5 Reasons Detroit is The Most Underrated City in America
By Serena Maria Daniels|Published April 10, 2016
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Serena Maria Daniels
Author
Serena Maria Daniels is an award-winning freelance journalist in Detroit, by way of Chicago, by way of the West Coast. She writes about Michigan for OIYS. Serena enjoys learning about language and culture and taking road trips with her beagle Ralph.
Detroit. It’s all too often portrayed as the epicenter for all that is wrong with our country. Decades of decline brought on by urban flight and the exodus of auto manufacturing in the city left much of it in ruin.
Yet, if you’re from the Motor City, there’s a stubborn optimism about you that won’t just sit back and watch the city crumble. It’s that persistent hope that’s helped Detroit overcome monumental obstacles and shine a spotlight on this Michigan city from that of despair to the turnaround capital of the country.
That’s why Pure Michigan, the tourism body of the state, has launched a new commercial as part of its popular advertising campaign. In it, we see the many reasons why the soul of Detroit has led to an exciting momentum in the three years since it became the biggest city in the nation to file for bankruptcy. The one-minute video was to air April 10 during a Tigers baseball game.
Alas, a sleet storm canceled the game, but we won’t let a little weather get in the way of showing the video to all of you. Here, we’ll give you a firsthand look at this symbolically significant Pure Michigan commercial. But first, here are five reasons why Detroit is the most underrated city in America.
Over the years, great steps have been taken to restore the important waterfront of the Detroit River. Today, the RiverWalk is a popular destination for families to take in picturesque views along pristine pathways.
Here, the Cullen Family Carousel at Rivard Plaza on the RiverWalk.
During the city's historic bankruptcy proceedings, one of the most contentious of issues was over the fate of the Detroit Institute of Art, an iconic cultural staple for the city (there was question about whether its prized art collection could be sold off to help pay for the city's debt). Luckily, its treasures were protected.
It wasn't long ago that Detroit lagged way behind in the culinary landscape. You would have been hard pressed to find interesting fine dining in the city. Today, new restaurants are popping up all over the city, offering fresh, local ingredients and menus that rival others around the country.
Back in the day, Detroit was the Motor City, no doubt. But these days, as more young people are moving into town, there's a growing movement in bicycle culture. With many of Detroit's wide open roads devoid of the type of heavy traffic you might encounter in other cities, it is a promising backdrop for a thriving community of cyclists.
Founded just a few short years ago, this weekly, citywide bicycle ride has brought city dwellers and suburbanites of all stripes together to enjoy the road in one massive journey.
More and more people in Detroit these days are taking advantage of the opportunity to stand out and make a difference in ways not thought possible previously. Companies like Shinola, seen here, have decided to locate in Detroit rather than other areas.
And others, like real estate mogul and Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert, have worked to transform downtown.
