Detroit is now the 10th city in the United States to launch a Michelin Green Guide. Centered on culture and the overall travel experience, the Detroit version spotlights the city’s top visitor experiences, including art, culture, architecture, music, neighborhoods, entertainment, and more.
Visit Detroit President and CEO Claude Molinari says his teams worked with public relations firm France Unique based in Paris to pitch Detroit as a destination to Michelin. “This wasn’t just about wanting a guide to our city,” Molinari explains. “It was about knowing Detroit was ready for this level of international recognition.” While Visit Detroit provided financial support to produce the guide, Molinari says the content reflects Michelin’s independent assessment of the Motor City.
“Not every destination that seeks a Michelin Green Guide receives one—Michelin conducts thorough research of each one,” he explains. “The ranking system is managed by Michelin using its established criteria. Our role was to facilitate the research by providing accommodations and arranging requested visits, although [Michelin’s team] did independent exploration as well.”
The guide describes Detroit as “one of the trendiest destinations of the moment.” Attractions in the 160-page book deemed unmissable include the Guardian Building, the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Eastern Market, Michigan Central, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the Motown Museum. The Detroit International Riverfront, fine-dining establishment The Whitney–Detroit, the city’s intricate and colorful murals, and two theaters—Fox Theatre and Fisher Theatre—represent Michelin’s other top picks in the city.
“It’s more than just a guide,” Molinari says. “It’s a stamp of approval that Detroit has emerged as a world-class destination worth exploring.” The English version of the guide is currently only available for purchase on Amazon, although Visit Detroit says it is working to get the book onto shelves at local retailers.
