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Things to See & Do
Sites to See |
GUIDED TOURS CRANBROOK HOUSE AND GARDENS As the oldest manor home in metro Detroit, Cranbrook
House has a century of historical street cred to its name—and the
gorgeous architecture to prove it. Designed by Fisher Building architect
Albert Kahn, Cranbrook House features hand-carved wood and stone work,
centuries-old tapestries and antiques and breathtaking views of the 40
acres of flower-filled gardens that surround it. Don’t miss Weeping
Zeus, the famous fountain near Cranbrook House. Have your friends pose
for a picture to the right of the sculpture—when they step on the
secret panel, they will be squirted with projectile tears. DETROIT TOUR CONNECTIONS DTC offers all sorts of guided tours of Detroit. Individuals can try the Wednesday Walks (every Wed. at 6:00 p.m., May—Sept.) or the weekend walking tours. Groups can line up guides for walking tours, People Mover tours, or bus tours of Detroit. Tours can include general highlights of Detroit, or they can have a specific topic or theme. DETROIT PRINCESS RIVERBOAT Here's a cruise you won't need a leather jacket
and chaps for. There are lunch cruises, dinner cruises, moonlight cruises
and a Comedy Murder Mystery cruise up and down the scenic Detroit River. DIAMOND JACK’S RIVER TOURS Heating up or hearing the call of the sea (or
at least the river)? You can pay up and cast off on the Diamond Jack,
which makes for a laid-back cool-down on a sweltering summer day. Private
charters are an option if you can find a couple dozen other takers; they’re
available May through August, along with field trip–type outings
for young people. Perfect for those who enjoy being on the water but don’t
have swimmer’s lungs or rich friends with boats. EDSEL AND ELEANOR FORD HOUSE FISHER MANSION Here’s another 1920s “boom”
years (when Detroit was the Silicon Valley of its day) behemoth. Built
to order at the behest of motor mogul Lawrence “King” Fisher,
this cottage by the river was bought in 1975 by Walter’s daughter,
Elisabeth Reuther Dickmeyer, whose spiritual leanings made a temple out
of it. Now doing business as the Bhaktivedanta Cultural Center and housing
Govinda’s, a restaurant serving topflight vegetarian cuisine, the
house that Fisher built thrives again. HENRY FORD ESTATE HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL CENTER Examine one of the saddest times in 20th-century
history, and spend some time learning about Jewish culture and how it’s
changed over the last century. Holocaust survivors talk about their
experiences after the tour, and oral and written histories are available
for research. INSIDE DETROIT MEADOW BROOK HALL TOURS MICHIGAN STAR CLIPPER DINNER TRAIN Now under new ownership, this private train
and railroad is a living piece of history. You can eat a five-course meal
in a swanky dining car, spend the night in a Pullman sleeping car or just
enjoy a ride in this vintage locomotive. You’ll have to make dinner
reservations in advance, and depart from the historic depot in Walled
Lake. They have special rides that don’t include dinner and a show,
as well as rides just for kids. It is available all seasons for private
parties, and in keeping with the nostalgic vibe of yesteryear, the Star
Clipper is perhaps the only public dining facility that still requires
gentlemen to wear a tie and jacket. PARADE COMPANY We love a parade. And visiting the home of
America’s Thanksgiving Parade is just as fun. This one hour guided
tour gives your posse the op to get up close and personal with the giant
floats that run amok on Woodward Avenue every last Thursday in November.
You’ll learn how floats are made, see artists slaving away on these
works of art and PEWABIC POTTERY Started in 1903 during the Arts and Crafts
Movement, Pewabic is internationally famous for its unique tile and pottery.
Today, it functions in the same historic environs as a historical and
educational nonprofit center. You can try a self-guided tour or call ahead
and arrange a group tour of the museum and studio. PRESERVATION WAYNE Preservation Wayne blasted off in 1975 out
of a strong dislike for a University bent on destroying the structures
of Detroit history. Since then, the Prez has broken out of student organization
bonds to host tours. RENAISSANCE CENTER SAARINEN HOUSE Think you’ve seen some gorgeous houses
on the Style network? Saarinen House will change your mind on that one.
This art deco masterpiece, located on Cranbrook’s National Historic
Landmark campus, is the former home of legendary Finnish architect Eliel
Saarinen. With a thousand exquisite details, from Pewabic tiles to intricate
window treatments, Saarinen House dresses to impress. SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH OF DETROIT More than 5,000 escaped slaves passed through
this “station” on the Underground Railroad on their way to
freedom across the Detroit River and into Canada. The church is located
right in the heart of Greektown—though it wasn’t known as
that back in 1836 when the church was founded by 13 former slaves and
free men and women. An official National Historical Site, the Second Baptist
has hosted the likes of Frederick Douglass, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
and then–Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson speaking in support of
civil rights. Historical tours for groups are offered (make an appointment
first); at only $5 per adult, it’s a real bargain. Church services
every Sunday at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. by Reverend Dr. Kevin Turman. T-PLEX— The Model T Automotive Heritage Complex One of the oldest pieces of auto history is
now one of the latest attractions and has been designated a National Historic
Landmark. The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant is considered by some to be the
birthplace of the auto industry. You will walk the same factory floors
where the Model T was created and built, changing not only our city, but
the world. It's a nonprofit restoration-in-progress; one of the most important
landmarks in modern history. It’s open 10 until 5 on the first and third
Saturdays, May through October. © 2008 Guide to Detroit, LLC |