The world’s oldest continuously-running jazz club boasts a keyboard bar, live music, and an Art Deco interior. Baker’s has been open with live jazz since 1934, hosting greats such as Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Oscar Peterson, George Shearing, Sarah Vaughn, Joe Williams, Maynard Ferguson, Cab Calloway, Woody Herman, Dave Brubeck, and Nat “King” Cole. It was designated a Historic Site in 1986 by the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office. Feel free to stop in for lunch or dinner; keep in mind the intimate space can only hold 99 patrons.

Built as a way to separate African Americans from their white neighbors for federal-funding purposes, the Birwood Wall stands as a stark reminder of redlining. Dybis notes, “Racially restrictive covenants—discriminatory practices that prevented African Americans from receiving low-interest loans and mortgages—were once standard practice. Not only did these covenants exist in Detroit, they were common across the United States. In fact, federal government encouraged these racially motivated restrictions. One of the strangest uses happened in Detroit when the Federal House Administration and the Home-Owners Loan Corporation refused to make loans to a developer for a housing project unless he built a six-food high wall to separate his property from those owned by African Americans. The developer willingly erected the wall so he could receive the funded he wanted.”

The wall was painted by community groups in the early 2000’s to bring beauty to something with an ugly past.

You can’t miss it. The brightly-colored healing center known as the Psychedelic Healing Shack is a chiropractic office/organic cafe/treehouse and more. Dybis says, “Dr. Bob,” as he is known to everyone who works at or visits the Psychedelic Healing Shack, purchased the building at the corner of Woodward and Goldengate near Seven Mile in the summer of 2000, hoping to create a healing center for the masses and new connections in an otherwise struggling set of neighborhoods. As a result of his open and welcoming nature, Dr. Bob has people of all ages, lifestyles and spiritual backgrounds gathering at the Healing Shack, adding a groovy touch of good will to Detroit.” Check the schedule for bonfires and performances; each small business has their own hours as well.

Our map lists this site as Alfred Brush Ford Park in Jefferson-Chalmers, but some maps may list it as Nike Missile Control Site D-23. According to Dybis, “What is now known as Alfred Brush Ford Park formerly served as a radar installation for missiles stored underground on nearby Belle Isle. The station, which operated sometime during the Cold War, was private and few people around the time of its construction in the 1950s knew about its true purpose. As word got out and other threats became more pressing, the Nike missile station was closed. All that remains today are several decommissioned towers that sit as a ghostly reminder of its former purpose.” She notes that there were other missile sites in Detroit at City Airport and Fort Wayne.

Across from Pewabic Pottery on East Jefferson stands an impressive gate...that doesn’t open. Hurlbut Memorial Gate once led to the magnificent Water Works Park, which had tennis courts, baseball diamonds, a library, a greenhouse, and open space. Opened in 1894, the park included the water filtration department and equipment. Chauncey Hurlbut left money to beautify the park after his death, and a gate was built in his honor. According to Dybis, “The carved Bedford limestone edifice is dramatic and regal, filled with arches, angels, eagle, garlands and other floral touches. However, concerns over water safety during wartimes and other incidents resulted in Detroit officials closing up Water Works Park, and the gate now sits at the front of a vast gated field.”

One of the largest cemeteries on the East side is a certified arboretum. Designed by famed architect Frederick Law Olmsted—who also designed Central Park in NYC—the cemetery has rolling hills and over 1,450 trees on its 86 acres. It’s a peaceful place to appreciate nature, pay respect, and learn about Detroit history.

One of the most popular photos ops in the city used to be one of the grandest theaters. Built by Cornelius W. and George L. Rapp and opened in 1925, the Michigan Theatre “had a huge orchestra pit, a giant stage and a Wurlitzer that could blow your hair back with its pipes.” It closed in 1967 and after a series of failed attempts to revive it, the theatre was gutted and replaced with a parking garage. Head up to the third floor to see what really remains.

City Sculpture Park in Cass Corridor is the creation of Detroit native and artist Robert Sestok. About a dozen metal sculptures stand on the small plot of land. According to Dybis, “For his sculptures, Sestok shifts between what he calls positive cuts, such as a silhouette representing man, to negative cuts to express architecture or environmental space. Welding helps him create permanency and sculptures that can withstand the elements, like those on display at City Sculpture for locals, visitors, Wayne State University students and nearby public schools. “

Off of Grand River just outside of the Woodbridge neighborhood, a community of Quonset huts has risen in the last couple years. Led by Prince Concepts, the metal huts are largely residential, with some hosting live/work space, an Airbnb, and events. Although Quonest huts aren’t new to Detroit, True North has created a uniquely new Detroit community.

Just to the west of the Ambassador Bridge docks the first floating zip code in the United States. The J.W. Wescott Floating Post Office—open and in the same family since 1874—delivers mail and packages to the ships and barges along the busy waterway. Dybis says, “Known as the “7-11 of the Great Lakes,” the J.W. Westcott delivers it all come rain, snow, sleet or anything else that is thrown its way.”

Why is there a 10-foot-tall bowling pin in the middle of the Mi Pueblo restaurant in Southwest Detroit? Your guess is as good as ours. Come for the selfie with bowling pin, stay for the tacos?

Lawndale Market has all the chips, pop, and snacks you might need, but stop and take a look at the thousands of polaroids that line the party store. Owner owner Amad Samaan has hung the photos all over the store for over 30 years. Dybis says, “The faces are of happy times—kids grinning, families pressed together, young people in their prime. These frozen images tell a story of a place and a neighborhood where people recognize one another by face and by name. Samaan, who also is a big fan of Elvis and other Hollywood stars, is glad to have so many customers to remember every time he steps into his business. He even writes “God bless you” on nearly every photo to show just how much he truly cares for Detroit and for the people who shop in his market.”