jpvbs Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 I'm going to the Detroit area for my nephew's high school graduation the weekend after Memorial Day. I will have all day Friday to explore the area with my sons (10&17). I am planning to go to the Henry Ford, but are there other Ford things I should check out? What about the Rouge tour? I think that sounds cool but being somewhat time restrained, would that be a good choice? Ultimately I will end up in Troy for the weekend. What else in the Detroit area should I see? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackinaw Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 When you’re at the Henry Ford, spend some time driving around the test track area. You just might see some prototype driving around. Definitely try and catch the Rouge tour. If you’re into history check out “Fairlane” which was Henry Ford’s mansion on the Rouge River and the old Ford Piquette plant where the Motel T was born. For non-auto stuff, the Detroit Zoo is always a winner, plus it’s near Troy too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 I haven't done it since they revamped it last year, but the rouge tour is pretty damn cool even though it is a bit on the expensive side. The Detroit Zoo is also a good call, they just opened their new world class penguinarium and it's AWESOME! Closer to Downtown there's the DIA if you're into that kind of thing and Belle Isle is gorgeous now that the State took control and made it a state park, though it's kinda sectioned off a bit right now as they prepare for the Grand Prix next weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoldwizard Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 The Rouge Tour start with a bus ride from The Henry Ford. If you are looking for prototypes on the street, Oakwood Blvd runs in front of The Henry Ford. The section of Oakwood from Michigan Ave. to Southfield Freeway (M39) is where almost ALL pictures are taken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Rosadini Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 We were there about 8-10 years ago- I think we did Greenfield Village, the Museum and the factory tour all in one day-we were on a tight schedule headed for a wedding in Green Bay. I would think with 10 and 17year olds, Greenfield Village would be one great education about what this country was about. I tell everyone with 10 year olds and older, Dearborn is a great place to bring them because of those three attractions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 (edited) I would make the Rouge Tour a high priority. Speaking as somebody who has never actually been on an assembly line, that experience was very exciting to me, even if it was from a catwalk view. It takes probably less than 2-hours round trip, depends on how long you linger around the factory and museum area. Gotta love the new car smell of the factory. I imagine it's going to be be pretty warm this Friday at the plant however. Troy has some good dining and shopping as well, check out the Somerset Collection for some high-end shopping. Edited May 26, 2016 by BORG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpvbs Posted May 26, 2016 Author Share Posted May 26, 2016 I didn't realize that the museum and Greenfield Village were separate attractions. So I guess I will make sure to get tickets for both of those. I do really want to do the factory tour as well. Is "Fairlane" part of the Henry/Greenfield village complex? I assume the "glass house" is in the vicinity as well? I'd probably like to drive past it at least. I need to spend a little time with Google maps I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 (edited) Yes, it's going to be warm and muggy on Friday. For most assembly plants that means miserable. The tour areas of The DTP floor are kept a little cooler than the rest of the plant. You still might want to wear shorts though The glass house is nearby, but it's a little farther up Southfield Freeway. Edited May 26, 2016 by fuzzymoomoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackinaw Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 (edited) Is "Fairlane" part of the Henry/Greenfield village complex? I assume the "glass house" is in the vicinity as well? I'd probably like to drive past it at least. I need to spend a little time with Google maps I think. "Fairlane" is less than a mile away from the Henry Ford complex. It's separate from the Henry Ford. Renovations are ongoing to make it look more like the mansion Henry Ford had built. The Glass House is about a five minute drive from the Henry Ford. It's located at the NE intersection of Michigan Avenue and the Southfield Freeway. Edited May 27, 2016 by mackinaw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonj80 Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 Might want to check the Employee section to see if they are running DTP this weekend, it is a holiday weekend. Doing the Museum, Tour and Village will be a long day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 Might want to check the Employee section to see if they are running DTP this weekend, it is a holiday weekend. Doing the Museum, Tour and Village will be a long day. DTP will be running days all weekend, and down Monday for the holiday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Rosadini Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 I didn't realize that the museum and Greenfield Village were separate attractions. So I guess I will make sure to get tickets for both of those. I do really want to do the factory tour as well. Is "Fairlane" part of the Henry/Greenfield village complex? I assume the "glass house" is in the vicinity as well? I'd probably like to drive past it at least. I need to spend a little time with Google maps I think. Just had to add to your comment on the Village. If you have traveled to New England you might be familiar with Sturbridge Village and Plymouth Plantation. Both early American scenes with period actors. But to me the Village tops them both. Sadly, IMO it captures what we have lost. When you go in all these shops and you see the production machinery that was employed in early part of the 20th century and you see the city names cast into the equipment where the manufacturers were from-Syracuse, Providence, Buffalo, Worcester, New Britain etc you (and your kids) truly get a sense of what built this country and also what we have lost. thx Henry for having the vision to build this monument to industrial America. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbalek Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 (edited) As far as downtown Detroit entertainment, Greek food in Greektown at Golden Fleece or Parthenon are my favorites. Jacoby's German Biergarten is over 100 years old and has good food and drinks. Renaissance Center and GM headquarters is fun too. Edited May 26, 2016 by hbalek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aneekr Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 Dearborn has the largest concentration of Arab people in the U.S., so you'll find lots of good Middle Eastern themed eateries there. The Shish Tawook at Al Ameer is top notch. This restaurant is on W. Warren Ave. just west of Miller Rd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 (edited) Dearborn has the largest concentration of Arab people in the U.S., so you'll find lots of good Middle Eastern themed eateries there. The Shish Tawook at Al Ameer is top notch. This restaurant is on W. Warren Ave. just west of Miller Rd.Oh yeah, there's that element too! La Pita is a really good one too, and that one is right around the corner from Greenfield Village. Edited May 27, 2016 by fuzzymoomoo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbalek Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 (edited) I ate at La Pita in Dearborn once and really enjoyed it! Edited May 27, 2016 by hbalek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 I ate at La Pita in Dearborn once and really enjoyed it! I edited my post, that's what I meant! Shish garden is my go-to that's closer to where I live Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoonerLS Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 GM headquarters is fun too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 Renaissance Center and GM headquarters is fun too. Which, in case the OP was unaware, the Renaissance Center was HFII's brainchild, and Ford Motor eventually invested about $300M on the project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
630land Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 GM bought Ren Cen for a "song", dirt cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 The RC had to go through some major remodeling to make it an appealing building, many described it as a walled-in concrete maze before GM gutted the place and opened up the street and river views. They are planning yet more renovations, it's a great place and GM has finally made it shine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe771476 Posted May 29, 2016 Share Posted May 29, 2016 Since it was brought up and I had heard this before, but just why is there such a high concentration of Arabs in Dearborn? What is the attraction? Is it Ford? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackinaw Posted May 29, 2016 Share Posted May 29, 2016 Since it was brought up and I had heard this before, but just why is there such a high concentration of Arabs in Dearborn? What is the attraction? Is it Ford? The Rouge Plant. Henry Ford would hire anybody who wanted to work when the Rouge opened in back in the 1920’s. The Rouge drew poor southerners, both white and black, folks from the mid-east, you name it, to the Detroit area. If you wanted to work, you had a job at the Rouge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firecadet613 Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 Very timely post! My '16 F150 is slated to be built this Saturday at DTP. I may be making the drive up and doing the tour and yes I realize I have a slim to none chance of seeing it on the line, still would be neat to be there the day she is built. If anyone on here works at DTP, shoot me a PM and I can give you the blend number, not sure if you can tell what blend numbers they are working on while your on the tour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Oval Guide Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 When you’re at the Henry Ford, spend some time driving around the test track area. You just might see some prototype driving around. Definitely try and catch the Rouge tour. If you’re into history check out “Fairlane” which was Henry Ford’s mansion on the Rouge River and the old Ford Piquette plant where the Motel T was born. For non-auto stuff, the Detroit Zoo is always a winner, plus it’s near Troy too. If you're at Greenfield Village, take the train or walk to the Susquehanna train stop. From that platform, you can look into Ford's Dearborn Proving Ground. You can catch a Diamond Jack boat tour starting in the city of Wyandotte that's nice too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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