Omni River Place - Detroit
Sep 21st, 1999, 08:57 AM
#1
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Omni River Place - Detroit
Has anybody ever stayed at the Omni River Place in Detroit? I'm torn between staying here or the Marriott, or maybe even in Windsor, Ontario. I'm going to Detroit to see the opera and want to be close the theater. Is there anything else to do there?
Sep 22nd, 1999, 09:11 AM
#2
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Claire, First things first. Detroit is a driving city. If you do not plan to have a car, you will probably need to take a taxi or a hotel shuttle to and from the opera. Detroit is much nicer and safer than most people think, but it is very spread out and not easily walked. That said, the River Place Inn is very nice, as is the Marriott in the Renaissance Center. I often recommend the Atheneum Suite Hotel because it is located in Greektown, a downtown area where you can easily walk to restaurants, bars, etc.
There is a lot to do in Detroit, but since you are coming for the opera, I will mention other cultural institutions. We have a world-class symphony, encyclopedic art museum (5th largest in the country), largest museum for African American history in the country, the historic Henry Ford and Greenfield Village, a great zoo, several historic homes, the list goes on.
I hope this helps you and that you enjoy your trip to Detroit!
There is a lot to do in Detroit, but since you are coming for the opera, I will mention other cultural institutions. We have a world-class symphony, encyclopedic art museum (5th largest in the country), largest museum for African American history in the country, the historic Henry Ford and Greenfield Village, a great zoo, several historic homes, the list goes on.
I hope this helps you and that you enjoy your trip to Detroit!
Sep 22nd, 1999, 05:01 PM
#3
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Claire,
Amy gave wonderful advise.
Detroit is my home town. In fact, I will be going there this weekend for two of the last home games in Tiger Stadium. They will be tearing it down soon.
As Amy stated, Detroit is much safer than most people think. That doesn't mean that you don't need to take the regular precautions everyone should take in a big city.
I love Greenfield Village. It is very nice.
I also suggest a walk along the riverfront in Hart Plaza. We used to do this when I was in college.
The Fox Theatre is a site to see. I don't know if they give tours. It is where alot of the Motown groups played.
Fisher Theatre is nice. It reminds me of the 'olden days'.
A trip through the tunnel or over the bridge to Windsor would be nice. There are casinos in Windsor (as well as Detroit). Otherwise, I don't think that there is much to see in Windsor. There is a park along the riverfront in Windsor where you can get a good view of Detroit.
Amy would know more than I would if Belle Isle is an o.k. place for tourists. They did have an aquarium there at one time...
There may be boat tours/dinner boats available on the Detroit River...
I like the Mariner's Cathedral on Jefferson near the tunnel. It is mentioned in the song about the Edmund Fitzgerald. I hope that it is still there.
Kittie
Amy gave wonderful advise.
Detroit is my home town. In fact, I will be going there this weekend for two of the last home games in Tiger Stadium. They will be tearing it down soon.
As Amy stated, Detroit is much safer than most people think. That doesn't mean that you don't need to take the regular precautions everyone should take in a big city.
I love Greenfield Village. It is very nice.
I also suggest a walk along the riverfront in Hart Plaza. We used to do this when I was in college.
The Fox Theatre is a site to see. I don't know if they give tours. It is where alot of the Motown groups played.
Fisher Theatre is nice. It reminds me of the 'olden days'.
A trip through the tunnel or over the bridge to Windsor would be nice. There are casinos in Windsor (as well as Detroit). Otherwise, I don't think that there is much to see in Windsor. There is a park along the riverfront in Windsor where you can get a good view of Detroit.
Amy would know more than I would if Belle Isle is an o.k. place for tourists. They did have an aquarium there at one time...
There may be boat tours/dinner boats available on the Detroit River...
I like the Mariner's Cathedral on Jefferson near the tunnel. It is mentioned in the song about the Edmund Fitzgerald. I hope that it is still there.
Kittie
Sep 23rd, 1999, 10:05 AM
#4
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Thanks, Kittie, for adding to my message. I hope you have a good weekend in Detroit and that the Tigers win. You will be amazed when you see the progress on the new stadium.
Claire, Belle Isle that Kittie mentions is a public park near downtown that was designed by the same person who developed Central Park in New York. It does still have a nice aquarium, a conservatory, and deer. I prefer it in the fall when it is less crowded, so if you have time, its a nice place to walk around. Of course, you still need a car to get there! Kittie also mentioned the Fox and Fisher theaters which do have Broadway shows and concerts, but if you are already scheduled for the opera, you may not have time for. The Fisher Theater is housed in the Fisher Building which is a fabulous 1928 art deco building and is worth a look.
Claire, Belle Isle that Kittie mentions is a public park near downtown that was designed by the same person who developed Central Park in New York. It does still have a nice aquarium, a conservatory, and deer. I prefer it in the fall when it is less crowded, so if you have time, its a nice place to walk around. Of course, you still need a car to get there! Kittie also mentioned the Fox and Fisher theaters which do have Broadway shows and concerts, but if you are already scheduled for the opera, you may not have time for. The Fisher Theater is housed in the Fisher Building which is a fabulous 1928 art deco building and is worth a look.
Sep 26th, 1999, 05:28 PM
#5
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Amy,
I had a wonderful time during my trip this weekend! KC won on Friday night, but the Tigers won on Saturday. I took lots of pictures/short movies with my regular camera and digital camera. I had tears in my eyes when I left Michigan and Trumbull for the last time on Saturday night.
Claire,
I am very impressed with the revitalization of downtown Detroit! I saw the newly renovated opera house. From the outside it looks quite nice. I was impressed with the new construction and the number of people downtown at midnight. We went to Hella's restaurant in Greektown for dinner. Everything was terrific! Two or three doors down is a bakery (I can't remember the name) that has the best baklava!
Please keep in mind that Detroit is still a big city and you may want to take a cab or drive to specific places you go to.
Please let me know how the opera house is...
Kittie
I had a wonderful time during my trip this weekend! KC won on Friday night, but the Tigers won on Saturday. I took lots of pictures/short movies with my regular camera and digital camera. I had tears in my eyes when I left Michigan and Trumbull for the last time on Saturday night.
Claire,
I am very impressed with the revitalization of downtown Detroit! I saw the newly renovated opera house. From the outside it looks quite nice. I was impressed with the new construction and the number of people downtown at midnight. We went to Hella's restaurant in Greektown for dinner. Everything was terrific! Two or three doors down is a bakery (I can't remember the name) that has the best baklava!
Please keep in mind that Detroit is still a big city and you may want to take a cab or drive to specific places you go to.
Please let me know how the opera house is...
Kittie
