Where to take a visitor to Detroit on a driving tour of the city?

I have a friend who's coming into town on business next week and I told him I'd pick him up from the Book Cadillac Hotel, give him a little tour of the city and then we'd grab a bite to eat.

I'm planning on taking him past the site of Tiger Stadium [[he's a baseball fan), through Indian Village and around Belle Isle. I'm open for suggestions on where else I might take him on a 1-2 hour drive.

Also, any recommendations for a food at a place that really says 'Detroit?' I've already thought about Slow's BBQ, but think that might be a little too cliche by now. I'd want someplace a little more upscale than a Coney Island, so that type of place is out, too. Other options you might recommend?

I would suggest showing your friend Mexicantown, Greektown, go up Woodward and show them New Center.

That says City of Detroit or Metro Detroit? If you want upscale that says Metro Detroit, take him to Sommerset Mall.

I'm really looking for Detroit, davewindsor.

And great suggestions, DetroitZack. Please keep 'em coming... [[especially for restaurant suggestions).

Mudgies is pretty damn good. Corktown on Porter street.

Stromberg2

In addition to the above suggestions....

I often take out-of-town guests on a drive up Woodward Avenue pointing out the sites, including the Medical Center, Orchestra Hall, the Whitney, the DIA, the main Library, and Ferry St. [[Hecker Mansion on the corner). A swing by the Ford Piquette plant. A stop in the Fisher Building. A stop at the Motown Museum [[read the historic marker, look at the window display, take a pic in front of "Hitsville").

Another site I include is Tyree Guyton's Heidelberg Project. Most find it pretty interesting.

My common stops on a 1-2 hour drive: 1) The Guardian Building. 2) Up Woodward, even if you don't stop at the DIA or DPL, the whole Cultural Center/New Center complex shows the scale the city was planned on. 3) Indian Village. Of the historic neighborhoods, that's the one that's most distinctively Detroit with its hugs Albert Kahn houses. 4) Belle Isle. A true diamond in the rough. It was to be Frederick Law Olmstead's magnum opus. 5) Back through Corktown and Mexicantown if there's time. If your friend is interested in urban problems, cruise through the area near St. Anne's Catholic church, which is a reasonably successful example of church-based urban renewal.

For the restaurant, maybe Middle Eastern in Dearborn? La Pita or any one of a half dozen other places. In the city itself, I feel that the Wayne State area places have a distinctive vibe. Maybe the Traffic Jam or Union Street. Or one of the downtown bars. Wings at Sweetwater. Or maybe Roma or Giovanni's restaurant for Italian -- true old-line Midwestern-Italian places.

A lot of good suggestions so far. Here's one that's totally hit-or-miss: Depending on the circumstances, your friend may never have been to a drive-in. The area around the Ford-Wyoming is not as classy as some of what's been mentioned so far [[also, it's not actually in Detroit), and the food options right around there probably still aren't that great. But the drive-in experience itself actually totally rocks, surprisingly, and could be a fun way to close out the evening, depending. I for one had never been to one, and kind of eschewed it as beyond ridiculous the first few times I drove past it on the interstate, but from the very first time I actually went I was totally hooked! If you can keep them warm, bring a take-out order of Sweetwater's Wings...or whatever else you enjoy, I guess.
There's absolutely not a lot of drive-ins in America's big cities, they're a dying breed, an anachronism; this visit to Detroit could be the one time he or she got to do that.

I wholeheartedly suggest ending at Cliff Bell's for fantastic food, entertainment and cocktails! Also, don't forget to hit the riverwalk at some point in the evening.

I agree with Union St. and also suggest Bucharest Grill/Park bar. If you want a little higher class I highly recommend La Dolce Vita.

Fellow forumers have you well-covered, Chris, but I'll still lob this link to the Assignment Detroit folks' suggestions.

Some overlaps . . . and at least one I found surprising from this source.

Fair warning, though: It starts with some typical foolishness and hyperbole. Try not to shoot this messenger.

When driving through downtown take a few minutes and park the car [[making sure to put money in the meter if it's before 6pm) and go into the lobby of the Guardian Bldg. Do he same at the Fisher Bldg. If you're at the Fisher Bldg., drive through the New Center Commons rehab neighborhood.

If he likes churches tell him to walk a half block North from the Book Cadillac and go in St. Aloysius around noon one day during his stay.

More neighborhoods? Palmer Woods, University District, Sherwood Forest, and Green Acres.

If you and your friend like good Mexican food, go to Mi Pueblo on Dix. Italian? The Roma Cafe.

its too bad Dakota Inn is closed during July..

My suggestions include MoCAD and Paris Crepes.

Eastsidechris, tough job of giving a big tour in a short time, but here are my thoughts.

Think of the tour as a moveable feast, with several stops throughout the evening. Since you want to see old Tiger Stadium, head out Michigan and walk the field you can get in through the fence at the end of Cochrane I believe. Next hit up Nemo's for a quick beer and ambience.

Scoot across Michigan and wind your way through Corktown for quick look-see at the neighborhood. A stop at Le' Petite Zinc http://lepetitzincdetroit.com/ for a couple of salads to start the feast. Take Trumbull south to Fort and head back downtown.

I agree with Neilr the Guardian Building is a must see and to get a cup of coffe at the Rowland Cafe is pretty neat. But it closes at 6 so that might not work. In any event, duck in the Guardian lobby to just peek. A must see.

Next head south on Griswald to Jefferson and swing around in front of CoboHall, turn left, then head down to the river on a tiny road that curls down and around Cobo Arena. You'll end up on Atwater, turn left and drive under Hart plaza. You'll come up by the Ren Cen and the River Walk. Take in the sights and keep heading east on Atwater until it ends at StrohRiverPlace.

Stop in at the Atwater Brewery http://www.atwaterbeer.com for a quick one, then back on Joseph Campau to Jefferson. Turn right or east.

Jefferson will take you to Belle Isle and the early evening vibe of boys dueling with their respective woofers and subwoofers. Maybe my least favorite time on the island, but maybe that is me being old.

Back to Jefferson, turn right, then left into Indian Village ... make sure to tell your guest that Indian Village did not get its name from local indian tribe bt rather from the names of champion horses that ran on the old Detroit Race track, which is what Indian Village is built upon.

I keep hearing a new place has opened in the old Harliquinn in the Parkstone, but have nothing to back it up with.

Next head back to Joseph Campau and finish the evening at The Rattlesnake.

I fear that tour will be a tad longer than 2 hours but well worth the extra time.

Plz report back.

Another vote here for Union St and their Dragon Eggs, Heidelberg Project, River Walk and Dequinder Cut, Belle Isle, Packard Plant, Chene St south of 94 is always interesting to my out of town friends. Dodger took me for my first shwarma a few months ago, I highly recommend one of those, then go grab a couple of 40s and eat on top of the MCS.

There is only one Fudgie Mudgie and it's an amazing experience! Sweetwater's is another vote of mine, or also a sandwich from Gonella's on Oakwood right off Fort. W.

I think most people here have hit the important tour spots...I always like to take a spin around Grand Circus Park. If you have a moment or two to walk around and the Guardian lobby is on your list, why not stroll through Campus Martius and the Compuware lobby too?

I imagine I'm not the only one who will want to know the places you do end up, and your friend's opinion of their experience in our city.

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Originally Posted by Django

...then go grab a couple of 40s and eat on top of the MCS.

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LOL! If the restaurant is open, you can probably just bribe your way to the top of the Broderick. :)

Tiger Stadium would be my first suggestion, if the gate is still open you could even get out and go on the field.

Just off of the top of my head, here is a few suggestions...

A) Michigan Central Depot
B) Fisher Building
C) Guardian Building
D) Packard Plant
E) Comerica Park/Ford Field/Fox Theatre
F) Greektown
G) MGM Grand Casino/Motor City Casino
H) Renasnace Center
I) Police Station
J) Old Wayne County Building

As far as actual places to eat, there is not that many places however here are a few suggestions...

A) Slows BBQ [[Problem is that the wait is usually 45 mins)
B) Nemo's Bar
C) Lafayette/American Coney Island
D) Elmwood Bar and Grill by Comerica Park
E) MGM Grand Casino
F) Leftys Lounge [[Pizza)
G) Nikkis [[Pizza)

If you go to MGM Grand, they got the Breeze Resturant which has a nice selection and will get you in and out. Also if you might want to try Bourban Steak [[In MGM Grand), they have great Bar Burgers if you sit in the lounge, just expect to spend about $60 for 2 people.

Other than that, I was at Leftys Loungs a few weeks ago on Cass Ave behind the Detroit Library and they have really good pizza at a reasonable price.

If you head east taking in Indian Village, stop at St Bon Adventure and check out the museum at the Caputian Monastary. Drive through Elmwood and Mt Elliot Cementarys. Brush up on a little history since so many important historical personages are buried there. The cementarys are stunning in their beauty. Catholics were buried at Mt Elliot and Protestants at Elmwood. People tend to forget that Fort Detroit was more or less an island with many Creeks and tributaries from the river. The cementaries show traces of some of those original creeks. The battle of bloody run was fought where Mt Elliot is and a small portion of that creek still exists. Gnome is right, Indian Village streets were named for winning race horses since the site of Indian Village was originally the Hamtramck Race Track. Try stopping at Pewabic Pottery [[good for sovenirs) Definitely do not miss Belle Isle, with a call in advance you could probably tour the Yacht Club too.



I thought the idea of stopping various places for meal courses was very clever. Try a tour of Eastern Market and end up at Marios, pricey but very steeped in history.

GREAT suggestions! If you can think of anything else, keep 'em coming, but this is a solid list.
I'll let you know how it goes.

I include a drive out Lakeshore to at least Moross, if not Vernier, and a stop in Hamtramck. You've got some good eating options with Polish Village Cafe or Under the Eagle, but you can show him what Detroit looked like at its peak, with the crowded streets, people walking everywhere.

Stroll the Riverwalk. Eat at the Woodbridge-they have their new menu for the summer and it's amazing.

Yeah, do the Ford-Wyoming drive-in though that's officially Dearborn at the Detroit border. I love Sweetwater's Wings! Yummy!!!!!!! LOL!

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Originally Posted by fryar

... If you can keep them warm, bring a take-out order of Sweetwater's Wings...or whatever else you enjoy, I guess.
There's absolutely not a lot of drive-ins in America's big cities, they're a dying breed, an anachronism; this visit to Detroit could be the one time he or she got to do that.

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Lets see...

Somerset Mall, McDonalds [[your choice), down John R or Cass to see the hookers, Lakeshore Drive, Family Dollar [[your choice), an inner-city party store [[your choice) for a Faygo.

I am the best tour guide in the universe!

Mexicantown, Henry Ford Museum/Greenfield Village, DIA, Motown Museum, Belle Isle.

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I'm open for suggestions on where else I might take him on a 1-2 hour drive

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I think you are going to need more time.