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Don’t call it a comeback! Or maybe you should…
One iconic American city has been put through the wringer and has lived to tell about it.
It has become common for destinations well past their sell-by date to make desperate maneuvers, selling abandoned homes for $1 or offering unusual perks to lure visitors.
You’ve seen those crazy offers, right?
Often people take the bait and that $1 purchase turns into $10,000, and then $100,000 and before you know it you’re in the red and eating fried bologna sandwiches to make ends meet.
Good, Detroit is the exception to the rule and is trying to return to its former glory in every possible way, and 2025 seems to be the year, at least according to Travel + Leisure.
The decline and decades-long rebirth of Detroit
If you like seeing classic cars on the road, you probably have Detroit to thank.
Long story short (as it is well documented): Detroit’s booming economy has shrunk from a turn-of-the-century boom town to a barren urban sprawl that no one dared set foot in.
2008 was a turning point, the beginning of a hard reset that no one asked for.
Crime is rampant, houses are boarded up and the story is nothing short of grim as the stock market plummeted.
Unless you were going to a sporting event, there was very little reason to go out after dark, as Detroit quickly became one of America’s most infamous no-go destinations.
The good news is that this is all in the past and Detroit is working hard to rebuild its image as a top destination.
A proud community has teamed up with visionary investors to bring the once vibrant city back to life, and so far it’s going well 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 rough, edgy and raw, but with a little TLC in the mix, the former corners of your normally have been transformed into charismatic neighborhoods with new additions like cafes, breweries and boutiques.
Detroit’s heyday was in the 1950s and 1960s, and since then there have been mixed perceptions of the city.
Although there are certain areas to avoid, just like any other major city, don’t let ‘mom’s spaghetti’ put you off.
In fact, let it be one of many reasons to attract you.
Detroit’s most famous local rapper, Eminem, is undoubtedly one of many participating in the city’s rebranding.
What better way to end Detroit’s dark days than by visiting, you guessed it, its very own spaghetti eatery? Mom’s spaghetti?
Another big name joining in, who many say is leading the charge, is Cleveland Cavaliers owner and entrepreneur Dan Gilbert, who recently said Detroit’s turnaround is “magical” with all the new development the city is seeing.
Take the Corktown neighborhood for example. Just a few years ago, Detroit’s oldest neighborhood had seen better days, but now it’s a major draw with industrial breweries and diverse restaurants, including many Motor City residents’ favorite barbecue spot. Slows down Bar BQ.
In addition to the versatile renovation of trendy cafes, restaurants and large-scale renovations of the neighborhood, there are incredibly renovated accommodations such as the Shinola Hotelwhich includes two restored historic buildings that once defined Detroit’s skyline.
Lowest crime rates in almost 50 years
Travelers new to Detroit want to know it is safe to visit. Although crime rates are still high throughout the city, visiting the downtown tourist areas, Rivertown, Corktown and the often overlooked areas Greek city are must-visits and generally considered safe.
And to make it easier for you, hop aboard the Detroit People Mover (DPM)the city’s light rail system that runs through downtown.
Michigan’s most popular city was crowned with an award it hasn’t wanted for years: “America’s Most Dangerous City.”
Good news is that safety has improved significantly, including citizens taking matters into their own hands, like those who founded Citizens Radio Patrol, a community initiative of Detroiters who want to make a difference on their streets.
Crime is a fickle topic to talk about because not all crimes are reported, but if you believe: recent report, Detroit’s crime rate is at its lowest point since 1966.
For now, Memphis takes the crown for ‘Most Dangerous’, according to American news and world report.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
