Heading to Detroit

[crikker]

Tomorrow AM, we're Detroit bound. Haven't been in the heart of it since around '83ish. Going to see the Tigers at Comerica. Staying at the Atheneum Hotel downtown. Any Detroiters on here that can give me any tips? Taking I-75 into the city then getting off on I-375. I think we'll walk to Comerica. Plan on seeing the Science Museum and Ford Field. Hows the crime, walking around, panhandlers, etc in that area? Easy to get around? Restaurants?

[fdeck]

I just came back from Trenton, my hometown. Didn't get into Detroit, but I heard that I-75 is under construction. It might be worth scoping out if your route is actually passable.

We took the kids to Greenfield Village, which is awesome. Got to see Thomas Edison's lab.

[Ground Pounder]

Traffic isn't too bad anymore, but it'll likely slow down on you near the 9-mile bridge they tore down because that tanker blew up a few weeks ago on the freeway.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IguSafPEgc0

There's some cool stuff to check out down there, especially if you like sports and bars and what not. Hockeytown Cafe and Cheli's Chili are right near the stadium.

Shouldn't be a bad trip, just remember that downtown turns into a ghost town around 6pm, so just head back near the stadium around that time.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by crikker

Tomorrow AM, we're Detroit bound. Haven't been in the heart of it since around '83ish. Going to see the Tigers at Comerica. Staying at the Atheneum Hotel downtown. Any Detroiters on here that can give me any tips? Taking I-75 into the city then getting off on I-375. I think we'll walk to Comerica. Plan on seeing the Science Museum and Ford Field. Hows the crime, walking around, panhandlers, etc in that area? Easy to get around? Restaurants?

I'll be at the game tonight also. You will love that 'heart of downtown' area. The city has done a great job with the area around the Fox, ballpark, etc. Lot's of restaurants, very safe, etc., etc. My wife and I are down there all the time.

I'm not familiar with the hotels downtown, so can't comment on that.

Have fun. Vincente's is a WONDERFUL Cuban restaurant on Library, within walking distance of the ballpark. There are also lot's of nice little restaurants/pubs close to the Opera House.

Enjoy!

K

[Absentia]

Always fun to drive around the ghetto at 3am and look at the zombies but they tend to leave you alone.

[lousybassplayer]

I heard that there is an up and coming rapper named G Rabbit in the area. You should check him out.

[malthumb]

Originally Posted by crikker

Tomorrow AM, we're Detroit bound. Haven't been in the heart of it since around '83ish. Going to see the Tigers at Comerica.

Okay....I'm jealous

Originally Posted by crikker

Staying at the Atheneum Hotel downtown.

You're starting off on a good note. The Atheneum is a really nice hotel. One of the nicest until the casino hotels were completed and the Book Cadillac renovated.

Originally Posted by crikker

Any Detroiters on here that can give me any tips? Taking I-75 into the city then getting off on I-375. I think we'll walk to Comerica.

Unless you arrive during rush hour your drive should be uneventful. No real construction in your path, at least from Pontiac (where I work) to downtown (my company's HQ). Even the 9-Mile inferno is pretty much cleared up.

Originally Posted by crikker

Plan on seeing the Science Museum and Ford Field.

Science Museum is cool. You'll need to drive there from the Atheneum. Straight north on Woodward up to Warren Ave. Ford Field is right next to Comerica Park, so you're walking distance from the Atheneum.

Greek Town (where the Atheneum is located) is always good for just walking around / people watching. The Casinos (Greek Town Casino is connected to the Atheneum) are good for watching decent live music in the lounges.

Greenfield Village is a full day trip. Not 'cause it's far, but because there is so much to see. Edison's lab, the chair Lincoln was killed in, the car Kennedy was killed in, the bus Rosa Parks sat down in, George Washington's field kit. A lot of cool historical stuff. From the Atheneum, go back up I-375 to I-75 to I-94 WEST. Take I-94 WEST to M-39 Southfield Expressway NORTH to Rotunda exit. Follow signs for The Henry Ford.

You could also go into the Renaissaince Center (GM World HQ) and see whatever cool products we have on display. There's a scenic Riverwalk behind the GM HQ / Renaissance Center. Walking distance from the Atheneum.

Originally Posted by crikker

Hows the crime, walking around, panhandlers, etc in that area? Easy to get around?

Only issue I have with downtown is the panhandlers. No better / worse than any other large city. Crime is not really an issue in the areas around the stadiums, Hockey Town/ Theater District, Renaissance Center and the casinos. As far as easy to get around? Make certain you know where you are relative to JEFFERSON, WOODWARD, GRAND RIVER, MICHIGAN, or GRATIOT. Be careful with GRAND RIVER and GRATIOT, though, because they radiate out diagonally from near where JEFFERSON and WOODWARD meet. Typically, if you can get to one of those streets, you can get anywhere downtown.

Originally Posted by crikker

Restaurants?

Atheneum is right next to Fishbones, which has a New Orleans theme and cuisine. Still one of my favorites. If you order room service, it's coming from Fishbones. A lot of nice Greek restaurants in Greek Town. The Renaissance Center has Andiamo (Italian) and Seldom Blues (American). These two are near the top of the price scale. One of the co-owners of Seldom Blues is jazz artist Alexander Zonjic. They typically have GREAT dinner entertainment. Expect to spend about $120 per couple. At the very top of the food chain (pun intended) is Opus 1. It's walking distance. Your concierge can direct you. I know where it is, just can't remember the applicable street names.

At the more moderate range, there's Hockeytown Cafe, right across Woodward from Comerica Park. There's also a Hard Rock Cafe in Campus Martius (just ask, everybody knows where Campus Martius is), and Cheli's Chili (owned by future NHL hall of famer Chris Chelios) is also right next to Comerica Park, on the side looking towards Campus Martius. There are also a couple cool little restaurants like "Small Plates" on a side street near Comerica Park.

Enjoy!

[skulletwhip]

Originally Posted by lousybassplayer

I heard that there is an up and coming rapper named G Rabbit in the area. You should check him out.

Is he the guy who raps for change? I see that dude all the time. Nice guy.

[burk48237]

James, You covered it pretty well as usual.

Some other alternatives. Pizzapopolis in Greektown is the best Pizza (deep dish) I've had anywhere including four different top drawer Chicago Pizza joints. Their Wings are pretty good too. I'll second KJungs recommendation of Vincinte's (library just off Woodward near the ballpark), excellent Mojitos and very good grub at a livable price. For lunch you must do Lafayette Coney island one day. It's the real deal. also in Greektown, the New Parthenon and Astoria Bakery for desert have great eats without the sometimes Greektown Casino cheesiness. Sala Thai on Lafayette is a great choice for Thai food.

[malthumb]

Originally Posted by burk48237

.....Sala Thai on Lafayette is a great choice for Thai food.

How could I forget one of my most favoritest restaurants?

[MCBass85]

Originally Posted by malthumb

Atheneum is right next to Fishbones, which has a New Orleans theme and cuisine. Still one of my favorites. If you order room service, it's coming from Fishbones.

Great Sushi too!

[Bad Brains]

I-75 is now passable.

I apologize for you having to go to Comerica Park. The ballpark is horrible and annoying. The fact that they moved out of Tiger Stadium is bad enough. The half-arsed design of Comerica Park makes it even worse.

Speaking of Tiger Stadium, you might want to stop by and look at the pile of rubble that's still left. I think the elevator shaft is still standing.

[crikker]

We made it in and out just fine. First night was Pizza Polonis (or however it's spelled). Awesome! Staggered out of there. Probably a top three of pizza I've ever had. Kids didn't mind either so I know it was good.

Changed plans 2nd day. Went to Cranbooks Science Institute. Didn't care for it and neither did anyone else. Live and learn. Took Woodward back to the hotel. Didn't seem like too bad but there were some areas that had us rethinking out choice. After that, Hockeytown for lunch. Wouldn't include it on the next trip as a must see but it was cool to go there. Then Ren Center. Missed the tours to the top so we watched a movie to kill time then went up at 5:30. Free ride and no drinks. Very nice.

Next day was Tigers game. Afternoon game. Best part for me for sure. Got a real nice sunburn on my white Yooper head. And the Tigers won. What could be better? Had supper in a Greek joint. Wasn't the best but confirmed that we're not to keen on Greek food.

Tried the Ford Field tour yesterday. It was canceled. The security guard let us peek at the field over a fence. Bought some Lions stuff and took off.

Antheneum was far and above anything we have ever experienced. If I had the dough to do that every time, I'd be in. Excellent service, valets were great, had anything we requested. Never stayed at a place like that and probable never will again but it sure was an experience.

Thanks for reading about our trip and thanks for the inputs.

[malthumb]

Originally Posted by crikker

We made it in and out just fine. First night was Pizza Polonis (or however it's spelled). Awesome! Staggered out of there. Probably a top three of pizza I've ever had. Kids didn't mind either so I know it was good.

Changed plans 2nd day. Went to Cranbooks Science Institute. Didn't care for it and neither did anyone else. Live and learn. Took Woodward back to the hotel. Didn't seem like too bad but there were some areas that had us rethinking out choice. After that, Hockeytown for lunch. Wouldn't include it on the next trip as a must see but it was cool to go there. Then Ren Center. Missed the tours to the top so we watched a movie to kill time then went up at 5:30. Free ride and no drinks. Very nice.

Next day was Tigers game. Afternoon game. Best part for me for sure. Got a real nice sunburn on my white Yooper head. And the Tigers won. What could be better? Had supper in a Greek joint. Wasn't the best but confirmed that we're not to keen on Greek food.

Tried the Ford Field tour yesterday. It was canceled. The security guard let us peek at the field over a fence. Bought some Lions stuff and took off.

Antheneum was far and above anything we have ever experienced. If I had the dough to do that every time, I'd be in. Excellent service, valets were great, had anything we requested. Never stayed at a place like that and probable never will again but it sure was an experience.

Thanks for reading about our trip and thanks for the inputs.

Glad you had a good time! I can imagine your drive down Woodward. Parts of it are brilliant! Parts of it look like something out of a bad movie. Then it goes back to being brilliant.

Knew you would like the Atheneum. When I got married, we had the wedding party and out of town family stay there and we got the Bridal Suite. Everybody raved about it.

Next time your in, do Fishbones since you discovered Greek ain't your thang. And you gotta gotta at least have a beer and an appetizer at the Hard Rock Cafe. They have a lot of interesting instruments on display, including one of Rob Trujillio's Music Man basses and some of Madonna's...ummm..."gear". I was going to lend them a bass that I bought from Stanley Clarke, but they were weasley about how they would insure it and couldn't even confirm that it might not accidentally "move" with some of their other properties. But that's another story.

Again, glad you had a good experience.

Peace,

James