I have enjoyed reading about Detroit...For those of us that grew up in the area for some reason feel comfortable in the city.

I moved from the area 15 years ago (in my 20's) and have fabulous memories of Greektown, The Ethnic Festivals, etc..

I have the opportunity to visit a few times a year and am always looking for "new" places. Looking forward to check out Roma's Cafe on my next visit.

Recently I was able to take my girls to Cranbrook (planetarium) and we all had a great time. If you haven't been there in a while, definately worth a visit, the grounds/gardens are breathtaking.

Maybe we'll go for a walk around Cranbrook today. It will finally be 50 and sunny. We need to get out.


What was the OP doing in Detroit anyway? I seem not to like a place if my expectations aren't met. Maybe they were expecting something different.

And whomever said that Detroit is not best seen from inside a rental car was dead on. It is a place of destination jewels in the rough.

Detroit is beautiful for its authenticity. It is not an Applebees land. It completely reflects its troubled history (and present). It is a living, working, not-so-scrubbed Greenfield Village.

Maybe you have to live here to love it.

Oh, and thanks for the post about the Gratiot Central Market. I think maybe we've missed this part in the past. We are going to walk around there with the kids before the Tiger's game on Saturday.

<Maybe you have to live here to love it.>

Nope, I strongly disagree! :-) Four days was enough for Detroit to win my heart.

Hey,

I love my city Detroit. And am trying to move back. I grew up in Russell Woods and later Sherwood Forest Palmer Park. The 'original' Supremes use to live down the street from me on Buena Vista. I graduated from the famous "Cass Tech" high school. Went to University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. My parents (now deceased) use to shop for fresh veggies at Eastern Market. Growing up in Detroit was a great time until the riots. I got my asthma shots at the Fisher Bldg went shopping DOWNTOWN at Saks Fifth Avenue had ice cream sundaes with my dad at Saunders. I missed the Vernors shop, Belle Isle, Pontchatrain for Sunday brunch after church, ice skating at River Rouge Park, shopping at J.L. Hudson and enjoying a Maurice Salad, Thanksgiving Day parade downtown and even the cold snowy weather. Driving to Grosse Pointe and Birmingham to do some shopping. Enjoying a real rueben sandwich on McNichols road across from Mercy College. You either love Detroit or hate it. I have always loved my city and continue to love it. I love it grittiness, the people, the tremendous arts (Tyree Guyton), Al Loving, Detroit Institute of Arts one of the best in the country. The neighborhoods, Indian Village, Boston Blvd. etc. Just get rid of the Mayor and bring someone who can revitalize the city.

Iloveb You touched my heart. Those are all the things good and loved in Detroit by me too. Especially the Saunders part. I can recall that smell with all my heart. In fact there are still a few around. Morely Candy bought up Saunders.

I would defend the city with as much heart as the other people here on fodor's it's my home and I love it.

NJ shutupoverthere, before I give you a Detroit Beating ;)

I went to Detroit when I was about 9 or 10 to visit family. The trip remains firmly in my memory because I saw a McDonald's that had places to sit inside! It must have been 1969 or 1970. My aunt and uncle had a very nice house with a small yard and a maid. I had never met anyone with a maid (and I haven't since then). My aunt was a teacher in the Detroit public schools and my uncle was involved with a company his family owned that made panic bars for doors. The shame of Detroit and cities like it, is that people who don't have a very good reason to go there, don't. They might find plenty to like.