  Rockcity2windycity Member Username: Rockcity2windycity Post Number: 334 Registered: 11-2005 |
I have the pleasure of spending 5 days in downtown Detroit (Courtyard Hotel). My only mode of transportation will be walking & the people mover. I'll have approx $30 to spend a day. My free time will be after 5:00pm. Any suggestions? Forgot to mention my 5 days start today. (Message edited by rockcity2windycity on March 17, 2009) | ||
Spitty Member Username: Spitty Post Number: 298 Registered: 07-2004 |
For today, go to Nemo's/anywhere in Corktown or Old Shelaleigh. | ||
Dcmorrison12 Member Username: Dcmorrison12 Post Number: 110 Registered: 02-2009 |
You can always take the bus up to midtown to go to the DIA - Science center - African museum. | ||
Cmubryan Member Username: Cmubryan Post Number: 467 Registered: 11-2003 |
Day one-explore the Riverfront Promenade (do today because the weather is supposed to be beautiful) and then walk over to Old Shilelegh irish bar in Greektown for some St. Paddy's day fun. Day two-catch the bus or a taxi and explore Midtown and the cultural center and the Wayne State campus (about two-three miles away from where you are staying). Not sure how late all of the museums are open but you should pick the day they are open latest as they are definitely worth visiting. There are some cool restaurants and bars out that way, if you want recommendation let me know. Day three-Explore the architectural gems of downtown, visit the Ren Cen and ask for a tour and MAKE SURE TO GO TO THE TOP for an amazing view, visit the Guardian, the Penobscot, the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel, Compuware, Campus Martius and any other building that might spark your interest. The MGM Grand Casino/Hotel is pretty cool to look at inside albeit not an architectural wonder. Day four-(good for a nice weather day as well). Hitch a taxi or bus or walk to Belle Isle (about two miles away). Explore the island, conservatory, the beaches, etc. It's not in the best of shape any more but is still a beauty of nature. I just wouldn't hang around there too much after dark by yourself. After that, grab dinner at an authentic Greek restaurant in Greektown and explore some of the bars in the eastern downtown and Greektown area. Maybe even pop into the Greektown casino. Day five- Take the tunnel bus over to downtown Windsor, Canada. I believe you can catch the bus right across the street, if not ask your hotel front desk. They have some very cool restaurants, bars, stores and a beautiful riverfront. Make sure to check out Ceasers Casino Hotel. Hopefully you have a passport or birth certificate on you. If you don't, you still might be ok, just inquire. Alternative if you can't make it over there: check out the Fox, Gem, Music Hall, Masonic Temple, Fisher Theatre or Opera House. I'm sure at least one of them having a show going on right now that you can check out. If not, I'm not sure if the Red Wings are in town but if they are, see if you can get a cheap ticket. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions as I live downtown (for another month) and know the area really well: bchamburger@aol.com | ||
Detroitred Member Username: Detroitred Post Number: 19 Registered: 02-2009 |
Well since it's nice today, you could check out the river walk. Maybe take it to the Dequindre Cut up to Eastern Market. That would be free and you could see some good sights and bad sights about Detroit. I'd make time for the DIA. It has one of the 5 largest collections in the US, and usually a temporary exhibit. I think theres a Norman Rockwell exhibit starting this week, but if that isn't your style theres always permanent works to see. If you like beer, check out the Detroit Beer Co on Broadway (across from the Opera House). They have around 5 home-brews to choose from and prices are pretty low. I'll think of some more low-cost things in a little bit. If you want some real unpredictable excitement, I think theres a City Council meeting today... | ||
Texorama Member Username: Texorama Post Number: 374 Registered: 12-2006 |
A baker's dozen plus one to start: 1) Don't miss the Guardian building, the orange skyscraper on Griswold. Pure Detroit shop for souvenirs. Excellent coffee at the two counters. 2) Check Ticketmaster for shows at the Fox Theater, on Woodward about 1.5 blocks N of Grand Circus Park people mover stop. Along with an identical building in St. Louis, it's arguably the greatest of the American movie palaces. 3) Interesting jazz clubs (not sure of weekday schedules): Cliff Bell's in the neighborhood behind the Fox, the space on the basement floor of the Music Hall (name escapes me). 4) Other skyscrapers in the Financial District also offer fine examples of 1920s commercial architecture, although coming from Chicago you may not be too impressed. 5) The old Book-Cadillac hotel has just now been renovated and contains a high-end restaurant, Roast. You may come in under budget for other nights, so you could splurge. I haven't yet been there, but other listers and people on other sites have raved. 6) Could catch a cab to the Whitney on Woodward, one of the few buildings in Detroit or Michigan that shows the glory of Michigan's lumber years. 7) Casinos if you're into that kind of thing. Some fine restaurants in these, too. 8) For Detroit's signature food, the pair of coney islands at the foot of Michigan Avenue. 9) Campus Martius Park, Detroit's little Rockefeller Center. I think the skating has shut down and the flowers aren't going yet, so this is probably the worst time of year. Still, an urban planning success in a city that hasn't had very many of them. 10) Don't know if you'll be free Saturday afternoon, but this place is a real oddity, certainly not just for kids: http://www.puppetart.org/ 11) Greektown district on Monroe. Restaurants, a few old Greek shops. Mosaic is a higher-end restaurant along there. 12) Live Cuban music Friday at Vicente's on Library St. 13) The Hart Plaza area on a nice evening. Interesting public sculpture that reflects the place. The famous Joe Louis fist. The underground railroad terminus by the river. The fountain (although it would be off at this time). 14) If you like opera, the Detroit Opera House is also an unusually nice theater. | ||
Alley_cat Member Username: Alley_cat Post Number: 2 Registered: 03-2009 |
DIA is closed on Monday and Tuesday http://www.dia.org/museum_info /general_information/index.asp ?menu=museuminfo&main=yes | ||
Cmubryan Member Username: Cmubryan Post Number: 468 Registered: 11-2003 |
If you happen to be here on Saturday morning, you HAVE to check out Eastern Market. Just NE of downtown but definitely walkable along Gratiot. | ||
Texorama Member Username: Texorama Post Number: 375 Registered: 12-2006 |
A few more: for architecture, the Lafayette Park neighborhood north of Lafayette and east of I-375 is the largest residential neighborhood in the world designed by Mies van der Rohe. Personally I think the guy was a megalomaniacal villain. But to each his own. For sports, several sports bars and restaurants. The little Elwood Grill right by Comerica Park is kind of nifty. For lunch, plenty of places. Eph's on Woodward for a fine oversize sandwich. Also on a nice day try the Good Girls Go to Paris takeout crepe window, 2 John R just east of Woodward. | ||
Detroitred Member Username: Detroitred Post Number: 20 Registered: 02-2009 |
bump | ||
Purpleheart Member Username: Purpleheart Post Number: 83 Registered: 01-2009 |
Dude you really should rent a car! http://wdiv.cityvoter.com/4-th e-best-guide/nightlife | ||
401don Member Username: 401don Post Number: 953 Registered: 11-2007 |
Red Wings are home tonight against Philly. You should have no problem getting a good single ticket at a reasonable price. Look for scalpers for a single before going to the box office. | ||
Bobl Member Username: Bobl Post Number: 647 Registered: 07-2008 |
Welcome to Detroit. We ordered the nice weather when we heard you were coming. Never underestimate the power of Discuss Detroit! Tonight, St Patrick's Day, go to Old Shilelegh Irish bar in Greektown...and walk around Greektown. | ||
Downtown_lady Member Username: Downtown_lady Post Number: 612 Registered: 08-2008 |
Definitely visit the Riverwalk (behind the Renaissance Center). It's such a peaceful spot to read, relax, watch people and enjoy the water. | ||
Ladia Member Username: Ladia Post Number: 230 Registered: 05-2008 |
Definately visit the motown museum! | ||
Lakesuperior Member Username: Lakesuperior Post Number: 150 Registered: 06-2005 |
if you come to the DIA tomorrow or friday, let me know and i'll meet you for a coffee (i work at the museum). i've lived in detroit for 6 years and i always like to help people learn to love the city! i can also tell you lots about detroit's best bars.  you can email me at snowsfalling at gmail dot com either way: have so much fun in detroit! | ||
Mallory Member Username: Mallory Post Number: 326 Registered: 05-2006 |
I second the Motown Museum. They have no idea how to run the place, but it is so historic and represents one thing that represents Detroit. Who doesn't like Motown? | ||
Crash67 Member Username: Crash67 Post Number: 94 Registered: 05-2007 |
If you come to the Cultural Center, the Star Trek exhibit is at the Science Center, and you can never go wrong with the DIA or the Streets of Old Detroit inside the Detroit Historical Museum. And for dinner, the greatest pizza in North America -- Pizza Papalis in Greektown. | ||
Charcoalgreysoul Member Username: Charcoalgreysoul Post Number: 11 Registered: 02-2009 |
@ LakeSuperior... How do you get ANY work done at the museum? I would get warnings daily for wandering off looking at images. | ||
Texorama Member Username: Texorama Post Number: 377 Registered: 12-2006 |
Just to be clear on this for the original poster, who specified walking/People Mover, the Cultural Center attractions, while certainly worthwhile, are a pretty serious walk from the Riverfront. | ||
Gthomas Member Username: Gthomas Post Number: 184 Registered: 09-2004 |
Visit indian villages,english village, boston edison....we have many tour guides, either walking or transportation. |
