Interstate-75 is major hub for travelers headed toward Mackinac Island. Take a load off in Detroit and enjoy some time in the big-city before sinking your feet into island life. Here are our go-to places, where to stay, eat and see.
Where to stay: The Shinola Hotel, created by its moniker, The Shinola leather goods and watchmaking company, is located in the heart of their home city’s Woodward shopping district. The 129-room boutique hotel’s property marries multiple buildings, including the old T.B Rayl & Co. sporting goods and hardware store and a former Singer sewing-machine store, to create a multi-faceted building. The result, a must-stay hotel that capture’s the spirit of Detroit with a sense of style, intuitive service, and an obsession with quality craftsmanship. You can see the attention-detail in every aspect of the hotel’s guest rooms and common spaces: top-stitching on the golden leather pillows, unique and original contemporary art, and Shinola, signature-scented bath amenities.
One of the guest rooms at the Shinola Hotel Detroit. Photos courtesy of Shinola.
The comfortable living room lobby at the Shinola Hotel Detroit. Photos courtesy of Shinola.
Where to eat: Even if you’re just crashing in Detroit for the night, do yourself a favor and caffeinate at Great Lakes Coffee, roasting company that roasts and sells fair trade, organic, and direct trade coffee as well as beer and snacks, before hopping back in the car. If you’ve got a little more time on your hands, HopCat offer’s Michigan’s largest tap selection with over 130 craft beer taps, creative pub fare and brunch items.
Must see: Detroit may be known for their car culture, but don’t miss these artistic treasures. The N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art is a nonprofit dedicated to enlightenment through the arts. Across four exhibition spaces the center is one of the finest private collections of African American art in the world. Located on Woodward and Garfield between the Detroit Symphony and the Detroit Institute of Art is another one of the Motor City’s art hubs. The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit exists in a minimally renovated former car dealerships. MOCAD makes the most out of the space, using it to host lectures, musical performances, films and literary readings. Their collection prioritizes contemporary works that contextualizes, interprets, and expands culture that is relevant today.