Moderator: CommunityBuzz!, OMNI, OMNI/PR, and OMNI/Games & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: ORD (MDW stinks)
Programs: UAMM, AA Plat, RA/Plat IHG, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 17,814
10 Things to Do In Detroit Before You Die
(according to Citysearch)
1. America's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Thursday, 11/25 at Detroit Public Library
Freeze your rump watching America's Thanksgiving Parade, standing along one of the nation's first main thoroughfares, Woodward Avenue.
2.Hart Plaza
Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI
Expand your sense of community beneath the Freedom Festival Fireworks (usually held every year in late June).
3. Comerica Park
2100 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI
Yell yourself hoarse at the Tigers' opening day at Comerica Park.
4. Cobo Conference Exhibition Center
1 Washington Avenue, Detroit, MI
Pay tribute to heavyweight boxing legend and Detroit's native son Joe Louis at the monument inside Cobo Center.
5. Motown Historical Museum
2648 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI
The legendary recording studio gives tours offering a glimpse into the world-renowned Motown sound.
6. Lafayette Coney Island
118 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI
Legendary Coney spot was featured on Food Network and has become a Detroit staple, especially after last call.
7.Eastern Market
2934 Russell St, Detroit, MI
Great people-watching and fresh and affordable ingredients: It's a must-visit.
8.Fox Theatre
2211 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI
Showcasing everything from musicals to Grammy-winning recording artists, the elegant and iconic Fox Theater is the premier entertainment venue in Detroit.
9.Old Shillelagh Irish Club
349 Monroe St, Detroit, MI
Catch a free shuttle from this Irish bar to a Red Wings game. Riding home after a win is unforgettable.
10.Indian Village
8415 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI
Driving around these blocks affords a stunning view of Detroit's most regal addresses.
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, UA Something or other under the new system MM, Costco General Member
Posts: 30,901
Go to Windsor?
Seriously though, Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum were, at least when I lived in the 'burbs around there a few or more decades ago, among the most interesting museums in the world in my opinion. Not exactly in Detroit but closer than the airport.
__________________
"Hello, this is your captain speaking. There is absolutely no cause for alarm." My packing Blog.
Let's not forget eating at any # of restaurants in Mexican Village in detroit (close to the Ambassador bridge) or having Saganaki cheese fried right at your table with the waiter yelling 'Opa!' in Greektown.
Seeing a Tigers game at Comerica would seem to me as one of the last things to do. I mean, beautiful ballpark but when I've gone it's not even half-full. I think you can walk up to the stadium and gets seats within the first 10 rows.
I think the Auto Show is also a pretty fun thing to go to. While other cities (Chicago, LA, etc.) have them, it doesn't really compare to the one here in Detroit. It is also especially interesting given that we overheard man people talking about how they work on the cars and trucks on display, so there's definitely a unique sense of pride in the offerings.
My family consists of car fanatics, so we were planning a trip to see the 2006 North American International Auto Show and perhaps take in a factory tour of a GM or Ford assembly plant. Has anyone attended the show in prior years, or have any other advice for us? We are rather concerned about weather, are there bad snow storms this time of year? Thank you for your help
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, UA Something or other under the new system MM, Costco General Member
Posts: 30,901
Quote:
Originally Posted by JHattery
Henry Ford Museum didn't make it? Particularly at Christmas time.
Actual historical buildings. Of course "stolen" from their original sights, but still pretty cool. Edison lab, Wright Bros. shop, etc.
Fantastic collection of American industrial products, from appliances to trains to cars.
I used to live in the burbs outside of Detriot (Livonia) and went to grad school in Ann Arbor. I havent been to the region for a long time. It has been even longer since I have been to the Henry Ford Museum. But the thing I would go to Detroit specifically to visit is the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. It is one of the most unique and interesting museums in the world. A tribute to the development of American invention, writing, history. A really wonderful place. Gee, I just read the whole thread and realized I already said it. But worth saying again. If you are in the area go there. I would seriously compare it in its own way to any museum in the world. And probably a lot more interesting for kids than the Louvre or the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I also like it more than the Smithsonian Museum of American History. It is sort of a British Museum of Americana.
__________________
"Hello, this is your captain speaking. There is absolutely no cause for alarm." My packing Blog.
Last edited by GadgetFreak; Jul 5, 05 at 8:21 am..
My family consists of car fanatics, so we were planning a trip to see the 2006 North American International Auto Show and perhaps take in a factory tour of a GM or Ford assembly plant. Has anyone attended the show in prior years, or have any other advice for us? We are rather concerned about weather, are there bad snow storms this time of year? Thank you for your help
The only factory tour available these days is of the Ford Rouge Plant. The tour is operated by The Henry Ford (new name for Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village). Their web site is http://www.hfmgv.org/
If you go to the auto show, my only advice is to as early in the day as you can. The later it gets, the more crowded the place gets, and on a busy day space can be pretty tight. Weekdays are better than weekends. The weather can be just about anything. In the last few years we have had big snowstorms, or bitter cold, or pretty decent weather for January.
Thank you for all of your advice! The Henry Ford museum sounds great. We will be going the first weekend Saturday-Tuesday (MLK weekend), so it will probably be packed. Can anyone recommend a good hotel for the area around COBO center? I noticed a few hotels in the area were already booked, and the Ritz Carlton in Dearbon-oddly-had some of the lowest rates at 200/night, although I noticed its only 4 diamonds(????) Thank you for you help.
Might be a bit inconvenient, but you might want to consider a hotel on Windsor side. I'd recommend that over Cobo area. But, you'll have to factor in border crossing.
TRhere are some waterfront hotels, a decent Holiday Inn as I recall (a few years back). And, incredible views of the Detroit skyline. Not to disparage the motor city too much, but it's much prettier from across the river than it is up close.
Plus, Windsor has a lot of nice waterfront parkland nice for evening strolling.
Enjoy the HF Museum. I'd also make time to check out Motown Museum. If you are anywhere near "a certain age," or like oldies, or appreicate music history, it is very cool to see where it all happened.
__________________ I'm not afraid to look like a big, hairy, smelly, foreign devil in Tokyo, though I do my best not to, I really do. A.Bourdain
OK, perhaps the reason why the Red Wings were not on the list is because of the strike. I agree with staying in Windsor, as someone who has lived close to the Canadian border for a lot of my life (not now) you cant beat hotel deals in Canada when you figure in the exchange rate! If you are flying in, the new Northwest Terminal is beautiful inside! The car show was great! I visited friends there for three days and just happened to be during the show. My friend had free tickets. I am not even a car buff, but the Auto Show had some AWESOME cars!
