DETROIT'S BEAUTIFUL SIDE
 

HI --

So I never wanted to travel to Detroit for work but it became part of my territory. Turns out I really enjoy going there: friendly people, history, amazing architecture, etc. The city is such a Story.

I've uploaded three posts in my series:

- Beautiful Ruins: I find the dilapidated buildings fascinating
- The Heidelberg Project: A must-see. My co-worker and I visited the day the Obstruction of Justice House burned down. I may own the last photo of it
- A review of The Henry hotel. Overlooked Dearborn, Michigan is home to one of the best boutique hotels in the country

I hope you enjoy the posts and find the information valuable.

http://www.esmetravels.com/category/...t-travel-blog/

-esme

Lovely photos! My dad is from Dearborn, and several years ago, we went back there. My favorite was the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield village.

I thought sure this was going to be a post about Windsor, Ontario.

Great report and photos. It is always nice to hear others say nice things about Detroit.

There is a local company called D:Hive that offers various tours of Detroit. I took one last fall and saw The Heidelberg Project for the first time and I live only about 10 miles north of Detroit.

On your next visit be sure to see the Guardian Building on Griswold. The lobby is breathtaking.

Neo, I am going to guest that you have not been to Windsor in a while. It is not so beautiful anymore.

No but I have been to Detroit fairly recently. While there is always something worthwhile in any city, beautiful and Detroit are two words I'd have a hard time using in one sentence. Sorry.

tenthumbs and gardendiva: thank you. I'm back in Dearborn/Detroit this week and I do have a large break in one of my days so I will try to see the Henry Ford (I drive by it all the time), Guardian Building and Griswold.

Michigan Central Station is also really cool, but my photos were awful.

NeoPatrick: I totally laid that one-liner up for you.

Wow, how cool. Thanks for posting. I have never been to Detroit but have always been intrigued with the idea of the Motown.

I have known a few people that have ventured into Michigan Central Station for photos and just to look around. On said that the building was not finished past a certain floor. I do not remember the number. However, on the unfinished floors there are stacks of tile that never got layed. They are still in the builiding because they are too heavy to carry down the stairs.

There were other people taking photos of Michigan Central Station when I was there but a large iron gate separated us from going inside.

<beautiful and Detroit are two words I'd have a hard time using in one sentence.>
Really? You must not have gone to the art museum.

OK, fair enough, NewbE, I'll use the two words in a sentence:
Ugly Detroit has a beautiful art museum.

Actually there are a number of beautiful things there, and while Dearborn and other suburbs are great, they aren't really Detroit.
It's just that it's very hard for me to think of Detroit itself being beautiful these days (and yes, I know that wasn't exactly the point of the original post). That saddens me, because I loved it when I lived there back in the late 60's despite the horrible riots then.

Esme_Travels, yes, you really are not suppose to go into the train station but many will do anything for their art. A client hosts a photography group and they went inside. On the way out they were stopped by the police. Only the last person out was ticketed for trespassing because they were the only one the police saw on the inside of the fence. Personally, who knows what or who lives in there so it could be very risky.

gardendiva: Talked to my favorite bartender at The Henry tonight: her husband is a photographer and has gone inside the train station. She said it's amazing.

New find today: Ollie's in Dearborn for lunch. Need to come on a weekend to visit Eastern Market and also have to check-out the Art Institute before the city sells all the art.

Great app if you like abandoned buildings: Abandoned. They list approximately 20 Detroit locations and I'm hoping to see the Woodward Avenue Presbyterian Church tomorrow, as well as the old Michigan Theatre and the places recommended by posters above.

If I don't post here again, call Detroit Metro.

I enjoyed your report on such a less-visited area. Thanks for writing it. Loved your pictures!

Someone else will find you before the Detroit police respond to our call.

The DIA's assets are in a charitable trust so the City will not be selling off the art. Wait until there is a special exhibit. On Fridays they have live music in the Diego atrium and the whole museum is open until 9

gardendiva: Too late! I had an hour and ran through it. I need to return when I have time -- very impressive. I usually fly home on Friday during the day. I could see hanging out at the Kresge Court, though, in between meetings.

Travelgirl2: Thank you!

The Woodward Avenue Presbyterian Church is boarded up, but you can tell from the outside how cool it could be from the inside. I stopped at the Fisher Theatre (there's street parking right outside the door) and took a quick peek inside: amazing ceilings!

Matthew Christopher has amazing photos of abandoned buildings on his site: http://www.abandonedamerica.us/business-and-industry

Eastern Market is open on Tuesdays until sometime in October I believe. Definitely head over there for lunch!

Hi kelliebellie: I've heard that I need to go to Eastern Market from quite a few people but I thought it was open only on Saturdays. Thank you for that information -- I'll be back in September.

I believe the famous Supino's pizza is in the area and I know I need to try it, but I just always go to Sala Thai. Fast service, nice atmosphere, consistently good food.

Amazing Detroit photos by Philip Jarmain via The Culture Trip:

http://theculturetrip.com/north-amer...ecadent-decay/

Re: Book Cadillac Hotel..60 years ago we spent out wedding night there..What beauty destroyed as time marches on and idiotic vandalizum takes control of areas!!! Great but unspeakably sad pictures of a once beautiful city!!

amer_can: The Book Cadillac Hotel has been restored ($200 million) and is now the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel. It's beautiful again.

Wonderful..if I last long enough to travel there in the future I will stay there. So glad somebody has the faith in this once great city!!!

"DETROIT'S BEAUTIFUL SIDE"


What? You mean, like, <b>Canada</b>??

NeoPatrick beat you to it, NorthwestMale.

I have always been fascinated with the Motown music history. Any remnants of that? A museum, tour, etc? The idea of visiting Detroit is kind of scary, like some sort of haunted vacation thrill ride.

The Motown Museum is in the original recording studio and open Tuesday through Saturday with regular tours. It is also open Mondays in July and August. Check www.motownmuseum.org/

There are parts of the city that have lots of vacant land and buildings and others where you'd think you were in the suburbs or any other US city.

Wow, thanks so much, Citylights. How interesting. Detroit on my list, despite the odd looks of disapproval I get from others.

"The idea of visiting Detroit is kind of scary, like some sort of haunted vacation thrill ride."

Do not vear too far off of 5th Avenue in NYC or Michigan Avenue in Chicago. You will see some of the same scary sites that people envision they will see all over Detroit.

jayne1973 - When you venture to Detroit there is an organization downtown, I believe it is called D'Hive, that has organized tours of various parts of Detroit. I have lived in the suburbs of Detroit my whole live and took one of the tours. Great experience.

I absolutely love your report, your non defensive responses, and your moxie.

I almost did not click to read this thread because I did not want to read a bunch of snarky sideways comments about a place that does have such a rich and interesting history.

Yeah, Dearborn and all that is the *beautiful* non-Detroit, Detroit.

When I visited, I stayed at The Ritz. I had a/the penthouse suite and my stay was perfect.

I had great private tours and I loved the museum of Africa Art. The food is delicious as well. I spent time at the Ford Museum, or whatever it is now called.

I stayed for hours at Motown. Hours!

The weather was good and the people very friendly.
As in any city, you have to use your common sense.

Good trip report!

Thank you.

Jayne1973: "the odd looks of disapproval I get from others." Ha! I know what you mean.

Citylights: My co-workers in Detroit recommend the Motown Museum (they say it's a tiny little place) and also swear by the Henry Ford Museum, especially when decorated at Christmas time.

Oaktown9: Thank you much. Excellent taste -- the Ritz is now The Henry that I wrote about. Unfortunately I have not seen the penthouse suite.

I visited Grosse Point on my last visit (ate at the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe). Talk about a scenic little neighborhood...

Sad update: 8 fires at The Heidelberg Project in 7 months. It's nearly gone.

Now the residents are voting with matches!!!

Article on the Eastern Market revival from Conde Nast Traveler: http://cntrvlr.com/1ojA0MD.

I'll be visiting Antietam (not the most appetizing name for a restaurant) next time I'm in town.

If in Dearborn, go to Miller's Bar - an institution in that area - no menu, just the best cheeseburgers in Detroit area - it is all on the honor system as well - you will not get a bill, you just go over to the bartender and tell him what you had...

Also, down by the train station is Slow's BBQ - best damn BBQ in MI in my opinion...

Detroit has it's pockets of cool things - just got to know where to look...

Oh and lastly, if into German beer and food and goofy group songs, do not miss the Rathskeller Dakota Inn - has been there for like 60 years or something - not in best part of town but good german food and beer - go for the OOmpa Band they have at certain times of the year (Lent, Octoberfest...)

Anyways, Enjoy my city - it really is not that bad...

Someday I am going to get to Detroit-- I have a feeling is is going to become "hip" in time.

I lived in downtown Detroit (Lafayette Park) from '64 until '73 and could walk to the Eastern Market every Saturday. Some wonderful memories.

Wow. I did not get to the Eastern Market last summer and it looks like I have missed a lot of new places. My favorite restaurant in the Eastern Market is Vivio's. Nothing fancy but really good food. There specialty is the Bloody Mary. Not usually a drinker in the morning but that was good.

Even <I>San Francisco Magazine</i> has an <b>"Oakland"</b> special so I guess it makes sense that you guys should still be trying to make something out of <I>Detroit</i>.

Born in Detroit and raised in Dearborn for 18 years. Love the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. Thanks for the stories - I get back every few years for HS reunions.