Established as a township in 1827, Troy is a lively business and shopping destination in the north of Detroit. Many of its earliest settlers came from the town of Troy in New York State, which in turn was named after the ancient city of Troy in modern-day Turkey.
Things to do in Troy
In the heart of the city is the Troy Historic Village, which offers ] insight into life in the township during the 19th century. It’s home to a lovingly recreated town hall, a log cabin and a one-room school, as well as a general store and a whitewashed church. Period artefacts are on display in many of the buildings and there are hands-on activities such as blacksmithing and woodworking classes.
Troy is home to a large Hindu population, many of whom worship at the beautiful Bhartiya Temple in the city’s north-west. Admire its elaborately decorated, whitewashed architecture before stepping inside the complex to see its marble deities and stroll the landscaped grounds. The on-site cafeteria serves traditional Indian food and there are colourful celebrations held each Diwali.
For a luxury shopping fix, head to the Somerset Collection, which originated with the opening of a Saks Fifth Avenue store in 1969. Today, the shopping mall is home to more than 180 retailers that include Macy’s, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. On the third floor of the complex is the Peacock Cafes, where you’ll find a good selection of chain eateries such as Shake Shack and the Greens & Grains Salad Co.
Getting around Troy
Troy is around 25 minutes’ drive from the centre of Detroit and 40 minutes from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Buses connect to Troy from neighbouring suburbs, as well as accessing most of the city’s attractions.