Vacation in Detroit ?

[Bham1982]

Same can be said for any other city. I been to Manhattan and saw what I wanted to see in two hours and do not have a desire to go back for a day or week. Was even kinda disappointed by how small Rockefeller ice rink was compared to Detroit's campus martius one.

These are the kind of posts that pretty much define naked homerism.

No, Detroit and NYC do not have similar visitor profiles. No, you cannot see NYC in two hours.

The rink at Rock Center is specifically famous for its tight confines, so it's quite odd you were surprised it wasn't big. Please don't compare Campus Martius to probably the greatest art deco urban assemblage on the planet.

If you wanted a big, urban rink, the much bigger ones in Bryant Park, Central Park, Prospect Park, McCarran Park, the Seaport, Chelsea Piers and the like would fit the bill.

[Willi]

I was going the direction-- """" what Detroit can do to encourage more tourism""""
"" Detroit has wonderful places to visit, but they're all over the map""" YEAH !
I have relatives in Germany that want to visit, but without holding their hand and escorting
them to every single location, personally, I doubt they would enjoy themselves for vacation.
I foresee a LOT of time in the car, driving here, driving there, again, and again - tedious.

I like Detroit, I kayak downtown, Belle Isle, ride my bike, attend events, etc., etc.

[Willi]

AND its getting colder, more rainy days, and soon the ice and snow will arrive.
The only truly worthwhile skiing is far up north in the state, and we don't have mountains.

[Honky Tonk]

AND its getting colder, more rainy days, and soon the ice and snow will arrive.
The only truly worthwhile skiing is far up north in the state, and we don't have mountains.

Mt. Elliott....

[DetroitPlanner]

Mt. Elliott....

Mount Clemens, Mount Trashmoor.....

[Honky Tonk]

Mount Clemens, Mount Trashmoor.....

Detroit's answer to the Continental Divide.

[Willi]

Perception is indeed a hindrance to many potential visitors.

[Willi]

Let them come to Detroit for the Auto Show in WINTER, loose their luggage, and force them to drive around in the snow/ice/slush/salt in a rental vehicle, and hope they get a flight back out
Yeah that sounds reasonable

[Willi]

Slowly the perceptions are changing - except for the jaded lifers like ourselves .
I'll admit I took ten years off and played on the East Coast around NJ, NY and CT .
Came back to the D to take care of elderly parents; as its all I got in the USA.
Maybe I'll concede a smidgen and say people just may be turning the corner on Detroit,
as a destination spot, as a vacation spot , as a spot to actually pay hard earned cash to visit.

[masterblaster]

People seem to forget that Detroit has the LARGEST African-American History Museum in the country, and if you get a guided tour, it can be an amazing and enriching experience.
http://thewright.org/

Also, the NATION'S ONLY Arab American Museum is in Dearborn - so that's unique!
http://www.arabamericanmuseum.org/Ab...useum.id.3.htm

I think you guys are shortselling the downtown architecture tourism - my bank is in the Guardian Building, and almost everytime I visit the building, I see group tours and individuals taking interior photos of the building.

TO GENERATE MORE TOURISM, I PROPOSE THE FOLLOWING:

ASSEMBLY LINE/MODEL T: Invest and restore and promote the Ford Piquette and Highland Park plants as sites where major industrial innovation was made.

ARSENAL OF DEMOCRACY: There is an Arsenal of Democracy Museum out in Sterling Heights or something. It would be cool if it was in or near the Cultural Center or core of the city, and could be housed in one of the old factories [[Fisher Body Plant)

UNIROYAL TIRE: This was originally a ferris wheel. Turn it back into a ferris wheel and stick it adjacent to the Riverwalk or at the old Uniroyal Plant site, and it could anchor a cool entertainment area



BELLE ISLE: If this is returned back to what made it grand - the fully stocked Aquarium, pony rides and horse carriage rides, re-open the children's zoo, canoeing/kayaking/paddleboating on the canal and lagoon system - it could be major regional draw for families. I would establish a wheeled trolley that would start at the MacArthur Bridge's approach at Jefferson Ave and have it loop around the island every 15-20 minutes with stops at the Casino, Botanical Gardens, ballfields, etc.

PROMOTE ACCESS TO WINDSOR: To get to Downtown Windsor is a 5-minute Tunnel Bus ride from Downtown [[plus the customs hassle). Earlier in this thread, Davewindsor listed an interesting list of attractions that Windsor offers that seem relatively easy to get to.

RIVERWALK: add unique attractions to the Riverwalk to make it more vibrant - restaurants, boutiques, playfields, put-put golf, memorials [[statues/plaques), art galleries inthe old warehouses, etc. Work out a similar arrangement with the Riverfront Apartments that was done with Harbortown