Will be taking a red eye from LAX to Detroit and arrive in Detroit Saturday at 6:00 a.m. We are scheduled for the Lionel Train Company Tour at 11:00 a.m. Where's a good place to get breakfast that early in Detroit or on the way to the Lionel Train Company in Chesterfield? Also, any ideas of things we can see/do that early in the morning?

I've lived in the area all my life and never knew Lionel Trains was here - go figure! It's on my list now to take my grandson there.

A real Detroit slice of life experience would be to visit the Eastern Market and have breakfast there. They are open extremely early on Saturdays. The place will be bustling with Christmas tree vendors and there are historic buildings that house specialty foods, such as A.J. Hirt and Raffal Spice Company. There are two diner-style breakfast venues where all the locals eat. Here is the website:
http://www.easternmarket.org/

Will you be renting a car at the airport? Parking at the Eastern Market will definitely be a challenge. If you want more information, or any help at all feel free to contact me. [email protected]

Do you know the name of the diners? The directory for the Eastern Market lists lots of restaurants.

You need to make a reservation at the Lionel Train Company. There info is on the internet. Also, you may want to take your grandson to Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum in Farmington which is 5.500 sq ft. museum of coin operated games.

Marvin's is now on my list of things to do with my grandson - thanks for the tip.

My favorite places to eat breakfast at the Eastern Market are Russell Street Deli and Vivios. Or is you are in the mood for the best ham sandwich you are likely ever to eat, take the walkway across I-75 to the Gratiot Central Market. Wend your way through display case after display case of fabulous meats until you get around to the opposite corner to Ham Bones. You will get a whopping portion of freshly roasted hot sliced Dearborn Ham in a sandwich big enough for two, with a pickle to boot, for a little over 5 bucks. Back at the Eastern Market, three stores not to miss are Hirts (be sure to go upstairs to see their awesome array of baskets), Rafal Spice Company (I restock from here every year) and Rocky Peanut Company.

For lunch or (a bit pricey) dinner, Marios is the quintessential Italian restaurant and a Detroit institution for more than 50 years.

Traffic Jam on the campus of Wayne State University nearby, is also a great lunch or dinner place.

I notice from previous posts you are attempting to visit all 50 states. Looks like you are really doing your research. Good luck on your quest!

FYI--Russell St. in Eastern Market gets my vote, but please know that they don't open until 8am on Saturday...and if you don't get in during the first seating, there is generally a line.

I really don't want to poop on your parade, but just so you are informed, they don't actually make the trains there anymore. We took the tour last year and basically you see a movie and can play with their very nice train display.

If you want a tour with more action you might try the Rouge River plant tour and see them build cars and Greenfield Village is doing their Holiday Nights event on the weekends. That is fun. We went last year and there are carolers and hot chocolate and Model T rides.

Both can be found here:

http://www.thehenryford.com/

And I see the Red Wings are in town this weekend.