Detroit Off The Beaten Path Tips by dtownkitty Top 5 Page for this destination

Edsel and Elanor Ford House

The Edsel and Elanor Ford House is a beautiful Estate on the shore of Lake St. Claire. It was built and designed by Albert Kahn in the late '20s and many elements were imported from England. The nice thing about this house is that the majority of the original furnishings are still in the house, so it is very much the same as it was when the Ford family lived here. This American castle was even built with its own power station and the pool was heated year-round. Enjoy the beautifully landscaped grounds, too.

The staff is very helpful and at my last visit they answered questions in German. Also, Christmas time is extra nice here. Go to the website for an online tour.

Edsel & Eleanor Ford House is located at 1100 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan. 15-20 minute drive from downtown.

WAY OFF THE BEATEN PATH...

If you're here for a while or are passing through, visit the picturesque town of Chelsea and see a show at The Purple Rose Theatre. Jeff Daniels is the theatre's founder and executive director and they perform works written by Jeff, Lanford Wilson & Mitch Albom, and of course other playwrights. It's a very special place and you won't be dissapointed by the talent. Chelsea is a 15 minute drive W of Ann Arbor on I-94 , or about a 1 hour drive from Detroit and well worth the trip!! It's also the home of Jiffy Mix.

OLD HOLLYWOOD IN OLD REDFORD..

The Historic Redford Theatre in Old Redford, Detroit, has been around since the late 20's. In recent years, the Motor City Theatre Organ Society took an interest in the theatre and restored its Japanese/ Deco decor. The original organ is intact and provides intermission music. It's a great place to go see old movies, including silent pictures, and occassionally a recent movie. They even have a Stooges festival for all you Stooges. It's not far from Brightmoor (Blightmoor?) a rough neighborhood, but there is safe & secure parking next to the theatre. And there is a certain charm to Old Redford if you can look into the past...I can still smell my grandpas cigarette and hear the sounds of bowling pins crashing over the the voices of old timers one-uping...It has potential.

Website: http://redfordtheatre.com/movie/

CABELLA'S SUPER HUNTING & CAMPING STORE

225,000 Square feet of hunting, camping and fishing goods, boats, aquariums and dioramas which I like to call "The Dead Zoo". (endangered animals are from old collections). Most people probably would rather see live animals but the mountain display is very impressive. Michiganders are big on the outdoors so its logical to have a store like this in the middle of nowhere - about a 30 to 40 min drive south of Detroit or Ann Arbor near US 23. They have some interesting indoor target practice using laser guns here and you can eat beef jerky to your hearts content.

It's a great place to take the family or go for a peta protest.

Dundee, MI

Website: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/home/home.jsp

THE BEST COSTUME PARTY ANYWHERE - THEATRE BIZARRE

While exploring a seedy neighborhood a few years ago i stumbled upon something so BIZARRE I thought I stepped into some creepy nightmare. Behind several houses I saw what looked like a giant, creepy old haunted carnival. Sumptuously grotesque! I looked again and, yes, there it was.

After some quick research I learned that it was Theatre Bizarre. Creepier than a Tim Burton movie set. It's true! It sits quietly all year, but in October it turns into a big party with all kinds of entertainment. I don't plan to miss it in 2005.

Behind the State fairgrounds at 8 & woodward

Website: http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=4172

GO TO HELL & SEE CREEPY CLYDE!

Creepy Clyde is a "Singer of Spooky Songs". He sings everything from commercial jingles to the Spider Man theme song in a spooky, sultry, lounge style. And of course he sings spooky standards. I saw him sing at a restaurant called "Transylvania House" and almost peed my pants. Adults and kids of any age can appreciate him and new immigrants don't know what to think.

He is currently performing in Hell, Michigan. It's an hour long drive from Detroit. It is a scenic drive and you can drop your friends a postcard from Hell.

Hopefully he gigs in Detroit Metro again soon.

Website: http://www.creepyclyde.com/

WELL HEE HAW! IT'S A GIANT TIRE MA!

Of course, seeing the giant Uniroyal tire is worth a trip to Detroit in itself. It's a classic! When I was a girl it was always exciting for me to see this Detroit landmark. It was actually a Ferris Wheel at the 1964 World's Fair. If you've got a kid they may find it as exciting as I did, provided their gameboy has run out of batteries.

Temporary additions are sometimes made. Like a giant nail or a giant bottle of armour all!!

Best viewed when driving East on 94 from Detroit Metro Airport.

POLKA DOTS AND MORE Heidelberg Project Review

Take a drive to see in technicolor. See my things to do tips for more info and directions.

Website: http://www.heidelberg.org/