I take my dog on a walk through downtown Detroit everyday. When we first moved, our route mainly consisted of the Riverfront walk between the Joe Louis and the Renaissance Center. While it’s a particularly breathtaking strip of Detroit, the little adventurer quickly learned the route and started refusing to turn around. So I decided to mix it up a bit.

It was one of my (admittedly borrowed) goals for Challenge Detroit to try to explore all of the neighborhoods, concentrating on one each month for the next year. It was on one of our exploratory routes that I stumbled upon my first neighborhood: Corktown.

Corktown is Detroit’s oldest neighborhood, and arguably one of its better known areas thanks to iconic restaurants such as Slow’s BBQ and Mercury Bar. But it was the unique history of the area that first made me realize that my Toto and I weren’t in downtown anymore.

Corktown is filled with historic architecture dating back to the 1840’s, when the area was first developed by Irish immigrants. Its charming, tree-lined sidewalks and cobblestone streets are reminiscent of a time when Detroit was made for walkers like me and my pup.

Most importantly, though, Corktown is home to my favorite building in all of Detroit (and perhaps one of my favorites in the world): the iconic and highly disputed Michigan Central Station.

Corktown, with its rich history and promising future, is a reminder that Detroit is littered with hidden blessings. Detroit’s history, both the good and the bad, is captured in its buildings and in its communities, making this city one of the most interesting places to live.

So if you’re in Detroit, consider exploring a neighborhood like Corktown. Stop by for a locally distilled whiskey at Two James. Grab some Mac and Cheese at Slows. Or bring your own furry friend to the Old Tigers Stadium for an exhausting afternoon with the neighborhood pups. Just break away from your normal route and explore. I promise you’ll be glad you did.

For your adventures:

Two James Spirits: http://twojames.com/

Slows BBQ: http://slowsbarbq.com/

Corktown Historical Society: http://corktownhistoric.org/

Model D Corktown: http://www.modeldmedia.com/Cities/Corktown/