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, Canada??

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

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.