We have a family reunion this summer not far from Detroit and my husband wants to spend few days after in Detroit. My question is, what fun things are there to do there with an 8 and 5 year old? Is it safe??? I hear nothing but horrible things about Detroit, but this doesn't seem to bother my husband. Also, where would you stay? Prefarably a hotel in a safe nieghborhood, I dont' care what it costs. I appreciate any feedback.
Go to Greenfield Villagae in Dearborn and the Henry Ford Muesum. You could spend two days there! The kids will have the best time at Greenfeild village, and you wil too.
M.
You've had some really great suggestions, but none of which are actually IN Detroit. If you want to truly visit DETROIT, I would obviously recommend a daytime visit, especially for those who aren't familiar with the area (and where NOT to go). Belle Isle (a gigantic park) is nice and very family friendly during the day. Hard Rock Cafe Detroit is a great place to eat. You can also go to Hockeytown Cafe, Chelis Chili, Greektown, visit Comerica Park (taking pictures in front of the huge Tigers in front is a great family photo op). Campus Marshus is a BEAUTIFUL park with a huge fountain in the middle of it (again, a great WE WENT TO DETROIT photo op). The River Walk is nice and you get a great view of Canada from there. Take the kids on the People Mover, the part of the ride that is over the river is always so amazing for kids to look at. Don't let people scare you off from actually doing things IN the CITY of Detroit. My hubby is a cop in Detroit, so I'm not so naive to believe that horrible things don't happen. Its a dangerous city, to be sure, but it does have some finer points too.
I remember my parents taking us to Detroit to visit some relative back in '84. I had just graduated from highschool, and it sure made an impression on me. I live in a city, but have never seen anything so...nasty. I'd look on the Michigan visitors bureau website and find something away from Detroit.
If time and $ allows, consider getting your family passport cards, an driving the tunnel to Canada.
The Detroit Zoo is great! I grew up in Waterford which is about 45 minutes north of Detroit. There are some nicer areas close to Detroit so pretty much any of the surrounding areas are nice besides Pontiac to get a hotel. Or if you stay close to the airport there are some nice hotels around there. Greenfield Village is good and so is Cranbrook. It's a science Museum, great for kids.
