Summer City Guide: Detroit

When it comes to summer activities, the warm weather always brings out the best in us. So for 15 straight days, we're going to be dropping City Guides telling you the best concerts to see, outdoor activities to do, and places to eat, shop and stay with a summer focus. Next up, Detroit. With that, here's our Summer 2013 essentials in the Motor City.

Download Summer City Guide: Detroit As A PDF

If you’re able to see just one outdoor concert this summer, make sure it’s Kendrick Lamar at the Chene Park Amphitheatre (June 5), located downtown along the banks of the Detroit River.

Website: kendricklamar.com

Although they’re from Brooklyn, watching Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings in the birthplace of Motown is almost a religious experience. And that makes the Meadow Brook Music Festival (June 29) your place of worship.

Website: sharonjonesandthedapkings.com

Starting August 9, Detroit’s own Kid Rock will call the DTE Energy Music Theatre home as he rattles off seven straight shows to closeout the summer. You won’t be the only one that goes back for more.

Website: kidrock.com

If you’re looking for gourmet Italian food on the run, Dago Joe’s has you covered. And with their pasta sauces available at retail, you can even relive the experience at home.

Website: dagojoes.com

As the first food truck in Detroit’s history, El Guapo Grill has turned Mexican food on its head. While we won’t tell you what to order, we will recommend that you try the pork belly confit.

Website: elguapogrill.com

Motor City Street Eats is a gathering of Detroit’s finest food trucks. In fact, the collective prefers the term mobile restaurants, and the company they keep deserves the distinction. Make sure to check out their schedule and find a rally near you.

Website: motorcitystreeteats.com

About 40,000 people flock to Eastern Market each week to sample food from over 250 independent vendors and merchants. And what’s the best part of this Saturday Market? It’s been feeding Detroit since 1891.

Website: detroiteasternmarket.com

You’d be hard pressed to find a Detroit resident that doesn’t make their way to some part of the Belle Isle Conservancy during the summer months. From the conservatory to the aquarium to yacht club, there’s something for everyone under the sun.

Website: belleisleconservancy.org

Now in its 16th year, Arts, Beats & Eats has established itself as one of the country’s best festivals. So if you don’t have any plans yet, head to Downtown Royal Oak for Labor Day Weekend (August 30-September 2).

Website: artsbeatseats.com

You’ve bought the shoes they’ve collaborated on at boutiques across the country, but if you really want to support Burn Rubber you’ll stop through and chop it up. If it’s a release day, we suggest you arrive early.

Website: burnrubberdetroit.com

Now that Macklemore went platinum, you’d more likely find him at Lost & Found Vintage than the local thrift shop. And if you’re looking for local treasures, we suggest you do the same.

Website: lostandfoundvintage.com

It’s all about quality and the classics and at The Berkley Chop Shop. And that’s what you should expect to find when you’re looking for a good haircut in your neighborhood. The concept may be old, but the execution is as modern as it gets.

Website: berkleychopshop.com

There are places to stay in Detroit, and then there’s Honor & Folly. The design-focused inn puts you at the heart of the action in the city’s oldest neighborhood. Hopefully this can just be our little secret.

Website: honorandfolly.com

The perfect combination of hotel and casino, the MGM Grand Detroit is as opulent as it gets. While their in-house restaurants are divine, we hope you find some time to explore the neighborhood and grab a bite.

Website: mgmgranddetroit.com

If you’re looking for an entertainment venue right outside your door, the MotorCity Casino Hotel is for you. It’s also Detroit’s only locally owned and operated casino.

Website: motorcitycasino.com