I am a city girl – I always have been. Regardless of the fact that I grew up in the little farm town of Pinconning, MI, known for its cheese and with a graduating class of 118 and 2 stop lights, I have always wanted more. More to do, more to see, more to experience. I easily get restless if their is not always something new around for me to explore. So, after graduating from Lawrence Tech with my Bachelors Degree in Architecture this past May, \u00a0I applied for jobs in some of the biggest cities in the country – New York, Chicago, L.A. etc. but I ended up right here in Detroit, not so far from home. \u00a0And I couldn’t be happier about it. After spending the last 4 years attending architecture school in Southfield, only a short 20 minute drive from Detroit, I had experienced so little of the world class city that had been in my own back yard for all of my life.<\/p>\n
The opportunity to become a Fellow with Challenge Detroit gave me the perfect excuse to move myself into the city ( regardless of my grandmother’s major concerns for my safety) and finally experience all that I had been missing for so long. \u00a0I made a point of moving to Detroit earlier than required so that I had time to get acquainted with the city I would be calling home, before all the work started. \u00a0I’ve been living in the New Center area of Detroit now since the beginning of July. After 3 months, I’ve experienced so much, and yet there is still so much to see and do. And yes, I am still talking about right here in Detroit.<\/p>\n
So, I’ve decided to compile for you some of my favorite places I have experienced so far in Detroit. I, of course, do not claim this list to be all inclusive, and promise it to be ever-changing. With a city changing as quickly as Detroit is, there will continue to be more and more places to visit and experience. \u00a0But, for anyone planning a visit to the city, or even those who have been living in or around the city for years, these are my recommendations to you.<\/p>\n
( in no particular order….)<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0Green Dot Stables<\/a>\u00a0– Located in Corktown, Green Dot is a great place for some quality bar food and drink. With exceptionally reasonable prices, and a menu of delicious sliders (some unique, some less so) I can always count on green dot for a quick bite and a fun atmosphere for any casual evening. & their Le Poutine is to die for.<\/p>\n 2. Cliff Bell’s\u00a0<\/a>– Right downtown, Cliff Bell’s is a new favorite of mine. I visited for the first time last night as a part of Detroit Restaurant Week<\/a>. $30 Dollars for an amazing 3 course meal. While I haven’t visited outside of restaurant week, I can only imagine that the food would be just as delicious, along with the wine. The entertainment, live jazz, added wonderfully to the former speak-easy’s art-deco 1930’s atmosphere. Hands down the best meal I’ve had in a long time.<\/p>\n 3. \u00a0Slows BBQ<\/a>\u00a0and Slows To Go<\/a>\u00a0– Best BBQ in the Motor City. While there are still a few BBQ places for me to wine and dine, I keep going back to Slows. With their main restaurant in Corktown, and the ToGo Stop in Midtown their nationally known BBQ is delicious and accessible.<\/p>\n