Places to Go When You Visit Michigan
By Unknown 12:34 PM belle island, comerica park, greektown, hart plaza, mexican town, michigan, river days, the renaissance center, the riverwalk, woodward dream cruise, z's villa
Michigan is one of the places that people tend to like visiting. A lot of people tend to travel up-north for camping and the likes, but this post is leaning moreso to places that you should visit when you are visiting Southern Michigan. Restaurants, theme parks, museums, and all the likes.
1. Xochilmilco - This is my favorite Mexican restaurant (well, restaurant, generally). They are located in Mexicantown in southwest Detroit, Michigan. They are not expensive (they even have a lunch menu from 11 am - 2 pm, which gives you great deals), takeouts are welcome, and their salsa and chips are ay-mazing. I promise you, you won't regret it. Also, at night, they have a great scene for the bar (per my mom, as she used to frequent with her friends).
What I order when I go: burrito a la carte with cheese, no beans, and rice, and a virgin strawberry margarita.
2. Campus Martius - I love going here during the winter (for ice-skating) and the summer. It is very vibrant and full of activity. During the winter, they have ice-skating (as previously mentioned), the Christmas tree lighting, and the amazing Thanksgiving Day parade, which was quite magical this year (also my first time going!). In the summertime, they have concerts, beautiful gardens and water-fountains to see. It is really a nice place to visit.
3. The Riverwalk - One of the best places to go to during the summer is the Riverwalk. It is a gorgeous place and very family-oriented. There are fountains to run through {here's to never growing up}, boats to rent to go over the water in, a cruise to catch (The Detroit Princess), restaurants to eat in, the Renaissance building to walk around in (highly recommended), marathons to run, and more concerts to hear (for free!), River Days {oh my gosh, I love this!}, and other concerts (that cost) to go to. I swear, it's pretty amazing. I promise you, you do not want to miss this! And don't forget to bring your camera!
4. River Days - This festival deserves its own number. Honestly, River Days is something that I look forward to yearly. This year, it is being hosted on June 20-24. Make sure that you don't miss it if you visit Michigan. There are plenty of things to partake in during River Days, some include: touring the inside of a boat cabin, jet-skis, sculptures, delicious food, the Kids Zone (live theatre, music, face painting, arts and crafts, etc), live music, and rides and games. I do not know how to talk up this festival anymore.
5. Faster Horses Festival - If Country music is your thing, then pack up your suitcases, grab your tent, and buy your tickets to the FHF. This is a festival where you can party with hundreds of people that love the same music as you, listen to some of your favorite Country artists (such as Brett Eldredge, Jana Kramer, Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert, Paramalee, and more to be announced) on three different days (July 18th, 19th, and 20th of 2014), and camp out. If that doesn't sound appealing to you, then I don't know what does. To learn more about it, go here.
6. Comerica Park - Although I am not a huge sports fanatic, Comerica Park is a great place to hang out with friends or family and watch a nice ballgame. There are a few activities for your kids to have at while you're waiting around. Oh, and the view of Downtown Detroit is great from there!
7. Greektown - Oh yes. Ohhhhh yes. I love going to Greektown. The buzz of energy down there is pretty great. There are a ton of restaurants {ahem - Pizza Papalis} that I enjoy dining at, plus there are a bunch of places for you if you have a sweet tooth. Comerica Park and Ford Field are also only a short little walk, as well, so if you're in a mood to hang out after the games, then Greektown is the place to go. Did I also mention that the Greektown Casiono is literally right across from Pizza Papalis and Astoria's (yum-yum).
8. The Renaissance Center (GM) - I essentially grew up going here. The building has 73 stories and is the tallest building in Detroit. Try riding the elevator to the highest floor (so fun, yet so scary!), go to the little shops in the building, and eat at a restaurant in the building. During the holidays, they have photos with Santa, and (I am not sure if they still do this) they used to have little activities for kids such as face-painting, etc. It's a cool place to hang out. Behind the GM building is the Riverfront, too. Oh! And senior pictures are also frequently taken here, so there's that. (Try booking a free tour to get the full effect.)
9. Woodward Dream Cruise - If you love you some good-ole'-time cars, then I am pretty sure you'd enjoy Woodward Dream Cruise. The cruise is all day, running from Downtown Detroit to Pontiac, Michigan on the third Saturday in August (August 16, 2014). Bring a couple of folding chairs, set them somewhere along Woodward, and enjoy! I promise that you won't regret it. It is a well-populated attraction yearly in Detroit, and the atmosphere is fantastic!
10. The Hart Plaza - Tons of ethnic festivals and fireworks (Freedom Festival Fireworks) are hosted here throughout the summer. The fountain is also one of my favorite things to partake in {here's to never growing up}. One thing that you must be weary of while here is the amount of homeless people that wander around, begging for money. Aside from that, it is a nice place to visit during festivals and big events. I don't generally just go for the heck of it; there is something usually going on when I go - that's when all of the fun happens.
11. Belle Isle - I most definitely say that you should make a trip over to this island. There are the parks, picnics, soccer games, racing boats, people walking their dogs, and the boat museum. It is all really amazing. If you do not feel up to getting out and walking around, then just drive through with your car. You'll see a little bit of everything.
12. Z's Villa - A delicious family-owned restaurant that I love. They have outside and indoor seating, and the space is generally good. Whenever I go, I lean towards their pizza (heavenly), but they have a varied menu that is alright {their highest rated food is generally the pizza}. On the outside, they also a volleyball court and a horseshoe area. It's really laid back area with a ton of history and friendly staff. A free shuttle is also offered to get to the restaurant.
13. Astoria - Founded in Greektown, Asotria has always been one of my favorite pastry shop to eat at. They only have two locations (the other in Royal Oak, MI), but I find the original to taste the best. I highly recommend that you go here when/if you visit Michigan. You will not regret it. They have a little bit of everything, and oh gosh my mouth is watering. Astoria is located next to Pizza Papalis in Greektown and across from the Greektown Casino. Just follow the amazing smell of sweets.
13. Astoria - Founded in Greektown, Asotria has always been one of my favorite pastry shop to eat at. They only have two locations (the other in Royal Oak, MI), but I find the original to taste the best. I highly recommend that you go here when/if you visit Michigan. You will not regret it. They have a little bit of everything, and oh gosh my mouth is watering. Astoria is located next to Pizza Papalis in Greektown and across from the Greektown Casino. Just follow the amazing smell of sweets.
Tune: Fuck You by Cee-Lo Green
