New Belle Isle Trail, Bike to Canada: What's New in Motown

By Bill Malcolm*

Detroit Skyline

I love Detroit, the most underrated big city travel destination. It's unique. And on the rebound. This trip I biked on the brand new Belle Isle Park bike trail which offers stunning views of downtown Detroit, Windsor (Ontario, Canada), and the mouth of Lake St. Clair. Set in the middle of the Detroit River just north of downtown Detroit, there are also museums and an indoor garden (Conservancy)

Also coming soon is the bike and hike lane on the new Gordie Howe Bridge to Canada. Paid for our friends in my favorite country, it opens soon.

Finally, I explored the tony suburb of Birmingham where you can enjoy high end shopping until you drop and enjoy great dining like Hazel's Seafood. The salmon is to die for.

What to Do

Explore Belle Isle Park which is an island in the middle of the Detroit River just north of downtown. Bike on the new round-the-island bike trail. Enjoy the views of the mouth of St. Clair and watch the Great Lakes freighters. Spectacular views of downtown Detroit, the Ambassador Bridge, and Windsor (Ontario Canada). Also on the island explore the newly reopened Conservatory, the Aquarium, the Nature Center, and Great Lakes Museum. You won't run out of things to do on the 982 square mile island.

Royal Oaks Farmers Market

Go to Royal Oak. The Royal Oak Farmers Market runs every Saturday. Explore the 2 main streets: Washington Avenue and Main Street. Full of independent shops and restaurants. And 2 gay bars.

Enjoy Lebanese Food at one of the 400+ restaurants. Even the gas stations have Lebanese food.

Walk or run with the Frontrunners in Royal Oak (Saturdays at 9:30 a.m.-meet at Prontos, 6th and Washington).

Enjoy Ferndale, the gay friendly suburb. Stop by the Affirmations Gay Community Center or grab a drink at SoHo.

Explore Birmingham, the tony suburb. Shop till you drop including at Lulamon. Enjoy the salmon at Hazel's Seafood.

Have dinner at one of the many independent restaurants in Clawson.

Enjoy the Detroit Institute for the Arts in midtown. Ride the new Q Line Streetcar.

Bring your passport and head over to Windsor, Ontario-just 2 miles away. The Tunnel is one option as well as the Ambassador Bridge. Have lunch in the Italian neighborhood or explore historic Walkerville. And soon you can take Gordie Howe Bridge (including a bike lane).

No other U.S. city is so close to Canada. And did I mention your dollar goes further there against the Loonie (the Canadian dollar coin). So shop away.

Getting There

I rented a car from Enterprise and drove there. Coming from Chicago? Take Amtrak to Royal Oak and walk to Hyatt Place. Use SMART buses or UBER to get around. No car is needed with this option. Otherwise you may need one.

Where to Stay

The Hyatt Place in Royal Oak is my favorite but it can be pricey. The Hotel Royal Oak is also nice. Bargain hunters will love the Baymont by Wyndham in Madison Heights. The Towne Place Suites in Troy is also nice. You can walk to shops just west of there, including a Powerhouse Gym to work out. Downtown offers great hotels like the Westin Book Cadillac and Shinola.

Nightlife

Pronto in Detroit

Prontos in Royal Oak is my favorite. They have a nice outdoor patio as well as restaurant. Next door is the Five 15 which features drag brunches and bingo.

In Ferndale, you will find SOHO, another friendly spot full of hotties.

Menjos, HALO, Gigis, and the Eagle are other options.

Where and What to Eat

With its large Arabic population, Lebanese/Mediterranean restaurants are my first choice. With fresh carrot juice and healthy entrees, you won't find such healthy food anywhere else.

I liked Hazel's seafood in Birmingham. Try the salmon.

Helpful Tips

Between the Lines is the bi monthly (and on line at pridesource.com). Metra Magazine is their monthly. HOUR Detroit Magazine is a great resource for new restaurants and events.

Unlike Chicago and other big cities, Detroit the city does not dominate. The suburbs also offer a lot. And it's big but not too big. And Midwestern friendly. The freeway system is not too congested, and you can be anywhere in 20 minutes going 70 mph. I used to live there and may move back some day. Did I forget proximity to Canada means you can go to Windsor for lunch, pick up some real Cadbury candies from England, and listen to AM 1550, the French language radio station (or the English equivalent on the FM dial, 97.5 CBC Radio One) to get a Canadian perspective of the world. Or be in Toronto in just 4 hours? Detroit has so much to offer. You owe it to yourself to visit.

*Bill Malcolm is a former resident and frequent visitor to metro Detroit. He resides in Indianapolis. Over 100 travel columns he has written have appeared in publications and in on line postings throughout North America. Say hi at the IGLTA Annual Convention in Palm Springs! Details at IGLTA.org. (PS He doesn't pay resort fees or stay at hotels that charge them.)

9/22/25

About the Author

Bill Malcolm Bill Malcolm is North America's only syndicated travel columnist. He focuses on value and pays his own way. He takes local transit and seeks to go where the locals go. He has appeared 100 times in LGBTQ publications and on websites including the IGLTA travel blog. You can find his work in GRAB Chicago, Erie Gay News, Seattle Gay News, and other places. He does this as a volunteer and does not charge for his work. He boycotts hotels and hotel chains with resort fees, amenity fees, destination fees, and other made up junk charges. He resides in Indianapolis. Follow him on Facebook.