their official websites for current fares and routes.
People Mover
The People Mover is an elevated train that runs for three miles around downtown Detroit. It opened in 1987 and has 13 stations on a loop. For a good overview of the city, you can ride the entire loop which takes about 15 minutes. The People Mover is currently fare-free (as of September 2024).
The People Mover was and still is a controversial topic. It’s been panned as a useless waste of transportation funds for a very walkable downtown area. Ineffective as it may be, for visitors it’s an easy and fun way to see some of the city’s beautiful architecture.
QLine
The QLine is another controversial public transportation line. It’s a streetcar that runs the length of Woodward Avenue from Grand Boulevard to Congress Street. It connects to Amtrak, SMART, DDOT, and the People Mover, and passes some of the best museums, sporting venues, theatres, and tourist attractions in the city. The QLine is currently free to ride (as of September 2024).
Where to Stay in Detroit
There are several hotels to choose from in downtown Detroit. I’ve only stayed downtown once. I’ve also stayed in Troy, which is a short drive away.
Hollywood Casino Hotel
The Hollywood Casino Hotel (formerly the Greektown Casino Hotel), is located in Greektown. It has several very nice rooms. Rates are decent for the quality.
Where to Eat in Detroit
The city has a decent culinary scene but I mostly gravitate to the local fast food specialties.
Detroit’s Iconic Coney Island Hot Dogs
My sister-in-law Nicole told us we weren’t allowed to leave Detroit without trying the famous Coney Island hot dogs and we heeded her warning. While the Coney Island dog originated in New York, you can find some of the best versions of the treat at two competing neighboring restaurants on Lafayette Street, just a block west of Campus Martius. Even though both restaurants are no longer family owned, the two are still rivals and icons of Detroit’s food industry. They also happened to give us the best lunches we’ve had during our trips to the city.
American Coney Island
First is American Coney Island, which was founded in 1917 by Greek immigrant Gust Keros (1887-1971). He moved to Detroit from Greece in 1903. We had to wait a few minutes for a table, but a waiter quickly came and took our order.
A few minutes later, a Coney Island hot dog, a bowl of chili, and an order of fries were set in front of us. Everything was delicious and as advertised by my brother and his wife, Nicole (a native Detroiter).
Lafayette Coney Island
Next door is the much smaller Lafayette Coney Island. It was founded by Gust’s brother, William, in 1924, after the space became available. This started a friendly family rivalry on who could offer the best Coney Island dog in the city.
We couldn’t find a seat so we ordered a hot dog from the counter and ate outside. Again, it was delicious. They’re our winner of the Coney Island hot dog contest. Their dog just had a little something extra that I can’t pinpoint.
Roasting Plant Coffee
Roasting Plant has some good coffee and a fun contraption called the Javabot, which grinds, roasts, and brews coffee in front of your eyes. It’s located at Campus Martius.
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Sports in Detroit
Detroit has a great professional sports scene. The teams play in some of the best stadiums in the country and all are within a few blocks of each other. Ford Field hosts the NFL Detroit Lions and Comerica Park is the home of the Detroit Tigers baseball team. Little Caesars Arena hosts the NBA Detroit Pistons and the Detroit Red Wings NHL team. The stadiums often host concerts as well as other events.
Campus Martius
Campus Martius is a great place to start exploring Detroit. It’s located at the intersection of Woodward and Michigan Avenues.
Campus Martius was originally a military training ground developed in 1788. After a fire leveled most of Detroit on June 11, 1805, the park became a focal point in Augustus Woodward’s (1774-1827) plan to rebuild the city. It was a major gathering area until the city was reconfigured to accommodate vehicular traffic in the 1900s.
Campus Martius was rededicated as a public space on November 19, 2004. It covers an area of 1.2 acres (4,900 square meters) and features performance stages, sculptures, and seasonal activities. In winter, there’s an ice skating rink modeled after that of Rockefeller Center in New York City as well as the city’s Christmas tree. On the west side of Campus Martius is Parc, a contemporary restaurant.
Michigan Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument
On the south end of the park is the Michigan Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, which was designed by Randolph Rogers (1825-1872), to honor Michigan’s Civil War dead. The sculpture was built in 1867 and unveiled to the public on April 9, 1872. Generals George Armstrong Custer (1839-1876), Ambrose Burnside (1824-1881), and Philip Sheridan (1831-1888) were present that day.
The monument is topped with a statue of Michigania, or Victory, ready for battle brandishing a sword and shield. Bas-relief plaques of Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891), and David Farragut (1801-1870) are flanked by male statues depicting the Navy, Infantry, Calvary, and Artillery branches of the United States Army. Statues representing Victory, History, Emancipation, and Union were added in 1881. The monument was rededicated in 2005 and updated to include all Michigan soldiers killed up to April of that year.
One Campus Martius
On the north side of the park is One Campus Martius, which was built between 2000 and 2003. The building is 15 stories high with an additional two floors underground. It has 1,088,000 square feet (100,000 square meters) of office space, including Compuware’s world headquarters. There’s also retail space and restaurants.
Cadillac Square
Cadillac Square is another park just east of Campus Martius. From 1841 to 1891, it was the site of the Detroit Farmer’s Market. From the 1960s until 2001, a bus transfer station stood there. Nowadays, it hosts food trucks, public markets, and other events.
Bagley Memorial Fountain
The Bagley Memorial Fountain, which was designed by Henry Hobson Richardson (1838-1886) in 1885, is located at Cadillac Square. The fountain originally stood at the corner of Woodward and Fort and was relocated to Campus Martius in 1926. It was disassembled in 2000 and installed at its current location in 2007. The fountain is named for John Bagley (1832-1881), the 16th governor of Michigan, who gifted the fountain to the city in his will.
Wayne County Building
At the east end of Cadillac Square is the Wayne County Building. It was built between 1897 and 1902 and designed by local architects John and Arthur Scott. It’s considered one of the best surviving examples of Roman Baroque Revival architecture in the country, with elements of the Beaux-Arts and Neoclassical styles. The building once held the offices and courthouse for Wayne County, but they moved to the Guardian Building in 2007.
Above the entrance is a pediment of General Anthony Wayne (1745-1796) sculpted by Edward Wagner (1855-1922). The two quadrigas, Victory and Progress, were sculpted by J. Massey Rhind (1860-1936) in 1903. The tower was originally 227 feet 8 ½ inches tall, but the copper dome and spire were rebuilt in the 1960s. It’s now 247 feet tall.
New Cadillac Square Apartments
The New Cadillac Square Apartments stand on the north side of Cadillac Square. It was built between 1926 and 1927. The building is 21 stories high and contains 224 units as well as a restaurant.
Cadillac Tower
Across the street to the west is Cadillac Tower. It was designed by Bonnah & Chaffee and built in 1927 as Barlum Tower. The building was the first outside of New York or Chicago to have 40 floors.
Michigan Avenue
Michigan Avenue runs west of Campus Martius. There’s one historic building of note.
Westin Book Cadillac Hotel
A couple blocks west of Campus Martius along Michigan Avenue is the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel. The 31-story building was designed in the Neo-Renaissance style by architect Louis Kamper (1861-1953), and the Michigan Avenue façade contains sculptures of important figures in Detroit history. It was completed in 1924 and opened as the Book-Cadillac Hotel. At that time, it was the tallest hotel in the world and had 1,136 guest rooms.
The hotel plays an important role in baseball history. On May 2, 1939, New York Yankees legend Lou Gehrig (1903-1941) collapsed on the grand staircase. Gehrig later met with manager Joe McCarthy (1887-1978) in the lobby and asked him to leave him out of the starting lineup for the game against the Detroit Tigers, thus ending Gehrig’s 2,130 consecutive games streak.
The hotel has changed hands many times. It was renovated from August 2006 to fall 2008 and reopened on October 25, 2008, with 453 guest rooms. The top 8 floors were converted to 65 luxury condo units.
Griswold Street
Heading south down Griswold Street, you’ll find a few of the city’s most impressive skyscrapers.
Penobscot Building
First, at the corner of Griswold and Fort Street is the Penobscot Building. The Art Deco tower designed by Wirt C. Rowland (1878-1946) rises 47 stories high. When it was completed in 1928 it held the title of the 8th tallest building in the world and tallest in Michigan. The building contains architectural sculptures by Corrado Parducci (1900-1981).
Ford Building
Just south is the Ford Building, which was built between 1907 and 1908 for glass manufacturer Edward Ford and his son, John. The building was designed by Daniel Burnham (1846-1912) with Neoclassical and Neo-Renaissance elements. With 19 stories above ground, it was the tallest building in Detroit from 1908 to 1913.
Buhl Building
Walking back up Griswold Street is the Buhl Building, which was completed in 1925. It was designed by Wirt C. Rowland (1878-1946) in a Neo-Gothic style with Romanesque accents. It has 29 floors and an architectural sculpture at the entrance designed by Corrado Parducci (1900-1981). The interior was designed by William Kapp (1891-1969).
Guardian Building
Detroit has a good number of historic skyscrapers, but none are as spectacular as the Guardian Building. The crown jewel of Detroit architecture sits across the street from the Buhl Building. It’s open to the public and well worth visiting.
The Guardian Building was designed by Wirt. C. Rowland (1878-1946) in the Art Deco style. It was completed in 1929 and has 36 floors. It was originally called the Union Trust Building and is nicknamed the Cathedral of Finance. William Kapp (1891-1969) has been credited with the interior design.
The exterior of the building is made of brick, tile, terra cotta, and limestone, and carries a Native American theme. An architectural sculpture at the entrance on Griswold Street was designed by Corrado Parducci (1900-1981).
The Native American theme continues in the lobby, which features a three-story vaulted ceiling and is decorated with colorful tiles throughout. A mosaic by Ezra Winter (1886-1949) sits above the main desk and states the Union Trust Company’s purpose for the building:
“Founded on principles of faith and understating, this building is erected for the purpose of continuing and maintaining the ideals of financial services which promoted the organization of the institution.”
A screen made of Monel metal separates the lobby from the promenade on the second floor, and features a Tiffany clock in the center.
The promenade is decorated with a hand-painted canvas ceiling stretched over a mat of horse hair. This was done to reduce sound and echo for the bank operating in the hall. On the far end is another work by Ezra Winter, which is a mural depicting the state of Michigan and its most important industries.
Woodward Avenue
Woodward Avenue is one of the main streets in Detroit. The section from Campus Martius to Spirit Plaza runs past a few historic skyscrapers.
First National Building
On the southeast corner of Campus Martius is the First National Building. This massive Z-shaped Neoclassical building was designed by Albert Kahn (1869-1942) to allow most offices to receive natural light and ventilation. It was built between 1921 and 1930 and stands 26 stories high. At the second floor you’ll find three-story Corinthian columns.
Vinton Building
A block south is the smaller Vinton Building. It was also designed by Kahn in the Neoclassical style and completed in 1917. It’s 12 stories high and was originally used for retail and office space. The building has since been converted to luxury apartments.
Ally Detroit Center
Across the street to the south is Ally Detroit Center. It’s 43 stories high and was built between 1991 and 1993 by architects John Burgee and Philip Johnson (1906-2005). The original name was One Detroit Center and it’s the second tallest building in Michigan (as of September 2024).
Spirit Plaza
Spirit Plaza is a public square across where Woodward Avenue meets Jefferson Avenue. The plaza currently hosts food trucks, public events, and performances.
Spirit of Detroit
You can find the famous Spirit of Detroit monument at Spirit Plaza. It was dedicated on September 23, 1958, and is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. It was created by sculptor Marshall Fredericks (1908-1998) and cast in Oslo, Norway. The monument is 26 feet (7.9 meters) high, weighs 9 tons, and sits on a 60-ton marble base. At the time it was erected, it was the largest cast bronze sculpture since the Renaissance.
In the spirit’s left hand is a sphere emanating rays to symbolize God. In its left hand is a family, which represents all human relationships. Behind the spirit are panels featuring the seals of the city of Detroit and Wayne County. Another panel includes an inscription from 2 Corinthians (3:17):
“Now the Lord is that Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” II Corinthians 3:17
In front of the sculpture is a plaque indicating the artist’s intention:
“The artist expresses the concept that God, through the spirit of man is manifested in the family, the noblest human relationship.”
One Woodward Avenue
One Woodward Avenue, formerly known as the Michigan Consolidated Gas Company Building, sits on the west side of Spirit Plaza. It’s 28 stories high and the original name was the Michigan Consolidated Gas Company Building, after the first tenant. The building was completed in 1962 and was the first skyscraper designed by Minoru Yamasaki (1912-1986). Yamasaki based the World Trade Center in New York on this design.
Monument to Joe Louis
Crossing Jefferson Avenue towards Hart Plaza, in the median you’ll find the Monument to Joe Louis (1914-1981), also known as The Fist. The monument was dedicated on October 16, 1986, and was sculpted by Robert Graham (1938-2008). It commemorates the legendary boxer, who lived in Detroit.
The arm is 24 feet long and in the shape of a battering ram with a fist at the end. It’s supported by a 24-foot pyramidal frame. The monument represents the power of Louis’ punch both inside and outside the ring, referring to his efforts to fight racial injustice and Jim Crow laws. The arm weighs 5,000 pounds and the entire sculpture weighs 8,000 pounds.
Detroit Armenian Genocide Memorial
Also in the median is the Detroit Armenian Genocide Memorial, which was created by Arto Chakmakjian. It was dedicated in 1980 to the memory of the 1.5 million Armenians exterminated under Ottoman rule during the 1915 Armenian Genocide. The monument features a statue of Gomidas Vartabed (1869-1935), an Ottoman-Armenian priest and musicologist.
Hart Plaza
Hart Plaza is a riverfront area used for large public events. It’s located across Jefferson Street south of Spirit Plaza. The plaza is named for Philip Hart (1912-1976), a US Senator from Michigan. It opened in 1975 and can accommodate 40,000 people. In the center is the Horace E. Dodge and Son Memorial Fountain, designed by Isamu Noguchi (1904-1988) in 1978 and built in 1981. An amphitheater sits to one side.
The plaza offers great views of the Detroit skyline, including many historic skyscrapers and the GM Renaissance Center. It’s also possible to look across the Detroit River at Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Detroit is the only place in the United States where you can look south and see Canada.
Transcending
On the north end of Hart Plaza is Transcending, an arch sculpture that serves as the Michigan Labor Legacy Landmark. The two steel arcs were made by David Barr. They reach 63 feet (19 meters) into the sky and weigh 27 tons. The arcs do not join, representing the unfinished mission of the American labor movement. Italian sculptor Sergio de Guisti created the bas reliefs on the 14 granite boulders surrounding the arcs. They symbolize the sacrifices and achievements of American workers. Transcending was dedicated on August 30, 2003.
La Mothe Statue
A statue of Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac (1658-1730), the founder of Detroit, stands near the Dodge Fountain. It depicts the moment the French explorer arrived to the area in 1701 and claimed it for France. La Mothe landed more or less where Hart Plaza is located today and founded Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit, which later became the city of Detroit.
A pair of historical markers describing La Mothe’s landing can be found nearby. One lists the names of all the French Canadians who accompanied him.
Ford Motor Company Historical Marker
Another historical marker dedicated to the Ford Motor Company sits at the other end of the plaza. On June 16, 1903, the articles of incorporation for Ford were drawn up and signed in the office of Alexander Malcolmson (1865-1923), who owned a coal yard on what is now Hart Plaza.
Underground Railroad Memorial
On the riverwalk is the Gateway to Freedom International Memorial to the Underground Railroad, which commemorates Detroit’s role in the Underground Railroad. It was sculpted by Ed Dwight (b. 1933) and dedicated on October 20, 2001.
The memorial features six fugitive slaves getting ready to board a boat to freedom in Canada. The man pointing across the river is George DeBaptiste (c. 1815-1875), a Detroit resident who helped slaves get across.
Detroit Princess Riverboat
Along the riverwalk to the west is the Detroit Princess Riverboat, which offers dinner cruises and other events. The boat was built in 1993 and has a capacity of 1,900. It has been docked in its current location since 2005.
Mariners’ Church
East of Hart Plaza walking towards the GM Renaissance Center is the Mariners’ Church. It was founded in 1842 to serve the religious needs of the sailors of the Great Lakes and was also a stop on the Underground Railroad. The present building was constructed in 1849 and belongs to the Anglican Church. Interestingly, it was originally located 880 feet to the west and moved to its current location in 1955. The church had been slated for demolition during the construction of a new civic center.
On the grounds is a statue of George Washington as a Master Mason. It’s a copy of an original sculpted in 1959 by Donald De Lue (1897-1988) and was installed in 1966. The City of Detroit owns the statue and chose the location.
GM Renaissance Center
Across the street to the east is the GM Renaissance Center, which is the tallest and most visible building on the Detroit skyline. It sits prominently along the Detroit River and is called RenCen for short.
The Renaissance Center was built between 1973 and 1977 by architect John Portman (1924-2017). The idea for the complex was conceived by Henry Ford II (1917-1987) and financed by the Ford Motor Company. It consists of four 39-story office towers surrounding a 73-story hotel tower. All are connected via a podium including shops, restaurants, offices, and banks. 2 more towers, each 21 stories tall, were completed in 1981. When it opened, the center tower was the world’s tallest hotel. At over 5.5 million square feet, it’s one of the largest commercial complexes in the world.
In 1996, General Motors purchased the building and converted it to its world headquarters. The company completely renovated the complex in 2004 and added several new features, which I’ll explain below. They also rebranded the complex as GMRENCEN in July 2015. However, GM will be vacating their offices and moving to another location in 2025 (as of September 2024). The future of the complex is unknown.
Tours of the GM Renaissance Center
Free guided tours of the building are offered twice daily from Monday through Friday at noon and 2pm. The tours are on a first-come, first-served basis and limited to 25 people. Visitors must register at the desk in the Jefferson Lobby, which is located at the front entrance. Tours start at the Jefferson Lobby with the guide lecturing on the history and specs of the Renaissance Center, then continue through all the major features of the complex. Note: tours stopped during COVID and are currently unavailable (as of September 2024).
GM Pavilion
We entered the building from Jefferson Avenue. The GM Pavilion, which is made of glass and steel, serves as the main entrance to the complex.
Jefferson Lobby
The Jefferson Lobby is just inside the entrance. There you’ll find the eye-catching Borealis, which is the tallest vertical glass sculpture in the world. It was created in 2006 by Danny Lane (b. 1955) and contains over 1,000 pieces of glass, ½” thick by 4″ wide and up to 22 feet long. Only gravity holds them in place. Also in the lobby we had the chance to view a scale model of Detroit.
Continuing through the Jefferson Lobby into the center of the complex, we passed some panels displaying innovations by General Motors. It was interesting to learn about some of the world-changing technology the company develops and to know that it’s not just a company that manufactures cars and trucks.
GM World
Next, we walked down to GM World, where GM’s latest cars and trucks are on display for all to see. An associate was on hand to show us some of the great interactive displays on the showroom floor as well as talk about the videos that play on the huge screens attached to the central tower.
We also got to see some of the classic GM cars produced over the years. They sit on a rotating ring while videos play on a screen in the background and on interactive panels in front of the ring.
GM Wintergarden
Continuing through the complex, we stopped at the GM Wintergarden, which is a five story tropical glass atrium that opened in December 2001. It’s surrounded by restaurants and shops and includes real palm trees.
On the south end of the GM Wintergreen is a window looking out onto the Riverfront Promenade. It features a map of the world embedded in the concrete and views across the river to Windsor, Canada. The promenade was dedicated on December 17, 2004.
Upstairs in a lobby overlooking the atrium are four murals, each with a different dominant color. Each mural represents something important about General Motors. The red mural represents GM’s history in Detroit while the blue mural represents the company’s ingenuity. The yellow mural represents GM’s charity, especially after reaching out to survivors of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 by donating money and resources to the American Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund. Finally, the green mural represents the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Not coincidentally, these four colors are also the colors assigned to the four office towers.
Circulation Ring
Finally, we walked onto the Circulation Ring. This circular glass walkway is suspended from stainless steel cables and connects visitors to each tower of the building. It also provides access to the People Mover station.
GM Company Store
Before leaving the building we popped into the GM Company Store to pick up a few souvenirs. The store is located on the second floor overlooking the Wintergarden and sells officially licensed GM merchandise.
Our Thoughts on the GM Renaissance Center
Overall, the GM Renaissance Center is definitely worth visiting when in Detroit. Although outdated and a little tough to navigate, the complex is impressive and there’s plenty to keep you busy. Unfortunately, the restaurant on the 71st and 72nd floor of the center tower closed in 2017. We weren’t able to go up and enjoy the views, but it has since reopened as Highlands. We’ll try again on our next trip to Detroit.
Greektown Detroit
Detroit has one of the more vibrant Greektown areas in the United States, and is the city’s last Victorian-era streetscapes. It’s home to numerous Greek restaurants and the Hollywood Casino at Greektown. Greektown is only a short walk northeast of downtown and Campus Martius, and a People Mover stop is also located there.
The area that is now Greektown was originally settled by Germans in the 1830s. Greeks started moving in in the 1880s, starting with Theodore Gerasimos, the first documented Greek immigrant in Detroit. As Greeks started moving out of the neighborhood in the 1920s, the area became more commercial than residential, although several Greek-owned businesses and restaurants remained.
In the 1960s, Greektown began losing its cultural heritage. Community leaders banded together to improve buildings and add streetlights. They threw the first Greek festival in 1966, which was a huge success, and the Greektown Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
The main street through Greektown is Monroe Street. You’ll find several restaurants and shops along the street as well as the massive Greektown Casino complex. Even the street signs are in Greek. I also noticed the Santorini Restaurant (now permanently closed) has original Greek lettering and the year 1949 inscribed above the entrance.
Old St. Mary’s
At the corner of Monroe and St. Antoine is Old St. Mary’s, a parish founded in 1834 by Father Martin Kundig to serve the German-speaking Catholics of Detroit. It’s the city’s third oldest Catholic church.
The current building was completed in 1885 and was designed by Peter Dederichs the Romanesque style. It replaced an older church built in 1841. Old St. Mary’s was administered by the Redemptorists from 1847 to 1872, the Franciscans from 1872 to 1898, and the Spiritans from 1898 to the present.
The beautifully decorated nave is 80 feet (24 meters) wide and 90 feet (27 meters) high. It features 10 polished granite columns dividing the main aisle from the side aisles.
Each column, which was originally intended for the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing, was cut from a single piece of granite. There’s also a grotto and several beautiful stained windows and sculptures of the Stations of the Cross.
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Across the parking lot from Old St. Mary’s is Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, which was established on March 25, 1910, as the first Greek Orthodox church in Michigan. The original church was built in 1913 but had to be demolished in 1966 due to the construction of I-375. The current church was completed between 1966 and 1977, and the dome was added between 1990 and 1993. Unfortunately, it was closed when we walked by.
Comerica Park
Comerica Park is the home of the Detroit Tigers. It opened in 2000 and replaced Tiger Stadium. If you’re a baseball fan and you’re in Detroit during the season, Comerica Park is a must-see.
Construction on Comerica Park began in October 1997 and the first game was held on April 11, 2000. It currently holds over 41,000 people and features a ferris wheel and carousel. Another highlight is the statues in the outfield of former Tiger greats, such as Ty Cobb (1886-1961), Al Kaline (1934-2020), and Hank Greenberg (1911-1986).
It’s possible to take a tour of Comerica Park. They cost US$20 per person (as of September 2024). You must reserve your preferred tour time in advance but availability is not guaranteed. Tours last about 90 minutes. Check the link above for more info.
My Experience at Comerica Park
After an exhausting and eventful night in Windsor, my friends and I woke up at 10:30am, had breakfast in our hotel, crossed the border into Detroit, and went straight to Comerica Park for a game between the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers.
We missed the first inning due to a long line at the border but quickly made it to the parking lot across the street from the ballpark. As soon as we entered Comerica Park, I fell in love with it. It’s easily one of the most beautiful ballparks I’ve been to. We took our seats and watched a few innings of the game.
None of us were really interested in the game or in the mood for big crowds and hot weather, so we wandered around the park instead. Strolling around the concourse, we popped our heads out every few sections to experience a different angle.
The game went into an unexpected 10th inning and we decided to leave and head back Chicago. I’d be happy to go back any time. It’s a great place to watch a game, the atmosphere is wonderful, and the fans were friendly (just like every other sporting event I’ve attended in Detroit).
Motown Museum
The only museum I’ve been able to visit on my multiple trips to Detroit is the Motown Museum, and if you’re a music lover, it’s incredible. It’s located at Hitsville, U.S.A., which was the first headquarters of Motown Records. Admission is US$20 for adults; US$17 for visitors age 5-17, over 62, students, and veterans; and free for kids under 5 (as of September 2024). It’s open Wednesday through Sunday and tours last about an hour. I recommend purchasing tickets in advance online.
Visitors are able to see the famed Studio A, where countless superstars recorded hit songs 22 hours a day from 1959 to 1972, as well as the flat of founder Berry Gordy Jr. (b. 1929), who lived upstairs. The gallery contains photos, records, and memorabilia, including Michael Jackson’s (1958-2009) rhinestone glove and black fedora. A historical marker for Motown sits outside the museum.
