Why this Series?
Although international travel is my groove, COVID 19 halted my normal M.O. Starting grad school did not help either. As such, I had to find new ways to keep things interesting, and Scott’s Spots was born! I decided that the best way to do this is by “exploring my own town.” Southeast Michigan/the Metropolitan Detroit Area is home to a plethora of towns, shops, bars, coffee shops, and experiences. It is also home to me, of course. My goal with this series of explorations is to see what Michigan has to offer from the perspective of an out-of-towner. Southeast Michigan/the Metro-Detroit area is the headliner of this concert.
We often disregard what is right in front of us in favor of new and exotic places. The fact is that many of the things that I like to do while traveling are possible in Michigan. Much that excites me about being on the road is available in my own neighborhood.
I want to go on this journey to recapture feelings that travel evokes. I also want to be able to give visitors a good time. Many of my best friends and favorite people are not from Michigan, and when they (hopefully!!) come visit me, I want to make it worth their while.
Want to woo a potential lover? Check out Scott’s Spots for the perfect date. Looking for the perfect itinerary for a bar crawl on a Friday night? Scott’s Spots. Not sure what to show your friend who just came into town? You already know where to look.
Scott’s Spots Ratings
I will give places, events, and activities, aka spots, a 1-5 rating across three genres for a cumulative total of 15 maximum Scotts.
Genre 1: Atmosphere and Aesthetic
Pretty self explanatory here. Any Scott’s Spot is given a rating of 1-5 on atmosphere and aesthetic. Think about the feeling you get while sitting in your favorite coffee shop, restaurant, or bar. This rating addresses that.
Genre 2: The Taste Test
Okay, this one pretty much only applies to drinking and dining and not so much experiences or activities. Can you tell that when I travel I spend a lot of time eating or drinking?
Genre 3: Tourist Readiness
This category is a bit undefinable, but it encompasses things such as price, uniqueness, or somewhere you would want to take someone from out of town. I take a TON of pictures when I am on the road, so something I might take into account when gauging this rating is whether or not I felt the urge to photograph the experience.
How this is different than Atmosphere and Aesthetic? Let’s look at Applebees. I LOVE the vibe at Applebees and give it 5 Scotts in Atmosphere and Aesthetic. It is not unique, however. It only gets 1 Scott in the Tourist Readiness category.
Let the Games Begin
Now that you can decipher what “13.5 Scotts” means, check out the posts in the Scott’s Spots page on the site! If you visit any of my recommended Spots, let me know what you think! If you have any requests or itineraries of your own to share, I am all ears. Many of us may still be stuck in Michigan, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have adventures.