If there was one thing that I learned during my last semester at Liberty University, it is that when people hear the name Detroit, not many positive thoughts follow. Many people still avoid Detroit and hold bad opinions of the city, especially those who do not live in Michigan. However what you may not know is that Detroit has a lot to offer, and has easily become one of my favorite cities to go to. If you are still a Detroit rookie, here is a quick guide to come of the cool places around the city that are worth a visit. This list may just start for you a love that will make Detroit one of your favorite cities too.

Restaurants: an easy excuse to get downtown. From Mexican town to Greek town, there's lots of great food options in Detroit, but here's just a few to get you started:

1.

Union Street: Rated 4 stars TripAdvisor, this restaurant offers a taste of American food with a twist. Also with a full array of craft beer.

2. Foxtown Grille: Rated 4 stars on TripAdvisor, this restaurant can be seen from Comerica Park, and serves impressive Italian food.

3. Slow's Barbecue: because it would have been unfair not to include it, and also rated 4.5 on TripAdvisor. One of the more well known places to get some food in Detroit, and some of the best barbecue you will find.

4. The Whitney: not your average night out. Detroit's most iconic mansion that formally belonged to David Whitney, now offers award winning cuisine. Events are often hosted at the Whitney such as the paranormal dinner tour the 4th Sunday of every month.

Coffee shops: it wouldn't be an amazing big-city without a good array of coffee shops. But again Detroit does not disappoint in this area.

5. Astro Coffee: found in Corktown in Detroit, this coffee shop is not just well known for it's coffee but also the artwork found in it.

6. Great Lakes Coffee: this coffeehouse is found near Wayne State's campus; making it one of the more popular coffee shops in Detroit, not only serving coffee but also wine.

7. Dessert Oasis: this is a coffee shop that is not just known for it's coffee, but possibly more so for it's sweets.

The must-see place in Detroit:
8. Campus Martius: this is also where you can find Detroit's point-of-origin. Campus Martius is a park found in Detroit the changes with the weather, offering activities or a just great place to just hang out anytime of year.

This list is only the beginning of what Detroit has to offer as a city. Especially if you have previously thought of Detroit as a malicious city, I hope that this list helps warm you up to the idea that this is a city worth taking a visit to.