Columbus or Detroit
Apr 1st, 2009, 11:19 AM
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Columbus or Detroit
My wife and I like to do short flight trips to places we have never visited. We are thinking of doing a weekend in and around Columbus or Detroit. Wanted to get opinions. We have never been to either, we like to eat local cuisine, visit brewpubs.breweries and visit interesting things outside of the city.
Columbus - we were thiking of making the trip to Pointe Pleasant, WV just to say went went to the Mothman place or maybe drive to Cinncinnati.
Detroit - not sure.
Throw everything at me......
Columbus - we were thiking of making the trip to Pointe Pleasant, WV just to say went went to the Mothman place or maybe drive to Cinncinnati.
Detroit - not sure.
Throw everything at me......
Apr 1st, 2009, 12:44 PM
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Detroit is not Chicago. You kind of have to grow to appreciate Detroit. In my opinion Columbus isn't very interesting either.
Detroit has its bright spots. Enough for a weekend. Do you like to gamble? Do you have a passport? Canada is a nice little jaunt for the day.
Detroit has its bright spots. Enough for a weekend. Do you like to gamble? Do you have a passport? Canada is a nice little jaunt for the day.
Apr 1st, 2009, 03:07 PM
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The greater Detroit metro area has several good to great breweries, plus good Middle Eastern, Italian and Polish
food. It's also a quick trip over to Windsor, where the Italian food is even better.
food. It's also a quick trip over to Windsor, where the Italian food is even better.
Apr 2nd, 2009, 05:11 AM
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Columbus, & in fact, the area adjacent to German Village & Downtown is referred to as the Brewery District (located along S. High St.) On N. High between downtown & the OSU campus is the Short North, also a great place to meander. These may help - www.german-village.com, http://ci.columbus.oh.us/, www.theshortnorth.com, www.shortnorth.org/ There is no reason, btw, to visit Pt. Pleasant.
Apr 2nd, 2009, 05:56 AM
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I've always had fun in Columbus but since everyone is touting it, let me play devil's advocate.
The biggest draw in the Detroit area is The Henry Ford. It's an indoor/outdoor museum complex that has a superb transportation collection, decorative and industrial arts and historic buildings. Highlights include the rocker in which Abraham Lincoln was assassinated and Thomas Edison's lab where he invented the phonograph, lightbulb and stock ticker and all the presidental limos through 1982.
They also have tours of the Ford Rouge complex which after 100 years is still the only auto plant to take-in iron ore and silica to make steel and glass, then turn out a completed a completed car at the other end.
There are the three casinos in downtown plus one across the river in Windsor. Depending on when you're going you can catch the Tigers, Red Wings or Pistons.
You can tour the auto baron estates. The Henry Ford House is on the campus of U of M-Dearborn. The 104-room Meadowbrook Hall is on Oakland U's campus about 20 miles north of downtown and near the Chrysler Museum and the Edsel and Eleanor Ford Estate is in Grosse Pointe Shores.
The Detroit Institue of Arts reopened in the fall of 2007 after a major expension and renovation. Prizes of the collection are the Diego Rivera murals and a Van Gogh self-portrait.
If you like architecture, you can tour the Cranbrook Community which was home to Eliel and Eero Saarinen who designed the TWA Terminal at JFK and the St. Louis Arch among other works. Cranbrook also has a science center and art museum and you can tour the house and gardens of publisher George Booth.
For shopping, you could visit the Sommerset Collection in Troy. It's two malls anchored by Saks, Neiman Marcus, Macy's and Nordstrom and connected by a moving skywalk.
Another option would be to head to Ann Arbor, an hour west of the city and explore the Univ of Michigan campus. There are museums, the arboretum and shops in downtown.
Finally, you could cross the river to Windsor and tour the Hiram Walker distillery, Willistead Manor or visit Caesar's Casino. You could escape the city to Jack Miner's Bird Sanctuary, Point Pelee Park-the southern-most point in Canada, or historic Fort Malden which are all within an hour's drive south.
The biggest draw in the Detroit area is The Henry Ford. It's an indoor/outdoor museum complex that has a superb transportation collection, decorative and industrial arts and historic buildings. Highlights include the rocker in which Abraham Lincoln was assassinated and Thomas Edison's lab where he invented the phonograph, lightbulb and stock ticker and all the presidental limos through 1982.
They also have tours of the Ford Rouge complex which after 100 years is still the only auto plant to take-in iron ore and silica to make steel and glass, then turn out a completed a completed car at the other end.
There are the three casinos in downtown plus one across the river in Windsor. Depending on when you're going you can catch the Tigers, Red Wings or Pistons.
You can tour the auto baron estates. The Henry Ford House is on the campus of U of M-Dearborn. The 104-room Meadowbrook Hall is on Oakland U's campus about 20 miles north of downtown and near the Chrysler Museum and the Edsel and Eleanor Ford Estate is in Grosse Pointe Shores.
The Detroit Institue of Arts reopened in the fall of 2007 after a major expension and renovation. Prizes of the collection are the Diego Rivera murals and a Van Gogh self-portrait.
If you like architecture, you can tour the Cranbrook Community which was home to Eliel and Eero Saarinen who designed the TWA Terminal at JFK and the St. Louis Arch among other works. Cranbrook also has a science center and art museum and you can tour the house and gardens of publisher George Booth.
For shopping, you could visit the Sommerset Collection in Troy. It's two malls anchored by Saks, Neiman Marcus, Macy's and Nordstrom and connected by a moving skywalk.
Another option would be to head to Ann Arbor, an hour west of the city and explore the Univ of Michigan campus. There are museums, the arboretum and shops in downtown.
Finally, you could cross the river to Windsor and tour the Hiram Walker distillery, Willistead Manor or visit Caesar's Casino. You could escape the city to Jack Miner's Bird Sanctuary, Point Pelee Park-the southern-most point in Canada, or historic Fort Malden which are all within an hour's drive south.
Apr 2nd, 2009, 06:25 AM
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Citylights
Wow, what great information! Makes me realize we need to go back to Henry Ford/Deerborn
Jed, if you decide on Columbus, be sure to brouse the book store in German Village, something like 30+ rooms. Rent a car and do a couple days about an hour southeast of Columbus in Hocking Hills, a wonderfull area full of cabins with hot tubs where you are at peace with nature with that bottle of wine as you soak away your troubles. GREAT hiking with beautiful scenery. http://www.hockinghills.com/
Wow, what great information! Makes me realize we need to go back to Henry Ford/Deerborn
Jed, if you decide on Columbus, be sure to brouse the book store in German Village, something like 30+ rooms. Rent a car and do a couple days about an hour southeast of Columbus in Hocking Hills, a wonderfull area full of cabins with hot tubs where you are at peace with nature with that bottle of wine as you soak away your troubles. GREAT hiking with beautiful scenery. http://www.hockinghills.com/
Apr 2nd, 2009, 06:34 AM
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Thanks for all the opinions/ideas. Got a lot more than I was expecting, considering I was asking about Coloumbus and Detroit.
I know there's not a tono to do in either place but we just like to visit places we've never seen. We've been to Cleveland twice.
We like to fly Southwest and they have $49 deals to many of their short flights (from BWI) and we want to take advantage of some long weekends. They also have for $49: Albany, Hartford and Pittsburgh. We've driven through Hartford and Pittsburgh but did not do anything in the area.
We have decided that if we do Columbus, we will pick a trip into Cincinnati over Pointe Pleasant. My wife is leaning towards Columbus.
I know there's not a tono to do in either place but we just like to visit places we've never seen. We've been to Cleveland twice.
We like to fly Southwest and they have $49 deals to many of their short flights (from BWI) and we want to take advantage of some long weekends. They also have for $49: Albany, Hartford and Pittsburgh. We've driven through Hartford and Pittsburgh but did not do anything in the area.
We have decided that if we do Columbus, we will pick a trip into Cincinnati over Pointe Pleasant. My wife is leaning towards Columbus.
Apr 2nd, 2009, 07:02 AM
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I want to add that I love Detroit! CityLights, thanks for such a comprehensive roundup of the many things to do there. I would only add the Motown museum (Hitsville USA), and underline the Institute of Arts, which is flat-out amazing. We also enjoyed Greektown for its homey ambiance. Yes, it's in the shadow of a giant casino, but the individual restaurants, and their staffs, are the original deal. Detroit has heart and soul, and I can't wait to go back.
Apr 2nd, 2009, 07:56 AM
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How is Detroit as far as safety (walking around, looking like a tourist, etc.)? You know, you always here about how bad Detroit is....
For some reason, whenever we get to Detroit, my wife wants to go to the 8-mile.
For some reason, whenever we get to Detroit, my wife wants to go to the 8-mile.
Apr 5th, 2009, 05:37 AM
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As with any large city, there are bad areas but around the tourist attractions, you'll be fine. Just use common sense and be aware of your surroundings.
Detroit isn't really much of a walking city and everything is pretty spread out. As most places have adjacent parking, you'll probably pull into the lot and walk the few steps to the building.
Detroit isn't really much of a walking city and everything is pretty spread out. As most places have adjacent parking, you'll probably pull into the lot and walk the few steps to the building.
Apr 5th, 2009, 08:21 AM
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Downtown Detroit is fine. You won't look like a tourist because frankly, we don't get any.
Definitely get a rental car. Tell your wife that when most people say they are going to 8 Mile, they mean they are going to a strip club.
Absolutely do The Henry Ford. Greenfield Village opens up April 15. It is a wonderful source of history. Henry Ford bought these famous, historic houses and had them moved to the site, so you are actually standing in Edison's workshop, the Wright Brother's shop, etc. Have dinner at the Eagle Tavern. And the Rouge River factory tour is cool too.
http://www.thehenryford.com/
If there is any way to extend your Detroit trip to a week, I would highly recommend driving "up north" to northern Michigan. In the summer, it is a place of glorious beauty and wonderful things to see and do. It is why we all live here all winter long.
Definitely get a rental car. Tell your wife that when most people say they are going to 8 Mile, they mean they are going to a strip club.
Absolutely do The Henry Ford. Greenfield Village opens up April 15. It is a wonderful source of history. Henry Ford bought these famous, historic houses and had them moved to the site, so you are actually standing in Edison's workshop, the Wright Brother's shop, etc. Have dinner at the Eagle Tavern. And the Rouge River factory tour is cool too.
http://www.thehenryford.com/
If there is any way to extend your Detroit trip to a week, I would highly recommend driving "up north" to northern Michigan. In the summer, it is a place of glorious beauty and wonderful things to see and do. It is why we all live here all winter long.
Apr 5th, 2009, 08:40 AM
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I did just read that during the Rouge tour, they don't produce cars on the weekend. We were there during a non-production period and it does sort of suck. So if you are taking a long weekend, do the Rouge tour on a weekday. You still might not see cars being made. I think you might have a better shot with a morning tour, but maybe someone at the Henry Ford can tell you better.
Apr 5th, 2009, 01:40 PM
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What kind of food do you like? My favorite restaurant in the Detroit area is Bastone in Royal Oak, which is a Belgian restaurant and brewery. They have really, really excellent beer- DH brews, and we're always pleased with the quality. The food is very good, although the specials are completely hit or miss- usually there's one great one and one almost inedible one, with no indication which will be which.
Dragonmead is another good brewery, but it's mostly a BYOFood. It's worth a visit.
Kuhnhenn's is the same, but does odd things- creme brulee stouts that basically taste like slightly sweet coffee, cassis "beer" that's really more of a flavored barley wine. We only go there when friends of friends want to (FoF's husband bartends there).
One of our other favorites is Blue Nile in Ferndale- it's Ethiopian.
Dragonmead is another good brewery, but it's mostly a BYOFood. It's worth a visit.
Kuhnhenn's is the same, but does odd things- creme brulee stouts that basically taste like slightly sweet coffee, cassis "beer" that's really more of a flavored barley wine. We only go there when friends of friends want to (FoF's husband bartends there).
One of our other favorites is Blue Nile in Ferndale- it's Ethiopian.
Apr 6th, 2009, 10:26 AM
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We will be in both places (Detroit and Columbus) from a late Thursday evening to early Sunday morning. So, we'll have all day Friday and Saturday in both places.
I have pulled a ton of breweries and brewpubs from both places, there are a ton in Detroit.
While in Detroit: so far we are going to visit brewpubs, go to Ann Arbor to visit a friend, cross the border to Windsor and drive up to Point Huron to add another Great Lake that we've seen.
While in Columbus: so far we are going to visit brewpubs, drive to Cincinnati, cross over into Kentucky to add another state to our list of states visited.
Have not done much research yet except for the brewpubs.
As far as food, my wife and I like to try whatever might be considered a local dish/food and we also try to take advantage of as many happy hours as posible. Cincinnati is known for their style of chili right? is there any other food that we should look out for in Ohio or Michigan?
For Detroit, would we be better off staying outside of downtown?
Once I start looking up hotels, I'll probably post some questions about the address.
I have pulled a ton of breweries and brewpubs from both places, there are a ton in Detroit.
While in Detroit: so far we are going to visit brewpubs, go to Ann Arbor to visit a friend, cross the border to Windsor and drive up to Point Huron to add another Great Lake that we've seen.
While in Columbus: so far we are going to visit brewpubs, drive to Cincinnati, cross over into Kentucky to add another state to our list of states visited.
Have not done much research yet except for the brewpubs.
As far as food, my wife and I like to try whatever might be considered a local dish/food and we also try to take advantage of as many happy hours as posible. Cincinnati is known for their style of chili right? is there any other food that we should look out for in Ohio or Michigan?
For Detroit, would we be better off staying outside of downtown?
Once I start looking up hotels, I'll probably post some questions about the address.
Apr 6th, 2009, 12:48 PM
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In Detroit, I would try to stay downtown at one of the new hotels. I don't know what your budget is, but there are at least two new ones that are open and nice.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29862968/
Inside the Book Cadillac is Michael Symon's new restaurant called Roast. He is an American Iron Chef. It is very good and not terribly expensive. But his weekends are now booked two weeks in advance, so when you know your dates, make some reservations.
http://www.bookcadillacwestin.com/?id=2473&lang=212
If you like barbecue, there is a great place downtown called Slow's. They too are very busy on the weekend, but a lunch there would be a good idea.
http://www.slowsbarbq.com/
Seldom Blues is another great place on the River.
http://www.seldomblues.com/
Can you catch a baseball game while you are here? The park is great. Or how about a hockey playoff game? Tickets will be a bit pricey if hockey isn't your thing.
The food of choice downtown is the Coney Dog. Hot dog with chili on top. Not really my favorite.
If you are hungry near the airport, skip the chains and get real Middle Eastern food while you drive through Dearborn. Or if you are going to Greenfield Village. Here is a good one on Ford Road:
http://www.alameerrestaurant.com/
Mexican Town is very good. It is near the Ambassador Bridge. There isn't anything but food, but good food.
I would skip the drive to Port Huron. There isn't much to do up there and a drive through Grosse Point with the view of Lake St. Clare will look exactly like Lake Huron, which it basically is. You can ogle the old mansions along the lake.
Ann Arbor is a wonderful, wonderful town and I am glad you are going there. I'm not sure because of construction, but the football stadium might be open to tour.
List the brewpubs you plan on seeing for us. Some have fallen on hard times and aren't worth the drive such as Atwater's in Detroit.
If you are curious, you could take your own slum tour and head out into the lesser parts of town. Basically start downtown and head north. A gps would be helpful in getting you back home. Since they started the movie tax incentives, several films have been shot in Michigan. You can see that most of Detroit looks just like a back lot at a movie studio.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29862968/
Inside the Book Cadillac is Michael Symon's new restaurant called Roast. He is an American Iron Chef. It is very good and not terribly expensive. But his weekends are now booked two weeks in advance, so when you know your dates, make some reservations.
http://www.bookcadillacwestin.com/?id=2473&lang=212
If you like barbecue, there is a great place downtown called Slow's. They too are very busy on the weekend, but a lunch there would be a good idea.
http://www.slowsbarbq.com/
Seldom Blues is another great place on the River.
http://www.seldomblues.com/
Can you catch a baseball game while you are here? The park is great. Or how about a hockey playoff game? Tickets will be a bit pricey if hockey isn't your thing.
The food of choice downtown is the Coney Dog. Hot dog with chili on top. Not really my favorite.
If you are hungry near the airport, skip the chains and get real Middle Eastern food while you drive through Dearborn. Or if you are going to Greenfield Village. Here is a good one on Ford Road:
http://www.alameerrestaurant.com/
Mexican Town is very good. It is near the Ambassador Bridge. There isn't anything but food, but good food.
I would skip the drive to Port Huron. There isn't much to do up there and a drive through Grosse Point with the view of Lake St. Clare will look exactly like Lake Huron, which it basically is. You can ogle the old mansions along the lake.
Ann Arbor is a wonderful, wonderful town and I am glad you are going there. I'm not sure because of construction, but the football stadium might be open to tour.
List the brewpubs you plan on seeing for us. Some have fallen on hard times and aren't worth the drive such as Atwater's in Detroit.
If you are curious, you could take your own slum tour and head out into the lesser parts of town. Basically start downtown and head north. A gps would be helpful in getting you back home. Since they started the movie tax incentives, several films have been shot in Michigan. You can see that most of Detroit looks just like a back lot at a movie studio.
Apr 6th, 2009, 04:21 PM
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If you're up for a haul, you could go to Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo. It's a 2 1/2-3 hour drive. Their Hopslam (if you're into that style) is their equivalent of Dogfishead's 90 Minute IPA, only with more hops. If you're not up for the drive, they probably have it at Berkley Front in Berkley. They have 42 taps, but from what I can tell, they don't brew there (someone parked a junk site where theirs should be). I have not actually been there, but Tom and I are going to have a talk about that! 
Let me know what breweries you're considering and I'd be happy to scout for you! I like the sweet/malty/wheat beers, and Tom likes the super-hoppy stuff, so we do pretty much cover the spectrum.
Let me know what breweries you're considering and I'd be happy to scout for you! I like the sweet/malty/wheat beers, and Tom likes the super-hoppy stuff, so we do pretty much cover the spectrum.
