Don’t call it a comeback! Or maybe you should…
One iconic U.S. city has been put through the wringer and survived to tell about it.
It’s become common practice for destinations way past their sell-by date to pull desperate maneuvers, selling abandoned homes for $1 or offering off-the-wall perks to entice visitors.
You’ve seen those crazy offers, right?
Oftentimes, people take the bait and that $1 purchase turns to $10,000, and then $100,000 and the next thing you know you’re in the red eating fried bologna sandwiches to get by.
Well, Detroit is the exception to the rule, trying every which way to return to its former glory, and 2025 appears to be the year, at least according to Travel + Leisure.
Detroit’s Downfall And Decades-Long Rebirth
If you love seeing classic cars out on the road, it’s likely you have Detroit to thank.
Long story short (as it’s well documented), Detroit’s thriving economy dwindled from a turn-of-the-century boomtown to a barren urban sprawl in which nobody dared set foot.
2008 was a turning point, the beginning of a hard reset nobody asked for.
Crime was rampant, homes were boarded up, and the narrative was nothing short of grim as the stock market tanked.
Unless you were going to a sporting event, there was very little reason to be out past dark as Detroit quickly became one of America’s most notorious no-go destinations for years.
Good news is that’s all in the past and Detroit is working hard to rebuild their image as a go-to destination again.
A prideful community has worked together with visionary investors to bring the once bustling city back to life, and so far, so good, as the new energy is contagious, especially in the revitalized downtown.
Throw Your ‘8 Mile’ Perception Out The Window
There’s no doubt about it – Detroit can be gritty, edgy, and raw, but with a little love thrown into the mix the former corners of you would normally avoid have been transformed into charismatic neighborhoods with new additions like cafes, breweries, and boutiques.
Detroit’s heyday was in the 1950s and 1960s, and ever since, there have been mixed perceptions of the city.
While there are certain areas to avoid, just like any other major city, don’t let ‘mom’s spaghetti’ deter you.
In fact, let it be one of the many reasons to draw you in.
Arguably, Detroit’s most famous local, rapper Eminem, is one of many taking part in rebranding the city.
What better way to cap off Detroit’s dark days than by visiting his own spaghetti eatery, you guessed it, Mom’s Spaghetti?
Another big name pitching in, and many would say leading the charge, is Cleveland Cavaliers Owner and entrepreneur Dan Gilbert, who was recently quoted as saying Detroit’s turnaround is ‘magical’ with all the new development the city is seeing.
Take the Corktown district, for example. Just a few years back, Detroit’s oldest neighborhood had seen better days, but now it’s a big draw with industrial breweries and diverse restaurant scene including many Motor City locals’ favorite barbecue joint, Slows Bar BQ.
Beyond the city’s multi-faceted remodel of trendy cafes, restaurants, and full scale neighborhood overhauls are incredible revamped accommodations like the Shinola Hotel, encompassing two restored historic buildings once defining Detroit’s skyline.
Lowest Crime Rates In Almost 50 Years
Travelers new to Detroit surely want to know it’s safe to visit. While there are still high crime rates dispersed through the city, visiting the touristy areas of downtown, Rivertown, Corktown, and the too often overlooked Greektown are must-visits and broadly deemed safe.
And to make matters easier, make sure to hop aboard the Detroit People Mover (DPM), the city’s light rail system looping around downtown.
The most popular city of Michigan was crowned with an award it didn’t want for multiple years – “America’s most dangerous city”.
Good news is safety and security has improved significantly, including citizens taking matters into their own hands like those who formed Citizens Radio Patrol, a community initiative of Detroiters wanting to make a difference in their streets.
Crime is a fickle topic to speak on because not all crime is reported, but if you believe a recent report, Detroit’s crime rates are at its lowest point since 1966.
For now, Memphis takes the crown for ‘Most Dangerous’, according to U.S. News & World Report.
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