A guide to the weird, the wonderful and the obscure.

Detroit is known for its automotive heritage, the Motown sound, and American's first mile of concrete highway. But this city on the river has more than three hundred years of history, and most of it is easy to experience if you know where to look. There's the Michigan Theatre, the ornate movie house turned parking garage with a grand stage looming over its cars. Picturesque Alfred Brush Ford Park once stored nuclear missiles among its playgrounds and fishing spots. Then there are incredible landmarks like Detroit's massive salt mines and a monument to urban graffiti known as the Dequindre Cut as well as a Quonset hut community with a yoga studio and AirBnB. Michigan native, newspaper reporter and author Karen Dybis joins us to talk about her new book, Secret Detroit, and the thrilling journey she took to uncover some fascinating hidden details about the Motor City.

 

Reviews

 
A Must Read.

"I have long prided myself on "knowing" Detroit. Since moving to Hamtramck in the 1990's, I've made a point to spend time in Detroit as often as possible. I thought I had a great working knowledge, but Secret Detroit has shown me that I was simply fooling myself. There is so much in this city that I've never heard of until I started reading the latest book by local author Karen Dybis. She highlights 90 spots around town and by the way she writes, it's clear that she's got a deep affection for all things Detroit - not only the places, but most importantly the people. I devoured this book in a day and I cannot wait to get out and find all of the hidden gems this summer!"

— Jen Evans

Great book.

“Every Metro Detroiter should pick a copy up ... and start your Secret Detroit bucket list.”

— J.B.

Great fun.

“Karen Dybis has done a good job of cataloging all the strange and lovely places - some familiar and some not - that make Detroit such a fascinating place to live and visit. Suitable for flaneurs, wanderers, and psychogeographers of every stripe.”

— Gregory Mills

 

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Your Motor City adventure awaits.

Read "Secret Detroit" today!