  Cris Member Username: Cris Post Number: 500 Registered: 10-2003 |
Hi-- My husband is involved in hosting a national convention/tournament that will bring in people from around the country next July. They will all be staying at the RenCen. Most have probably never been to downtown Detroit (or have not been there for a long time). We want to create a list of places to see/things to do that people can easily get to by riding the People Mover. We want to showcase the city, and we want these out-of-towners to leave with a fresh view of Detroit, so they will go back home and tell everyone what a great place it is. We're also going to make a separate list of other things to see and do that you can't reach via People Mover (such as the DIA, Motown Museum, Museum of AA History and Science Center) but we want to do the People Mover one separately so they can see how easy it is to get around downtown. What should we include? Any help is much appreciated!! | ||
Hans57 Member Username: Hans57 Post Number: 237 Registered: 05-2006 |
The Guardian Building is a must. Go to the Belle Isle Conservatory as well. | ||
Downtown_remix Member Username: Downtown_remix Post Number: 555 Registered: 03-2007 |
REN CEN is a good start.shopping, dining, touring GM WORLD,Asian village. the river walk will be in full summer swing ren cen have free summer concerts at the river People mover to greektown station, greektown casino, walk to compuware, campus martius, hard rock cafe. people mover to the broadway station, check out restore opera house,fox theater, filmore theater comerica park and ford field, Harmony park cool bars and restaurant choices. next stop michigan station, walk to the new MGM Grand casino on bagley n 3rd. Next stop, finantial district, check out beautiful historic skyscrapers., walk over to hart plaze, probably a free ethnic festival over the weekend, millinder center station. a few stores. with a skywalk back to ren cen. belle isle island must stop | ||
Upinottawa Member Username: Upinottawa Post Number: 1026 Registered: 09-2005 |
when was the Belle Isle stop added?  | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 5866 Registered: 08-2004 |
You won't be able to get into the theatres or stadia without an event going on there there. They're not open to the public otherwise. | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 3200 Registered: 06-2004 |
There are free tours of the RenCen every day except Sunday. You might provide them with a brief history of teh city, too, so they get a better sense of things, and that can give context to the landmarks - maybe some architectural notes, too, (e.g. One Woodward is a forerunner of the World Trade Center where one can see design elements similar to those in the Twin Towers; when near Greektown explain the history of Trappers Alley and how it got it's name, etc.) You might arrange tours at some places, too, like Pewabic or Motown. What kind of convention/tournament is it? (Message edited by lilpup on December 08, 2007) | ||
Aiw Member Username: Aiw Post Number: 6471 Registered: 10-2003 |
Chris, if there is a budget for the covention may I suggest hiring a walking tour guide? I had a convention in Windsor a few years back, and I brought a group over to Detroit for a walking tour, it was very well received. If you want to email me I can give you the information for the guide I used. andrew@internationalmetropolis .com | ||
Long_in_the_tooth Member Username: Long_in_the_tooth Post Number: 79 Registered: 01-2007 |
I don't want to sound lame but the new MGM is pretty darn nice. A couple of cool lounges with a good mix of people and no cover charge. Get off at Michigan Ave. stop and it's 1 block away. | ||
Harmonie Member Username: Harmonie Post Number: 721 Registered: 08-2004 |
Cris, Inside Detroit is a non profit whose mission is to educate the public about Detroit's history, culture and livability. We'd love to help you put some information together, whether it be on history, architecture or entertainment. At the very least we have the list of the 125 bars/restaurants in the square mile of downtown including a one-page check list that might be worth distributing. email me at jpierce@insidedetroit.org or feel free to use the website www.insidedetroit.org as a resource. | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 1007 Registered: 09-2007 |
If you want to go Metro Detroit, Great Lakes Crossing and The Henry Ford would top the list. | ||
Mwilbert Member Username: Mwilbert Post Number: 24 Registered: 11-2007 |
Great Lakes Crossing? Why? (this isn't rhetorical--what is interesting there? It's also pretty far away.) In Detroit, but not on people mover: MOCAD, Eastern Market (if on a weekend) For metro destinations, I'd suggest Cranbrook. | ||
Jrvass Member Username: Jrvass Post Number: 345 Registered: 01-2007 |
Cranbrook. Great Lakes Crossing is just another mall except for Bass Pro Shops... and you can buy that crap online. | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 1009 Registered: 09-2007 |
Cranbrook I hear is sort of a boring science center, I wasn't even considering it. | ||
Thegryphon Member Username: Thegryphon Post Number: 13 Registered: 11-2007 |
Take a trip up Woodward and go to the DIA, AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM & DETROIT HISTORICAL MUSEUM. The SCIENCE CENTER is more child oriented, albeit the Human Body exhibit is really cool if this convention is soon. | ||
Jrvass Member Username: Jrvass Post Number: 347 Registered: 01-2007 |
What about the boring art museum? Or the grounds? The architecture and landscaping. Dinosaurs, rocks, observatories, planetariums, ewww. Things people hate. Go in the spring during maple syrup days... Canadians hate Maple anything. | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 1010 Registered: 09-2007 |
Jrvass, about Great Lakes Crossing, and I menat to say Somerset, but anyway, here's the deal with those places. They're are of the top 5 malls in SE Michigan (if not Michigan). When people (especially women) come to visit a place, the first thing they look for is some type of shopping. Since Downtown Detroit doesn't offer it to the extent most people expect, Great Lakes or Somerset would be the next best alternatives. They don't care if it's a mall or not, as long as it someplace to shop 'til they drop. (Message edited by DetroitRise on December 08, 2007) | ||
Jrvass Member Username: Jrvass Post Number: 348 Registered: 01-2007 |
Gotcha D-rise... Somehow I don't envision a mall as a "fun time". I envision a "mall" as being attacked! | ||
Jrvass Member Username: Jrvass Post Number: 349 Registered: 01-2007 |
Oh, did I forget to mention I did all my x-mas shopping online? 2nd yr in a row! | ||
Plymouthres Member Username: Plymouthres Post Number: 292 Registered: 02-2007 |
Cris- I noticed that you said this was in July, and July is a pretty hot month here in case you didn't know. The few things that come to mind are: 1.) The Riverwalk. This venue would be perfect for all to see, and it is right behind where most of you are staying. 2.) Lilpup, Harmonie, Aiw and Mwilbert offer excellent suggestions as well. All of the venues they mention are well worth it. 3.) Definitely attend the Henry Ford or Greenfield Village if they are history people. Also, if you ask nicely, I can arrange a tour at Fort Wayne just to the west of the Ambassador Bridge, which is Detroit's version of a mid-19th century third system star-shaped fort. 4.)There will be many events taking place downtown around that time of year as well. If you want some good advice, consider contacting Kathleen, one of the regular posters here on the forum. She is, by far, the most historically knowledgeable person that I know here in Detroit and she has done many tours of the city. I have never heard anyone complain about her knowledge or her style, and I believe that she would provide you with whatever it is you are searching for. "Page" her in the Connections section, and I'm sure she'll respond! Good luck on your endeavor. Let me know if you are interested in the Fort Wayne tour! Detroit is an awesome place for a visit! PlymouthRes | ||
Oldredfordette Member Username: Oldredfordette Post Number: 3382 Registered: 02-2004 |
If it's the right time in July, you can take your friends to the Concert of Colors, which will probably be at Orchestra Hall and thereabouts, and will be accessible by the Woodward Ave. bus. What kind of convention? If they're lefty types, take them through the Labor Legacy Momument on Jefferson. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 4000 Registered: 12-2005 |
Maybe a river cruise? http://www.detroitprincess.com / http://www.diamondjack.com/ | ||
Plymouthres Member Username: Plymouthres Post Number: 293 Registered: 02-2007 |
Please ignore the ignorant postings of those who have a different agenda. They do not represent the MAJORITY of posters here. | ||
Oldredfordette Member Username: Oldredfordette Post Number: 3385 Registered: 02-2004 |
Concert of Colors is also free! | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 2109 Registered: 10-2006 |
Yeah, it really can depend on what specific days it is in July. Listing locations to visit is certainly a good idea, but sometimes it is just as good to list specific events going on at that time as well. For example, Hart Plaza (or even Campus Martius to some extent) might be kind of boring for out-of-towners if there isn't an event going on there, while others (such as the Guardian Building) are great to see no matter what. | ||
Scooter2k7 Member Username: Scooter2k7 Post Number: 35 Registered: 10-2007 |
Partridge Creek or the Village of Rochester would be a better choice than Great Lakes. At least in those 2 places you are outside in a psuedo-downtown. | ||
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 4351 Registered: 10-2003 |
Cris, the Tigers should to be a hot ticket this summer. If they are in town during your event, now is the time to get the tix, but be sure to get seats on the third base side so they have full the skyline panorama. Drag them over to Cliff Bell's after or Towne Pump afterwords. And congrats on post no. 500 to a 10-2003 original. | ||
Everydayislikesunday Member Username: Everydayislikesunday Post Number: 352 Registered: 12-2004 |
I'd have to add the Ford estates and the Scarab Club to the list! | ||
Long_in_the_tooth Member Username: Long_in_the_tooth Post Number: 80 Registered: 01-2007 |
windsor | ||
321brian Member Username: 321brian Post Number: 510 Registered: 02-2006 |
why did my post about this get deleted? all i said was that malls weren't tourist destinations unless it is the mall of america. is it bad to say that if i lived out of town i wouldn't come to detroit unless i had business there? because that's all i said. | ||
Burnsie Member Username: Burnsie Post Number: 1227 Registered: 11-2003 |
Make an appointment to see the GM Design Center Gallery, featuring work done by GM designers in their free time. I did this a couple of years ago and just to be able to actually see the inside of the Design Center (with its famous "floating" staircase) made the trip worth it. At least some of the time, works are offered for sale. Exhibits are free and open to the public by appointment only, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. by calling Karysa Naeve at (586) 986-7117. | ||
Spaceman_spiff Member Username: Spaceman_spiff Post Number: 100 Registered: 02-2006 |
Cris, I know that you prefaced this thread with a "people mover" tour, but if it was up to me, and the crowd was on the adventurous side, I would advise stops in: eastern market on an early saturday morning in the summer The cut down to the riverfront, check out the graf walk the riverfront to downtown, drop off any market goods at the lodging. Up Woodward from Hart to the Campus; Swing by the DIA and MOCAD Swing back west to the corridor and WSU; have some drinks Keep going through Woodbridge Corktown and the MCS Mexicantown for dinner and back for the night's entertainment, depending on the group. I've done the same with out-of-towners and they left with a distinct impression and appreciation of our city. -spiff | ||
Detourdetroit Member Username: Detourdetroit Post Number: 356 Registered: 10-2003 |
Preservation Wayne has award-winning tours of Detroit's beautiful and eclectic architecture every Tuesday and Saturday, May - September. Check out www.preservationwayne.org for more info. (Message edited by detourdetroit on December 11, 2007) (Message edited by detourdetroit on December 11, 2007) | ||
Cris Member Username: Cris Post Number: 501 Registered: 10-2003 |
Wow, you guys, THANKS for all the great responses to this thread. You gave us so many good ideas and contacts. I'm really looking forward to this event! For those who asked, it's for a national Tae Kwon Do organization. It's on the weekend of the 11th, and the weekend BEFORE that (July 4th) Detroit will be hosting the AAU Junior Olympic Games. Lowell, I didn't even realize that was my 500th post until you mentioned it! I actually go all the way back to March, 2002 but I'll never catch up with the likes of Supersport or AIW. |
