Detroit's Beautiful Side
 

Hi --

Everyone is quick to dismiss Detroit. I find it fascinating, photogenic. Just posted my Detroit photoblog:

- Beautiful Ruins (dilapidated buildings and murals)
- The Heidelberg Project
- Hotel Review: The Henry

DETROIT PHOTOBLOG

- esme

Detroit has a selection of beautiful buildings, not the least of which being the old train station. Also, it was a bit surreal walking around the GM building; it's a good place for taking mysterious photos.

I took a walk from there to Mexicantown, then ambled back. Except for in Mexicantown, I think there were only five people noticed for the duration of my constitutional. Perhaps a bit too peaceful...

Thanks for sharing your photos.

The question I had was why you watermark some of your photos, but not others? (Or whatever it's called to imbed your website name into the photos.) The watermark takes away from the photos. If it was on all the photos, I wouldn't have mentioned it.

And being from near Detroit, I'm embarrassed to have never heard of the Henry.

Thanks.

BuildingmyBento: There are definitely more buildings in Detroit worth checking-out. I stopped at the Michigan Central Station Building (is that the same as the old train station that you mention?) which is amazing in person but my shots of it did not turn out that great. There were at least 3-4 other people taking photos when I visited it. Will have to check out Mexicantown.

Bikeguy: the inclusion/exclusion of a watermark is just my finding my way as a blogger. I've decided to drop it.

Re: The Henry: you probably know it as the Ritz Carlton. It changed ownership a few years ago.

-esme

This isn't really a trip report, more of a photo essay of Detroit, so I'm moving this to the appropriate USA forum.

matthandy
Co-moderator: Trip Reports

Indeed Michigan Central Station is the same building. Beautiful for sure.

What struck me as somewhat amusing on the walk to Mexicantown was while I was on bridge over a highway to Canada. Why? Take a look if you'd like.

I'll have to go back to check out the Joe Lewis monument, the Robocop statue and to get a non-blurry photo of the Uniroyal tire.

Thanks for the post. Even know they were ruin photos, as a native they made me homesick!

Detroit IS a beautiful city and had many beautiful buildings, inside and out. If you've never been in the Fox Theatre, or the Fisher Building -- you need to see them. Stunning. And more historic places are being renovated all the time.

If Detroit can maintain the recent momentum in development, it may just make it. It will never be Chicago, and will never return to its former glory. But it can live a life anew. It needs to put race behind it, and steam forward.

One of my favorite sites for keeping up on things is Detroit.curbed.com.

I think the Heidelberg project is the creepiest and scariest thing ever. I think sooner or later it will go away, and for the sake of my sanity I hope it does. Two "art" houses are already gone.

agp423: you're in luck (I guess): as of Sunday 4 of 7 of the main houses have been burned down.

Too bad. Detroit could use all the tourist attractions ($$) it can get.

Article on the Eastern Market revival from Conde Nast Traveler: http://cntrvlr.com/1ojA0MD.

I'll be visiting Antietam (not the most appetizing name for a restaurant) next time I'm in town.

delete

Impressive photos!

I just visited the Ford Rouge Factory Tour and Greenfield Village for the first time and I was so impressed. Highly recommend both of them....

Love the photo, agp423.

Recently had my first slice of Supino Pizzeria pizza: I give it an A- (would have been an A if they had cooked it two minutes less). I wanted a second piece.

Also, tried hole-in-the-wall, but packed, Miller's Bar in Dearborn, which I've heard about for years. They basically serve hamburgers, cheeseburgers, fries and onion rings dropped-off at your table wrapped in wax paper. There's no check: you just tell the cashier what you ordered on the way out. Not the best burger and fries I've ever had, but a fun, friendly place.