Detroit Tree Lighting: Campus Martius

The last event to kick off the Christmas season is the annual Detroit Tree Lighting. This past weekend the 60 foot Christmas tree covered in 19,000 lights lite up on Friday night at 7:45p.m.  This exciting event brings thousands of people into the city and puts a smile on my face to get me in the mood for Christmas. The event also has entertainment and other activities as well. One in particular I like is where kids can go and shop in Santa workshop for Christmas gifts. This brings back memories for me when I was a child, shopping at school for Christmas gifts for my parents and siblings. In addition Campus Martius has carriage rides starting on Sundays from Noon till 6 p.m. for $10 or $40 for a private ride. If you have not done this already it is exciting to take a ride around town and see all that Detroit has to offer.

If you missed this event over the weekend there is another opportunity to take part in the city with dropping of the “D”. Instead of the ball dropping a letter D is dropped on top of a building on New Year’s Eve. I think this is a fantastic way to represent the city and look forward to it again this year. If you have not already been, I strongly encourage one to come out this year.  

Detroit State Park: Belle Isle

Belle Isle is truly a gem in the city of Detroit.  Over the years the park has languished in disrepair.  The State of Michigan leased the property from the City of Detroit and now operates it as a state park.  Since that time, many wonderful things have been done to the park to restore its condition.  Before becoming a state park, a lot of the buildings were run down and the grounds needed a lot of attention.  They even have the James Scott Memorial Fountain running again and it is beautiful.  Belle Isle offers so many different things to see.  For instance the aquarium has been partially restored and is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.   A small zoo operates from Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  The museum is open Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  A conservatory is open Wednesday to Sundays from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  The best part about having all these different attractions is the price; free!  Vehicles can still access Belle Isle for free until February 2015.  Vehicles will have to obtain am $11.00 recreation passport which is available at the Secretary of State office.

One thing I enjoy the most about Belle Isle is the scenery.  I like riding my bike around the island and seeing Canada across the river and the sky scrapers of Detroit in the distance.  The Department of Natural Resources has certainly left a mark in the short time since taking over as stewards.  This community gem is well on its way to being restored for Detroiters to enjoy.   The landscaping and debris has been cleaned and the lawns have been mowed.   One summer event in particular that I look forward to every year is the Detroit Grand Prix which is hosted at Belle Isle.  I like that it brings in business to the Detroit community as well as attracting a crowd of people that may just be discovering Belle Isle for the first time.  If you haven’t ever visited, or maybe it’s been a while, I hope you will check out this gem of a park on your next visit to Detroit.

Campus Martius Rink Preview

I love this time of year, especially in Detroit due to all the different winter activities available.  One in particular is the ice rink located in Campus Martius opening next week.  A preview starts November 14-16 from 5p.m. until Midnight.  The official opening is November 21, and will remain open until March.  The cost is for adults is $8; children (12 & under) $7; seniors (50 & older) $7 and skate rentals are $3.  Check the website (http://www.campusmartiuspark.org/) to see hours open during the week and weekends.

What I enjoy about the rink most is that it is a family friendly activity, bringing in many families from the surrounding area.  One can make an all-day event beginning with ice skating, warming up in one of the hospitality tents, then taking in one of the many restaurants downtown.  The rink helps bring people downtown even in the winter which is great for the city.  Many times at the winter events a lot of sponsors come out and provide entertainment for adults and kids.  They also provide food and warm beverages for everyone to enjoy.  I look forward to the rink opening up every year and bringing my friends down for a night in the city! 

Detroit Sunday Eastern Market

One event I like to participate in on Saturday morning is going to Eastern Market.  A benefit to living in downtown Detroit is being so close to Eastern Market that I can go every week to get my fruits and vegetables.  I enjoy seeing all the people come out and support the local community of farmers.  The vendors have a lot of passion about their products and most of them will let you sample their food before you buy.  I also like that the food is reasonably priced and most of the time less than the grocery store.  The market is open every Saturday from 7 a.m. till 4 p.m. and on Tuesdays only from July- October 9 a.m. till 3 p.m.  One day that generates a lot of attendance is flower day, which is held in May.  I love going that day because it is absolutely beautiful to see all the flowers and so reasonably priced.  Flowers are never cheap and there you are able to get more for your money.  The market has been such a success they even started one on Sunday this year.

The Sunday street market day is only for a short time during the year; June until the end of September. However this year for the holidays they decided to open on Sundays beginning November 30^th and will run for the next two Sundays after that.  It will include Christmas trees, Santa Claus, food and beverages along with gifts for the holiday season.  I am super excited to be able to check this out in the next couple of weeks and I hope it’s a huge success for the community.  Hopefully the event will be a success and the tradition will continue next year at Eastern Market.  If you have never visited, I hope you will take the time to visit Eastern Market.

Slow Roll Detroit

Another exciting thing to do in Detroit is to participate in the bike tour called slow roll.  This is a great opportunity to explore different areas of Detroit as well.  The tour explores neighborhoods, historic locations, and unique spots around the city.  This activity runs every Monday night in the Spring, Summer, and early Fall from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.  Riders typically meet starting at 6:00 PM, and rolling starts at 6:30 PM.  The tour is about two hours and covers an average of 9 to 14 miles.  This bike tour is offered to everyone, including kids, because the slow pace keeps everyone together safely.  To ensure safety, volunteers wear yellow shirts and help guide everyone.  A strict rider safety code is provided that every rider must abide by.  One does not need any special skills, or an expensive bike to participate; any bike will do.  The meeting locations are different every week at different bars and restaurants near downtown and midtown.  The routes are never the same either.  Some of them have a theme attached.  For example, tonight is Halloween with a best costume contest.  Even though tonight is the last slow roll of the season, riders participate rain or shine April through October.  Slow Roll is also organized in 8 other cities as well.

When I attended my first event, I could not believe the huge turnout of participants.  There are sometimes thousands of riders!  Organizers want this event to become the largest weekly ride around the world, and have opportunities for others to start a similar event in other cities and states.  There is a nonprofit company that will even help a new organizer get started.  What I enjoyed most about this event was socializing with new people and also getting a good workout at the same time.  At times it can be hard to meet new people and these events give people a chance to hangout before or after the bike tour and develop new friendships.  The best part I forgot to mention is its FREE!!!

River Walk: Segway Tours

One site Detroit has to offer is the wonderful downtown river walk.  I strongly encourage everyone to visit this area when you come down to Detroit.  It is amazing to see what they have done to restore a once industrial area to a pristine community recreation area.  It’s absolutely beautiful to see across the water to Canada.  The river walk is presently three and half miles long, extending from Joe Louis Arena to Gabriel Richard Park, with plans to expand from the MacArthur Bridge to the Ambassador Bridge.  The river walk has many events going on and something for everyone; for children the river walk includes a carousel and playground.  It offers a volleyball court with a sitting area and refreshments.

One particular activity that I have partaken is the Segway tour offered along the walk.  This is a wonderful way to take in and tour the downtown area.  One can rent a Segway for a two hour guided tour.  I highly recommend this unique way to tour the city and river walk.  Other tour options range from one and a half to three hours depending on how comfortable one is riding a Segway.  Guides provide instruction on how to operate a Segway suitable for beginners in a practice area prior to starting the tour.  This is not only a great way to see parts of the Downtown area, but also an affordable opportunity to try out a unique piece of transportation technology.  Different tours packages are available to suit budget and time constraints.  One can explore the downtown area, the river walk, or the surrounding neighborhood operating May through October.  Prices range from $40.00 - $75.00.  Unguided Segway rentals are also available if one desires to explore with no tour guide.  You won’t regret taking the time to experience this unique two wheeled adventure in downtown Detroit.

New Business: Punch Bowl Social

I currently live in downtown Detroit and have been for the last few years. I want to discuss and share more about what downtown has to offer.  Since I have been down there, I have seen many new businesses coming in.  Downtown has been trying to bring more young adults to the city with more entertainment and luxury lofts.  I live in an area that has been changing a lot with billionaire Quicken Loans mogul Dan Gilbert buying many buildings in the downtown area. One of the newest additions he had added next to my building was a parking garage with the first level open for retail space.  Since the garage was open last year, a few businesses have already entered the space; 7 Greens Detroit Salad, Nojo Kicks and Citizen Yoga.

These businesses are great additions and add vibrancy to the downtown retail space not seen in decades.  This is going to really bring more people downtown, which should have a snow ball effect and bring even more businesses!  Unfortunately all the additional traffic will make it not so nice for us residents.  Adjacent to my building in the first floor of the Z parking structure is an upcoming bar and restaurant Punch Bowl Social.  This is a game themed restaurant/ bar that will open with bowling, ping pong, vintage games and many other entertainment items.  This restaurant chain is already operating in a few other cities including Denver Colorado, Portland Organ and Austin Texas.  I think this is a great opportunity for Detroit because there is nothing like this in the rest of the metro area.  The concept is really unique that will provide something for everyone.