Joyride PHLxDET: A Weekend of Joy, Discovery, & Connection
One week ago, the first Joyride Cities wrapped up, sending 17 Philadelphians home from Detroit with a new appreciation for the city, its people, and the possibilities that emerge when curious people come together.
Joyride PHLxDET was a weekend adventure centered around joy, creativity, and community. The idea was simple: explore why people love where they live, learn from the people making their cities better, and find inspiration in places you might not expect. A group of curious, civic-minded Philadelphians came along to experience my Detroit — meeting the people and exploring the places that make it so special.
The adventure began Thursday, October 1, as Joyriders trickled into the city in true Philadelphia fashion: on public transit. Participants took the Detroit Air Express and SMART buses to our home base for the weekend, Hostel Detroit. Over Detroit-style pizza from Pie Sci and around the bonfire pit, we started getting to know one another and settling in for the days ahead.
Friday morning kicked off with a visit from Alex Johnston of Cities Reimagined. Then we boarded a tour bus with Jeanette Pierce of City Institute for a crash course in Detroit’s history and the forces that have shaped its neighborhoods.
Over the next three hours, we explored three very different corners of the city. On the far east side, Joe Rashid of the East Warren Development Corporation shared the investment and growth taking place along the East Warren corridor. Next, we headed to the northwest side, stopping at Good Cakes and Bakes and learning about the “women’s business district” growing along Six Mile and Livernois. Finally, we made a quick stop at Clark Park to talk about Southwest Detroit, a neighborhood that has maintained its density and vibrancy even as other parts of the city lost residents and investment.
We wrapped up at the Guardian Building, a Detroit landmark no visitor should miss. Completed in 1929, the building’s stunning lobby is the kind of place that makes you stop in your tracks. There, staff from the Detroit People Mover shared their vision for transit expansion and welcomed us into the railcar control room. We also learned about the Pewabic tile mosaics and other artwork found throughout the stations.
After a few hours of exploring on our own and dinner back at the hostel, we took a scenic walk through Core City to visit our friends Andy and Aimee at Fisheye Farms. The urban farm began its journey in Detroit’s West Village before finding room to grow in Core City, where its founders acquired vacant properties from the City of Detroit. Today, the farm spans two acres across multiple sites, transforming formerly vacant land into productive urban farmland.
Standing there, surrounded by the sounds of crickets, it was easy to forget we were in the middle of a city. A few blocks later, we arrived at Vesper Books and Wine, where we enjoyed a curated selection of wines and welcomed dozens of Detroiters — and a few Chicagoans — who joined us to unwind and connect.
Saturday was no less busy. We started with a presentation from Noah Kincade of Outlier Media about Detroit Documenters, service journalism, and the importance of information that leads to civic action. We also learned how Philadelphians can get involved, as the Documenters program has expanded to Philly, too. Fueled by donuts from Yellow Light and Dutch Girl, we headed to Michigan Central.
Jose Lemus, Michigan Central’s Director of Talent and Network, gave us a tour of the historic train station and New Lab, sharing the story of the building’s restoration and its potential to reconnect Detroit’s neighborhoods and serve as a hub for innovation across the region.
Then came one of the weekend’s highlights: getting out on two wheels. We hopped on MoGo Detroit bikes, and Jason Hall, founder of Slow Roll and RiDetroit, led our group of Philadelphians and about 20 Detroiters on a casual 20-mile ride. We stopped at Eastern Market and Belle Isle, using Detroit’s growing network of greenways to explore the city via the Dequindre Cut, the Riverwalk, and the island’s new protected pathway.
Eighty-eight percent of Philadelphians named the ride their favorite part of the weekend. It’s hard to argue with that. The best way to experience a city is often on two wheels, moving at a pace that lets you notice the details, take in your surroundings, and connect with the people alongside you.
But the weekend wasn’t just about exploring Detroit. It was about bringing people together.
On Saturday night, we closed things out with Joyride at Riverwards After Dark. Riverwards Produce, a beloved Philadelphia grocery store with two locations in the city, is expanding to a third location in Detroit. Thanks to some serendipitous timing, we were able to celebrate with the team somewhere between the hard-hat tour and opening day.
Carlos Parisi and Esto’s Garage fired up their famous blow-torch nachos. Casamara Club and Long Road Distillers kept the cocktails and mocktails flowing. DJ Peter Croce of Rocksteady Disco got people dancing in the coolers, and an outdoor fire provided the perfect setting to wind down the weekend.
Throughout the weekend more than 70 Detroiters attended Joyride events and shared with Philadelphians their love for their city. I watched strangers become friends, exchange stories, and connect over shared passion and curiosity for two cities I love. It was truly magical.
As the weekend came to a close, my heart was swollen with joy (and relief).
Since moving to Philly four years ago, I’ve been singing the praises of my city. It was incredibly special to share Detroit with people who were eager to learn, ask questions, and see the city through the eyes of the people who call it home.
Detroit and Philadelphia have plenty in common. Both cities have endured the challenges of deindustrialization and decades of disinvestment. Both are working to rebuild, reinvent, and reimagine what their futures can look like. And both are full of people doing the hard, creative, often under-appreciated work of making their communities better.
Joyride was a reminder that we have so much to learn from one another. Experiencing a city isn’t just about seeing its landmarks or checking neighborhoods off a list. It’s about meeting the people who care deeply about its future, understanding what makes it tick, and discovering new possibilities along the way.
My hope is that everyone who joined us returned to Philadelphia with a little more love for Detroit — and perhaps a fresh perspective on their own city, too.
When we make time to explore, connect, and share what we love about the places we call home, we make room for a little more joy.
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