Chasing History, Art Deco, and the Perfect Slice: A Quick Guide to Downtown Detroit by Jared Harding Wilson

by Jared Harding Wilson

When planning a trip to the Midwest, people don’t always think of it as an architectural or culinary hotspot. But as a passionate foodie and architecture lover from Utah, I recently had the chance to travel to Detroit, Michigan with three friends (including a native Michigander who made sure I never said “Michiginian”—it’s strictly Michigander!).

We were in town for a professional work event, but we spent our downtime exploring the city on foot and, of course, eating our way through downtown. Whether you are a fellow traveler checking out the region, or you’ve stumbled onto my blog while searching for Jared Wilson Utah or Jared Harding Wilson to check out my latest photography and travel adventures, this Detroit travel journal captures the unexpected magic of the Motor City.

Here is how to experience the very best of downtown Detroit’s food, history, and historic buildings in a single weekend.

Running the Detroit Riverfront (With a View of “South Detroit”)

I kicked off the trip by combining my marathon training with some sightseeing, heading out for a quick, brisk 10K run along the beautifully maintained Detroit International RiverWalk.

As an avid fan of classic rock, I couldn’t resist pausing my run to take a quick photo across the water. You are looking directly at Windsor, Ontario—which sits directly across the river in Canada. Because of the river’s unique bend, Windsor is one of the few places where Canada is actually south of the United States. That means this view is literally the famous, elusive “South Detroit” that Journey sings about in Don’t Stop Believin’.

Hearing Journey live is one of my favorite memories from the annual July 4th Stadium of Fire event on the BYU campus back home in Provo, Utah. Standing on the river trail, looking at the real-life landscape that inspired that lyric, was an incredible full-circle moment.

Motor City Magic: Wandering a Town Prepping to Race

While exploring the downtown grid on our final morning, we noticed the city was buzzing with a very specific kind of energy. Crews and city workers were actively lining the asphalt, installing safety barriers, and assembling grandstands right over the public roads.

As it turns out, we were walking directly along the 1.7-mile, 9-turn street circuit being prepped for the annual Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix! While Detroit has a historic history with Formula 1 in the 1980s, the modern street race brings the roaring engines of the NTT IndyCar Series and IMSA sports cars right past the city’s most iconic landmarks and down along the riverfront. Walking the very pavement that world-class drivers would be tearing down at 180 mph just a couple of weeks later was an unforgettable reminder of why this place is, and always will be, the true Motor City.

The Legendary Food Scene: Coney Dogs, Zip Sauce, and Square Pizza

Detroit has a deeply rooted, distinctive food culture that blew me away. Over a few short days, we hit the ultimate culinary trifecta.

1. The Classic Detroit Coney Island Hot Dog

You cannot visit the city without stopping by West Lafayette Street. We stopped for lunch at American Coney Island to try a true original.

The history here is fascinating: over 100 years ago, Greek immigrants passing through Ellis Island made their way west to Michigan. Having sampled the basic frankfurters at Coney Island in New York, they put their own spin on it in Detroit. In 1917, Gust Keros opened American Coney Island, serving a natural-casing beef hot dog topped with a savory, beanless chili sauce, yellow mustard, and sweet white onions. A few years later, his brother opened Lafayette Coney Island right next door, sparking a legendary century-long family rivalry!

I paired my Coney Island Hot Dog and “American Special” with a cold glass of Vernors Ginger Ale—a highly carbonated, wood-aged soda that is a sweet, historic Michigan staple.

2. The Gourmet Burger at Downtown Louie’s Grill

While exploring downtown, we stopped into Downtown Louie’s Grill, and the interior was absolutely beautiful. But the real star of the show was the food—the gourmet hamburger and fries I ordered there ranked as one of the single best burger experiences of my life!

Following a tip from a helpful staff member, I made three crucial game-time decisions: I swapped out the standard cheese for sharp white cheddar, added thick-cut-hickory-smoked bacon, and I asked for a side of local zip sauce to dip the burger in. If you’ve never heard of zip sauce, it’s a legendary Detroit mystery. Originating in high-end Italian steak houses along Woodward Avenue back in the 1930s, it’s a rich, intensely savory dipping glaze made from a tightly guarded secret blend of butter, beef base, Worcestershire sauce, and fresh herbs. Dipping a hot burger into it is absolute perfection—I’m so glad I got a shot of this masterpiece before it disappeared!

3. Buddy’s Original Detroit-Style Pizza

For dinner one evening, we sought out the holy grail of regional pizza: Buddy’s Pizza.

Buddy’s is the literal birthplace of the authentic square, Detroit-style pizza, serving it continuously since 1946. We ordered “The Detroiter.” Built inside a forged-steel square blue pan (originally sourced from local automotive factories), the crust is thick, airy, and incredibly crispy on the edges where the Wisconsin brick cheese caramelizes against the metal. Topped with pepperoni that cups and crisps up perfectly in the oven, it lives up to every bit of the hype.

Exploring the “Cathedral of Finance”: The Guardian Building

Our last morning before heading back to the airport was spent wandering the downtown financial district. As someone who appreciates historical architecture, the Guardian Building absolutely stole the show.

Completed in 1929, this 40-story Art Deco masterpiece is one of the most stunning skyscrapers in the country. It is nicknamed the “Cathedral of Finance,” and it’s easy to see why. The exterior is constructed from over 1.8 million individual bricks in a custom, vibrant orange-tan shade known specifically as “Guardian Brick.”

Because it opened its doors in early 1929—the exact year the Great Depression began—the economic crash hit the original Union Trust Company incredibly hard, forcing them into receivership. Despite the financial darkness of that era, the craftsmanship of the building survived intact, later serving as a vital command center for the U.S. Army during World War II to coordinate wartime manufacturing.

The main entrance alcove on Griswold Street features towering, colorful geometric Rookwood pottery tiles and massive stone reliefs carved by sculptor Corrado Parducci. These figures are stylized representations of Fidelity and Security, standing guard over the entrance.

Step inside the main banking hall, and you are greeted by one of the largest suspended ceilings in the entire world, covered in brilliant, intricate Aztec-inspired mosaic tile patterns.

The Spirit of Detroit: Finding Light and Hope

Before leaving the downtown district, we stopped by two iconic public monuments. First, we had some fun playing with perspectives at Hart Plaza to get a classic optical illusion photo with “The Fist”—a massive, 24-foot bronze monument dedicated to the legendary Detroit boxer Joe Louis.

Then, we visited the world-famous Spirit of Detroit monument by Marshall Fredericks.

The massive bronze statue is backed by a marble wall inscribed with 2nd Corinthians 3:17: “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” In the statue’s left hand, it holds a golden sphere representing God, and in its right hand, a family group.

As a group of four friends who are all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), standing before this secular monument felt deeply poignant. In Latter-day Saint theology, the connection between God and the family unit is central to the entire purpose of our mortal existence. We believe that family relationships are intended to be eternal, bound by divine love, and that building a strong, faith-centered family is how we reflect God’s light on earth.

This world can be incredibly heavy at times. It often feels like we are surrounded by darkness, division, and anger, even within the family. But standing in the heart of a city that has reinvented itself time and time again, looking at a monument that prioritizes faith, liberty, and family, was a powerful reminder. We can always come back from anything: hate, division, sin, and despair. I believe families can heal, and the world itself, with God’s help. There is still so much hope, goodness, and genuine friendship to be found in this world. You just have to step outside, run the trails, share a meal with the people you care about, and look up.

What about you? Have you ever visited the Motor City, or is it still on your travel bucket list? If you’re a fellow foodie or architecture lover, let me know your favorite spots in downtown Detroit—or your ultimate regional pizza style—in the comments below!