Detroit's Gathering Place

Campus Martius Park is located at the heart of downtown Detroit and offers a variety of activities to take part in all year round.  This is the only year round programmed outdoor space in downtown Detroit, offering many different events.  Since it’s summer time, I am going to share some things you can currently do at the park.   The park has beautiful scenery and when I come here with my friends, we always make a day out of it. 

                                      

From June 19 through August 30, every Tuesday through Friday from noon to 2:00 PM you can enjoy the Greektown Casino Mid-Day music series in the park. 

Talent will consist of a variety of top Detroit performances according to the following themes:

Tuesdays: Detroit Manufacturing Tuesdays

Wednesdays: 93.9 The River’s Lunchtime Concert

Thursdays: Detroit Music Showcase

Fridays: WDET’s Essential Fridays

This upcoming week the following performances will be as follows:

Tuesday, August 7 -- DJ Top Kat

Wednesday, August 8 -- Robin Horlock

Thursday, August 9 -- Cosmic Groove Band

A special event at the park will be held on Friday, August 24 called “Quicken Loans 5^th Fridays Amy Gore and Her Valentines”

 

The schedule will be as follows:

GREEKTOWN CASINO MID-DAY MUSIC SERIES
Performance By TONE & NICHE (Hard Rock Cafe)
Fashions By DETROIT MANUFACTURING
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Noon – 9 p.m.
VISUAL ARTS art installation in the Compuware Atrium
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5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. HAPPY HOUR Presented By LIVE DJ MIX RUNWAY FASHION SHOW Presented By “STAND UP IN DETROIT” featuring the comedy of Garri Madera, Digg Johnson, and special guests
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8 PM
THE PLEASURE SEEKERS/CRADLE

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10 PM
AMY GORE AND HER VALENTINES

On Fridays you can also enjoy an Academy Award featured film at Campus Martius Park.  Upcoming films will be The Muppets on Friday, August 10 and Brad Pitt’s Moneyball on Friday, August 17.  Watching the movies at the park are wonderful and such a fun experience.  I was there a couple weeks ago to watch Midnight in Paris with my friends and we had such a lovely time watching the film and enjoying the beautiful scenery around the park at night.

During the summer from June 19 through August 28, Campus Martius Park also offers an event called “Healthy Moves” and the schedule is as follows:

Tuesdays:  5:30pm - 6:30pm  Ballroom Dance , Free for all, learn some moves and enjoy the class on the South Lawn

Thursdays: 6:00pm - 7:00pm  Running Club Meet in the Park and take a run around the City

Saturdays:  9:30am - 10:30am Yoga, Free class in the South Lawn

The classes are provided by Boll Family YMCA.

Many people enjoy playing games, and Campus Martius Park offers a variety of different games for everyone.  The games include ping pong, bean bag toss, washer toss, bocce ball, checkers, chess, and backgammon.  The games are located in the Cadillac Square area of the park.  

                         The hours for the games are:

Monday-Friday: Noon- 7:00 PM

Saturdays: Noon – 4:00 PM

My friends and I always enjoy having lunch at the Fountain Bistro, which is located at the very center of park, adjacent to the Woodward Fountain.  Fountain Bistro is open daily, seven days a week.  So stop by and enjoy a meal and drink with your family and friends.

                              

Now, if you plan on visiting the park during the winter, there’s still so much you can do.  For Thanksgiving, you can enjoy watching the floats at the Thanksgiving Day Parade, which I always find a blast!  My family and I love going to Campus Martius around the holidays.  Around Christmas time I go ice-skating on the rink with my friends, and we always have a blast.  The scenery is amazing, as there are holiday lights around the park and holiday music playing.  You can enjoy hot chocolate and snacks while at the rink. When I go ice-skating, there is at least one marriage proposal occurring on the rink, as many fellows purchase a rose and ask their romantic other for their hand in marriage. Every year, the community has a tree lighting ceremony, which is when the 60-foot Christmas tree is lit up and followed by a holiday party.   

Every February, Campus Martius hosts a Motown Winter Blast, which offers a variety of fun winter activities for everyone to enjoy.  Some of which include ice skating, a winter carnival, food music, and much more!

                           

Campus Martius is a welcoming park, and offers something to do daily.  With all of the attractions this park has to offer, you will not be bored when you spend the day here!

Images provided by: http://campusmartiuspark.org/

Cultural Gem of Detroit

Looking for something fun and relaxing to do in Detroit?  Well look no more because the Detroit Institute of Art (DIA), also known as the cultural gem of Detroit, is the perfect place to spend your day.  This museum is located in midtown Detroit and is open Wednesday and Thursday 10am - 4pm; Friday 10am - 10pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm and is closed on Monday and Tuesday, including some holidays.  

I absolutely love learning about art and the history behind the art, so this is best place to enjoy all of that.  The DIA is the fifth-largest fine arts museum in the country and offers over 100 galleries with art from ancient to modern times.   I have been to this museum several times, as a young child and now as a young adult.  I have been here for many school field trips, and twice in college.  After visiting the museum for school, I began bringing my friends and family here.  It is such a beautiful experience to walk around and learn about art from different times.  Some of my friends were hesitant to visit the DIA with me because they are neither art nor history fans, however when they came to the DIA they fell in love with the art work and learned about a variety of different cultures through the art pieces.  The museum includes American, European, Modern and Contemporary, and Graphic art, which also includes magnificent pieces of African, Asian, Native American, Oceanic, Islamic and Asian art.  The DIA welcomes people of all ages, and I highly recommend everyone stop by and enjoy the museum. 

The DIA mission statement is: “Creating experiences that help each visitor find personal meaning in art.”  I was able to connect with specific pieces of artwork at the DIA such as the photograph of Madonna and child with angels and the sculpture of Christ at the column.  Being Catholic I was able to learn more about my religion and the history behind the art.  The tour guides at the DIA are beyond helpful and truly have a passion for the art and the history behind all of the art. 

                                                      

So, not only is the DIA known for terrific art, but they also offer live music on Friday nights.  I have yet gone to the DIA to experience music from around the world and around Detroit at Friday Night Live, but I plan on spending a Friday night there soon.  On Friday nights from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM you can enjoy live music, art-making workshops, drawing in the galleries, guided tours and much more.  If you have a ticket for the museum from earlier in the day, you can enjoy Friday Night Live for free! 

                      

The DIA also has a café, called Café DIA which offers soups, chili, a salad bar, Panini’s and sandwiches, grilled chicken, salmon, burgers and much more.  There is also a Kresge Court Coffee Stop, for you to enjoy Starbucks Coffee, bagels, muffins, fruits, deli sandwiches and salads.  For us college students, their coffee stop also offers free wireless internet.  It’s a nice place to study and enjoy the scenery, instead of being stuck inside of a library.

 

                     

Keep in mind everything that the DIA has to offer and make a day out of it. :)

Images provided by google search.  

All In One!

During the summer, most of us enjoy being outdoors.  This upcoming week, our weather forecast in the Metro-Detroit area looks like we will have some cloudy days, with warm temperatures.  In my opinion, cloudy days are perfect for shopping, however with the warm weather, why spend the day completely indoors?  Well, this is where the mall at Partridge Creek comes into play.  This outdoor mall opened up in October of 2007 and is located at 17420 Hall Road, Clinton Township, MI 48038.  Even, when the shopping stores close, there is still something to do at Partridge Creek. 

During the day you can enjoy walking outdoors and shopping at your favorite stores.  A couple of the common stores offered at Partridge Creek include Nordstrom and Parisian.  With the summer heat, I enjoy grabbing a refreshing drink from Starbucks Coffee or the vending machines. 

                                        

Partridge Creek is a great place to meet up with friends or family and enjoy the day walking around.  Even when I don’t shop, I have fun walking with family and friends, while people watching and enjoying the scenery.  I love seeing the new clothing trends and window-shopping.  And for those of you who have a dog, this is the best place to be because Partridge Creek welcomes dogs.

During the summer at Partridge Creek there is entertainment every day.  So even if you would like to stroll around outside or sit on the benches, you can enjoy the live music while doing so. 

The summer entertainment hours are:

Monday - Friday: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Saturday: 4 pm - 8 pm

Sunday/Holiday: 1 pm - 5 pm

If some of you prefer to walk around and shop, and others don’t, not only can you sit and enjoy the music, but you can also sit by the TV court and feel right at home.  Sometimes when I go to Partridge Creek with large groups, some of my friends prefer to hangout by the TV court and we all meet up later on for lunch or dinner.

Partridge Creek includes the complete package deal! After a long day of shopping or walking around the outdoor mall, enjoy being served on during dinner.  This outdoor mall offers many restaurants for a variety of different tastes.  Some of the restaurants include: Brio Tuscan Grill, PF Changs, Tin Fish, Bar Louie, California Pizza Kitchen, Max & Erma’s, and Rojo Mexican Bistro.  If you plan to have a nice family dinner I prefer Brio, PF Changs, California Pizza Kitchen or Max & Erma’s.  All except Max & Erma’s offers outdoor seating, which in my opinion is perfect for a cool summer night.  Now for the young adults, who prefer to listen to music and grab an adult beverage, Tin Fish or Bar Louie is the place to be. 

                           

If you prefer to grab something quick, the mall has a Taco Bell, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, and a Nordstrom eBar.

At night you can relax by the fireplace and enjoy all of the trees being lit up.  I usually love sitting by the fireplace and chatting with friends about the day.  However, since Partridge Creek also has an MJR Movie Theatre, I like to end my night by watching a movie.  With the theatre being included in the mall, it is convenient and allows you to continue the night out.

                          

Instead of sitting home during the cloudy week we are supposed to have, plan a fun filled day at Partridge Creek.  With all of the options it has to offer, you will not find yourself bored!

Images provided by google search.

Fun Under The Sun!

 Scorching sun and sticky weather is what July has offered so far, however finding a way to cool off is all you need to make sure that you are able to enjoy your summer.  What might you do to cool off?  Well try visiting two great waterparks right in your backyard.

There are two locations that I usually go to, one is Red Oaks Waterpark (located: 1455 East 13 Mile Road Madison Heights, MI  48071) and the other is Waterford Oaks Waterpark (located: 1702 Scott Lake Road Waterford MI, 48328).  I used to come to the water parks multiple times during the summers as a young child, and now as a young adult I come with my friends and family every chance I get.  These water park attractions can be fun for all ages, young and old.  For those of you who enjoy being outdoors, but do not want to be directly under the heat, the water park is the place for you.  You can cool off in the water and then warm up under the sun.  The water attractions offered at these water parks include:

•  Triple Turn- These three water slides are beyond exciting, I normally love to race my friends down the slides. For those of you who are not the best swimmers, the water you slide into is no more than 3 feet, and there is a life-guard available to assist you. (At Red Oaks location)

• Terrific Tides- a wave- action pool.  (The best part about this pool, is that it is heated! So even if it’s cloudy or windy, the water will feel wonderful.)  The waves occur about every 15 minutes, and for those of us who prefer to relax during the waves, there are tubes for you to float on or sit in.  I personally enjoy sitting in the tubes and have the waves take me away.  (At both locations)

• River Ride- Relax in the 90-foot long moving river, and just be lazy.  After a long day at the water park, I love to sit in a tube and go down the river.  You can relax in a single tube or grab a friend or family member and sit in a two-seater tube and enjoy the ride. (At Red Oaks location)

• Ragin' Rapid- This a group raft ride which starts at a height of three stories, takes the riders through 515 feet of drops and turns, ultimately leading you into a three-foot deep pool.  This ride is one of my favorites because I have so many memories with my family.  We go on this ride every chance we get, and always have laughs because my younger sister always gets scared.  I personally enjoy rides that I can sit with other people, instead of being alone. (At Waterford location)

• Soak Station: For those of you coming with a family and have younger children, this is the place for them to be.  The soak station includes water jets, slides, bubbler jets, and a six-foot tipping bucket.  I’m not going to lie, I even enjoy the soak station because of the bucket. (At both locations)

Now, you must be thinking about food! There are picnic areas with tables and grills and the concessions stands.  For those of you who do not mind throwing a blanket on the grass and having your own picnic without a table, there is a lot of grassy areas for you to do so.  The concessions offer drinks, ice cream, pizza, fries and so on.  I personally love to pack my own picnic or grill with my family, but I always buy a cone of soft serve ice cream from the concessions.  It’s a great way to cool off. :)

Both water parks also include a bathhouse with lockers, showers, bathrooms and changing areas.  It is always wonderful to have a private area to change out of your wet swimsuits before heading home.

So the next time you’re looking for something to do head to Red Oaks or Waterford Waterpark where you’ll be able to cool off and enjoy the sun!

Images provided by google search. 

Come Have Fun At CJ Barrymore's!

Bored and no idea where to go with your friends and family?  Well look no more, CJ Barrymore’s (located on Hall Road, west of I-94) offers a wide range of activities for everyone to enjoy.  As a young child I would come here with my classmates for field trips, and now as a young adult I still come here with my friends and family.  CJ Barrymore’s offers activities for young children and adults.  A few activities at CJ Barrymore’s include Indy karts, turbo karts, bowling, arcades, water wars, golfing, laser tag, rock climbing, batting cages and bumper boats.  I personally enjoy rock climbing and water wars.  CJ Barrymore’s is a great place to spend an entire day at because of the numerous activities it has to offer.  This is a place where you can hang out with your friends and family while having a blast.  CJ Barrymore’s offers outdoor and indoor entertainment, so everyone can be pleased!  With the weather we have in Detroit, you never know when the sun will stay out or suddenly thunderstorm, but at CJ Barrymore’s you do not have to worry about that because of the indoor activities and entertainment!  There is definitely something fun for anyone when it comes to CJ Barrymore’s.  This is the place to be, especially during the summer season.  

Now, you might be thinking about food, but don’t worry about bringing your own food or having to leave for a food break because CJ Barrymore’s offers a variety of food.  If you prefer something quick and small while walking around CJ Barrymore’s, there is a concession stand with nachos, pizza, popcorn, ice cream, and frozen/ fountain drinks.  However, if you are looking for a relaxing time to sit down and catch up with friends, CJ Barrymore’s also has a bar and grill, with delicious food such as pizzas, chicken wings, burgers, refreshing drinks and much more.  For you sports fans, there are multiple large screen TVs playing sports throughout the day.  At the end of the day, you can just sit back and enjoy the night at the bar and grill.  What is better than having everything all at one place?  It is rare to find places that meet everyone’s needs, but CJ Barrymore’s is the place to be when it comes to having fun and spending time with your family and friends.

If you’re interested in hosting a private event CJ Barrymore’s is very accommodating.  There are five outdoor private patios, with tents, brick patios, furniture (including umbrellas), and beautiful scenery.  So, the next time you want to host a party or just hang out with friends or family, check out the private patios at CJ Barrymore’s.  These patios can hold up to 20 to 1,200 guests!

Whenever you find yourself sitting at home with nothing to do, head to CJ Barrymore’s with your friends or family!  Spending the day at CJ Barrymore’s will definitely be fun and worth your while!

CJ Barrymore’s offers a lot for your money, and the best part is that you can print coupons from their website! 

Learn more about CJ Barrymore’s at: http://www.cjbarrymores.com/public/attractions/

Images provided by: http://www.cjbarrymores.com/

Why Detroit Attractions?

Many of us find ourselves bored at home with nothing to do.  Well, that is about to change because the city of Detroit offers many attractions for us to visit and spend a day out!  For the rainy days or the sunny days, I will help you find the perfect place to spend your day!  There are many places in the Metro-Detroit area that people tend to forget about, so I hope that with this blog you will learn about new places and have fun visiting them with your friends and family!  

Image provided by: http://kindofneworleanian.wordpress.com/2011/06/24/detroit-the-other-french-city/