Learn me things to do/see in Detroit

I'll be in the area for work (about halfway between Detroit and Toledo). Other than go to work, then return to my motel room, what else should I make sure to see or do? I will be going up there on and off all year, so feel free to suggest things that are not winter appropriate.

Where is the best Detroit style pizza? Other places to eat I should check out? Hopefully I won't be there for weekends and in general will be at work all day during the days I am up there, so looking for dinner time and evening things to do.

It seems like MI has one of the biggest concentrations of GRM forum members, so I'm guessing there will be no shortage of suggestions.

EDIT: Do you know that feeling when you hit submit and then see the typo in the subject line? I do.

For car stuff I'd go to the Henry Ford Museum.

I’m a big fan of the giant tire on I94.  

In reply to T.J. :

I got you.

Stahl's Automotive museum if it is open when you're here (limited hours). Ford Piquette Avenue Plant. Rouge River Plant tour.  

How far are you willing to venture out?  On the "west side" of the state (probably about a 2 1/2 hour drive), you have either the Kalamazoo Air Zoo or Gilmore Museum, either of which is worth a day trip.  If you are "outdoorsy" the Cabellas in Dundee is worth walking around.  

In reply to EastCoastMojo :

Thanks!

In reply to kazoospec :

I doubt I'll travel that far west.

Is that Cabellas like all the other Cabellas I've been to or is it something different?

jimbbski said:

For car stuff I'd go to the Henry Ford Museum.

That sounds like a good way to spend some time. I may not get to it this week, but I will make sure to visit it at some point.

In reply to PMRacing :

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll add those to the list to look into.

Weekday evenings certainly limits things. Just about everything I think of doesn’t work with that. If you’re still coming closer to summer, there is a pretty cool Thursday evening car show in Ypsilanti (not every week, not sure of the schedule).  

Based on my experience I'd stay the hell out of Toledo. It's like America's stinky armpit. 

See a Wings game- every time I see them on TV, there are seats available.  That part of Detroit is pretty darned nice.

BTW, the Rouge Plant Tour is part of the Henry Ford...  

If you can't find a good recommendation for Pizza (I don't have one) get a Coney Dog at BOTH American and Lafayette.   They are right next to each other smack downtown, and it's kind of cool to see what people are missing when they only go to one.

I don’t know what Detroit style pizza is, and I’ve lived here for 25 years now.  but now I want to find out.

i like Lafayette better than American.

You can get really good Polish food in Hamtramck, which is a city within the city of Detroit.

Another vote for the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn.  It’s really interesting.

a Tigers game at Comerica Park.

http://milandragway.com

Milan Dragway is Metro Detroit's only drag strip

Starting mid April, every Weds night Test&Tune opening as early as 4pm. 

Go see real Detroit Iron run, in Metro Detroit. 

Website say $15 to spectate. $30 to run.  Get a good rental car! 

Conveniently located quite south of Detroit and generally not far from where you will be. 

T.J. said:

In reply to kazoospec :

I doubt I'll travel that far west.

Is that Cabellas like all the other Cabellas I've been to or is it something different?

I think it's one of the larger ones in the nation IIRC.  Lots of huge freshwater fish tanks, pretty impressive display of game animals and a really large store.  Other than that, it's pretty much a Cabellas.  

Definitely get a Coney Dog from a style of diner typically called a Coney Island.  They also have good Gyros {locally pronounced Yearo.) 

Usually serve good breakfast too like omelets, etc. 

Here's some history and insight https://www.eater.com/2016/5/8/11612056/detroit-coney-dogs-history

In reply to T.J. :

Pizza: Go to PizzaPapalis downtown - I guess technically in Greektown. Right next to the Greektown Casino. In fact when I went, I parked at the casino and played the nickle slot for 1 minute to get free parking. I won $20 at the slot, which payed for my pizza. So free parking and free pizza - free pizza part not guaranteed. You have to order the deep dish pizza in advance unless you're getting the personal size. The personal size was more than enough for me and I'm a decently heavy eater. It was really, really good.

@Datsun310Guy: Isn't there an old ferris wheel inside that tire?? Crazy stuff.

Drive around Detroit and listen to Bob Seger and Sweaty Ted?

I used to make sales calls in Detroit and would see some test cars driving around.  I saw the Cadillac XLR before it came out and it was unmarked when I saw it.  

Learn what a Michigan Left turn is. 

It works very well but confuses those not familiar. 

http://www.michiganhighways.org/indepth/michigan_left.html

Datsun310Guy said:

Drive around Detroit and listen to Bob Seger and Sweaty Ted?

For more current music, tune your dial to

• 88.7 CIMX (if under 30 yrs old) 
• 93.9 CIDR (if over 30 yrs old)

These are sister station operating from the same ownership.  Notice that the call letters do start with W or K.  That's because they originate out of Windsor, Canada. Given that Canada has its own radio agency (not the FCC which is US) these two stations pump out the strongest signals in the Detroit Market.

Their format is also unlike anything you'll find in The US (or Canada for that matter.) 

88.7 format is Alternative, Modern Rock 

93.9 format is Adult Alternative 

Another vote for the Henry Ford.  We spent two days there and could easily have done a third.

Huh. Adrian must be busy. He's usually right in here with a 1000-word post about the best coffee shops and art museums are best, and how everyone hates Detroit. 

Visit the Fisher Building and the old GM HQ (across the street). See how Detroit's architecture was when it was one of the richest cities in the world.  Be saddened by what it will become when all the money runs out (it's happening now).