Although Ann Arbor is a lovely town, it becomes obnoxiously crowded and near-impossible to navigate when the Art Fair comes along in late July. Think of it as a fantastic opportunity to play tourist in another city with Part Two of SHEI’s Detroit City Guide. We merely gloss over Motown’s sightseeing opportunities, so make sure to do some urban exploring of yourself after you’ve hit up these highlights.

Hart Plaza

Music fans from Southeastern Michigan are likely already familiar with Hart Plaza, as it plays host to popular festivals like the Downtown Hoedown and Movement (aka Detroit Electronic Music Festival).  But the best time to visit Hart Plaza is when it’s relatively quiet. After you tire of watching kids wipeout while skateboarding, head to the riverfront and direct your gaze to pretty things like yachts and Canada. When that gets old, take a short walk East along the river to the Renaissance Center.

Renaissance Center

Usually referred to as “The Ren Center,” this collection of seven skyscrapers is home to several boutiques, fancy restaurants, and General Motors’ headquarters (which is somewhat amusing, considering Ford actually conceived the idea of the Renaissance Center). While corporate offices aren’t that exciting – unless you are in an office owned by a company called Google – GM’s headquarters boast a showroom with models from all over the world. It’s a nice reminder of when Detroit really was the Motor City.

Trumbullplex

Maybe scenic vistas and corporations aren’t your thing. There’s no need to panic, because Detroit has got your back  – especially if corporations really aren’t your thing. Motown’s Woodbridge neighborhood is home to an anarchist housing collective called Trumbullplex that frequently hosts performance artists and musicians. Residents sport a DIY-ethic and grow a lot of their food in their own garden. It’s a pretty nifty looking place, and chances are there’s something going on the weekend, so make sure you check out their myspace for updates.

The Heidelberg Project

Sometimes people prefer  houses covered in stuffed animals to organically grown carrots. If you are that kind of individual, mosey on down to Heidelberg Street and take in Tyree Guyton’s street art project. While it appears to be a glimpse into the mind of an aged-hippie who has done more than his fair share of mescaline, the Heidelberg Project is, in fact, an attempt to turn abandoned houses into works of art. The coolest thing about the Heidelberg Project is how Guyton encourages at-risk youth to take part, in hopes of showing them that creativity is a better outlet for expression than drugs or violence.

Words: Rhiannon Haller

Photos: Chelsea Brown, SHEI Photography Editor