Michigan is one of the absolute best places to live. Sure, you can often hear me complaining about how cold I am, or about going out in the snow. You can also hear me complaining about how hot I am in the summertime. However, I know how fortunate I truly am to live in a place that gets to experience all four seasons.
In the spring we like to go to the Tigers game and visit the many metroparks. We get to go boating or camping in the summer. We also have beautiful beaches along the Great Lakes. Cider mills, pumpkin patches, and haunted houses are great in the fall, and there’s snowboarding and skiing in the winter. We really get to experience it all!
I absolutely love to travel. Some of my best travel memories are right here in Michigan, exploring all that our beautiful state has to offer. I was recently challenged with a question: “If I had a guest from out of state and had ONE day to take them around Michigan, what would we do and where would we go?”
This question was honestly tough for me; I have SO many places in mind and one day isn’t nearly enough time. I immediately thought of Traverse City, Boyne Mountain, or Bellaire. However, I only have one day, and I’m going to keep this more local to metro Detroit! Here’s what we would do:
We have to start the day off with a good breakfast.
Some of my favorite breakfast spots are:
- Le Andos Cafe | Macomb: Everything I have ever ordered from here has been nothing short of amazing. I will recommend this place over and over again.
- Rochester Brunch House | Rochester: Start your day off with a mimosa or bellini. Their crabby benedict is to die for!
- Vinny’s Brunch | Clinton Township: You can’t go wrong here!
Next, we’d head to the water.
I absolutely love having the water so close to us. Something about being by the water brings me peace! You can go to downtown New Baltimore which is always fun, walk around Walter & Mary Burke Park along the water, eat at one of the many restaurants, or go shopping. You can even do some wine tasting at Washington Street Wine House.
Or, stop in for some food along the Nautical Mile in St. Clair Shores. You could even make your way downtown to the Detroit Riverfront. Whichever way you go, you are guaranteed to have a great time!
Then, we’d head downtown.
I would absolutely take my guest to check out the DIA, as well as to check out some of the beautiful architecture that Detroit has to offer–especially at the Guardian. Although it is not expected to open until next month, Motown Museum is one of the coolest experiences. I remember doing this as a kid and I cannot wait to go again when they re-open. Stopping by Campus Martius is a must as well!
For lunch or dinner, I would give my guest a couple of different options.
Some of my favorite restaurants in Detroit are:
- Los Galanes: Tacos and margaritas (need I say more?)!
- Lumen: I personally love Lumen and always recommend it. They even have a cute chalet you can dine in.
- The Appartus Room: located in the Detroit Foundation hotel. It will just blow you away. The food, the drinks, the building . . . everything is just amazing here!
- The Standby: with a small menu and specialty cocktails, this cocktail bar is definitely a place to check out.
- Townhouse Detroit: walking in is like walking into a modern greenhouse. Everything is just beautiful.
Going to a sports game would also be something on my list.
There is nothing quite like the energy of Detroit fans–from the Tigers, to the Pistons, to the Red Wings, to the Lions. The games are always so much fun and filled with so much energy. In the winter, I would definitely recommend stopping at Little Caesars Arena for a Red Wings game. End the night with a stop at Cliff Bells Jazz Club in Detroit.
Music, sports, good food, history, and exploring . . . not even a smidge of everything Michigan has to offer. What more could you ask for?! Also, it wouldn’t be very polite of me if I didn’t take my guest to none other than American Coney Island. It doesn’t get more “Michigan” than that!
