Any proud Detroiter knows that the Motor City is the best and the reasons are endless. It takes true hometown pride, however, to put all of the random awesome facts about the city into context. 

What are the best things about Detroit, anyway? 

Well, we compiled a list with input from many lovers of Detroit. What follows is our very scientific, totally mathematical ranking of the 50 things we love the most about life in this city.

Don’t even think about arguing with us, especially when it comes to No. 45. Here it is.

50. All the free stuff If you live in Detroit, you have access to many awesome places and resources for no cost. The world-renowned Detroit Institute of Arts and the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit are both free, no-cost activities are happening on the Riverwalk all the time, you can rent tools from the Carhartt Work Bench or a laptop from the library, and the list goes on. Who doesn’t love free stuff? Credit: Steve Neavling
49. Wildlife in the city Some people may hate the animals roaming the streets of Detroit, but others may love it. Either way, it’s true. Among others, we’ve got deer, foxes, beavers, pheasants, bald eagles, and many different bird species that you can marvel at daily. Credit: "White-tailed deer" by USDA photo by Scott Bauer Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Detroit Vegan Soul 19614 Grand River Ave., Detroit | detroitvegansoul.com The food at Detroit Vegan Soul is so damn good. We don’t have anything clever to say, just try their tofu ribs, deep fried oyster mushrooms, or coconut bacon “BLT” and you’ll understand. Detroit Vegan Soul’s original location in West Village has closed, but they still offer carry-out at their Grandmont-Rosedale outpost. Credit: Google Maps
47. The People Mover is free now While Detroit’s biggest downfall is a lack of good public transportation, we do have the humble People Mover. It will get you around the downtown area of the city and thanks to a sponsorship deal has been completely free to ride since the start of 2024. Credit: Susan Montgomery/Shutterstock
If you’re going to Canada, take the tunnel Especially if you want to get straight into downtown Windsor, the tunnel is a better option than the bridge when traveling to our neighbors across the river. While the bridge takes you to the freeway, the semi-trucks often make the commute slower, with more lineup and traffic. Credit: Shutterstock
45. Metro Times Duh. Credit: Facebook, Jessica Care Moore
Find cheap parking and walk to big events Sometimes Detroit’s casinos offer free parking, sometimes they don’t. It’s worth a try to check though if you’re going to a concert or sports game downtown, rather than paying anywhere from $20 to $60. Otherwise, the Z Lot garage downtown is a good option as it (usually) stays at a flat rate of $10. If you can find street parking and pay through the Park Detroit app, that’s a cheap option, too. Get your steps in and save some money. Credit: Tom Perkins
43. Greenspaces Some big cities lack nature, but Detroit is lucky. We’ve got the Dequindre Cut, which is just one public trail of the Joe Louis Greenway, an upcoming 27.5 miles of biking and walking trails throughout the city and connecting suburbs. These greenways also connect to the Detroit Riverfront, which just recently got connected to Belle Isle, where there’s all the greenspace you need. Credit: Facebook, Dequindre Cut
Roses are Pink When: Feb. 16 from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Where: Big Pink What: A Valentine’s Day R&B dance party Who: Detroit DJs Blaaqgold and Donovan Glover Why: Get lit to some soul-filling R&B music with your lover or in hopes of finding one. Credit: @sxrreal
40. Car culture Car culture is another Detroit thing that is both a blessing and a curse. The mighty auto industry and the economic prosperity of Ford’s assembly line made us who we are today. Not having a car in the Motor City is a hassle, and people will judge you based on what kind of car you drive. (While we’re proud of our automotive history, better public transportation and walkability would also be great, too.) Credit: Shutterstock
39. Our breweries and beer scene The city of Detroit and its surrounding suburbs are well-stocked with breweries and bars that serve up great drinks and food, some no-frills and unpretentious, and others more high-end. Some even have extra fun activities for you to have a good time. Whatever you have in mind, you can find it here. Credit: Ted Swedenburg, Flickr Creative Commons
38. Cheap houses Housing costs in Detroit remain relatively affordable (not as cheap as 10 years ago, but way less than most other cities). The New York Times even recently highlighted Detroit as one of the easiest places for Gen Z to purchase a home. In consequence, we have an abundance of artists and creative people doing creative things — and artists and creative people are fun. Credit: Steve Neavling
37. The culture in and around the city Detroit and its metropolitan area are immersed with cultures of all kinds, some specified in this list. Not only does this bring us great cuisine, but also the opportunity to educate ourselves about people from all over the world in numerous ways. If Detroit wasn’t such a melting pot, it would be vastly different and definitely not as awesome. Credit: Jon DeBoer
36. We love our pro sports All of Detroit’s professional sports teams have their highs and lows, and our current star is the Lions, but that was definitely not always the case. The team finally made a comeback after years of misery, almost making it to the Super Bowl for the first time this year. We’ll be rooting for them next season, along with the rest of the country now, but sometimes we’re rooting for the Tigers, the Pistons, and the Red Wings instead. Plus, for soccer lovers, we have the Detroit City FC, our professional soccer team who just acquired land for a new soccer stadium in Southwest Detroit. Credit: Joe Maroon
Batch Brewing Company 1400 Porter St., Detroit; batchbrewingcompany.com Known as Detroit’s first nanobrewery, Batch Brewing Company provides an eclectic and original beer selection and ample outdoor seating in its “Fauci Fieldhouse.” Photo courtesy of Instagram/@batchbrewing Credit: Facebook, Batch Brewing
34. Eastern Market Detroit’s farmer’s market and the area it’s in is full of local food and vendors that represent the city’s culture all in one spot. On Saturdays, vendors sell everything from tacos to produce to flowers. On Sundays, the space is packed with local jewelers and artists. Surrounding walls and warehouses are adorned with murals and live music is played at nearby venues. This is one great place to take visitors who want to be immersed in Detroit’s culture. Credit: Shutterstock
33. There are plenty of bodies of water nearby Michigan is one of the best states because it is surrounded by the Great Lakes, which means the city of Detroit is too. Lake Huron isn’t very far, plus we have the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair down the road, and other small lakes super close. There’s always water nearby if you want to swim, boat, or fish. Credit: Shutterstock
32. Techno music Detroit is considered the birthplace of techno music, emerging in the early 1980s from the city’s underground party scene. Detroit techno evolved from a blend of funk, electro, and European electronic sounds, creating a distinctive style that influenced electronic music worldwide. Since techno music started in the D, it’s only fitting for the city to host one of the biggest festivals centering on electronic music. The Detroit Electronic Music Festival started in 2000 to celebrate Detroit’s techno heritage and after coming under producers Paxahau, the city’s Memorial Day weekend fest became known as the Movement Music Festival. The annual event attracts electronic music enthusiasts from around the world. Credit: Viola Klocko
31. Urban farms and gardening Detroit is often called a food desert, but local urban farms work hard to promote food justice, food security, food sovereignty, and healthy food access options to the community. These spots provide fresh herbs, plants, fruits, and vegetables. Many operate year-round and even offer agricultural education. Credit: Keep Growing Detroit
30. The live music scene Aside from numerous big venues showcasing local and national acts, Detroit has a great live music scene. Small bars like the Raven Lounge and Willis Show Bar host weekly events with local musicians of various genres. In Hamtramck, seemingly every block has a bar with punk rock hipster bands. Credit: Mike Pfeiffer
​​41. Some of the suburbs are great While some Detroit suburbs are boring, many bring more awesome stuff to the area, and wouldn’t be what they are without Detroit. There are the Downriver cities, Ferndale, Royal Oak, and Dearborn, plus the inner-city cities Hamtramck and Highland Park, all bringing more uniqueness and culture to the area in their own ways. Credit: Facebook, City Government of Ferndale, Michigan
29. We have an outsized reputation for being tough Due to national crime statistics along with general notoriety and false perceptions, people often think Detroit is way more dangerous than it is — and we love the street cred it gives us. If you’re not from the actual city though, don’t pretend like you are to act tougher. Don’t mess with Detroiters! Credit: Joe Maroon
Calling it “the D.”Just don’t. Credit: Courtesy photo
27. A new rap sound While Eminem remains one of the biggest rappers of all time, Detroit has a new rap scene that is flourishing, with artists such as Tee Grizzley, Danny Brown, Icewear Vezzo, Babyface Ray, 42 Dugg, Babytron, and more creating a fresh sound that reaches a global audience and contributes to the growth and evolution of hip-hop culture. Credit: Kahn Santori Davison
26. We have all four seasons Michigan weather can be a mess, but we do have all four seasons. We have a hot summer, a snowy winter, an autumn with pretty color-changing leaves falling, and a breezy spring. Sometimes all four seasons even come in the same week. Credit: Courtesy of the Downtown Detroit Partnership
25. The LGBTQ+ scene Detroit, along with some surrounding cities, has a proud queer community. Just north of the city is Ferndale, one of Michigan’s gayest towns, and if you drive 45 minutes to Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, the gay pride is super evident. In the city though too, there’s Gigi’s gay bar, plus regular Lesbian Social events, and more. Plus, the annual Motor City Pride is big and beautiful. Credit: Viola Klocko
24. We consistently exceed outsider expectations We know the joy of being underestimated here. But once someone visits, like the many guests during the recent NFL Draft downtown with record-breaking attendance, they’re often pleasantly surprised. Why? See everything on this list. Credit: Joe Alcodray at MissedYouAtTheShow.com
23. Even our worst traffic is barely traffic A city that was built for millions now has just over 600,000, which might be sad, except for how easy it is to get from Point A to Point B. You will literally save hours of your life commuting on these streets instead of the car-clogged ones in bigger cities. Credit: Shutterstock
22. The architecture The architecture in Detroit demonstrates the past, present, and future beauty of the city. From intricate 1920s Art Deco structures to modern skyscrapers, each building showcases Detroit’s spirit uniquely. Credit: Shutterstock
21. The coffee shops The Detroit area has a plethora of awesome cafes, each with its own distinctive charm and unique offerings. New ones are cropping up all of the time and we can never have enough. In this day and age, new places to do remote work are always needed, plus caffeine is a daily necessity for many. Credit: Michelle Gerard
20. Our many quirky characters In a town with a unique history and flourishing creative scenes, quirky characters abound, and the city wouldn’t be the same without them. For some — like artist and Heidelberg Project creator Tyree Guyton, who transformed his neighborhood into a polka-dot paradise, despite objections from the city government — it can take a long time for the world to come around and understand their vision. We hope the eccentricity of Detroiters never changes. Credit: The Heidelberg Project
Urban freeways The Davison Freeway in Detroit is often cited as one of the earliest urban freeways in the world. Completed in 1942, the freeway was a pioneering project in urban transportation planning and engineering. Its construction marked a shift in urban transportation infrastructure, setting a precedent for the development of urban freeways in cities across the United States and around the world. Credit: KelleyCook, Wikimedia Creative Commons
Campus Martius Park: 1 star “That’s a big joke in the middle of nowhere, unfortunately, the majority of the people have been unfriendly. Not a peaceful place for children.” – W. Golden Eagle production Credit: Elia Group/Iconic Collection
17. Coney Islands Coney Islands are a Detroit staple, and if there is one quintessential Detroit food item, it’s the coney dog. There are tons of Coney restaurants in the city and its surrounding suburbs, and everyone has their favorite. The no-frills coney culture is a hit for locals and visitors alike. Credit: Shutterstock
16. Our weed We’re not California, but Michigan does have some of the best weed in the country. A 2023 Hyperwolf list of which state has the best weed ranks us No. 9 in the top 10. With one of the fastest-growing cannabis industries in the nation, Michigan has many dispensaries, and they just keep coming. In 2023, weed revenue in the state reached almost $500 million and some metro Detroit communities are benefiting from taxes raised in big ways. Credit: se7enfifteen
15. We have the biggest Arab population in the country Dearborn, a suburb just outside of Detroit, is the only Arab-majority city in the country, home to the Arab American National Museum and the largest Mosque in North America. With this comes tons of great Arab restaurants, stores, bakeries, and coffee shops in the area to enjoy. Credit: Courtesy of the Arab American National Museum
14. Motown Motown Records, founded by Berry Gordy Jr. in 1959 as Tamla Records, introduced the world to a new and distinctive sound: a style of soul music with mainstream pop appeal that broke racial boundaries. The Motown Museum is a destination for tourists and Detroiters to learn more about the history of the label, and the building is getting a large expansion in the coming years. Credit: Shutterstock
​​13. Mexicantown and Mexican food ​​While the overall food and culture are great parts of Detroit, Mexicantown deserves its own place on the list. The Mexican-majority area of Southwest Detroit features super affordable and equally authentic Mexican restaurants and taco trucks on every corner, as well as cuisine from many other Latin countries. Welcome to foodie heaven. Credit: Shutterstock
12. The hometown pride Detroiters are known for repping the 313 wherever they go, especially because people love to talk shit when they don’t know shit. Whether it’s rocking Detroit gear like a Detroit vs. Everybody T-shirt or always talking up the city to outsiders (and defending it against haters), our hometown pride is unmatched. Credit: Skyler Murry
​11. ​The neighborhoods ​​While any Detroiter can tell you about the greatest parts of the city, everyone has their own personal experience depending on the neighborhood they reside in. The streets and the people that they know best and have grown to trust are what’s really the heart of most people’s love for the D. Detroit is full of neighborhoods, and sometimes the difference in people and priorities drastically differ in each one. But downtown, east, or west, we all (mostly) have certainty that we’re in this together. Credit: Shutterstock
10. The history From being an important piece in the Underground Railroad to birthing musical geniuses, a lot of important history happened in Detroit — good, bad, and ugly. The city is known for its once-booming auto industry and the week-long 1967 rebellion. All of it made Detroit what it is today and gave the city a richness of history that no other could boast about. Credit: Steve Neavling
9. The artists and murals Detroit’s creativity is unmatched and the artists and art scene here is underrated. There are murals everywhere you look in Detroit and the city continues to push more and more initiatives to spread art and support local artists even further. Credit: 1XRUN / Murals in The Market (Mural by Denial)
8. The Detroit River Detroit’s revitalized riverfront, which was named the best in the nation by USA Today for three consecutive years, serves as a model for urban waterfront revitalization projects worldwide. In recent years, the riverfront has gotten many new parks that host regular events and free activities for all. Also on the river, boats anchor to drop in on concerts at the riverside Aretha Franklin Amphitheater. Credit: Shutterstock
7. Detroit fashion We didn’t invent them, but Detroiters have popularized items like Cartier Buffs, fur coats, and alligator skin shoes. There are also homegrown brands like Pelle Pelle’s leather jackets and, of course, Carhartt, which was founded in Detroit in 1889 and is beloved by both blue-collar workers and Gen Z hypebeasts alike. Credit: Mike Pfeiffer
6. The food scene The diversity and deliciousness of the food in Detroit and its surrounding cities are amazing, from tons of Arab restaurants in Dearborn, great Mexican food in Southwest Detroit, a fine-dining hotspot in Cass Corridor, and more. Detroit has something for everyone. Credit: Tom Perkins
5. Belle Isle This island park is home to an array of affordable activities great for Detroit residents or people from out of town, including a museum, a beach, a conservatory, the nation’s oldest aquarium, parks, trails — the list goes on. Besides a $10 annual recreation pass (which is only needed if a park ranger is actually at the entrance booth), all Belle Isle activities are free of charge. Credit: Hannah Ervin, Detroit Stock City
4. Detroit Youth Choir Whether you’re from Detroit or anywhere else on the globe, you’ve got to love the Detroit Youth Choir. The group’s time on America’s Got Talent put these talented Detroit kids on a public stage where they captivated audiences with strong performances and inspiring stories. The recently released Disney+ show Choir, which showed the group’s journey to performing at Carnegie Hall, did the same. In both cases, the DYC not only showcases the talent of Detroit’s youth but also serves as a positive light for the city and a source of inspiration for people everywhere. Credit: Layla McMurtrie
3. The Detroit Institute of the Arts The DIA houses one of the largest art collections in the United States, including works by renowned artists who have inspired worldwide creativity such as Vincent van Gogh and Diego Rivera. Plus, it has been named the No. 1 art museum in the nation by USA Today numerous times. For residents of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, the museum is free to visit. For outsiders, it’s $18, which is 100% worth it for all of the wonders that you will see during your visit. Credit: Shutterstock
2. It’s one of the biggest, Blackest cities in the U.S. Detroit is the biggest majority-Black city in the country, with nearly 80% of our population being Black. Without a doubt, Detroit culture is Black culture, and all Detroiters should be proud of that. Credit: Viola Klocko
1. The people What truly makes the city great is the people in it, who bring us the authentically Detroit energy and all of the other amazing things on this list. Detroiters are innovative, hardworking, and overall the best people on the planet. There is no bias here. It’s just facts. Credit: Bre'Ann White

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Layla McMurtrie is the digital editor of Detroit Metro Times. She's passionate about art, music, food, and Detroit's culture and community. Her work has been featured in the Detroit Free Press, Between...