Need help planning a site-seeing trip to Detroit

[phartman]

Before the summer is over, I have the opportunity to visit Detroit. Can any of you make some suggestions about what to visit and where to go to see first hand the early roots of the automobile industry and related crafts? My interests are multiple: automotive manufacturing, industrial archeology, and Industrial/Machine Age art. A couple "must sees" on the list so far are the Model T plant, the Rouge Plant, the Institute of Art, and the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn.

If anyone could help as far as suggestions of tours such as the abandoned Packard plant and the like, it is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions. This trip has been on my bucket list for quite some time. Oh, and if makes any difference as far as sites along the way, I will be traveling up from Louisville, KY.

[LOWRIDER]

You could spend a week just seeing the places you've listed. If your there in mid August you can catch the Woodward Dream Cruise. Basically an all day traffic jam of classic/muscle cars. Best to just park it and walk to see the cars. There's car shows everyday of the week there it seems. Just google it.

[scicala]

If you want to eat out, there are a couple automotive themed restaurants on Woodward Avenue in the Royal Oak ,MI area (suburb of Detroit). One is Vinsetta's Garage (an old 1930 and 40's type repair garage) coverted into a restaurant with automotive memorabilia decorations and cars. The other is Dugan's Irish Pub. Also has automotive décor inside.
If you want to go about 3 hours west of Detroit, there is the Gilmore Museum (a must see). It's in Hickory Corners, MI 49060.
Also, the Stahl Auto Museum in Chesterfield, MI.


All of these places have websites with lots of information.


Sal

[all american boy]

That Ford museum might be pretty big.Might take a whole day to see it.


There's a Ford mansion.Plus maybe Edsel's house.Think there is something called Fairlane.


Ask at the Museum.


Mancini Racing is in that area.It's Mopar but you can ask about auto museums.


There a fairly chatty bunch.

[phartman]

Fair Lane was the Henry Ford mansion:

http://www.henryfordfairlane.org

Currently closed for renovation.

The Edsel Ford home is open:

http://www.fordhouse.org

[all american boy]

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Go to Indianapolis.Dog leg over to it.


They have a big museum.

[Hot Rod Reverend]

Take a day and spend it in the Greenfield Village next to the Henry Ford Museum. Get the ride pass and ride around in the village all day long in Model T's an old Model AA bus, horse drawn carriages, and the like. My family and I always enjoy going there. Plenty to do and see...

[Big A]

Check out the Michigan Theater, it's a huge, ornate theater that was turned into a parking garage. Talk to the security person, he'll charge you $10 to wander around. It probably goes straight in his pocket but it's worth it, it's a very cool experience.


Parks and Rec is a tiny, cool diner with a great breakfast. There are a ton of great restaurants close to the downtown core.

[Cool Hand Lurker]

We did a Michigan trip a few years ago and stayed at the Dearborn Inn, where Henry put up his guests. It is walking distance from the Museum and Greenfield Village. The price is higher than other hotels but it is very nice, old time First Class. The best thing is that the cost for the room included tickets for two days at any of the five Ford venues. That actually made it about the same price as other places to stay. We did the Museum and Greenfield Village, plus a tour of the Rouge plant. For sure go to the Museum and Village if you do nothing else!

[phartman]

Trip was fabulous. Thanks for your help in making it possible. My traveling partner and navigator was Fordbarn regular TomT/Williamsburg. All the details have been posted over on the HAMB. Here is the link:

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...anned.1156948/

All I can say is, "Go!" It really is Mecca for car guys and the people in Detroit treated us like kings. Best folks in the world.

Thanks for the guidance and suggestions.

Pete

[flathead48]

I read that Fairlane, Henrys house is closed for renovations but the grounds are open.