Posted in Detroit
November 29, 2017
11 Things That Will Always Make Detroiters Think Of Home
No matter how far we stray from the Motor City, there are a few things that will always remind Detroiters of our beloved hometown. Our city is rich with tradition, artistic flair, history, and culture — and these strong traits never fail to make us proud of where we’re from. When we’re far from home, here are 11 things that will immediately bring us back to our roots.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Detroit is the proud home of that Motown sound, and the unforgettable tones of our favorite hits will always bring us back to the Motor City. From Diana Ross to Stevie Wonder, countless incredible musicians call Detroit home — and we're so glad to share a hometown with them.
No matter how far from Detroit you stray, one sip of Faygo will immediately take you right back home. It’s difficult, but not impossible, to find Faygo throughout other parts of the country, so perhaps you’ve taken a sip of Redpop in California and immediately found yourself back in Detroit.
Sure, other locales have gotten in on this trend — but we Detroiters know that square pizza is actually called Detroit-style pizza. There’s nothing better than that perfectly crispy corner piece, and we’ll always feel at home when our cheesy pies are served in this unique shape.
Perhaps you’ve been strolling through the streets of Chicago, only to have a quick flashback to your hometown of Detroit. Sure, the colder seasons is rough in other parts of the world, but there’s something truly one-of-a-kind about a Detroit winter. When you feel chilled to the bone, you’ll surely think of your hometown.
Whether you're across Michigan or just in a nearby state, you might have come across the infamous "Michigan left" during your travels. We Detroiters are certainly accustomed to this odd and sometimes-annoying traffic direction, and it will always sweep us back to our time in the Motor City.
Oh, the Detroit Lions. While we love our team, they’ve certainly prepared us for a lifetime of disappointment when it comes to sports viewership. Thankfully, we aren’t the only team that manages to lose in comical ways, so there’s something sadly familiar about watching another group of players blow it at the last minute.
You know the scene: you’re at a friend’s house out of state, enjoying your mixed drink, when Journey’s "Don’t Stop Believing" comes on and everyone lights up with excitement. When it comes time to sing, "born and raised in South Detroit," everyone looks at you. You simply don’t have the heart to tell them that South Detroit isn’t a real place.
Whether we’re at an aquarium or walking through a fish market far from home, nothing says "Detroit" like a real octopus. Why? Any true Detroiter knows: one of our favorite sporting traditions involves throwing an octopus onto the ice prior to a Red Wings game. Don’t ask us how, but it definitely brings good luck.
There’s nothing worse than an imitation coney dog when you’re far from home and a craving strikes. Sadly, no one makes a coney dog quite like the Motor City — and we’ll always think longingly of home when we see these tasty dishes advertised elsewhere. Is your mouth watering already?
Detroiters often think of themselves as honorary Canadians. After all, we literally live a stone’s throw away from the border, and many of us even make the daily commute to and from Windsor for work. If we find ourselves in Canada, there’s a certain sense of pride for a Detroit resident — despite our Americanness.
The world is full to the brim of beautiful bodies of water, including plenty of scenic rivers. When we’re strolling alongside one of these rivers, we can help but miss our beloved Detroit River. From freighters to fishermen, there’s always something to see, and riverfront scenery will always sweet us back home to Detroit.
Tell us, Detroiters: what reminds you of home? Did we leave anything important off our list? We’re always eager to hear from you, so share your thoughts in the comment section below!
