Would you Like to Vacation in Detroit?

There are many interesting things to do in Detroit.

Yes, we love our cars. There is no doubt about that.

Look closer, and you will find that we are a very artistic community also. Music, Art, Theatre are all alive and thriving in Detroit.

My boyfriend came up with the idea to vacation in our own town. I thought it was a great concept. To see the area you were born and raised in from the viewpoint of a tourist. We spent a couple of days sightseeing and walking around downtown. It was great!

That is what gave me the idea for this lens. Interesting things to see and do in, and around, Detroit. That's my hometown. I have lived and worked in and around Detroit my whole life.

I took this photo from across the Detroit River, in Windsor, Canada.

My day started out at the DIA, Detroit Institute of Arts.

You need to allow a lot of time for this one. It is a huge museum with lots to see and do.

The day I went, the Art Museum had an exhibit of Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus. I had not been to the exhibit yet. The event I went to was the lecture introducing this exhibit. The lecture and slideshow were excellent. The speaker was a DIA curator emeritus. He was instrumental in bringing this exhibit to Detroit. I did get a chance to enjoy the exhibit before it ended on February 12, 2012.

This lecture was held in the Theatre within the DIA. The theatre is a gorgeous old auditorium. You enter the theatre through large brass covered doors which have decorative wrought ironwork located above the doors. It is a beautiful building, and one ought to go there to see the architectural beauty, even if they are not interested in seeing the films or lectures given there.

I returned to the same theatre the next day to see a Movie entitled World on a Wire. It was a German film with English subtitles. This film was over 3 hours long, but it was a fantastic movie. The subtitles were easy to follow and the storyline was about a society that was a simulation of real life. This reminded me a bit of the story line of the Matrix, but this film came out first and was originally created in the early 1970s. Very original for it's time and I enjoyed it very much. If the opportunity ever comes up to see this film, I would recommend it.

The DFT shows movies that you would not normally find at the neighborhood theatre. They show a very eclectic mix of media.

This theatre is one of the Detroit's jewels.

I know you didn't think I was going to say bears!

Come see the Lions play football at Ford Field,

Tigers for baseball at Comerica Park

And the Redwings scoring on the ice at Joe Louis Arena

Come to Detroit and take a shuttle to your favorite event

Several restaurants and bars in Detroit offer free shuttles to the games. Give some of the restaurants a call and see if they will be offering this service for the game or event you will be attending.

Sindbads, Z's Villa and Vince's are some of the places I know of. There are a lot more that do also. If you know of a place that offers free shuttles to Detroit venues, then mention them in the comments section.

Check out the Detroit Zoo's website for more information: http://www.detroitzoo.org.

The Detroit area hosts many car events throughout the year.

You can catch the North American International Auto Show (locally referred to as the Car, or Auto, Show) or Detroits Autorama at Detroit's Cobo Hall.

In the summer, you join in the action at the Woodward Dream Cruise. On a smaller scale, the Harper Cruise and other local cruises. This is when we bring out our classic cars and drive them down the road. Bring your classic car, or just a lawn chair to sit along the side of the road and watch the fun!

Detroit loves their cars. I you like them too, this is the place to come.

I love live theatre! I am so happy we have so many choices here in Detroit.

Most of the time, we are not allowed to take photos during a live theatrical production. That wasn't the case at the New Center Park. The Shakespeare In Detroit theatre group has put on several performances and they encouraged photography. I'm sure it is their way to get publicity, and it works.

Detroit has live theatre in abundance. Large productions at the Fisher Theatre to much smaller theatre companies such as Shakespeare In Detroit which has been changing venues regularly.

Wayne State University has two, The Bonstelle and The Hilberry theaters.

These are just a few of the many choices.

.

The non-profit Detroit RiverFront Conservancy's website www.detroitriverfront.org can help you plan your adventure along Detroit's fabulous waterfront.

Little did he know he was going to start a movement.

People come from all over the world to check out this neighborhood that spans only one or two blocks.

Art in an old Detroit factory

Wow! This was an interesting adventure.

This is a center where artists can work and display their art. A community of artists located in one of Detroit's old abandoned factories. You have to see it in person to get a good grasp of what is happening here!

This venue is for the adventurist soul. Someone who wants to see something different. Differing from the traditional museum tours. A place where you may be intimidated by the lack of structure.

It was 6pm, already dark in Detroit this time of year. We turned off of the freeway service drive onto a side street where the entrance to the parking lot was located. There was a guard house at the entrance, but I didn't see any one there. No one to ask questions of, so we just drove in and followed the sign that said Russel Street Bazaar. The Bazaar is located at the far end of the parking lot.

Russel Street Bazaar

The Russel Street Bazaar is a network of individuals selling this and that. The bazaar is located in the warehouse towards the end of the parking lot. Not an art studio, more like a flea market.

The shop owners we talked to were very interesting. As we entered, we saw a long corridor of shops. I met a lady who sold used items with the help of her husband. A very charming individual As I wandered down the long corridor of shops, each divided by chain link fencing, I found jewelry booths, clothing shops, beauty salons and even a deli. The second lady I met was into reflexology. She also sold some homeopathic products. Very interesting woman, she seemed quite knowledgeable in her area of expertise.

The bazaar is only open on the weekends, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

This building was less intimidating because it had a sign that directed you to it both in the parking lot and on the face of the building.

Art Studio Space ____Old factory buildings converted to lofts

A small sign outside the door indicated that there were studios on the 2nd floor. Imagine a crude steel door on the side of an old factory. Entering into an area where there was the option of going through a door or going up a stairway.

As we entered the 2nd floor of the building, we were presented with an artful display of uniquely crafted furniture pieces. Ah! I know we are in the right place now!

The building has various rooms converted into studios. Both glass and ceramic studios were located on this floor.

As you walk through the building you see a contrast of beautifully laid out studios, where the works of art are on display and available for purchase, and unfinished areas, where the windows are broken and cold air is blowing in.

Not all of the rooms are open. I guess the doors will not open if you are not allowed inside. You just roam around until you find what you are looking for. This is only one of the buildings. There are several buildings located in this area that are being used as art studios and what not.

Detroit, like any major city, is a great place to visit. One must be aware, however, of where you wander. You should use common sense when venturing outside the normally well traveled areas.

If you do not feel comfortable, you should not venture into the situation.