Destination Detroit! The Motor City with Attractions Galore!

DETROIT, THE MOTOR CITY:

I was born and raised in and around Detroit and as I get older I realize just how lucky I was to grow up in an international city known for architectural wonders, cultural stimulation, great dining options, Motown music, museums, nature, and proximity to Canada. Detroit, the Motor City has attractions galore. Enjoy Detroit!

Here's a little Detroit History:

The French word for Detroit is le Detroit, which means "strait." Detroit sits on a deep river named the Detroit River with spectacular views of  Windsor, Ontario, Canada. DETROIT was founded by French explorer Antoine de La Mothe Cadillac and about one hundred settlers on the 24th of July, 1701. Detroit was the first European settlement above tidewater in North America,  

What started off as a fur trading city in the 1700's turned into a thriving hub of commerce and industry, eventually turning into a booming auto industry. attracting thousands of people with different ethnic backgrounds who created a suburban expansion.

Auto Baron, Henry Ford, who grew up on a farm in Dearborn became an engineer with the Edison Illuminating Company of Detroit. Mr. Ford experienced some ups and downs on his career path as an engineer but his hard work and creativity didn't go unnoticed.  After designing and building a successful 26 horsepower automobile with the help of C. Harold Willis, in October 1901, Henry Ford along with lumber baron William H. Murphy and other stockholders formed the Henry Ford Company. By 1902 Henry Ford left the company bearing his name, that name eventually became Cadillac Automobile Company. However with  the backing of old acquaintance, Alexander Y. Malcomson and another group of investors Ford Motor Company was launched on June 16, 1903. Henry Ford's big breakthrough came when he invented a transmission mechanism and debuted the Model T on October 1, 1908. By the year 1918 half of a cars in the United States were Model T's. Henry Ford and his employees began using the first moving assembly line at his Highland Park, Michigan plant on December 1, 1913. This reduced the time it took to build a car from more than twelve hours to only one hour and thirty three minutes. To this day world famous Ford Motor Company is still using assembly lines.

Detroit, is known as the Automotive Capital of the World with three major automakers headquartered in the metro area; General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Stellantis (A merger of Fiat Chrysler and PSA Group) which was once Chrysler. Most residents and visitors get around Metro Detroit in a motor vehicle on a network of interstate highways; I-69, I- 75, I -94, and I- 96. So let's navigate our way around metro Detroit and check out all the attractions.

ATTRACTION #1

Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum 

The largest outdoor-indoor museum complex in the United States. It is visited by over 1.7 million people each year. The Village contains a replica of Thomas Edison's Menlo Park laboratory complex from New Jersey, the Wright Brothers Bicycle Shop and Home, Firestone Farm, Noah Webster's Connecticut home,  A Cape Cod windmill, the Logan County Illinois courthouse where Abraham Lincoln practiced law, the Herschell-Spillman carousel known for a variety of carved wooden animals, Stoney Creek Sawmill, and countless of other buildings. Ride the three-mile train route around the Village and get on and off at key stops. The train ride is highly enjoyable. The Henry Ford Museum is filled with wonders including Douglas DC-3 airplane, Dymaxion House, Rosa Parks Bus, The Lincoln Chair, Kennedy Limousine, Lamy's Diner (From the 1940's), The Railroads Exhibit and much more. The Ford Rouge Factory Tour awards you with a first hand experience of vehicles being assembled. Buses to the Rouge Complex depart from the circle drive in front of Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation Monday to Saturday from 9:20 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on a first come-first served basis.

ATTRACTION #2

Detroit-Style Pizza

Gus Guerra, an Italian immigrant is the genius who invented Detroit-style pizza in 1946 at his neighborhood bar called Buddy's Rendezvous Pizzeria, on Detroit's East Side. Gus Guerra made the first square pizza in a forged-steel plan borrowed from local auto plants. The result was a thick doughy crust, crispy cheese, and sauce on top. This was similar to a Sicilian-style pizza. The original Buddy's Pizza is located at 17125 Conant off Six Mile in Detroit. There are now twenty three Buddy's in and around Detroit but the original location is iconic.

Where to Get the Best Detroit-Style Pizza:

Buddy's Pizzeria

17125 Conant 

Detroit

Grandma Bob's Pizza

2135 Michigan Avenue

Detroit

Loui's Pizza

23151 Dequindre Road

Hazel Park

Shield's Pizza

5057 Woodward Avenue

Detroit

ATTRACTION #3

Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA)

An absolutely amazing and spacious museum with one of the largest and most significant arts collections in the United States. With over one hundred galleries, the DIA collection is regarded as among the top six museums in the United States. USA Today readers voted the DIA as the number one museum in the United States. Established in 1885 the Detroit Institute of Arts will captivate you with arts exhibitions, recitals, lectures, art reference library, and conservation services laboratory.

ATTRACTION #4

Belle Isle

An urban oasis with 982 acres and surrounded by the Detroit River, Belle Isle is home to he Belle Isle Aquarium, the Belle Isle Conservatory, the Belle Isle Nature Center, the James Scott Memorial Fountain, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, a municipal golf course, a half mile swimming beach and numerous monuments. There are views of Detroit and Canada from the island. The Detroit Yacht Club is located on an adjacent island connected to Belle Isle by a bridge. Belle Isle has nature hiking trails and opportunities to canoe, kayak, and paddle board. Frederick Law Olmstead who designed Central Park in New York City, also designed Belle Isle.

ATTRACTION #5

Motown Museum, Hitsville U.S.A.

Berry Gordy Jr. established Motown Records in Detroit in 1959. The original headquarters and music recording studio for Motown Records, this museum is home to valued memorabilia and the famous Studio A where talented artists and groups recorded popular music adored by fans worldwide.  Berry Gordy Jr. even lived in the upper flat during the company's early days with his family. The Motown Museum is filled with musical magic. Tours run Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on a first come first serve basis. General Admission is $20.00 for Adults.

The list of Motown Artists include Diana Ross & the Supremes, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Michael Jackson & the Jackson 5, Lionel Richie, Gladys Knight & the Pips and many more.

ATTRACTION #6

Eastern Market

2934 Russell Street, Detroit

Saturday is the day to visit the Eastern Market. Here you'll find an assortment of local produce, delicious delicacies, plants and flowers, and more. Thousands of southeast Michigan residents stock up on their favorite foods at the market. Eastern Market Hours are Saturday year round from 6 a.m. until 4 p.m. From June to October the market is open on Sundays and Tuesdays. Check website for hours.

THINGS TO DO IN DETROIT:

There are countless of other things to see and do in Detroit. 

Architectural buildings abound such as Detroit Opera House, Fox Theatre, The Guardian Building, GM Renaissance Center, Masonic Temple, The Majestic Theatre, Penobscot Building, Moross House, and Fisher Building.

Casino's in Detroit: Motor City Casino, MGM Grand Casino, and Motor City Casino.

Riverboat cruises on the Detroit River are enjoyable.

Comerica Park is home to the Detroit Tigers baseball team.

Hart Plaza is a riverfront destination for summer concerts, festivals, and special events.

Visit the Detroit Historical Museum and get a glimpse of Detroit past and present.

The Irish settlement of "Corktown" located on Michigan Avenue is the oldest neighborhood in Detroit. There's lots of interesting public spaces, a good mix of restaurants, and shops and condo developments. Slows Bar BQ is a popular place for delicious barbeque dishes served in a cozy setting with an attentive and friendly staff. Their sauces are outstanding.

Mexicantown with its bakeries, laid back bars, grocery stores, and authentic Mexican restaurants has a down to earth feel. Here you can enjoy such specialties as burritos, churros, fajitas, tacos, tamales, plantains, and margaritas.

Take the Ambassador Bridge or the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel to Windsor, Ontario, Canada in Essex County. Windsor is a beautiful city that has a walkable downtown. Here you'll find a casino, lots of cafes and restaurants, and plenty of shopping. Not far from Windsor are two lovely parks, Point Pelee National Park and Wheatley Provincial Park. There are also plenty of farms and wineries in Essex County. Towns worth visiting are Amherstburg, Colchester, Kingsville, Leamington, and Tecumseh.

                                                                  

HOPE TO SEE YOU IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN, U.S.A.

ADRIANNA😀