Detroit’s Belle Isle is home to a 982-acre island park.
Long considered the automobile capital of the world, hence its “Motor City” nickname, Detroit is also where Motown music originated and produced an array of stellar performers throughout the Golden Age of Rock and Roll. Michigan’s largest city, Detroit is home to storied professional sports teams while delectable, eclectic cuisine can be found throughout the city. A must-see attraction, the Detroit Institute of Arts houses one of the largest art collections in the United States.
Although many people consider Labor Day as the end of summer, the season officially lasts until Sept. 22 and Detroit plans on making the most of this by offering numerous attractions through the end of summer and into early fall.
Dequindre Cut includes separate lanes for pedestrians and bicycles.
Beacon Park’s Night Market features handmade jewelry, t-shirts, art and more with Detroit-based vendors thru until Aug. 30. New this year, Night Market will host themed nights celebrating a swath of musical genres from indie to Motown, Latin Night and more. Dequindre Cut, an urban recreational path open to the public for biking or walking, is perfect for the summertime. Well-known for its examples of urban artwork and graffiti, the Greenway has a 20-foot-wide paved pathway, which includes separate lanes for pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
Eastern Market features the freshest produce.
Eastern Market, open on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday, features local vendors and options for shopping but is also ideal for checking out a spot to eat or admiring the many murals in the area. Specialty markets are the perfect way to spend the summer or fall season and find products when they reach their peak of the season.
Detroit’s Jazz Festival on Sept. 1-4 is over 40 years old and still and going strong, showcasing Detroit’s incredibly rich history of jazz music with tons of concerts that are free throughout downtown. Don’t miss such performers as Rocket Mortgage Artist-In-Residence Karriem Riggins “Interplay” on Sept. 1. Woodward Dream Cruise, Aug. 19, is back for another year, an entertaining day filled with classic cars and celebration of automotive culture.
Dally in the Alley, Sept. 9, is Detroit’s largest annual community festival offering music, arts, performances, food and drink and plenty of fun for everyone. Belle Isle is home to a 982-acre island park with both indoor and outdoor activities throughout the warmer months as well as cooler months. Belle Isle Conservancy’s mission is to protect, preserve, restore and enhance the natural environment, historic structures, and unique character of Belle Isle as a public park. Belle Isle Conservancy has partnered with Communities First to bring Movies Under the Stars back to Detroit on Aug. 11. Enjoy a pre-party at 7 p.m. with music, food and safe activities for all ages before the movie begins. Get comfortable by bringing a blanket or lawn chair.
Book Tower is undergoing an historic renovation.
Detroit is experiencing a renaissance, with a renewed focus on urban revitalization and cultural development. Case in point is the near completion (seven years in the making) of Book Tower’s current historic renovation, further enhancing the city’s rebirth. Originally designed in the early 1900s, the Book Tower is one of Detroit’s oldest and most beloved architectural landmarks, which today has been transformed into one of the city’s most coveted places to stay, dine and host special events. Developer Bedrock tapped Method Co. to create multiple hospitality concepts within the project, along with New York-based architecture firm ODA to lead the historic renovation and interior design. The extensive project still maintains the building’s Italian Renaissance and Academic Classicism periodic design elements, such as original Corinthian columns and cornices supported by caryatids. Opened in June of 2023, Method launched ROOST Detroit within Book Tower, the newest location of their popular high-design boutique extended-stay concept, designed in collaboration with Morris Adjmi Architects (who has designed all prior ROOST properties), and Method Studios, their in-house design firm. Intended for both short and long term stays, ROOST introduces a high-design, extended-stay hotel to the city of Detroit, featuring 117 beautifully furnished apartments, all with full-sized kitchens and modern appliances, hardwood herringbone oak flooring, quartz countertops and high-design curated custom furnishings.
Several restaurants are set to open this summer.
The next phase of Book Tower will introduce multiple elevated restaurants and bars, conceptualized and operated by Method Co. Set to open later this summer, forthcoming restaurants include Le Suprême, a 210 seat Parisian-inspired brasserie offering exceptional French fare and all-day dining at the restaurant’s bar, alfresco or in its elegant and inviting dining room. Bar Rotunda, a 70-seat all-day cafe and wine bar, is conveniently located in the lobby atrium of the ground floor.
Although any time of the year is ideal for visiting Detroit, an historic city on the upswing, late summer into early fall can be especially inviting.