Detroit/West Side

The West Side is in Detroit. While primarily a residential area, west Detroit is home to some great historic neighborhoods. It is bounded by 8 Mile to the north, the city of Redford to the west, Woodward Avenue, Highland Park and M-10 to the east, and Michigan Avenue and the city of Dearborn to the south.

Understand

Get in

See

8 Mile. The historic dividing line between older inner-city neighborhoods and more affluent suburbs makes up the northern border of Detroit. The name comes from the Mile Road System, a method used to delineate east/west roads through the Detroit area. The road was the inspiration for the hit movie also called 8 Mile starring rapper Eminem, who grew up near the road. 8 Mile isn't exactly "touristy", but it is quite an experience for those wishing to experience one of the most famous ghettos in America. However, the area is experiencing much redevelopment.
Palmer Park, bordered by Woodward Avenue to the east, 7 Mile Road to the north, Fairway Drive to the west, and West McNichols Road to the south, 42.4263°, -83.118°. Most of this historic neighborhood/park was made before World War II. The 1960s brought a large influx of gay male residents to the Palmer Park neighborhood. By the 1970s Palmer Park was the center of gay life in Detroit. The area along West McNichols Road consisted of many gay bars and nightclubs. The number is smaller today.
Palmer Woods. A private historic neighborhood in the city of Detroit west of Woodward Ave. and north of Palmer Park.
S.S. Kresge House, 70 W Boston Blvd, 42.387529°, -83.086503°. The mansion of the founder of Kmart, now owned by Sears.
Lee Plaza, 2240 W Grand Blvd, 42.3594°, -83.1017°. Listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, this vacant high-rise apartment building was built in 1928 and designed in the Art Deco architectural style. Located near downtown and midtown, the building rises 15 floors.
Woodbridge, bounded by Trumbull Street, Calumet Street, Gibson Street, Grand River Avenue, Rosa Parks Boulevard, West Warren Avenue, Wabash Street, Railroad Tracks, and the Edsel Ford Freeway. Woodbridge is home to many architecturally significant houses, most of which are Victorian-style. The neighborhood was one of the few that were not affected by Detroit's decay a few decades back. Woodbridge was founded in the late 19th century as a neighborhood for the wealthy, and it still is. When visiting the neighborhood, the Eighth Precinct Station is a must-see. The second oldest police building in Detroit, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Do

Theatre

Redford Theatre, 17360 Lahser Road, 42.417222°, -83.2575°. Features classic movies and free supervised parking.

Buy

Gateway Marketplace, 1 Towne Square, 1600 (at the southeast corner of 8 Mile Road (M-102) and Woodward Avenue (M-1), near the Michigan State Fair complex), 42.4453°, -83.1213°, +1 248-827-1700. Opened in 2013, it contains around 40 tenants on its 35 acres (140,000 m2).

Eat

Iridescence, 2901 Grand River (Motor City Casino), 42.33974°, -83.06769°, +1 313 237-6732. If you enjoy things like caviar and Dom Perignon, this place is for you. High-end service and views on top of Motor City Casino.
Scotty Simpson's Fish and Chips, 22200 Fenkell St (at Dacosta), 42.400414°, -83.259443°, +1 313 533-0950. Tu-Th 11AM-8PM, F 11AM-9PM, Sa 2PM-9PM, Su 2PM-7PM. In the historic Brightmoor neighborhood (home to the Redford Theatre), is the diner time forgot. You will step back in time and get old-fashioned service at this quaint restaurant with fried fish and chips. There are other meals on the menu, but if you ask for a menu, they will know you are a tourist. $7-15
Woodbridge Pub, 5169 Trumbull Ave (at Merrick), 42.354044°, -83.080086°, +1 313 833-2701. Su-Th 11AM-midnight, F-Sa 11AM-2AM (kitchen closes at 10PM Su-W, 11PM Th & Sa, midnight F). Reliable menu and bar scene in cool residential Woodbridge. 2017-10-24
U of D Coney Island, 16126 Livernois Ave (University District; south of McNichols), 42.410378°, -83.140212°, +1 313 862-0160. M-F 6:30AM-10PM, Sa 6:30AM-4PM, Su closed. Popular among students and professors from next-door's University of Detroit-Mercy, U of D is a solid example of a modern Coney Island.

Drink

Baker's Keyboard Lounge, 20510 Livernois Ave (at 8 Mile), 42.4454°, -83.1416°, +1 313 345-6300. Tu-Th 11AM-midnight, F 11AM-2AM, Sa 4PM-2AM, Su 1PM-midnight. The world's oldest jazz club.
GiGi's, 16920 W Warren Ave, 42.343651°, -83.211252°, +1 313 584-6525. M, W, F 8PM-2AM, Sa-Su 2PM-2AM. Gay bar.

Sleep

Hostel Detroit, 2700 Vermont St (at Spruce), 42.335063°, -83.075237°, +1 313 451-0333, reservations@hosteldetroit.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Backpackers hostel in the North Corktown neighborhood. Open April through October. $25 dorms, $47 privates

Nearby

The Westin Southfield Detroit, 1500 Town Center, Southfield, 42.47596°, -83.24479°, +1 248 827-4000. Green Lodging certified hotel adjacent to the Southfield Town Center.