Well heck, if we can talk up cincinnati that much, I should at least be able to get one person to think Detroit is a decent city. I have lived here all 23 years of my life. Contrary to popular belief Detroit is not all about Riots, killings, arson, and car jacking. We've lost all those titles. That's right, the city that used to be #1 in the country in murder, arson and car jackings has cleaned up. Not that I am saying Detroit is a peaceful symbiotic utopia, but it has improved.
People have asked me what the heck is cool in detroit. I usually say, I don't know. Usually because most people won't listen anyways. Detroit's main thing is music. Whatever music you like, it's here. We have Techno, Rock, Rap, Hip Hop, Country, Opera, Symphonic, Jazz, Blues, etc.
We have the Fox Theatre, which has top end plays, concerts and comedians.
We have Century Club / Gem Theatre which show plays (usually comedy's)
We have the State Theatre, which is probably the best place to see a concert for a small venue
The Second City, for more comedy.
Hockeytown for a bite to eat and some drink while watching whatever sporting event happens to be big in the city. Especially big during hockey season.
Several small clubs in the area like Magic Box, Harpo's, Emerald, Clutch Cargos, etc.
Other concert facilities like DTE Music Theatre, Cobo Hall, Palace of Auburn Hills.
Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Opera House, Max Fisher Music Center
The Detroit Institute of Arts for a wide array of Art, which commonly has special expos.
If you like fresh food, there is the Eastern Market, which I believe is one of the oldest open air markets in the US. (But can't find concrete proof), anyways it's cool there on the weekends.
Obviously, Comerica Park (Tigers, yeah they suck), Ford Field (Lions, yeah they suck too.), Palace of Auburn Hills (Pistons), and Joe Louis Arena (Red Wings).
If you're passion is drinking, then this is the city. Detroit I swear as bars everywhere. Whatever your preference, a quiet sit down place, or a hoppin jumpin party harty all night club, we have them all. Any Thurs through Saturday you can head downtown and find at least 4 or 5 clubs, most of which will jam up the streets with people in their cars all dressed out.
The quieter places are usually on the outskirts, a few by campus.
And of course everyone must learn, we have Wayne State University, and the Detroit Medical Center
Also, the beautiful (ok, not so beautiful, but working on it) Belle Isle Park. I haven't been there in years, so I don't know if the Aquarium is still open or not.
How about food...
Greektown (which strangely has some of the best Chicago Style Pizza), Mexicantown, East Dearborn for Arabiv food, and Several excellent Chinese restaurants in the area. Not to mention some great Italian restaurants in what is now part of mexican town. Dearborn Italian Sausage, Buddy's Pizza (always highly recommended), Mongolian BBQ, etc.
We also have our own little slice of Vegas,
with our three casinos, although I suspect they will be much better once they finally get into their permanent locations and have hotels built on.
Plus you are not too far from Ann Arbor which is a yuppie college town, with decent food and drink and I am sure some good clubs, Ypsilanti next to Ann Arbor has some of the hottest clubs right now. Pontiac usually has something happening on the weekend also.
Ok, enough rambling, just felt like plugging my town. :D :D
Plus for the future, the soon to be remodeled Book Cadillac Hotel, reminiscent of its prime in the 20's.
Although Detroit has its bad, oh does it ever, it is truly a city on the rebound, a slow, but steady rebound. I love my city, and not too many people will say that. I know most of detroit very well, from the million dollar homes in Grosse Pointe to the once vibrant, now gutted neighborhoods of DelRey. Not that I would make a trip just to see Detroit, but if you are in the area, swing by, even if just for a concert or show and a drink or two.
Oh yeah, and Hart Plaza, where the Annual Techno and Industrial Music Show is.
Biggest downer of Detroit, no mass transit.
The trolley system was sold to Mexico City, and the People Mover elevated rail system is all but a lost cause as it only circles downtown.
Ok... thanks for reading if you did. Nice day. :D