After sharing Buick’s adorable new ad campaign with you yesterday, I thought it would be good to dispel some more preconceived notions — this time, about someplace near and dear to the iconic car brand’s heart.
Detroit!
As a member of Experience Buick, I got to visit Motor City for the big North American International Auto Show last month, and it was not at all what I expected.
I, like, I’m sure, many of you, have been picturing Detroit as a once-great city that has become rundown and is filled with burned-out buildings that are literally just shells of their former splendor.
Boy, was I wrong.
Detroit is experiencing a major resurgence which is evident in the great restaurants and shops flocking to make their home there, and there’s a vibrancy that’s palpable. Check out the Z-Lot, above, where a parking garage serves double duty as an art gallery. (Thanks to my new friend, Mike Conrad of Gotta Have Gadget, for the photo.)
Nobody represents the energy and passion of the people of Detroit better than Jeanette Pierce, whose local tour company, Detroit Experience Factory, set up an itinerary for us that was so surprising and delightful, I had to keep reminding myself I was in Detroit!
Here are just a few highlights:
You would NEVER expect to find this amazing little gem in the middle of Detroit but as soon as we opened the almost-hidden door, we were transported into another world. Although this indie letterpress studio is housed in a former, well, chicken slaughterhouse, it’s been transformed into a cozy space that is so simple yet so rich in creativity, I kind of wanted to move in. We were treated to a homemade brunch fit for royalty on this stunning table (thank you to my other new friend, Stella Blockman of Clementine Daily, for this photo):
After brunch, we sat back down to make our own 16th century hand-bound “monastery” journals. I’ve always wanted to learn bookbinding, and we were given a fascinating lesson in the history of this art. Salt & Cedar offers a variety of classes, and I would love to go back and spend more time there. I really enjoyed sewing the pages together and writing a hidden message in the binding, and I’m actually pretty impressed with how my book came out!
Okay, I had to resist going on a spending spree in this store because I “ooh”-ed and “ah”-ed over everything and immediately fell head over heels in love with Shinola’s watches. And their bags. And all their leather goods. Because it seemed only right to support this American company in some way — their factory is in Detroit and their craftsmanship and style are impeccable — I treated myself and my daughter to notebooks which they then embossed for free!
Although there does seem to be a running theme of journals this weekend — which I would never have expected in Detroit — I do have my eye on this watch. Dear Shinola, if you would like someone to review the double wrap Birdy, I am your girl. (To be continued … hopefully.)
Although it’s only been open for a few months, it’s already been named 2015 Restaurant of the Year by the Detroit Free Press. No wonder. Our communal dinner at the beautiful wood table in the private room was full of so many fresh flavors that we often had to stop in the middle of conversations to admire and discuss them.
This is definitely not the kind of food I expected to have in Detroit. The farm to table approach feels so warm and comforting when you step in from the snow, and the small plates of fresh, seasonal dishes are, one after another, delicious.
We ended the evening with nightcaps at the Ghost Bar at the Whitney Mansion, and were treated to the signature salted caramel ice cream at Detroit institution Traffic Jam & Snug the next day.
Honestly, I could go on and on about the unexpected pleasures of my visit to Detroit but I’m going to leave you with this love letter to the city from one of its most famous residents. And, in a full circle moment of irony, our next Experience Buick adventure will actually be to see the NCAA Final Four in action.
All I ever hear is bad things about Detroit, so it was refreshing to hear all the good!
I have never been to Detroit but I growing up in IL I knew plenty of people that had relatives there. Glad to see they are still developing outside of just cars.
My sister-in-law and brother-in-law lived outside of Detroit for several years. I only went around it, never through it. My husband, though, went to The Motown Museum and loved it. Too bad they’re not still out there, Detroit sounds like it’s making a nice comeback 🙂
I felt this way when I visited my hometown this past year. I think it’s easy to have kneejerk responses to Rust Belt cities that were once healthy centers of industry but while we are busy with our stereotypical thoughts, they’ve been busy reinventing themselves.
It is nice to hear that Detroit is making a comeback with such interesting places! I went to college near Allentown, PA and it was battling the end of the boom looking empty, sad, and rundown. Maybe we’ll make plans to visit Detroit?!
I am so happy they are turning the city of Detroit around and I’m hoping it continues to improve for the better especially the schools.
I love hearing good things about Detroit. I have never been there, but I have friends who live there.
So nice to hear good things about this city. Hope to visit it one day.
I’ve never been to Detroit but I’ve heard a lot about it and it wasn’t always this nice. It’s good to know that there are lots of fun things you can do!
I love that you were shown the good in a city that is rising from huge economic blows. Gotta to love cheering for the underdog and looking for that Cinderella Story — you can keep that in mind as you go off to watch the Final Four :)!
Detroit has its good points I’m sure….I’m from Dayton, Ohio, which like Detroit, was GM. When GM pulled out it paralyzed Dayton as it did Detroit.
I have never been to Detroit as I did not hear great things about it. But this one changes my mind
I love Detroit and could visit often, but we live sorta far away. Can’t wait to go back.
You know, I have never been and had no idea how much there was to do. Thanks so much for sharing. May have to add it to my must-do list
Thank you for sharing a part of the country I have never had the opportunity to visit. Detroit looks and sounds like a fabulous place to visit.
Oh my gosh…it’s so refreshing to hear something good about Detroit! Love the pics too!
Such an uplifting post about Detroit. It has been the heartbeat of America for years. Love the sharing, Lois!! Thank you!
Fox theater and the sports stadiums are all nice too. They have a nice art museum we have been to too. There are definitely some nice parts to the city.
What a wonderful endorsement! I have a friend on her way to Detroit that is none to happy about it. I’m sharing this with her! Thank you.
I’ve never been to Detroit but I’ve actually heard good things about it. My brother actually drives across the border to shop there from Canada and he loves it.
I’ve been to Detroit a few times and I have to say I love it. There’s so much history, struggle, and perseverance and I love seeing such a beautiful city coming back to life again.
I’ve driven around Detroit, but never actually in it. This was quite a few years ago, though. I’ll have to go back and actually take a tour through the city this time.
I would just love to go. Sounds fabulous and I may need to plan a trip.
Detroit gets such a bad rap, it is good to hear about the good things for once!
It is nice to see positive stories about Detroit. I’ve always had a soft spot for the city in my heart form the song about moving to Detroit in The Happiest Millionaire (one of my favorite movies when I was a kid…..and now!).
My mom was born there…Detroit has a special place in my heart!
I totally was and continue to be impressed by Detroit!
Thank you for shining light on Detroit. It is so important bc all we hear is the negative stuff.
Detroit always reminds me of Eminem in 8mile…always! I will be honest Detriot wasnt on my to visit list but I think I might have a change of heart after this post!