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I was looking at your dates and these looked good:
Downtown: Hilton Garden Inn. A newer place, not huge on the amenities, but nice and in a good location - $95 a night Airport - Marriot Airport. Would be good location for going to Ann Arbor or Greenfield Village, but not much else. A pretty boring area. - $79 Southfield - Springhill Suites - $99 Dearborn area - Wow, you can actually get the Ritz for $149 a night. The Dearborn Inn is a nice historic property by Marriot - $129. Livonia - This area looks good. Lots of nice places for not too much $$$. It is a good, safe location that would put you not far from Ann Arbor and downtown. You'd be right on most freeways to go anywhere. Hyatt Place - $97, Fairfield Inn - $79, Marriot Livonia - $99. This was all from tripadvisor.com. |
And the thing with Pontiac, is that years and years ago, it had a lovely river going through it. City council decided to force the river underground, so they could put up more parking garages. Not cute.
Actually Rochester is close to M-59 which you could take over to your way up to Lake Huron. Especially if the day is nice, it would be good to stop at the Rochester Mills Place. There is a very cute river going through the town and it also has a cute little downtown. |
Wow kelliebellie, you are full of info. Figured staying on the outskirts of Detroit on the Ann Arbor side would be best since we will be visiting friends in Ann Arbor Friday night.
Is the Pontiac Silverdome still standing? I am a big NFL fan. Where exactly is the Joe Louis fist? Can someone explain in detail what exactyl is "8 Mile". |
The Silverdome is standing, but dormant as there is no plan for the site or money for demolition.
The Joe Louis fist is in the intersection of Woodward and Jefferson Avenues, across from the City-County Building/Coleman Young Center. When the Great Lakes area was platted after the American Revolution, the planners placed a major road every mile. The East-West roads became known by their relation to downtown. Eight Mile Road is approximately 8 miles away, followed by Nine Mile Rd, Ten Mile Rd, etc. What became Eight Mile was the first line the surveyors placed on the map and measured all other lines from. Thus, its original name of Base Line Road, which is still shown in some places. It's also known as Vernier and Hwy M-102 in some areas. It's about mid-way between 42º and 43º latitude and extends across the map through Lake Michigan to become the basis for the boundary between Illinois and Wisconsin. Physically, Eight Mile is a surface-level state highway withn 8 to 10 lanes of fast-moving traffic, high-tension power lines and a mix of industry and retail property. It's also the northern boundary of the City and Wayne County. Figuratively, it symbolizes the divide between Detroit and the suburbs. Because it borders many communities along its north side, there have often been problems coordinating improvements and policing. As a result, many stretches became run-down and for many years were a haven for adult bookstores, strip clubs, prostitution, drug dealers and related issues. Recently, the cities, state and large property owners have formed a partnership to improve landscaping, security and attract new businesses. (And I thought all those history classes were wasted. ;-)) |
Thanks for the info citylghts, very detailed.
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Just FYI, the Air Force Museum at Wright Patt is great, but it's not on the way between Columbus and Cincinnati. Wright-Patt and Dayton are 60 some miles due West on I-70 and Cincy is 100 miles SW on I-71.
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Both 8 mile and the Silver Dome aren't worth seeing IMO.
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I only wanted to see the Silverdome because it is an older NFL stadium that has not yet been torn down.
Is there anything sports related outside of the baseball stadium or basketball arena worth seeing (statues, memorials, etc.) My wife wanted to see 8 Mile because of the Eminem movie. I really did not know what it was until I asked here. I knew it was a certian area of the city but did not really know what was there. |
I agree that the Silverdome isn't worth the trip. It's a long drive from the city to drive past and see the building across a massive parking lot that's surrounded by a ten-foot fence. And there isn't anything noteworthy on Eight Mile unless...never mind. :-$
The only thing I can think of besides the stadiums is the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in Cobo Hall. It's literally a hall tucked on the second or third floor at the rear of the building. There's a picture of each inductee and a tablet with his/her bio, so it's more of a way to kill time while you're waiting for something you really want to do than a destination by itself. |
DancingBear - you are right that the AF museum is not directly on the shortest route between Columbus and Cincinnati, But if you take 70 and then 75 toward Dayton and 75 to Cincinnati, it is no more than 25 miles extra and well worth the detour.
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There is a great science museum and zoo in Columbus. You can also go to the original Wendy's Restaurant. But Detroit does have some great places to visit as well.
AnnElizabeth http://www.beachfamilyvacation.net |
The original Wendy's closed in March 2007.
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corli must be like, what, like 16 ??!! OMG, she needs to get out more since she doesn't have a clue what she is talking about...
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Bummer about the Original Wendy's closing! Is the science museum still active?
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I think I got a ton to work with for the Detroit trip. Looking for more info on the Columbus/Cincinnati area.
Isn't Cincinnati known for their own style of chili? |
Yes, Cincinnati-style chili has a unique flavor (created with the spices of the Greeks that invented it) and is usually served over spaghetti with cheese (3-way) and/or onions and/or beans (4-way or 5-way). Skyline is a ubiquitous chain in the area. My preference is inverted (cheese goes under the chili rather than on top, so it gets really melted) and drained (the chili is a brothy style).
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Gold Star is the other chili brand in Cincy. Something else for Cincy www.newportonthelevee.com See prio posts for Columbus. COSI - http://www.cosi.org/
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Well, we are back from Michigan. My wife and I were able to add 10 more brewpubs/breweries to our list in just two days. I will post a trip report when I get a chance.
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Ditto on the Hitsville USA (Motown Museum). I grew up in Detroit and never went. On trip to visit family last year, it was my husband who suggested doing it and I now I recommend to anyone who goes to Detroit.
Agree on the car rental. Detroit, being home to the automobile, was never designed to be public transportation friendly. |
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