WE’RE ALL ABOUT A GREAT DRIVE. ONE THAT’S FILLED WITH PLENTY OF CAR SNACKS, AN EPIC PLAYLIST AND FANTASTIC PIT STOPS. IT’S IMPORTANT TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR TRIP AND EXPLORE GREAT CULTURE AND FOOD ALONG THE WAY.
PLUS, WE LOVE A TRIP THAT ENDS W/ COMFORTABLE, FUN LODGING @
THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOTEL!
TODAY’S SPOTLIGHT:
THE JOURNEY FROM DETROIT to CHICAGO.
STOP #1 – DETROIT, MI: BEFORE EVERYTHING, COFFEE. GRAB A DELIGHTFUL BREW @ MILWAUKEE CAFFE.
“What’s an Italian-inspired coffee bar look like? To us, it’s small (some might say tiny) but it’s mighty relationship-focused. That means you’re going to walk up to the bar, get a quality cup of coffee or espresso while you swap stories with your favorite barista, and start your day… or reboot your afternoon. It’s a comforting tradition, and some might even call it a ritual. Call it whatever you want, friend.”
HIT THE ROAD, CAFFEINATED.
STOP #2 – DEARBORN, MI: SWING BY THE HENRY FORD MUSEUM OF AMERICAN INNOVATION FOR SOME FUN AND KNOWLEDGE.
“Step into a world where past innovations fuel the imagination of generations to come. A vibrant exploration of genius in all its forms, Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation allows you to experience the strides of America’s greatest minds while fully immersing yourself in their stories. Step inside the bus where Rosa Parks took a stand by taking a seat. Play pilot as you explore flight innovations, starting with the Wright brothers’ achievements, or make yourself at home inside Buckminster Fuller’s circular Dymaxion House. Put yourself in the place of the movers and shakers who blazed the trail to where we stand today. And in doing so, discover your own path.”
CONTINUE DRIVING, SMARTER.
STOP #3 – ANN ARBOR, MI: TOUR UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S LOVELY CAMPUS + HIT ZINGERMAN’S DELI FOR ONE OF THE BEST REUBENS YOU’LL EVER EAT.
“More than any other university, we have the potential to be so much more than the sum of our many excellent parts. It’s this potential to have a positive impact on the society we serve that represents our greatest value as a university.”
“Zingerman’s Delicatessen opened in March 1982 in a historic building near the Ann Arbor Farmers Market. The Deli was founded by Paul Saginaw and Ari Weinzweig, two friends who dreamt of creating a traditional Jewish deli that would bring very special foods to Ann Arbor in a way that was unique to them. Needless to say, they succeeded! Over the years, Zingerman’s has expanded to become a family of independently-owned food and service-focused businesses, known as the Zingerman’s Community of Businesses, And, many decades later, the Deli remains a source of great food and great experiences for thousands of guests every year. Nowadays, the Deli is led by a trifecta of equally food-focused managing partners: Grace Singleton, Rick Strutz, and Rodger Bowser.”
ONWARD, FULL.
STOP #4 – KALAMAZOO, MI: GRAB A SIX PACK @ BELL’S BREWERY AND CHECK OUT THE DIGS.
“Bell’s Brewery is deeply rooted in homebrewing, our community, and sharing our craft with beer lovers old and new. Coming to Kalamazoo to attend Kalamazoo College, Larry Bell started homebrewing in the early 1980s and opened a homebrew supply shop in Downtown Kalamazoo in 1983. As more and more people were requesting samples of his beer, Larry began brewing commercially in a 15 gallon soup pot and opened Kalamazoo Brewing Co., which sold its first beer on Sept. 19, 1985.”
PROCEED, STOCKED.
STOP #5 — NEW BUFFALO, MI: DROP YOUR BAGS @ THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOTEL IN DOWNTOWN NEW BUFFALO AND STRETCH YOUR LEGS DURING THE SHORT WALK TO THE BEACH.
STARVING? HAVE A DELICIOUS MEAL WITH LOCALS ACROSS THE STREET AT BREWSTER’S OR BBQ @ THE HOTEL [WE’VE GOT THE S’MORES].
SLEEP, YOU’RE EXHAUSTED.
STOP #6 – GRAND BEACH, MI: AFTER A HIKE AROUND THE WARREN DUNES, HEAD TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOTEL GRAND BEACH FOR A NAP, GAME OF BAGS OR A DIP IN THE POOL.
VENTURE TO LOCAL BREWERIES/VINEYARDS, FARINA’S SUPPER CLUB OR HIRE A CHEF TO COOK DINNER @ THE HOTEL. ALL MEALS END AROUND THE CAMPFIRE!
REFUEL, HAPPY.
STOP #7 – CHICAGO, IL: BREW A DYNAMITE CUP OF COFFEE VIA YOUR IN-SUITE MOCCAMASTER COFFEE MAKER AND GET GOING! DESTINATION: THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOTEL LINCOLN PARK! IT’S A QUICK & EASY 90 MINUTE JOURNEY. ONCE YOU ARRIVE, DITCH YOUR CAR – YOU’RE DONE DRIVING FOR A WHILE!
GRAB A CLASSIC, CHICAGO STYLE HOT DOG @ THE WIENER’S CIRCLE DIRECTLY NEXT DOOR TO THE HOTEL. GET YOUR STEPS IN BY WALKING AROUND NORTH POND OR THE PATH ALONG LAKE MICHIGAN. GRAB DEEP DISH @ LOU MALNATI’S AND END THE EVENING WITH CHICAGO BLUES @ KINGSTON MINES!
CHILL, DESTINATION COMPLETE.
About The Neighborhood Hotel
The Neighborhood Hotel was founded by travel enthusiasts who enjoy spaces that inspire, comfort and fuel. Each suite is well equipped for short and longterm stays (i.e. kitchenettes, laundry, etc.). The Neighborhood Hotel aims to transform old buildings with cool history into well outfitted apartment style hotels that honor the old while representing the now. The vibe is fresh + fun with rooms that are stocked to support everyone from the homebody to the adventurer. The Neighborhood Hotel serves as a basecamp for the explorer and a sanctuary for the traveler who needs to recharge, reset or just chill.The suites are simple + clean punctuated by accents that bring the right amount of pop. The Neighborhood Hotel has locations in: Lincoln Park, Little Italy, West Loop (2025 opening), New Buffalo, MI and Grand Beach, MI.
