OT: Must do things in Detroit/Ann Arbor/Michigan at large?
I have a friend coming in from Amsterdam in September, he's never been to Michigan. We're going to spend a Friday night in Detroit, and go to the Nebraska game on Saturday, and he'll be here for another 2-3 days.
Is there anything you guys can think of as must do Michigan experiences? Great restaurants in Detroit to recommend?
I watched a video of someone driving a Dodge Challenger down the tunnel onto the football field, and that looked like fun. If you can work it out, you know.
Just ask Paul to open the gate, he seems pretty reasonable...
I don't know, there is new turf now!
There are a ton of restaurants.
Pizza- Supinos, Ottava Via are very good. Also could go Detroit Style somewhere.
Others good places Apparatus Room, Townhouse, Lady of the House, Lumen there really are just a lot of places.
Townhouse is great. Really great burger and fries. I think it tries to be a little boujie-er than it needs to be, but great food and drink.
Only other suggestion I would add is Mexicantown if this guy wants/likes Mexican food or pastries, or wants to look some murals.
Agree on all points.
Detroit: Wright and Co is a favorite of mine. Selden Standard is really good too. If you want something fast in Ann Arbor, skip Zingermanns and go to Frita Batidos.
In Detroit
Food: Selden Standard and Ima
Drinks: Bad Luck Bar and the Skip
Outdoors: Dequindre Cut to the Riverwalk and Eastern Market
Indoors: DIA and pick a Casino (not motor city)
In Ann Arbor
Food: Frita Batidos and Zingermanns Deli
Drinks: Ann Arbor Distillery and the Last Word
Outdoors: Nichols Arboretum and tailgate at the golf course
Indoors: Ricks
But first, smoke a joint on the Diag.
Seldon a standard is the best food I’ve eaten hands down.
*Seldon Standard
The Henry Ford is a fantastic museum - as is the DIA. Both are definitely great parts of any tour of the area.
If you have flexibility, eat at Ann Arbor restaurants on Monday and Tuesday - not Sunday after the game. They can get really crowded - even for modest places.
Beat Nebraska. And make sure he tries coneys.
Take him to a strip club and show him how to make it rain
The guy is from Amsterdam. If he’s been anywhere near the Red Light District, he probably knows how to make it rain better than most anyone on this board.
Ford Rouge truck plant. Whether you are into the auto industry or not, the history and complexity are amazing
don't know what you're in to but imo the best rock shows in detroit these days are at outer limits - they don't have anything on the schedule that far out yet, but catch a show there and chances are real good that you're going to see a detroit band and a touring act that will blow you away. it's relatively close to the original buddy's as well.
oh yeah and afterwards take him to duly's for coneys
Thanks everyone! This is awesome
You can show them exactly where Hell does freeze over.
Might also want to stop by one of the local cider mills or a day trip to Frankenmuth for Oktoberfrest activities.
I second Oktoberfest in Frankenmuth. It's pretty freaking sweet.
Oktoberfest in Frankenmuth is definitely a cool trip if you can make it.
I would include a trip to one of the Metroparks like Lake Erie or Hudson Mills as well, in addition to many of the places folks have already mentioned here.
Detroit Style Pizza Company. Ties in nicely with Detroit’s history as the Motor City.
Grand Trunk Pub could be good for you in Detroit. The bar is in a converted old railway station so a bit of history for your friend along with an excellent beer list and solid bar food.
My favorite place to eat in Detroit is the Polish Village Cafe.
What to do depends an awful lot on what you're friend likes to do! I mean, does he like to fish? A charter for muskies would be unique to an Amsterdamite. Show him some Motown sights between the rock concerts if he likes music. Some craft breweries? Amsterdam has an awesome red light district, but maybe don't show him Detroit's red light districts. (Yeah, don't. That's an awful idea...)
How about some clues about what he likes? Because that is where you narrow what Detroit (Michigan) really has to offer him... A game at Comerica (HAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!!!)?
What about something in rural Michigan is that uniquely Michigan? It would be a bit of a drive, but Sleeping Bear Dunes, Mackinac Island, or Pictured Rocks would be a unique experience to Michigan.
Haven't lived in Detroit area for many years. What happened to New Hellas for Greek food? It moved to Farmington and then closed? What about Frank's burgers downtown?
No idea about Hellas - I'm Greek and we always went to Laikon Cafe because that was the most authentic. Then Laikon closed a few years ago. All the good Greek places in Greektown shut down and we're left with fucking Golden Fleece and Pegasus - but at least we have two burger chains there now!
New Parthenon is fine, that's the only place in Greektown I'd go to now.
Thanks. I never went to Laikon Cafe. I guess I'll never know what I missed.
Consider yourself lucky then. Best avgolemono soup I've ever had.
I loved that soup! My wife could down about a gallon of it. Greektown was a lot seedier back in the day, but the food was a lot better.
Another of the Greek contingent here, Doctor.......
I second the sentiment about the Laikon, always went there.....and it was my go-to place for introducing "Americans" to great Greek food. The avgolemono was tremendous, and the rice pudding was right there too. I saw one of the last owners (Chris) at a party about two months ago.....fun reminiscing about the old days.
If I want Greek food now, I go to Big Tommy's in Novi on Grand River west of Haggerty. Great spinach pie and I love the lamb reganato. Their Rice Pudding tops a meal off beautifully, too.
GO BLUE!
jiM
Renaissance Festival, Apple Orchard, Pinckney State Park and if you want quick food go to Zingermans, if you want awesome dining and top shelf food go to West End Grill.
I'd go to Windsor for dim sum then spend the rest of my time at a casino.
....speaking of Windsor, is the "Ballet" still around?
/asking for a friend
I was shocked at how tame strip clubs were outside of Georgia whenever I traveled. If that activity is in the menu, get a layover in Atlanta on his flight back.
It's kind of a goofy thing but we always try to stop by Silver Bells there in Dundee on our way to our annual game. They have some cool tree carving statues around the place and some neat stuff inside. Good for a couple pictures.
https://www.facebook.com/SilverBellsChristmas
Gotta hit Gus’ World Famous Fried Chicken off 3rd St. and Martin Luther King. Piping hot chicken and great sides.
If your friend has never been to Michigan and you have a couple of days, take him up North for a couple of days. Traverse City, Glen Arbor, Boyne City, Charlevoix, Petoskey, etc. Heck, maybe even Mackinac Island. It's beautiful 'Up North' in September.