Detroit

Detroit is not a popular vacation destination for many visitors. It serves as a stopover on a business trip or a gateway to the adjacent University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. This portrayal may be accurate if you base your opinion of Detroit only on negative headlines, but upon closer study, you'll realize that this city is a hidden gem for adventurous tourists. While it is true that Motor City has fallen on hard times-both economically and politically-and that some of its abandoned areas give the city an unsettling, post-catastrophe look, there is elegance in its resolute regeneration (it self-identifies as "America's Great Comeback City").

Looking past its recent history reveals a city with French roots: The city of La Ville d'Etroit was founded in 1701 and was subsequently likened to Paris for its remarkable beauty (the "Paris of the West" was its nickname thanks to its architecture and grand avenues). Scratch a bit beyond the surface, and you'll discover that much of the city's beauty is still present (some of the old art deco skyscrapers still stand, such as the Guardian Building). Sign up for one of the top Detroit tours to learn more about the city's history.

Alongside these remnants of Motown's flourishing past, you'll also find signs of its rebirth, with Marriott investing in hotel renovations and openings, and reinvigorated green spaces (like the Heidelberg Project) bringing much-needed life to previously desolate areas of the city. So don't discount Motor City just yet. It could be the great comeback kid of the 21st century.

The Best Hotels in Detroit

• The Shinola Hotel
  
• The Townsend Hotel
• MGM Grand Detroit

The Best Things to Do in Detroit:

• The Detroit Institute of the Arts
• Motown Museum
  
• The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

Ranking + Rating

• 23 in Best Weekend Getaways in the Midwest