21 spots Detroiters can find some peace and quiet

By on Mon, Mar 19, 2018 at 8:34 pm

Sometimes you just need a little time to yourself. Pro tip: carry a book with you just in case the need for privacy hits you when you least expect it — even if you're not going to read, you can at least pose with it and people will leave you alone. Here's a list of places around Detroit where you're guaranteed some solitude. Because nothing tastes better than sweet solitude and nothing sounds better than silence. And don't let people boggle you down for being a loner, they're just jealous because you enjoy your own company more than theirs.

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Top of the Z-lot For the melancholy loner who’s looking for a breathtaking view, and a whiff of city fumes. Soak in the unique art decorating the walls of each level of the parking structure before making it to the tenth floor, then enjoy people watching ant-sized pedestrians from the top. Photo via Instagram, user alexionna
Top of the Z-lot
For the melancholy loner who’s looking for a breathtaking view, and a whiff of city fumes. Soak in the unique art decorating the walls of each level of the parking structure before making it to the tenth floor, then enjoy people watching ant-sized pedestrians from the top.
Photo via Instagram, user alexionna
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Belle Isle Conservatory Relax and immerse yourself in the one of the nation’s largest collections of orchids. Thankfully, they won’t make small talk. Photo via Instagram, user HilssPhotography
Belle Isle Conservatory
Relax and immerse yourself in the one of the nation’s largest collections of orchids. Thankfully, they won’t make small talk.
Photo via Instagram, user HilssPhotography
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Café 78 Located right inside of MOCAD, this hip little bar is great place to grab a drink where you won’t get bothered. Most people head there to relax and take in the ambiance of the museum. You can always catch other introverts on their laptops doing homework or writing the next great novel in Café 78. Photo via Instagram, user Cafe78Detroit
Café 78
Located right inside of MOCAD, this hip little bar is great place to grab a drink where you won’t get bothered. Most people head there to relax and take in the ambiance of the museum. You can always catch other introverts on their laptops doing homework or writing the next great novel in Café 78.
Photo via Instagram, user Cafe78Detroit
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Eastern Market Sure, the Eastern Market can get super hectic, but if you just tuck your elbows in and watch your step, you’ll be left alone pretty much. Go alone, get some groceries for the week, and then bask in your post-errands glow. Just be sure to get some beignets. Photo via Instagram, user EasternMarket
Eastern Market
Sure, the Eastern Market can get super hectic, but if you just tuck your elbows in and watch your step, you’ll be left alone pretty much. Go alone, get some groceries for the week, and then bask in your post-errands glow. Just be sure to get some beignets.
Photo via Instagram, user EasternMarket
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Dequindre Cut Whether you’re biking or walking this scenic trail, it’s a Detroit staple so you have to go at least once. Thankfully, it’s just as beautiful when you go solo. Photo via Instagram, user DownWithDetroit
Dequindre Cut
Whether you’re biking or walking this scenic trail, it’s a Detroit staple so you have to go at least once. Thankfully, it’s just as beautiful when you go solo.
Photo via Instagram, user DownWithDetroit
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Kresge Court Kresge Court is perfect for when you want to be alone with a sandwich while sitting on a couch under a skylight. Granted, it can get busy, just keep your gaze down and don’t make eye contact with anyone. Photo via Instagram, user vagababetravel
Kresge Court
Kresge Court is perfect for when you want to be alone with a sandwich while sitting on a couch under a skylight. Granted, it can get busy, just keep your gaze down and don’t make eye contact with anyone.
Photo via Instagram, user vagababetravel
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The Asian art exhibit in the DIA Hide away for a bit of quiet time in what is probably the smallest exhibit in the museum. You can find it shoved next to a staircase, way at the end of the first-floor promenade. Or just take a solo silent tour of the museum and soak in the beauty and pure majesty of the building. Photo via Flickr
The Asian art exhibit in the DIA
Hide away for a bit of quiet time in what is probably the smallest exhibit in the museum. You can find it shoved next to a staircase, way at the end of the first-floor promenade. Or just take a solo silent tour of the museum and soak in the beauty and pure majesty of the building.
Photo via Flickr
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Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters Nothing completes Me Time like a steaming cup of Joe. The chill, urban deco of the coffee joint and picturesque view of Capitol Park are the perfect escape from the hectic environment of downtown. Tip: take a book to accompany you, lest people mistake your lack of company as an invitation to approach. Photo via Instagram, user Dessert_Oasis_Coffee_Roasters
Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters
Nothing completes Me Time like a steaming cup of Joe. The chill, urban deco of the coffee joint and picturesque view of Capitol Park are the perfect escape from the hectic environment of downtown. Tip: take a book to accompany you, lest people mistake your lack of company as an invitation to approach.
Photo via Instagram, user Dessert_Oasis_Coffee_Roasters
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The third floor of the Detroit Public Library Away from the tourists and the kids’ lounge, the third floor offers the seclusion and silence every loner craves. Photo via Instagram, user Georgirenee
The third floor of the Detroit Public Library
Away from the tourists and the kids’ lounge, the third floor offers the seclusion and silence every loner craves.
Photo via Instagram, user Georgirenee
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The Woodward Fountain on Campus Martius Grab a book and a snack and take a seat right in the heart of downtown. Campus Martius’ occupancy truly depends on the weather, so as long as the weather is kind of gross, you’re guaranteed solitude. Just don’t sit on the fountain’s ledge or else you’ll have to endure a conversation with security. Photo via Instagram, user CampusMartiusPark
The Woodward Fountain on Campus Martius
Grab a book and a snack and take a seat right in the heart of downtown. Campus Martius’ occupancy truly depends on the weather, so as long as the weather is kind of gross, you’re guaranteed solitude. Just don’t sit on the fountain’s ledge or else you’ll have to endure a conversation with security.
Photo via Instagram, user CampusMartiusPark
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The numbers house at the Heidelberg Project The Heidelberg Project is a great hideout because there’s just stuff everywhere, so you won’t be found amongst the infinite piles of trinkets and toys. All you have to do is wander in and hop inside an abandoned — but fabulously-decorated — house, or car, or couch and enjoy the blissful silence. Photo via Instagram, user HeidelbergProj
The numbers house at the Heidelberg Project
The Heidelberg Project is a great hideout because there’s just stuff everywhere, so you won’t be found amongst the infinite piles of trinkets and toys. All you have to do is wander in and hop inside an abandoned — but fabulously-decorated — house, or car, or couch and enjoy the blissful silence.
Photo via Instagram, user HeidelbergProj
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Koi pond on Belle Isle Fall under the spell of the hypnotic koi fish by your lonesome self at the outdoor koi pond on Belle Isle. Sit, read a book, and enjoy your own damn company. Photo via Flickr
Koi pond on Belle Isle
Fall under the spell of the hypnotic koi fish by your lonesome self at the outdoor koi pond on Belle Isle. Sit, read a book, and enjoy your own damn company.
Photo via Flickr
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The Painted Lady A bar so perfect for solitude it made our list for the best bars for introverts. Plus, it has this vibe where you can acknowledge your fellow bar regular, but not necessarily have to engage in a conversation. Photo via Instagram, user iantmorton
The Painted Lady
A bar so perfect for solitude it made our list for the best bars for introverts. Plus, it has this vibe where you can acknowledge your fellow bar regular, but not necessarily have to engage in a conversation.
Photo via Instagram, user iantmorton
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Palmer Park If you like to chillax in green spaces with a side of history, then Palmer Park is for you. With 296 acres to explore, the possibilities are endless. Go get lost in the winding paths, maybe you’ll stumble on the golf course or the tennis courts. Photo via Instagram, user Camera_Jesus
Palmer Park
If you like to chillax in green spaces with a side of history, then Palmer Park is for you. With 296 acres to explore, the possibilities are endless. Go get lost in the winding paths, maybe you’ll stumble on the golf course or the tennis courts.
Photo via Instagram, user Camera_Jesus
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Wayne State’s reflection pool Despite being located on Wayne State University’s main campus, the reflection pool is rarely frequented by students, making it the perfect getaway. Because loving yourself begins with self-reflection — literally. Photo via Flickr
Wayne State’s reflection pool
Despite being located on Wayne State University’s main campus, the reflection pool is rarely frequented by students, making it the perfect getaway. Because loving yourself begins with self-reflection — literally.
Photo via Flickr
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Riverfront steps Sure, the concrete steps aren’t the most comfortable, but they’re the perfect place to breathe in the cool wind, stare at Canada, and lose yourself in the currents of the Detroit River. For an added touch, sit next to the world map in front of the RenCen to acknowledge just how alone you are in this world. Photo via Flickr
Riverfront steps
Sure, the concrete steps aren’t the most comfortable, but they’re the perfect place to breathe in the cool wind, stare at Canada, and lose yourself in the currents of the Detroit River. For an added touch, sit next to the world map in front of the RenCen to acknowledge just how alone you are in this world.
Photo via Flickr
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SocraTea Detroit SocraTea is for the intellectual tea lover in our lives. With over 90 organic and healthy teas to choose from, there’s no reason to ever leave SocraTea. When you’re ready to end Me Time, check out their pop-up events featuring local artists. Photo via Instagram, user socratea_Detroit
SocraTea Detroit
SocraTea is for the intellectual tea lover in our lives. With over 90 organic and healthy teas to choose from, there’s no reason to ever leave SocraTea. When you’re ready to end Me Time, check out their pop-up events featuring local artists.
Photo via Instagram, user socratea_Detroit
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Contemplate life with The Thinker Situated in front of the Detroit Institute of Arts is the pensive Thinker, carved out of stone with his chin resting on his hand. Take a seat, assume position, and delve deep into your inner-most thoughts. Just ignore the tourists and museum goers. Photo via Instagram, user DIADetroit
Contemplate life with The Thinker
Situated in front of the Detroit Institute of Arts is the pensive Thinker, carved out of stone with his chin resting on his hand. Take a seat, assume position, and delve deep into your inner-most thoughts. Just ignore the tourists and museum goers.
Photo via Instagram, user DIADetroit
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The Bottom Line Coffee House This hole-in-the-wall — or rather, basement-level — coffee shop is so secluded it can be hard to find for first timers. However, the search is well worth it. The walls are decorated with art from local artists and the place is littered with potted plants. Whatever time of day you go, you’re guaranteed a chill environment with hushed voices, perfect for loners. Photo via Instagram, user TBLDetroit
The Bottom Line Coffee House
This hole-in-the-wall — or rather, basement-level — coffee shop is so secluded it can be hard to find for first timers. However, the search is well worth it. The walls are decorated with art from local artists and the place is littered with potted plants. Whatever time of day you go, you’re guaranteed a chill environment with hushed voices, perfect for loners.
Photo via Instagram, user TBLDetroit
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The Belt What better place to hide away than in an alley between two buildings? So it happens to be a huge tourist attraction because of the art adorning the walls and the pretty lights strung up, just take a seat and enjoy the view. Photo via Instagram, user PureMichigan
The Belt
What better place to hide away than in an alley between two buildings? So it happens to be a huge tourist attraction because of the art adorning the walls and the pretty lights strung up, just take a seat and enjoy the view.
Photo via Instagram, user PureMichigan
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