40 Things to Do in Detroit Before You're Dead
Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 3:13PM | Becks Davis For my 40th birthday, I give you this. 40 fabulous things to do in Detroit. This list is not exhaustive or complete, just a starting point. Some are kind of obvious, but have you been to them recently? Others, I hope, are new to you. I haven't been to all of them but they are all on my list. Get out there and see Detroit before you die.
1. The Guardian Building - This fabulous Detroit skyscraper features Art Deco architecture and Pewabic tiles. Free tours are offered Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
2. The Detroit People Mover - The automated transportation system circles downtown Detroit. Take a ride for just 50 cents and don't forget to check out the art in the stations.
3. Mexicantown - Go for the food but be sure to take a look at the local shops and public art. Also, they have taco carts!
4. Eastern Market - Stop by on a Saturday to pick up fresh produce and soak in the atmosphere.
5. The GM Renaissance Center - This iconic fixture of the Detroit skyline offers free tours Monday through Friday at 10 a.m, noon, and 2 p.m.
6. The Henry Ford (and Greenfield Village) - Explore America's past, inventions, and innovators.
7. Campus Martius Park - Billed as Detroit's Gathering Place, this small park celebrates Detroit's diverse culture. It's also exactly 8 miles from 8 Mile Road.
8. The Heidelberg Project - Tyree Guyton's colorful outdoor art installation is known worldwide.
9. The Whitney - The impressive former mansion is now an upscale restaurant. Ohhh, and they say it's haunted.
10. The Spirit of Detroit - Also known as the Jolly Green Giant, this sculpture by Marshall Fredericks sits in front of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center and looks best when donning a Red Wings jersey.
11. The Joe Louis Fist - This memorial to the Brown Bomber is located on Jefferson Avenue at Woodward.
12. Hart Plaza - Sitting on the banks of the Detroit River, this plaza is home to festivals throughout the summer as well as Noguchi's Dodge Fountain.
13. The Detroit Zoo - Actually located in Royal Oak, the zoo sits on 125 acres and is the largest family attraction in Michigan.
14. Pewabic Pottery - Founded in 1903, it is known for its tile and pottery in unique glazes.
15. Motown Historical Museum - Hitsville U.S.A includes the original recording studio, Studio A, where many Motown hits were recorded.
16. The Fisher Building - Albert Kahn designed the Art Deco skyscraper that contains the Fisher Theatre.
17. Belle Isle - The island park is located on the Detroit River and includes gems such as the Scott Fountain and the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory.
18. Michigan Central Station - This is extreme urban decay and pictures of the once beautiful building are everywhere but it is worth seeing in person.
19. The Dequindre Cut - The Cut is an urban recreational pathway built on the old Grand Trunk Railway lines. Before the transformation earlier this year, graffiti artists were known to tag in the desolate location. Much of their work has been preserved.
20. Detroit Institute of Arts - This Beaux-Arts building houses over 100 galleries. Vincent Van Gogh's Self Portrait and Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry fresco cycle are two if it's most famous pieces.
21. Greektown - It's always bustling in Greektown. Try your luck at the casino and then relax with some flaming saganaki. Opa!
22. Hamtramck Disneyland - This little bit of folk art is tucked in an alley near Caniff and Klinger.
23. Holocaust Memorial Center - Free guided public tours are offered Sunday through Thursday at 1 p.m. and are 2 hours. The Sunday tour ends with a half hour talk by a Holocaust survivor and visitors are encouraged to ask questions.
24. Lafayette Park - Designed by Mies van der Rohe, the 26 buildings are his only works in Michigan and his largest collection. Completed in 1960.
25. Ford Rouge Factory Tour - This is a self-guided five-part tour that includes viewing the final assembly process of the Ford F-150.
26. The Royal Eagle - Located on the grounds of the St. Sabbas Orthodox Monastery in Harper Woods, this Eastern European restaurant is unique. Only open for dinner on Thursday nights, call for reservations as they are often booked in advance.
27. Baker's Keyboard Lounge - This is the oldest jazz club in the world, they celebrated their 75th anniversary this past May. Miles Davis, Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, and John Coltrane have all played here and they have great mac and cheese. Enough said.
28. Cafe D'Mongo's Speakeasy - Only open on Friday & Saturday nights, this place is uniquely Detroit. Part French café, part neighborhood joint, and part funky. Sshh, it's a secret.
29. MOCAD (Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit) - Opened in 2006, MOCAD offers workshops and lectures in addition to its exhibitions.
30. The RiverWalk - Enjoy the almost 3 miles along the Detroit River with splashing fountains, pavilions, a carousel, and many special events.
31. Detroit Historical Museum - Experience over 300 years of Detroit history. It isn't a secret that I love Detroit; I enjoy learning about the city and sharing it with others. This is the place to start to learn more about our hometown.
32. Belle Isle Ice Tree - You'll have to wait a few months to see this odd formation but if the weather is right it's well worth it.
33. Cocktail Hour at Michael Symon's Roast - You've heard of Roast, right? One of Detroit's most talked about restaurants? Well, Monday through Friday from 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm Roast has a fabulous happy hour with $3 dishes. I'm talking mac n' (goat) cheese, beast of the day taco's, and a burger served on an English muffin with a fried egg and bacon. 3 bucks! Also, drink specials.
34. Cranbrook Campus - An Art Museum, a Science Museum, all on a gorgeous suburban campus with House and Garden tours, as well. Check out Rock Around the Dome and Michigan Sky Tonight. More info about the Science Museum.
35. Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History - This is the largest institution in the world dedicated to the African American experience.
36. Cadieux Cafe - Belgian beer, mussels, live music, and featherbowling. Featherbowling? It's kind of a cross between horseshoes and bocci. And this is the only place you can do it in the United States.
37. Majestic Theatre Complex - Bowling, bars, pizza, music, pool, and a restaurant. How can you go wrong? Why would you want to leave?
38. The Russell Bazaar - Located in the Russell Industrial Center, a converted Albert Kahn designed factory, is inspired by the street markets of Europe.
39. La Dolce Vita - If you don't know about this place, you won't know about this place. It's kind of hidden and kind of wonderful. Sunday brunch. Bottomless Mimosa's. Sounds good to me.
40. Cliff Bell's - Swanky is how I describe this art-deco night club. Stop by and enjoy some jazz while sipping on a martini.
My birthday isn't until Saturday and I hope you enjoy my gift to you. I am in the camp that birthdays are the most wonderful day of the year. And if there is one thing I like just as much as birthdays, it's Detroit. But I really like birthdays.
Be sure to check out 41 More Things to do in Detroit Before You're Dead and 43 More Things to do in Detroit Before You're Dead.
Reader Comments (66)
I would add Historic Fort Wayne to the list of places to visit in Detroit.
Wow! this list and ideas in the comments are great! I'm visiting Detroit for the first time in a few weeks. I'm excited.
Melanie,
Thanks! I hope you have a fabulous trip to Detroit. :)
Great list of places, but one that I think you should add is The Roma Cafe. Roma is an Italian restaurant located on Riopelle just a block or two outside Eastern Market. Great Italian cooking in what amounts to a "frozen in time" restaurant. Seriously, I remember going there with my folks in the 1960's and it's still the same today. Great food, a gritty but elegant atmosphere, and right in the heart of the "D".
David,
Roma Cafe has been on my radar for a while, just haven't had the time to try it. In fact, I was in Eastern Market for Tweetea last week and almost went but we didn't have enough time. Soon, my friend, soon!
I just discovered your blog via Motor City Connect & today is my own birthday! This was your birthday present to your readers, so it's great to find it as a gift to me, too.
You do a great job of not only listing, but giving the links to the sites. I'll have to make this a Treasure Hunt to visit each of them.
Thanks!!!
Lois Sprengnether Keel
<http://www.LoiS-sez.com>
Storyteller in MI Arts & Humanities Directory
<http://www.michiganhumanities.org/programs/touringlistings/listing.php?id=198>
In Historical Society of Michigan Directory
<http://www.hsmichigan.org/people/Keel.php>
State Liaison for National Storytelling Network
Webmaster for http://www.MichiganStorytelling.org & http://YESAlliance.org (Youth, Educators, Storytellers Alliance)
Thanks for the list. There are some things on here I haven't done...yet
You MUST see the Lions play at Ford Field! Super Bowl 2012 on the way!
Hi frnds I’m from www.funnypranks.in
this is the first time I visited this blog…seriously I liked a lot.. :D
I would love 2 visit the site again :)
Nice Work .. CUSAT Result Keep it up.. Thanks Admin for Information
really cool
http://iichyderabad.org/unity-of-god/
This post is truly inspiring. I like your post and everything you share with us is current and very informative.I'm ԁеfinitеly enϳoуіng youг blοg anԁ look forward to new uρdates.
40 fabulous things i shall do for my wife.
reat list and upbeat birthday! Trust you will continue adding to your rundown and look at Palmer Woods Music in Homes, jazz, traditional and world music shows (featuring the stunning ability we have in the Detroit zone) in the notable homes, superb houses and engineering treasures in Detroit's Palmer Woods. The area group is quite recently west of Woodward and south of Eight Mile. Look at The brighter side of english
Hello!
I read the articles on your page, it's really great! I will share your website with my other friends, I think they will love it. Thanks for your post.
Visit my website: http://giantinhmachchan.vn
(Varicose Veins is a website that provides information on leg vein varicose disease and how to treat varicose veins effectively. Provides varicose veins and varicose creams like Varikosette, Varicofix, Venpoten, Leg Veins...)
Varicose leg veins
Ventricular dilatation is a chronic disease that is common in men and women over the age of 30, with a 70% increase in varicose disease in women. According to the statistics of major hospitals worldwide, the incidence of the disease is on the rise. It usually occurs in people who are often sedentary, standing or sitting for a long time, causing blockage of blood vessel walls leading to varicose veins.
Ventricular varicose veins, also known as hypopituitarism, is a term for the decline of the venous drainage function of the venous system in the foot region leading to stagnation. Hemodynamic changes and changes in surrounding tissue. The mechanism of disease formation is due to the damage of valves in the vein when subjected to a great and long-lasting pressure, causing the blood to flow counterclockwise from its circulation. Instead of blood being pumped from the foot to the heart in the circulation, the blood circulates in the opposite direction and increases the pressure inside the vein leading to leg vein depletion.
The decline in blood flow to the heart leads to varicose varicose symptoms such as aches and pains, leg aches, leg aches, feeling like ants, aching feet, cramps or cramps at night. Should not be treated in time, it can lead to difficult conditions such as eczema, foot ulcers, bleeding, dilated veins, inflammation of the veins. Shallow blood, ...
Often the main causes of leg vein diseases are mainly due to daily habits such as sitting for a long time, being sedentary like office workers, models, workers, ... Due to age This is due to the aging of the body, possibly due to trafficking, pregnant women or the use of high heels ... These can all be the cause of leg vein diseases.
Symptoms and signs of leg vein varicose disease
It is important to understand the symptoms of varicose veins and signs in a timely manner to have solutions and treatment to avoid the unnecessary complications. Here are the symptoms of leg vein varicose disease:
Itchy legs, leg aches, leg pain, heavy legs are signs of early stage
¤ Legs become sore or feel heavy, itchy legs, fatigue, leg pain, heavy legs after standing or sitting long.
¤ Vastly stretched, dazed to the surface of the skin, is blue or reddish, as small as the hair as large as the ends of the chopsticks.
¤ Appearing green veins and bulges that cause swelling and swelling of the legs along the thighs, ankles or knees.
¤ numbness, prickling, feeling like ants in the leg.
¤ Dry and itchy skin, color of the skin will change, different from normal skin, darker black, thinner skin.
¤ ulcers and soft tissue infections (cellulitis) can occur near the ankles.
¤ The formation of blood clots in the vein, the thrombus can move to the pulmonary vein pulmonary vein is very high risk of death.
Causes of disease
The cause of varicocele is due to the fact that when the artery walls of the foot are subjected to high pressures, blood flow can not circulate in a circular manner, leading to venous valves becoming weak and unable to stop. Blood accumulates. Although this disease is not infectious but can be inherited in the family.
¤ Due to the peculiar nature of work, standing or sitting for long periods of time, blood can not be circulated easily. (Teachers, models, workers, office workers, ...)
¤ Due to the habit of wearing tight pants, tight pants or even high heels are the main causes of varicose veins.
¤ Age of weakness, the aging of the body and the risk of varicocele is increasing because the blood vessels and valves in the blood gradually degraded.
¤ Women who have hormonal changes due to pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy and oral contraceptives, menstrual or premenopausal women are at risk for varicose veins.
¤ Because people with leg varicose veins can easily be inherited.
¤ Frequent constipation, during the toilet, will be more difficult for patients to use more energy in the anal area, which inadvertently creates pressure on the venous area of the area. Low make them easily varicose veins.
Obesity is also a major cause of varicose veins, high blood pressure and atherosclerosis due to overweight will cause you not only varicose veins but also the risk of many other cardiovascular diseases.
Complications of leg vein varices
Varicose veins if left untreated or improperly treated can lead to complex complications such as skin infiltration, leg ulceration, and thrombophlebitis formation in the vein leading to death.
Thank you for sharing the good and useful information. I would love to read your post after hours of tiring work at www.thuocbothan.com
thank for your post, hope have many people can share for each other.
In my web about card game, can you take care
danh bai online doi thuong
choi chan online
thank you so much.
How many of you know about Galaxy S9 News ?
Thai lottery VIP lucky number Bangkok tips