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Wazootyman
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Username: Wazootyman

Post Number: 94
Registered: 02-2006
Posted From: 68.75.220.9
Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 11:38 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

My girlfriend's best friend from high school is spending a few days with us in Metro Detroit starting tonight. Both of them are originally from Muskegon, and her friend has never been to the Detroit area. As the self-proclaimed Detroit ambassador in my group of friends, I've been given the mission to give her a tour of the area.

I am taking the afternoon off work tomorrow, and I want the tour to be fairly comprehensive, but not too long and boring. She is open to anything. Like any good west-sider, she is terrified of Detroit, so obviously the primary mission is to show her the good parts of the city. Secondly, I'd like to show her the metro area.

My plan is to have lunch in Campus Martius, and give her a walking tour of Greektown and part of the riverfront. We will also take a driving tour of midtown (particularily of the medical center, as she works for a hospital), and maybe some other areas of Detroit.

I am also considering a driving tour up Jefferson (to Grosse Pointe), then of Royal Oak, maybe through Southfield to visit with my friend at work, and then perhaps down to Dearborn where we are considering going to the Henry Ford. Dinner is tentatively planned for outdoors in downtown Plymouth.

I'm not sure that an entirely urban experience is the goal here, but perhaps showing her some of the city and the fact that the 'burbs are really nice too would sway her opinion about the area.

I'm open to any suggestions, I'm going to try to tie together a rough plan this evening.
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Pam
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Username: Pam

Post Number: 344
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 67.107.47.65
Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 12:49 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)


quote:

and maybe some other areas of Detroit.




How about Corktown and Indian Village?
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Bvos
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Username: Bvos

Post Number: 1790
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 134.215.223.211
Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 1:17 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Definately hit Indian Village if you're going to go up Jefferson to GP. I've taken lots of folks from the burbs through there. I get the same reaction every time "I didn't know Detroit had such impressive, beautiful homes. It's like something you see in a movie or book."

Are you planning on covering all of this in one afternoon/evening? If so that's way too much, especially if you're going to do the Henry Ford. Cut the HF out or move it to a separate day (your gfriend and gfriend's friend could do the HF on their own since it's easy to find and tourist friendly).

To see something uniquely and authentically Detroit don't forget the Heidelberg Project on Heidelberg St. and Mt. Elliot, just east of Gratiot. It's honest about Detroit but it also shows the beauty of the place as well. Everyone I take there really enjoys it and finds it to be one of the most memorable things about Detroit.
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Gmich99
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Username: Gmich99

Post Number: 140
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 24.208.231.40
Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 1:48 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Boston-Edison, Lakeshore Drive?
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Leob
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Username: Leob

Post Number: 68
Registered: 10-2005
Posted From: 69.14.9.224
Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 3:16 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Why not start your tour from the north ?
Start at 8 Mile and Woodward, cruise through Palmer Woods at 7 Mile then Boston Edison and through the new center at the Boulevard. Then midtown and the med center ultimately arriving at Campus Martius.
Then do the East side Indian Vilalge / Jefferson thing.
I'd have dinner in Corktown or Mexican town if your lastly headed west.
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Wazootyman
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Username: Wazootyman

Post Number: 98
Registered: 02-2006
Posted From: 68.75.220.9
Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 3:22 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

These are some good ideas. I definitely think that we will include a drive through a Detroit neighborhood or two. However, I still think the afternoon probably needs more substance.

As an aside, what's good to see at Cranbrook? I haven't been there since I was a kid, and I wonder what attractions it might have for a group of people in their mid 20's.

Mexicantown would be good, but I forgot to mention she is vegetarian, and may be a picky eater otherwise. Plus, I'm going there Wednesday prior to the Tiger's game anyhow...
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Andylinn
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Username: Andylinn

Post Number: 182
Registered: 04-2006
Posted From: 64.141.144.2
Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 4:55 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Show them John King, eat @ slows, "drive past" Michigan Central, go to back ally bikes, visit the DIA, check out the rare book room at Detroit Main, bowl @ the garden bowl, visit Cliff Bells/Bronx/Brewing Works, while on Jefferson drive past the mayors house (and shoot him - just kidding) to get there, going east on jeffereon, after passing the "jeffersonian" on your right, take a RIGHT @ FISKE, and then LEFT at DWIGHT. all of the houses on DWIGHT are beautiful. plus there are two parks there. following my directions, after you turn LEFT on dwight, the Manoogian mansion is the LAST (7th?) house on your right. there are a million other things...
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Wazootyman
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Username: Wazootyman

Post Number: 99
Registered: 02-2006
Posted From: 71.65.17.58
Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 5:29 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yeah, there are a million things. That's my intention here...the narrow it down to a concise afternoon trip that will give a general "feel" for the area, by no means a comprehensive tour. There just wouldn't be time.

Also, Slows just ain't the same if you're not a fan of meat boiled and covered in sauce, which she's not (a damn shame, too).

How is Au Bon Pain, if we do end up eating in the park for lunch?
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Gistok
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Username: Gistok

Post Number: 2575
Registered: 08-2004
Posted From: 4.229.90.170
Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 5:30 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

In the northern burbs, I would consider a drive up Franklin Road thru historic Franklin Village, and continue up to Lone Pine Rd. and drive around Cranbrook, then continue up to Long Lake Rd. and take the Kirkway scenic drive around Kirk-In-The-Hills.

In the eastern burbs, take Lakeshore Dr. A visit to the Ford House is always an eye opener, especially with the house having a 3,000 foot lakefront. Continue on into SCS, and take the quick drive into Jefferson Beach Marina. You can drive the 1/2 mile down to the ends of the piers. It's a quick great way to show the "nautical" wonders of our state.

Downtown, I would take them inside the Guardian Building. I always take out-of-towners there, and it never fails to get a jaw dropping reaction. Maybe a visit to Greektown to check out the street/casino.
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Kathleen
Member
Username: Kathleen

Post Number: 1481
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.14.122.57
Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 6:25 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

FYI...the DIA is closed this month as the renovations move along.

Cranbrook has plenty to do, if you're interested in art and architecture. Art Museum: http://www.cranbrookart.edu/mu seum/
Institute of Science: http://science.cranbrook.edu/
House and Gardens: http://www.cranbrook.edu/house gardens/tour/ But it would be a daylong visit, IMO.

Edsel & Eleanor Ford House is lovely. For details: http://www.fordhouse.org/Write ContentPage.asp?{6B8BBCD2-B440-11D4-80D2-00010 22D7C22};PlanYourVisit

Pewabic Pottery is interesting...a short visit for the history and some time in the gift shop: http://www.pewabic.org/

The Fisher and Guardian Buildings are always memorable stops as well.

All my out-of-town visitors have enjoyed the Motown Museum: http://www.motownmuseum.com/

Creating a daylong tour of Detroit is always a challenge!! Good luck!!
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Hamtramck_steve
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Username: Hamtramck_steve

Post Number: 3152
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.250.43.142
Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 6:40 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Swing through Hamtramck and walk along Joseph Campau, especially between Holbrook and Caniff. If you time it right, you'll be at Caniff and Campau when both St. Lad's bells are ringing and the call to prayer is sounding.
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Pmardo
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Username: Pmardo

Post Number: 18
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 68.40.90.112
Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 9:48 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have to agree with Gistok - I work in the Guardian and people roll through all the time amazed at the beauty of the building. If you are going to be in Campus Martius anyway, kill two birds with one stone by stopping in the Karmic Cafe (inside the Guardian) for carry out lunch (vegetarian friendly) and eat in the park.

Pewabic pottery is always a nice quick stop if you are on Jefferson on the eastside anyways.

Belle Isle?

Disneyland in Hamtramck:

http://www.angelfire.com/de2/d etroitpix/HamtownDisneyland1.h tml
http://www.metrotimes.com/edit orial/story.asp?id=4478

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