Travel + Leisure Names Detroit, “Most Underrated City” in Midwest. Here are 5 Gems We Think Were Missed
Detroit’s renaissance is happening in every corner of the city, often in places that fly just a little under the radar. At Model D, we’ve had the chance to cover many of those emerging spaces, projects, and entrepreneurs shaping Detroit’s future. Here are five Detroit gems we think deserve a spot on any “underrated Detroit” list.
“To paraphrase Mark Twain, the reports of Detroit’s death have been greatly exaggerated,” wrote Iona Brannon, who recently dubbed Detroit the Midwest’s most “underrated city” in Travel + Leisure.
Her piece highlighted several Detroit staples — including the Detroit Institute of Arts, Eastern Market, and Michigan Central Station: all worthy of the spotlight. But Detroit’s renaissance is happening in every corner of the city, often in places that fly just a little under the radar.
At Model D, we’ve had the chance to cover many of those emerging spaces, projects, and entrepreneurs shaping Detroit’s future. Here are five Detroit gems we think deserve a spot on any “underrated Detroit” list:
1. Wilson Park
Before it even opened, Detroit’s reimagined Wilson Park was already generating buzz. The redesigned neighborhood park offers new recreational spaces and gathering areas that bring residents together while giving the community a fresh green space to enjoy.
2. ORSA Music Hall
With the help of a $20 million partnership, ORSA Music Hall is positioning itself as a cornerstone of Detroit’s creative future. The venue aims to amplify local artists while building a space where music, performance, and community can intersect.
3. The Joe Louis Greenway expansion
The Joe Louis Greenway continues to grow, with two new miles of trail and a new trailhead opening this year. The project is gradually stitching together neighborhoods across Detroit with safe, accessible pathways for walking, biking, and gathering.
4. A bookstore’s next chapter in Southwest Detroit
After gaining national attention, an award-winning independent bookstore that began in Jefferson-Chalmers found a new home in Southwest Detroit. The move represents more than relocation, it’s about expanding access to books, literacy, and community programming.
5. Black-owned foodie businesses
Detroit’s food scene is filled with innovative Black-owned businesses serving everything from comfort classics to globally inspired cuisine. These entrepreneurs are building community through food, and adding bold new flavors to the city’s culinary landscape.
Detroit may still be underrated in some circles, but stories like these show the city’s momentum is undeniable. From neighborhood parks and cultural venues to bookstores and food entrepreneurs, Detroit’s next chapter is being written every day — often in places you might not expect.
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