Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor has it all: the University of Michigan, great shopping, bars and restaurants and amazing concert venues. It also has a vitality that few college towns across the country can boast. It's the kind of city that draws in undergrads and then keeps them for good.

Toss a rock into the air and it'd be hard not to hit a cafe, bistro, or high-tech startup. From its ever-thriving summer Art Fair to its venerable Film Festival, the city consistently tops national quality of life surveys --Forbes, Money/CNN, Sperlings, the list goes on and on. Its school system is first rate, green spaces dominate the landscape and nearly 70% of the population holds a college degree. This small but mighty city is Michigan's leader in innovation. read on…

Birmingham

Tony. Posh. Chic. Old money. New money. Old school. New school. Birmingham is where the elite meet on the street. The northern suburb has a park-and-walk downtown with boutiques both opulent and eclectic. At night, young pros and sophisticates belly up to its bars and paint this town. Here's where our insiders like to play there. read on…

Dearborn

Dearborn is undoubtedly a destination to experience Middle Eastern culture, as it should be. It's rich with restaurants, museums and shops run by and for its vibrant Middle Eastern residents. Beyond the marvelous koftas and hookahs, you'll also find cuisine from all around the world, independent boutiques, cozy pubs and thumping clubs. They even have real live record stores, too. Check out our insiders' picks for navigating this suburb just west of Detroit. read on…

Detroit

Downtown Detroit is a stunning concentration of skyscrapers, as well as historical and architecturally beautiful residential and commercial buildings. Downtown is also home to the Detroit Tigers, Lions and Red Wings. Some of Downtown's most notable sites include the Renaissance Center, Greektown, Campus Martius, Hart Plaza and the Riverfront. read on…

Ferndale

Woodward and Nine Mile is Metro Detroit's closest thing to a gayborhood. It's also a hipster haven -- but hip without being pretentious. Downtown Ferndale keeps the chain stores at bay and is a hub for ethnic dining (Ethiopian, Mideastern, Japanese, Thai, etc. are all here). This is the place to find shops both vintage and kitschy, dining both swanky and dive, and bars both uber hip and sublimely laid back. read on…

Grand Rapids

A frontier fur-trading town that continues to evolve as a hub of innovation and can-do spirit, the Center City district of Grand Rapids is the financial and cultural anchor of Michigan's West Coast.

Rising on the eastern shore of the Grand River, Center City features numerous attractions. The Civic Theatre is Michigan's oldest community theatre. The Grand Rapids Public Art Museum holds more than 5,000 works in its permanent collection. The Monroe Center walking mall offers a wide selection of coffee houses, restaurants, and boutique shops. Rosa Parks Circle, the district's public park and amphitheatre, hosts weekly blues concerts in the summer and ice skating in the winter.

Another unique highlight is La Grande Vitesse, a large outdoor sculpture at the center of government square, which is distinguished as America's first publicly-funded art installation. The district's major festivals include a three-day arts celebration in June, as well as distinct Polish, Irish, Italian, Native American, Latino, Mexican, German, and African American celebrations of cultural heritage throughout the summer.

Incorporated as a city in 1850 with a population of 2,686, Center City now is the heart of Michigan's second largest city. Once known as the Furniture Capitol of the World, this also is the epicenter of Grand Rapids effort to redefine its identity as a leader of modern medical research and sustainable design. read on…

Hamtramck

Hamtramck is the home of a wide mix of people and customs from around the world.

The vibrant municipality features Old World customs and ideas along with a new spirit. With a walkable array of big city amenities, Hamtramck is a great place for living, shopping, visiting and having fun. The well-kept housing stock plus new loft and housing developments make it the perfect choice to call home.

The retail community presents a variety of opportunities — from Polish bakeries to funky clothing to ethnic specialties. There's a rich history of entertainment, with old neighborhood bars, cool music clubs, fringe theater, hip art, and world-famous festivals.

The 2.2 square mile enclave is conveniently located within 5 miles of downtown Detroit and is easily accessible from everywhere. read on…

Lansing

Lansing, Michigan. The state's capital has experienced a renaissance in recent years. Due in part to the Lugnuts baseball team, the stadium district has helped breathe new life into downtown Lansing's Michigan avenue and is now home to hot clubs, bars, and restaurants. Some are brand new. Some are old (with new twists). Lansing's historic Old Town district has also seen a vibrant resurgence, thanks to some visionary Lansingites like the late Robert Busby, founder of the Creole Gallery. There have been a lot of changes in recent years. Check our what our local insiders say and let them show you around. read on…

Royal Oak

Royal Oak's Main Street is the epicenter of trendy in metro Detroit. Many chains have taken hold in this northern suburb, but turn the corner to its downtown side streets to find more eclectic fare. Wherever you roam, you won't be alone. Its shops, restaurants and bars lure in the crowds around the clock. See what our insiders have to say about Royal Oak. read on…

Ypsilanti

Ah, Depot Town, Riverside Park, Eastern Michigan University. Ypsilanti is all about the perfect summer festival. Its walkable neighborhoods boast vintage housing to die for and its downtown historic district is the third largest in Michigan -- only Detroit and Grand Rapids have larger ones. Its independent music and art scenes are thriving, and it boasts a diversity and community spirit very few other Metro Detroit cities can touch.

Grab a sandwich at Cafe Luwak. Catch an outre performance at the Dreamland Puppet Theatre. Down a Michigan brew at Frog Island or Corner Brewery. Check out the latest art show at Riverside Gallery or lust after an antique architectural find at Materials Unlimited.

At nearly 200 years old, this storied community's history has yet to be written. After all, name another city in Michigan that holds an annual summer festival dedicated to Elvis and the biannual DIY fest, the Shadow Art Fair? read on…