Weekend trip to Detroit suggestions (Dearborn, Redford: mover, house, neighborhoods)

[Cleverfield]

I've been hearing about Detroit's efforts to make a come-back, and I'd like to take a weekend trip there this summer. I'd like to see things that give me a sense of history; what Detroit once was, as well as what it is now, and what it will be. Which neighborhoods or attractions would you recommend checking out?

[Coldjensens]

Fort wayne. Get one of the Coalition members to show you round and tell you the ghost stories.

the guardian building. This is where the bankers of the USA met to decide to ask the president to close all banks at the start of the great depression. Just an amazing art deco building period.

Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield villiage (Dearborn, not detroit but right next door) and the Rouge Plant tour. People come from all over the world to see this Plan a full day. Eat at Eagle Tavern if you can afford to.

Take the Q line from Millender center to Mid-town. Some things to see do along the stops: DIA, Historical Museum, The Winchester (overppriced food - good desserts amazing building), Hopcat tavern, Wayne State UNiversity (old main building is pretty cool), Detroit Public LIbrary main branch- amazing building, New hockey/basketball areana (under constructiotn) Comerica park (and ford fleld in the distance), a lot of amazing churches (really amazing inside if you can get in, there at at least 10 of them), Fisher theater (in new center, past midtown on the Q), Fisher building, Fox theater, gem theater this was moved to make room for ford field or comerica park , Detroit OPera house (look inside if you get the chance), Riverwalk and you can look around inside the ren cen, nothing in there, but it is pretty neat for a modern building - GM world headquaters, Campus Martius, Usually some good jazz at lunch time oon fridays, Lower woodward avenue has some amazing architecture in smaller buildings. Bog cool buildings: Penobscott, Fisher, David Whitney (look inside) Broderick tower, David Stott (being restored), old wayne county building, Top of the ren cen main tower is Coach Insignia resturuant. Not very good food especially fo the pirce, but famulous views of the city. This is the tallest building in Michigan.


You can also ride the people mover just for fun. It is kind of silly, just goes in a big circle, but still can be fun and a different look at the city.

Evenings, I would suggest one of a half dozen really great jazz clubs. Dessert at the whitney, and drinks at coach insignia, hopcat, or in greek town.If you are adventuruous or wierd, go to Detroit City Club late late (open until 4 a.m, clothing optional on Saturday night).

Oh do not forget to visit greektown, Astoria bakery is neat just to go in an look at their stuff.. There is a casino there too. Not much to visit at any of the casinos, but if you like casinos they are there..

[Jomz]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

Top of the ren cen main tower is Coach Insignia resturuant. Not very good food especially fo the pirce, but famulous views of the city. This is the tallest building in Michigan.

Coach Insignia closed down.

I would like to know which restaurants have the best views of the city?

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by Jomz

Coach Insignia closed down.

I would like to know which restaurants have the best views of the city?

I forgot they closed. I knew that, I was (am) hoping something with good food will go in there.

What do you want to view?

Parc has a nice view of the activity at Campus Martius, Andiamo has an ok view of the river, POtbelly actually has a better river view IMO.

I can only think of one restruant with an up high view and I cannot think of the name just now. Irridescence maybe? Not sure if that is the one, I may be mixing it up.

I was somewhere in Windsor that had a very nice view of Detroit. If may have been the casino.

The dinner boats have a great view.

[zthatzmanz28]

The Ford Plant on Woodward in Highland Park..and the Piquette Plant--both are closed and can be seen from the outside.

Pewabic Pottery on Jefferson.

Brush Park Rehab project.

Boston Edison / Arden Park

Virginia Park

Sherwood Forest neighborhood

University Dristrict (near Sherwood)

Old Redford (Grand River Avenue between Greenfield and Telegraph)

Rose Dale Park (Grand River and McNichols [6 Mile] area)

Eastern Market at 4:00 AM Saturday and again Sunday Mornings for the artisan market.

Berts in Eastern Market for more great music and drinks

Drive down Outer Drive to English Village and West Village

Mt Elliott cemetery

Woodmere Cemetary

Walk about Cadillac Square.

Drive out Grand River Avenue from downtown to Telegraph Road.

Bakers (8 mile and Livernois for evening music and drinks)


Masonic Temple on Temple

The Bell in Harmony Park

Harbor Town on Jefferson

Manoogian Mansion where the mayor hides out

[North 42]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

I forgot they closed. I knew that, I was (am) hoping something with good food will go in there.

What do you want to view?

Parc has a nice view of the activity at Campus Martius, Andiamo has an ok view of the river, POtbelly actually has a better river view IMO.

I can only think of one restruant with an up high view and I cannot think of the name just now. Irridescence maybe? Not sure if that is the one, I may be mixing it up.

I was somewhere in Windsor that had a very nice view of Detroit. If may have been the casino.

The dinner boats have a great view.

There's a new restaurant called 14, it's on the 14th floor of an office building on Riverside Drive, right DT. It has amazing views of Detroit and the river.

Fourteen Restaurant & Sky Lounge

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by North 42

There's a new restaurant called 14, it's on the 14th floor of an office building on Riverside Drive, right DT. It has amazing views of Detroit and the river.

Fourteen Restaurant & Sky Lounge

Looks nice. Intersting menu. I can never understand though how any place can pretend spagetti is worth $29. THe other food I understand, but there is nothing you can do to spagetti to make it worth $29. It costs about 45 cents to make. Not bashing this place in particular, klots of places with 20 to 30 dollar spagetti. I guess I am just turning into one of those old people who are shocked at the prices on ten menu.

[North 42]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

Looks nice. Intersting menu. I can never understand though how any place can pretend spagetti is worth $29. THe other food I understand, but there is nothing you can do to spagetti to make it worth $29. It costs about 45 cents to make. Not bashing this place in particular, klots of places with 20 to 30 dollar spagetti. I guess I am just turning into one of those old people who are shocked at the prices on ten menu.

Lol, I guess it's because of the caviar that is one of the ingredients, but who wants caviar in their spaghetti! Yuck!

[theurbanfiles]

Glad CF decided to ask this. I too plan to visit for a weekend at some point this summer. My question was more specific. If I were here on a weekend to check out some architecture (historic/modern/etc.) which buildings would I be able to walk right in, without a tour? (Regular business hours aren't in effect, so I don't know). For example, could I get into the Fox, or the Guardian for free? Or at all?

[sheena12]

Originally Posted by cavsfan137

Glad CF decided to ask this. I too plan to visit for a weekend at some point this summer. My question was more specific. If I were here on a weekend to check out some architecture (historic/modern/etc.) which buildings would I be able to walk right in, without a tour? (Regular business hours aren't in effect, so I don't know). For example, could I get into the Fox, or the Guardian for free? Or at all?

And so do I! Also from Northern Ohio.

I was wondering if anyone ever visited the Motown Hall of Fame? (Hittsville)