OK let’s go see some of my favorite
sites in Detroit. First of all there are a few statues and monuments that
represent Detroit. If you’re short on cash, the good news is: they’re free to
see anytime. Did you happen to pass that giant tire on your way from the
airport? It was created as a Ferris wheel for the 1964 World’s Fair. According
to an article in the Detroit
Free Press, almost 2 million people and even Jacqueline Kennedy and her
children rode on it. It’s been near I-94 for 50 years. There’s also The Spirit of
Detroit Statue at the City County Building, now called the Coleman A. Young
Municipal Building, in downtown Detroit. Marshall Frederick created the statue,
symbolizing the human spirit, God, and family. This statute is well dressed. It
often dons the jerseys of The Detroit Red Wings, The Detroit Tigers, The
Detroit Lions, and The Detroit Pistons, the major league hockey, baseball,
football, and basketball teams in the area. Our last statue on the tour is
along The Detroit River. It memorializes Detroit’s role in The Underground
Railroad. The sculptor is Ed Dwight. There’s a companion statue across the
Detroit River in Canada. That’s right. There’s a foreign country located
directly across the river.
I’m getting hungry now; let’s eat
at my favorite Coney Island restaurant, American Coney Island.
The Detroit style Coney hot dog is unique with its snappy hot dogs, special
sauce, onions, and yellow mustard. There is another Coney Island Restaurant
right next door, Lafayette. The restaurants are rivals for the bragging rights
of the best dog. American Coney Island has been featured on national television
programs numerous
times. I believe there are hundreds of
Coney Island restaurants in the Detroit area.
Since we’re not too far away, let’s
visit Belle
Isle, the 987-acre park right in The Detroit River between Detroit and
Windsor, Ontario, Canada. I’ve visited this park several times as a child and
adult. One of my brother’s was married on the island. I’ve also gone to work picnics
there. It’s a special place for relaxing. There’s a zoo, aquarium, driving
range, giant slide, and picnic areas. The
Detroit Grand Prix has been held there. Belle Isle is currently a State
of Michigan Park.
The last time I was in Paris I
visited the Musée d'Orsay. As I was admiring an exhibit, two guys
next to me were talking about The Detroit
Institute of Arts. That’s a real gem
in the city of Detroit. Growing up, I
used to visit it often on Saturdays.
Local folks know it simply as the DIA.
While we’re downtown, I’d like to
visit the main branch
of The Detroit Pubic Library. When I was a kid, I would often take the bus
downtown to visit. Reading is a passion of mine. I’ve also used the Burton
Historical Collection within the library for genealogical research.
I’ve somewhat of a history buff.
Our next stop is the Detroit
Historical Museum. I spent wonderful hours there as a child. My absolute
favorite exhibit was the ‘Streets of Detroit.” It showcased historical shops
and lives in Detroit. From here we will go to Greenfield Village
and The Henry Ford Museum.
My favorite areas at Greenfield Village are The Firestone farm and The Wright
Brother’s house. My favorite exhibits at The Henry Ford are Lincolns’ chair,
the JFK limo, and The Spirit of St. Louis.
That’s the end of my tour. I hope
you had a good time seeing a great part of Detroit. Since I haven’t been to
visit my favorite places in quite some time, I think I will make it a priority
this summer. It’s such a privilege to have the opportunity to visit these
fabulous locations.
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