Laura Barnett, LMSW MAT

Taste a slice of Vegas nightlife without ever leaving Detroit when you go to the Greektown Casino where the motto is “play, dine and stay.” One of Motor City’s three casino resort hotels, this particular casino is located in the fun and fascinating Greektown District. Test your luck at the table games or slots, stuff yourself at the best restaurants, take advantage of weekly drink specials and spend the night in a luxurious room.

Right beneath the Magic Stick, you’ll find the Garden Bowl. The oldest still-operating bowling alley in the country, this historical landmark is a blast to visit. Open until 2AM Monday through Sunday, the Garden Bowl offers an excellent alternative to the traditional bars. Enjoy drinks and the tunes from a jukebox as you show off your bowling skills.

Experience art in the great outdoors when you visit the Heidelberg Project in the city’s east side. A project begun by artist Tyree Guyton and his grandfather, Sam Mackey, this project has drawn the interests of artists and non-artists worldwide and sparked hope in the impoverished Heidelberg Street by using bright paint and salvaged items to transform dilapidated houses into colorful works of modern art. This unique attraction is definitely one of Detroit's must-see destinations.

Since 2000, the Movement: Detroit Electronic Music Festival has existed in one incarnation or another on Memorial Day weekend. As its name states, DEMF brings together musicians and DJs who produce some of the best electronic music in the nation. Celebrate the culture and progress of this unique branch of music in Hart Plaza.