Detroit, Michigan 72-Hour Vacation

Motor City, Motown and Much More
Rolling Good Times
By Jane Ammeson

Detroit seen from the Canadian side

Detroit is a city that has seen plenty of ups and downs—yet it marches on. Even in light of the economic downturn, revitalization can be seen citywide. Situated on the Detroit River, this bustling town has seen improvements to its Theatre District and benefited from adaptive reuse of structures like the Albert Kahn designed Kales Building. Adding to the appeal is its newly dedicated William G. Milliken State Park—Michigan's first urban state park—which soon will grow to encompass shoreline fishing, trails and opportunities for wildlife observation over a 31-acre sprawl. Spend the next 72 hours enjoying all that this marvelous river port city has to offer.

Detroit's downtown neighborhoods buzz with hotel offerings from the palatial MGM Grand Detroit to MotorCity Casino-Hotel with its high tech rooms, pillow library. Those looking for historic ambience should check out the Inn on Ferry Street located in the East Ferry Street Historic District near the cultural corridor of Midtown Detroit before fortifying themselves in the gracious Gilded Age dining room with a cup of tea served on fine porcelain amidst late 1800s splendor.

DAY 1

Begin your day in Paradise Valley, the embodiment of what Detroit is about nowadays. This once-thriving African American neighborhood has been transformed back to its original grandeur by developing commercial, retail, entertainment and cultural offerings as well as several great restaurants.

Lobby Living Room at the MGM

Long ago, oysters were sold from barrels by vendors standing on the street corners in this section of town. Now, to get oysters and other seafood offerings, you have to (and should) step inside the posh yet friendly Detroit Fish Market, which also features a martini lounge and entertainment on Wednesday and weekend nights. Have a substantial meal with Frank's lobster mac and cheese, or indulge in a bucket filled with a steamed lobster, mussels, clams and crab and seafood gumbo.

Next, get a feel for the city by strolling on its RiverWalk, a five-mile pathway connecting the fabled Ambassador Bridge just east of the downtown to the stately Belle Island.

The bustle of downtown Detroit is apparent at Rivard Plaza. Just over a mile from Paradise Valley, it marks the downtown section of the RiverWalk and is near the towering Renaissance Center. Wireless Internet, a marine-themed carousel, concessions and bike and roller blade rentals all reflect the city's high-velocity vibe. For a more soothing type of stroll, move upstream two miles to Stroh's River Place, where the RiverWalk wanders through a hip urban neighborhood marked by the Rattlesnake Club, a fine dining spot in an area that's thriving with renovated lofts, eateries, microbreweries and shops.

Like peace and contemplation? Start your river ramble at the Gabriel Richard Park, located just east of the Belle Isle Bridge. Here, generous plantings of butterfly-attracting flowers, a fishing platform and gently flowing fountains exude calm.

Once you've had time to relax, return downtown to the always-hopping Greektown Casino. Since you're already checking out what's gleaming and new, stop at the MotorCity Casino, the third of three casinos on this side of the Detroit River (there's another across the waterway in Windsor, Canada) that add to the renewed vibrancy of downtown. Just a few miles from Greektown, the casino has several new restaurants, including Iridescence, which affords impressive views of the glimmering skyline. It's the perfect setting to enjoy dinner at what arguably is the city's top table. Our faves, when available, include sugar cane-crusted scallops, heirloom tomato salads and a killer Chocolate Decadence dessert.

Still have some energy left? Travel back to Paradise Valley to Lola's, a great place for jazz.

Continue to Day 2