Detroit - Something Fun to Do?
Jun 8th, 2016, 07:00 AM
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Detroit - Something Fun to Do?
Mr. Pickle and I are flying to Detroit a week from Thursday so we can attend a family reunion in Ontario that weekend.
We have a free morning in Detroit before we have to drive to meet the family. Is there anything we can do or see before we head out of town? I realize this is vague, but we just returned from another trip and I haven't had time to research.
Thanks for your help, Fodorites!
Lee Ann
We have a free morning in Detroit before we have to drive to meet the family. Is there anything we can do or see before we head out of town? I realize this is vague, but we just returned from another trip and I haven't had time to research.
Thanks for your help, Fodorites!
Lee Ann
Jun 8th, 2016, 07:11 AM
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I thought the Institute of Arts was spectacular! A lot of people forget that Detroit was once the wealthiest city in America, and those auto barons raided Europe and dragged their loot back to Detroit.
We also enjoyed visiting Pewabic Pottery. If you're not interested in arts and crafts pottery, this will leave you cold, though.
We didn't visit the Motown Museum, but it was on our list, sounded fun.
We also enjoyed visiting Pewabic Pottery. If you're not interested in arts and crafts pottery, this will leave you cold, though.
We didn't visit the Motown Museum, but it was on our list, sounded fun.
Jun 8th, 2016, 09:32 AM
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The Motown Museum can fill a couple hours. The Art Institute can fill as much time as you want. Across the Art Institute is the Historical Museum. It's free, so if you just want to run in and see one or two things you haven't spent lots of money. Their site is: http://detroithistorical.org/ You could also pop into the main branch library and see Adam Strohm Hall on the third floor.
The Henry Ford is an indoor/outdoor museum complex in Dearborn, between the airport and the city. The indoor museum has the bus on which Rosa Parks was arrested, the chair in which Abraham Lincoln was shot, most of the presidential limousines and collections that detail the evolution of trains, planes, decorative arts, industrial machinery, home appliances and just about everything else.
The outdoor museum has the Wright Brothers' home and cycle shop, Thomas Edison's lab where he invented the stock ticker, light bulb and phonograph. Stephen Foster's house, Noah Webster's House where he wrote the dictionary, H. J. Heinz's house and the Logan County (Illinois) Court House where Abraham Lincoln practiced law. You can also ride the steam railroad, paddlewheel boat or a model T. Check https://www.thehenryford.org/
Just east of the city in Grosse Pointe Shores is the estate of Edsel and Eleanor Ford which is now a community center and open for tours. http://www.fordhouse.org/
I hope these help.
The Henry Ford is an indoor/outdoor museum complex in Dearborn, between the airport and the city. The indoor museum has the bus on which Rosa Parks was arrested, the chair in which Abraham Lincoln was shot, most of the presidential limousines and collections that detail the evolution of trains, planes, decorative arts, industrial machinery, home appliances and just about everything else.
The outdoor museum has the Wright Brothers' home and cycle shop, Thomas Edison's lab where he invented the stock ticker, light bulb and phonograph. Stephen Foster's house, Noah Webster's House where he wrote the dictionary, H. J. Heinz's house and the Logan County (Illinois) Court House where Abraham Lincoln practiced law. You can also ride the steam railroad, paddlewheel boat or a model T. Check https://www.thehenryford.org/
Just east of the city in Grosse Pointe Shores is the estate of Edsel and Eleanor Ford which is now a community center and open for tours. http://www.fordhouse.org/
I hope these help.
Jun 8th, 2016, 12:06 PM
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The Detroit Zoo is another wonderful place. It is not in downtown Detroit but just 15 minutes north. They just opened the world's largest penguin exhibit. You have to get timed tickets(free)so getting there when they open is best.
The Detroit Historical Museum is nice and it also has a motown exhibit. However, check for new exhibits. This weekend is the 150th Anniversary of Vernors and they are having an exhibit and party.
If you do not have a lot of time there is Belle Isle. There is a small aquarium on the island. Pewabic Pottery is just down the street from the bridge to Belle Isle.
On Griswold is the Guardian Building. The outside of the beautiful, covered with Pewabic tile, but the inside is breath taking. More Pewabic tile and beautiful artwork on the walls.
The Detroit Historical Museum is nice and it also has a motown exhibit. However, check for new exhibits. This weekend is the 150th Anniversary of Vernors and they are having an exhibit and party.
If you do not have a lot of time there is Belle Isle. There is a small aquarium on the island. Pewabic Pottery is just down the street from the bridge to Belle Isle.
On Griswold is the Guardian Building. The outside of the beautiful, covered with Pewabic tile, but the inside is breath taking. More Pewabic tile and beautiful artwork on the walls.
Jun 8th, 2016, 01:17 PM
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With a free morning you do not have time to go to outlying places like The Ford Museum or Greenfield Village as those take a lot of time.
You can check out Downton Detroit however - the GM WorldHQs has a museum of sorts of cars new and future on its lower levels. And a walk along the Detroit River on the esplanade is sweet - seeing Canada across the way and seeing how beautiful the river is and interesting with many large freighters plying it.
The Detroit Institute of Arts is a world class museum - and is nice for a few hours but you can see art museums anywhere.
Lafayette Coney Island, right downtown, is an iconic Detroit eatery - so if you have not been to a coney island restaurant here's the chance - coney island restaurants are I think unique to Detroit.
Another popular thing in Detroit is the Heidelberg Project, a top art naive thing that has gained worldwide attention - bunch of old decrepit houses turned into works of art themselves. Here you also see the desolate side of Detroit with blocks and blocks of empty lots of falling down houses.
http://www.heidelberg.org/
You can check out Downton Detroit however - the GM WorldHQs has a museum of sorts of cars new and future on its lower levels. And a walk along the Detroit River on the esplanade is sweet - seeing Canada across the way and seeing how beautiful the river is and interesting with many large freighters plying it.
The Detroit Institute of Arts is a world class museum - and is nice for a few hours but you can see art museums anywhere.
Lafayette Coney Island, right downtown, is an iconic Detroit eatery - so if you have not been to a coney island restaurant here's the chance - coney island restaurants are I think unique to Detroit.
Another popular thing in Detroit is the Heidelberg Project, a top art naive thing that has gained worldwide attention - bunch of old decrepit houses turned into works of art themselves. Here you also see the desolate side of Detroit with blocks and blocks of empty lots of falling down houses.
http://www.heidelberg.org/
Jun 8th, 2016, 01:18 PM
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If you went to The Henry Ford (Greenfield Village) you could have a pic of The Pickles visiting the Heinz house for your Christmas cards. 
Both the museum and village have been extensively remodeled within the last 10-15 years.
Both the museum and village have been extensively remodeled within the last 10-15 years.
Jun 8th, 2016, 02:22 PM
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The Ford also has the car that JFK was shot in in Dallas - blood marks too and the chair that Lincoln was shot in - blood stains too still on it.
http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/in...ation_cha.html
http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/in...ation_cha.html
Citylghts!
Jun 8th, 2016, 04:55 PM
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Lee Ann, you do not indicate where or if you are actually staying once you land in Detroit. Please be aware that one of our major north/south expressways(I275) is closed for most of the summer. The alternate routes are The Southfield (M39) and I75. Both have very heavy traffic most of the day. To get the The Ford from almost anywhere, you will take the Southfield Freeway. To get into downtown from the airport you will take 94 to I75. I would plan an extra 30 minutes for travel time depending on where you are going.
In Michigan, summer is referred to as "Orange barrel" season because there is construction everywhere.
In Michigan, summer is referred to as "Orange barrel" season because there is construction everywhere.
Jun 8th, 2016, 04:55 PM
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Lee Ann, you do not indicate where or if you are actually staying once you land in Detroit. Please be aware that one of our major north/south expressways(I275) is closed for most of the summer. The alternate routes are The Southfield (M39) and I75. Both have very heavy traffic most of the day. To get the The Ford from almost anywhere, you will take the Southfield Freeway. To get into downtown from the airport you will take 94 to I75. I would plan an extra 30 minutes for travel time depending on where you are going.
In Michigan, summer is referred to as "Orange barrel" season because there is construction everywhere.
In Michigan, summer is referred to as "Orange barrel" season because there is construction everywhere.
Jun 9th, 2016, 06:29 AM
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And the Ford Factory Tour to see a state-of-the-art auto plant - this one making Ford pick-ups:
https://www.thehenryford.org/visit/f...EJpRoC5C3w_wcB
https://www.thehenryford.org/visit/f...EJpRoC5C3w_wcB
Jun 9th, 2016, 11:33 AM
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Someone who has a whole day and night in Detroit can take a sweet boat ride up and down the river - leave in late afternoon - seeing Detroit and Windsor from a neat angle - note that to cross the Ambassador Bridge to Canada from the U.S.you go nearly due south - Canada yes lies south of Detroit in part:
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Jun 9th, 2016, 03:01 PM
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Gardendiva, we're staying close to DTW Thursday night, then picking up the car and heading out Friday morning. Google Maps says we should take I-94 and then ON-402 E to get to Woodstock.
I guess we'll trade our orange barrels for your orange barrels!
Summer is also construction season here.
Lee Ann
I guess we'll trade our orange barrels for your orange barrels!
Summer is also construction season here.Lee Ann
Jun 9th, 2016, 03:21 PM
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Leave plenty of time for big backups at the Ambassador Bridge - endemic though coming the other way is a bit worse - leave plenty of extra time. We are building a new additional bridge because the present one is so so overloaded - Customs checks add to the problem.
Jun 9th, 2016, 07:17 PM
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If you are taking 402 to Woodstock you will be crossing into Canada at Port Huron on the Blue Water Bridge. Port Huron has a cute little downtown area. I have not been there in a few years but it maybe a nice stop for lunch.
If you are coming back into the US to fly out of DTW watch for a sign just before the 401/402 interchange that will give you the estimated time to cross over at the Blue Water Bridge and at the tunnel or bridge in Detroit. It is usually very accurate. You would take 401 to cross over in Detroit.
Now I am sure that you have way more information than you need to know. Safe travels.
If you are coming back into the US to fly out of DTW watch for a sign just before the 401/402 interchange that will give you the estimated time to cross over at the Blue Water Bridge and at the tunnel or bridge in Detroit. It is usually very accurate. You would take 401 to cross over in Detroit.
Now I am sure that you have way more information than you need to know. Safe travels.
