1 Day around Detroit
Apr 13th, 2006, 11:54 PM
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1 Day around Detroit
Hi, After years of Detroit being our gateway city into the States, my 16 year old son and I will, finally, have a one day layover. I was thinking of staying downtown at the Renaissance Center and taking the Ford Factory Rouge Tour.
Can you tell me the time from the Airport to the Center? A wonderful Detroit hotel (after a 14 hour flight)? Any problems with this tour or better venues to get to know the area? And of course a really good restaurant or two?
Keep in mind that we want to learn about Detroit so landmarks in both food and hotel are a plus. After reading Middlesex I am very excited about our visit.
Can you tell me the time from the Airport to the Center? A wonderful Detroit hotel (after a 14 hour flight)? Any problems with this tour or better venues to get to know the area? And of course a really good restaurant or two?
Keep in mind that we want to learn about Detroit so landmarks in both food and hotel are a plus. After reading Middlesex I am very excited about our visit.
Apr 14th, 2006, 03:55 AM
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I can't comment on the hotel or give recommendations for food, but I'm sure someone else will be along who can.
I can say that I've heard only wonderfully good things about the factory tour. If you can, buy your tickets for that in advance, especially if you'll be in town on a weekend day. It's very popular. Also, if you have time while you're there, see the Henry Ford Museum and/or Greenfield Village. You have to go to the museum to get the bus for the tour, and the village is right there too. It's not a cheap day, but it's a LOT of Detroit and American history in one place, and very nicely presented.
I can say that I've heard only wonderfully good things about the factory tour. If you can, buy your tickets for that in advance, especially if you'll be in town on a weekend day. It's very popular. Also, if you have time while you're there, see the Henry Ford Museum and/or Greenfield Village. You have to go to the museum to get the bus for the tour, and the village is right there too. It's not a cheap day, but it's a LOT of Detroit and American history in one place, and very nicely presented.
Apr 14th, 2006, 04:15 AM
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Depending on the time of day, it will take less 30 minutes to get from Metro Airport to the Renaissance Center. In heavy rush hour traffic, it would take a little longer.
There is a nice Marriott in the Renaissance Center. If that is not available, there is a Courtyard by Marriott across the street and connected by skywalk. Of course, these are not landmarks, but are good choices for you. There some nice restaurants in the RenCen - including Andiamo's (great Italian Food), Seldom Blues (Detroit Hour Magazine Restaurant of the Year) and Coach Insigna (sits atop the hotel on the 73rd Floor - great views of the River, Detroit and Windsor. Coach Insignia is only open for dinner and it is pricey.
You could take the People Mover from the RenCen to Greektown for some good food. Many choices in Greektown.
Also, for cheap eats, there is a food court in the RenCen (not exciting at all) and Potbelly Sandwiches (good choice for a quick sandwich).
Enjoy your visit.
There is a nice Marriott in the Renaissance Center. If that is not available, there is a Courtyard by Marriott across the street and connected by skywalk. Of course, these are not landmarks, but are good choices for you. There some nice restaurants in the RenCen - including Andiamo's (great Italian Food), Seldom Blues (Detroit Hour Magazine Restaurant of the Year) and Coach Insigna (sits atop the hotel on the 73rd Floor - great views of the River, Detroit and Windsor. Coach Insignia is only open for dinner and it is pricey.
You could take the People Mover from the RenCen to Greektown for some good food. Many choices in Greektown.
Also, for cheap eats, there is a food court in the RenCen (not exciting at all) and Potbelly Sandwiches (good choice for a quick sandwich).
Enjoy your visit.
Apr 18th, 2006, 09:07 AM
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Being a life long Detroiter, I can say there are many good things about this city (it's not all negative
). For eating I highly recommend Greektown. My favorite in Greektown is a place called Hella's..excellent pastistio. They also have a Pizza Papalis, which make wonderful pizzas..and if you like New Orlean Flair, there's a Fishbones.
The Ford Rouge tour is a very nice, it takes you through the history of the auto industry before going through the tour.
Also there is the Henry Ford Museum and Greendfield Village which are excellent places to visit in dearborn.
It will take about a half hour to get downtown from the airport...though if you want to do most of your sightseeing in Dearborn area, there is a Hyatt in Dearborn.
I am not sure what your price range is....
). For eating I highly recommend Greektown. My favorite in Greektown is a place called Hella's..excellent pastistio. They also have a Pizza Papalis, which make wonderful pizzas..and if you like New Orlean Flair, there's a Fishbones.The Ford Rouge tour is a very nice, it takes you through the history of the auto industry before going through the tour.
Also there is the Henry Ford Museum and Greendfield Village which are excellent places to visit in dearborn.
It will take about a half hour to get downtown from the airport...though if you want to do most of your sightseeing in Dearborn area, there is a Hyatt in Dearborn.
I am not sure what your price range is....
Apr 18th, 2006, 09:39 AM
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If you only have one day and are interested in the Ford Factory tour, then I would suggest focusing on "The Henry Ford", which includes Greenfield Village, Henry Ford Museum, Factory Tour, and IMAX Theatre. You would have a very full, interesting day there. I agree, buy factory tour (and IMAX) tickets in advance! http://www.thehenryford.com/
In that case, I'd suggest you stay at a hotel in Dearborn. The Dearborn Inn (a Marriott hotel), built in 1931, is really lovely and right across the street from "The Henry Ford" complex. http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/DTWDI
If you want to stay in Detroit, I've heard great things about the Atheneum, and it's cool that it's right in the center of Greektown. http://www.atheneumsuites.com/02/main.html
For restaurants, I recommend Seldom Blues (owned by the husband of a local newscaster, a Detroit radio host, and a former Detroit Lions football player). Sweet Georgia Brown is very popular. I also recommend The Whitney. It's a bit pricey, but is in an historic 1800's mansion, built by a local timber baron. In Greektown, Pegasus Taverna is very good, casual. Much more restaurant info at http://www.metrotimes.com/guide/restaurants/
It's been a long time since I read Middlesex, but if you're interested in things related to that area (the Grosse Pointes), I suggest a drive down Lakeshore Drive and a tour of the Edsel Ford estate in Grosse Pointe Shores. http://www.fordhouse.org/home.asp
There's also Pewabic Pottery in Detroit, which truly is a landmark. The artisan pottery made there (including tiles) were made famous by wealthy Detroiters in the early 20th century and decorated many homes in the Grosse Pointes. http://www.pewabic.com/
In that case, I'd suggest you stay at a hotel in Dearborn. The Dearborn Inn (a Marriott hotel), built in 1931, is really lovely and right across the street from "The Henry Ford" complex. http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/DTWDI
If you want to stay in Detroit, I've heard great things about the Atheneum, and it's cool that it's right in the center of Greektown. http://www.atheneumsuites.com/02/main.html
For restaurants, I recommend Seldom Blues (owned by the husband of a local newscaster, a Detroit radio host, and a former Detroit Lions football player). Sweet Georgia Brown is very popular. I also recommend The Whitney. It's a bit pricey, but is in an historic 1800's mansion, built by a local timber baron. In Greektown, Pegasus Taverna is very good, casual. Much more restaurant info at http://www.metrotimes.com/guide/restaurants/
It's been a long time since I read Middlesex, but if you're interested in things related to that area (the Grosse Pointes), I suggest a drive down Lakeshore Drive and a tour of the Edsel Ford estate in Grosse Pointe Shores. http://www.fordhouse.org/home.asp
There's also Pewabic Pottery in Detroit, which truly is a landmark. The artisan pottery made there (including tiles) were made famous by wealthy Detroiters in the early 20th century and decorated many homes in the Grosse Pointes. http://www.pewabic.com/
Apr 18th, 2006, 01:08 PM
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looking at your heading, I can only think of the John Denver song about Toledo. "I spent a week there one night".
You do have some good selections. The hotels in downtown Detroit are mediocre at best. Not sure what is left.
How about the Omni at River Place, built on the old Strohs and some pharmaceutical company. I chaired a showhouse there some years ago and the hotel on the property was very nice. It is right on the river and on the way to Grosse Pointe and an easy ride to Dearborn.
Look at this:
http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel...iverPlace.aspx
LMF
You do have some good selections. The hotels in downtown Detroit are mediocre at best. Not sure what is left.
How about the Omni at River Place, built on the old Strohs and some pharmaceutical company. I chaired a showhouse there some years ago and the hotel on the property was very nice. It is right on the river and on the way to Grosse Pointe and an easy ride to Dearborn.
Look at this:
http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel...iverPlace.aspx
LMF
Apr 18th, 2006, 01:12 PM
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oops. I wouldn't be LilMsFoodie if I didn't give you at least one rec for dinner:
Rattlesnake Club...right on the same property but not affiliated with the hotel.
http://www.rattlesnakeclub.com/
At one time they had stolen all the best help from the London Chop House. Not sure now.
LMF
Rattlesnake Club...right on the same property but not affiliated with the hotel.
http://www.rattlesnakeclub.com/
At one time they had stolen all the best help from the London Chop House. Not sure now.
LMF
Apr 18th, 2006, 01:16 PM
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If I were you, I'd stay in Dearborn and just drive into the city for the day. There are tons of places to park downtown. There is a Ritz Carlton in Dearborn, but this place is really nice:
The Dearborn Inn
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/DTWDI
Definitly get your Rouge tour ticket ahead of time. You can buy them on the website. Greenfield Village is a wonderful place to go. And the Henry Ford house is nearby if that is up your alley.
Greektown is great for food. And Dearborn has the largest Arab population in the US and there are several wonderful Arabic restaurants there.
If you want to go into Windsor, Canada, they have a Little Italy section with wonderful Italian food. Just know that if both parents are not taking a child into Canada, you might need a note from the non-present parent authorizing it and it may have to be notarized.
Welcome to Michigan!
The Dearborn Inn
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/DTWDI
Definitly get your Rouge tour ticket ahead of time. You can buy them on the website. Greenfield Village is a wonderful place to go. And the Henry Ford house is nearby if that is up your alley.
Greektown is great for food. And Dearborn has the largest Arab population in the US and there are several wonderful Arabic restaurants there.
If you want to go into Windsor, Canada, they have a Little Italy section with wonderful Italian food. Just know that if both parents are not taking a child into Canada, you might need a note from the non-present parent authorizing it and it may have to be notarized.
Welcome to Michigan!
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