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By Trey Stephens
In my latest feature of underrated travel destinations we will look at a city that has found its way into a place of notoriety for all the wrong reasons, over the past couple of decades. Whether it be a financial crisis within local government, a population decrease, abysmal sports teams, or something else, Detroit has certainly been through their fair share of recent struggles. But, let me just say, a lot has changed in recent years. Downtown Detroit has undergone a large revitalization, complete with an influx of new retail, housing, and entertainment as well as corporate offices. The majority of the changes have come in three distinct downtown areas: Greektown, Campus Martius, and Grand Circus.
The city also offers renewed areas expanding out from downtown in Troy, Mt Clemens, and the quickly growing neighborhood of Corktown. Corktown features one of Detroit's most notable attractions, the recently restored Michigan Central Station. This Station was built and opened in 1914, at the time of construction it was the tallest railroad station in the world, it served as a rail station until 1988. After such time, it sat abandoned after other uses for the
structure and redevelopment plans fell through. Eventually, Ford acquired the property in 2018
and began a costly renovation which led to the station reopening to the public in June of 2024.
The station is also expected to see rail service resume to the site as early as 2029. Michigan
Central, has to some degree been reflective of the kind of growth that Detroit as a whole has
experienced over the past several years, post the financial crisis.
However, even with a long list of redevelopment projects completed and many renovated
spaces open, there is still a list of expansions in the works. Perhaps none can be seen more
among the Detroit skyline than the construction of Hudson’s Detroit, the soon to be completed
second tallest tower in Michigan, which is going to bring almost 1.5 million square feet of mixed
use development into Downtown Detroit, and is doing so in style with a futuristic and slick glass
modern design. The new development is already beginning to open in parts and undoubtedly will
be full of amenities to check out for residents and visitors alike. Further, the now tallest building
in the city and all of Michigan, the General Motors Renaissance Center is likely headed for
redevelopment in the near future, but is still an attraction to see in its current state with the GM
Wintergarden serving as both a museum of the past and present of General Motors with
restaurants and shopping indoors surrounding the museum. Also of note, a three billion dollar
megaproject is developing a large section in what is called the New Center, just north of Detroit's
downtown.
As you can tell, much has happened, and continues to take place in Detroit, making it a
sought after destination for those looking towards a cityscape adventure. So, if you are looking
for a quick getaway, Detroit is a great place to start looking, and please check out the Guardian
Building, the shops on Woodward Ave, and don’t forget to eat an authentic Detroit Deep Dish at
Buddy’s while you are there!
P.S. - Have a Motown Mash at the Detroit Water Company, you will thank me later.
Trey Stephens is a McConnell Scholar at the University of Louisville in the class of 2028. He is studying political science.