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Vacation in Detroit

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. . . . . Interesting things to see and do in Detroit

My boyfriend came up with the idea to vacation in our own town. I thought it was a great concept. To see the area you were born and raised in from the view point of a tourist. We spent a couple of days sight seeing and walking around downtown. It was great!

That is what gave me the idea for this lens. Interesting things to see and do in and around Detroit. That's my home town. I have lived and worked in and around Detroit my whole life.

I modified this lens to make it easier to follow. The different areas are now broken up into categories.

You now have the opportunity to vote thumbs up or down on the places I have listed. Add a few items of your own if you like.

Theatres

Dozens of venues for seeing live productions in the Detroit Area

Of course there is the Fisher Theatre where you can see a fantastic professional play. It is a beautiful building. I saw Annie here. I sat up close on the main floor, it was fantastic. Another time I sat towards the rear of the theatre, can't remember what I saw, but I was so far away from the stage, that I did not enjoy it as much.

Most of the time, I enjoy going to smaller theaters where there isn't a bad seat in the house. I find these smaller venues more affordable as well. Since I see plays a lot, that is important to me. Here is a list of theatres I like, as well as their contact information or websites.

Check out the theatre life in the Detroit area. Vote based on your experiences. Add to my list if you care to.

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The Bonstelle Theatre, Detroit, MI

Wayne State Undergraduate performances1 point

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The Hilberry Theatre, Detroit, MI

The Hilberry Theatre in Midtown Detroit is Michiga more...1 point

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The Gem and The Century Theatres, Detroit, MI

The recently remodeled theater offers cabaret-styl more...1 point

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JET, West Bloomfield, MI

Jewish Ensemble Theatre1 point

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1515 Broadway, Detroit, MI

Doesn't appear to have a website. Schedule can be more...1 point

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Detroit Opera House, Detroit, MI

Haven't been here yet, but looking forward to it s more...0 points

Restaurants, My Favorites

In and around Detroit

I love good food. These restaurants are among my favorites. Please check them out. See if you like them as much as I do.
Do you have a favorite place to eat in or around Detroit? If you, add it to our list.
Have you been to one of my favorite places. Vote a thumbs up, or down, if you didn't find it as nice as I did.

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The Original Pancake House, Grosse Pointe, Southfield, Birmingham, MI

Over 100 franchises throughout the US, is a family more...1 point

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Polonia Restaurant - Hamtramck, MI

Reasonable prices and great Polish food!1 point

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Tunnel Bar-B-Q, Windsor, Canada

Ok, this isn't Detroit, not even MI, but it is so close more...1 point

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Golden Chopstick Restaurant, St Clair Shores, MI

Great atmosphere and delicious chinese food. I don more...1 point

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Coach Insignia, Detroit MI

Located on the top floor of the Renaissance Building more...1 point

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Ikes Restaurant, Sterling Heights, MI

Middle Eastern Cuisine. One of my favorites.1 point

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Le Petit Zinc, Detroit, MI

Only French restaurant that I am aware of in the D more...1 point

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Xochimilco Mexican Restaurant, Detroit MI

Love it! Margaritas and Huevos Rancheros!1 point

Tina at the Original Pancake House in Birmingham

Don't forget to bring a friend! 

Eggs Michael

1/2 order Eggs Michael served with potato pancakes and a side order of bacon 

Detroit Film Theatre (DFT)

At the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA)

My day started out at the DIA, Detroit Institute of Arts. The Art Museum has an exhibit of Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus. I haven't been to the exhibit yet. The event I went to was the lecture introducing this exhibit. The lecture and slideshow were excellent. The speaker was a DIA curator emeritus. He was instrumental in bringing this exhibit to Detroit. I am looking forward to seeing the exhibit which runs February 12, 2012.
This lecture was held in the Theatre within the DIA. The theatre is a gorgeous old auditorium. You enter the theatre through large brass covered doors which have decorative wrought iron work located above the doors. It is a beautiful building, and one ought to go there to see the architectural beauty, even if they are not interested in seeing the films or lectures given there.
I returned to the same theatre the next day to see a Movie entitled World on a Wire. It was a German film with English subtitles. This film was over 3 hours long, but it was a fantastic movie. The subtitles were easy to follow and the storyline was about a society that was a simulation of real life. This reminded me a bit of the story line of the Matrix, but this film came out first and was originally created in the early 1970's. Very original for it's time and I enjoyed it very much. If the opportunity ever comes up to see this film, I would recommend it.
The DFT shows movies that you would not normally find at the neighborhood theatre. They show a very eclectic mix of media. Check out their web site and come for a visit. This is one of the jewels of the city.

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Photo of Dettoit Institute of Arts

Home of the Detroit Film Theatre

http://www.dia.org/
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Russel Street Industrial Center

Art in an old Detroit factory

RusselStreetIndCtrEntranceWow! This was an interesting adventure.
This is a center where artists can work and display their art. A community of artists located in one of Detroit's old abandoned factories. You have to see it in person to get a good grasp of what is happening here!

This venue is for the adventurist soul. Someone who wants to see something different. Differing from the traditional museum tours. A place where you may be intimidated by the lack of structure.

It was 6pm, already dark in Detroit this time of year. We turned off of the freeway service drive onto a side street where the entrance to the parking lot was located. There was a guard house at the entrance, but I didn't see any one there. No one to ask questions of, so we just drove in and followed the sign that said Russel Street Bazaar. The Bazaar is located at the far end of the parking lot

Visit their website at: http://ricdetroit.org
RusselStreetIndCtrGlassStudio1

Indigo Glass Studio at the Russel Industrial Center 

RusselStreetIndCtrGlassbyIndigo

I bought one of these hand blown glass flowers from the Indigo Glass Studio. I love glass and this was affordable. 

Art Studio Space ____Old factory buildings converted to lofts

RusselStreetIndCtrBuildingHallA small sign outside the door indicated that there were studios on the 2nd floor. Imagine a crude steel door on the side of an old factory. Entering into an area where there was the option of going through a door or going up a stairway.

As we entered the 2nd floor of the building, we were presented with an artful display of uniquely crafted furniture pieces. Ah! I know we are in the right place now!
The building has various rooms converted into studios. Both glass and ceramic studios were located on this floor.

As you walk through the building you see a contrast of beautifully laid out studios, where the works of art are on display and available for purchase, and unfinished areas, where the windows are broken and cold air is blowing in.

Not all of the rooms are open. I guess the doors will not open if you are not allowed inside. You just roam around until you find what you are looking for. This is only one of the buildings. There are several buildings located in this area that are being used as art studios and what not.

Russel Street Bazaar

RusselStreetBazaarEntranceThe Russel Street Bazaar is a network of individuals selling this and that. The bazaar is located in the warehouse towards the end of the parking lot. Not an art studio, more like a flea market.

The shop owners we talked to were very interesting. As we entered, we saw a long corridor of shops. I met a lady who sold used items with the help of her husband. A very charming individual As I wandered down the long corridor of shops, each divided by chain link fencing, I found jewelry booths, clothing shops, beauty salons and even a deli. The second lady I met was into reflexology. She also sold some homeopathic products. Very interesting woman, she seemed quite knowledgeable in her area of expertise.

The bazaar is only open on the weekends, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
This building was less intimidating because it had a sign that directed you to it both in the parking lot and on the face of the building.
RusselStreetBazaar

The Russel Street Bazaar is a network of individuals selling this and that, not an art studio, more like a flea market. 

Where are your favorite places to go in the Detroit Area?

If you are not local to the area, where are you from? Do you think you'd like to visit the Detroit area?

I love living in Michigan. There are so many things to do and the people are so friendly!
I hang out in the city as well as in the surrounding suburbs.

I am interested in learning about places that my readers have visited. I want to know if you would recommend these places to someone else.

If you are not from the Detroit area, where are you from? If I visit your town, what places do you think I should visit. I would be interested, and I think my readers would also like to hear your story.

  • JaguarJulie Apr 10, 2012 @ 10:01 am | delete
    Ah, we actually did a bit of vacationing in Detroit years ago when I lived in Cleveland, Ohio. Love the concept of Russel Street Bazaar. Used to listen to CKLW on my transistor radio.
  • gigglinggranny Dec 4, 2011 @ 11:40 pm | delete
    Early spring I will have to check out all the ins and outs of Comerica Park and seeing the Detroit Tigers, then post my review. Now all I have to do is wait for the season to start!
  • Wednesday_Elf Dec 3, 2011 @ 5:16 pm | delete
    Like yano below, I want to see a Detroit Tigers baseball game. I love baseball and it is my dream someday to visit every major league ballfield. Since I've never been to Detroit, when I finally do get to attend a Tigers game, I'll know some good places to eat and other places to visit while there, from this page. Enjoyed your tour of Detroit.
  • yano_jl Dec 2, 2011 @ 4:56 pm | delete
    I really want to see a tigers game in Detroit. Its on my bucketlist
  • gigglinggranny Dec 2, 2011 @ 10:17 pm | delete
    You will love it! The new Comerica Park is very nice. I have been there a couple of times and had a great time!
    Note: I know people who have taken a free shuttle from a few different establishments in town and in the suburbs. I haven't tried it yet, but maybe will do that next summer and write about the results.
  • Kimbesa Nov 30, 2011 @ 4:47 pm | delete
    All those places you've mentioned, and agalova, too! Also, Traffic Jam and Snug restaurant in the New Center area, and Eastern Market, and the Royal Oak Farmer's Market...I could go on...
  • agalova Nov 28, 2011 @ 9:46 am | delete
    I love the DIA, but I think my favorite Detroit Museum is The Detroit Historical Museum. I also make sure to take my family to The Detroit Zoo several times a year. Greenfield Village is cool, too, and their Holiday Nights is starting soon. I already have my tickets!
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