http://detroit.about.com/od/localtours/tp/beforeyoudie.htm


It's amazing how easy it is to live in the city and take for granted all it has to offer or forget to take advantage of it's resources. I've compiled my list of the Top 10 things that every local resident must partake in, in this lifetime! These are the must-see's, the absolute necessities. How many have you already done ?

1) Marshall Field's Target Fireworks (http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/XJ&sdn=detroit&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theparade.org%2Ffreedomfest%2F index.shtml)

Previously the International Freedom Festival Fireworks, the fireworks are set off above the Detroit River between Windsor, Canada and riverfront Detroit. Annually, the fireworks draw a million visitors and are one of the largest displays in the country.

2) America's Thanksgiving Day Parade (http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/XJ&sdn=detroit&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theparade.org%2Fparade%2Findex .shtml)

America's Thanksgiving Parade® in Detroit made its first march down Woodward Avenue in 1924.Throughout the years, new traditions have begun, including the annual Turkey Trot, Michigan's largest 10k run, and Hob Nobble Gobble®, a one-of-a- kind, black-tie fundraiser to support America's Thanksgiving Parade®.

3) Tiger's Game (http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/XJ&sdn=detroit&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fdetroit.tigers.mlb.com%2FNASApp%2F mlb%2Fdet%2Fballpark%2Fdet_ballpark_history.jsp)

Baseball is an American tradition and the new Comerica park makes ballgames even more enjoyable for the entire family. Peanuts and Hot Dogs, anyone?

4) North American International Auto Show (http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/XJ&sdn=detroit&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.naias.com%2F)

The Auto Show makes it's appearance at the beginning of every year and also debuts more new and concept cars than any other auto show in the world. Living in the automotive capital of the world, it is practically a sin to not visit the Auto Show at least once in your lifetime!

5) Eastern Market (http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/XJ&sdn=detroit&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.easternmarket.org%2F)

This open-air farmers market is over 160 years old, declared a historic area in 1977. The experience of shopping at Eastern Market can not be compared with anything else. You will never see such a wide variety of locally grown and made products and produce in one open area in your life!

6) Greektown (http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/XJ&sdn=detroit&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbdfdestinationdetroit.org%2Fs mr98greektown.htm)

Greektown is a one-of-a-kind experience. Between the shopping at Trapper's Alley to the flaming cheese at any number of Greek restaurants, you will walk the streets with the distinct feeling of what life might have been like for Greek immigrants to Detroit long ago!

7) Red Wings (http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/XJ&sdn=detroit&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.olympiaentertainment.com%2FJLA %2Fhome.asp)

Hey, hey, Hockeytown! With the number of times the Stanley Cup has found it's home in Detroit, there is no excuse for not supporting our hometown team and catching an always-exciting Red Wings hockey game at Joe Louis Arena, Detroit's largest indoor venue.

8) Mexicantown (http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/XJ&sdn=detroit&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mexicantown.org%2F)

Located on the city's southwest side at the foot of the Ambassador Bridge, Mexicantown is Detroit's small, but thriving Hispanic community. With a few very popular eateries along the neighborhood's main strip, it is a great place to find some authentic Mexican cuisine. One of the best bargains in Detroit is Gloria's Bakery, offering delicious and affordably priced baked goods. For some homemade tamales, stop into Evie's.

9) Belle Isle (http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/XJ&sdn=detroit&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fobi.org%2F)

Belle Isle has something to offer everyone so there is no excuse for staying away. It is now a clean, safe, prospering park where a family could easily spend an entire day swimming, fishing, playing at the playground and huge slide, biking and more!

10) The RenCen (http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/XJ&sdn=detroit&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.buildingphotos.com%2Fshopping% 2FDE-riverfrontshops.shtml%23directory)

The Renaissance Center is an icon for Detroit growth and revitalization. Located on the Detroit River, GM Renaissance Center overlooks Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The view is spectacular from the Wintergarden, a five-story atrium designed for retail and restaurants. The RenCen also boasts one of the tallest hotels in the world, the Marriott Renaissance.


So how many have you done/seen?

Only 4...in 12 years...

Tigers game. Thats it. I did the walk for the cure a few days ago. That was awesome.

6) Greektown (http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/XJ&sdn=detroit&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbdfdestinationdetroit.org%2Fs mr98greektown.htm)

Greektown is a one-of-a-kind experience. Between the shopping at Trapper's Alley to the flaming cheese at any number of Greek restaurants, you will walk the streets with the distinct feeling of what life might have been like for Greek immigrants to Detroit long ago!


WTF????

Belle Isle has something to offer everyone so there is no excuse for staying away. It is now a clean, safe, prospering park where a family could easily spend an entire day swimming, fishing, playing at the playground and huge slide, biking and more!


I can't believe they still have that slide, I remember my dad taking me to that thing when I was like 7, and it was old as shit then.

6 and I don't dig parades.

none, but i dont live there. ive been to a few plus8 parties there though, good times.

The only thing on that list I haven't been to physically is go to the Turkey Day parade. and I've seen that on TV. My least favorite was Mexicantown, because I just don't care for Mexican food.

10 for 10 here. They're all pretty solid except for Greektown and Belle Isle. Greekblock has a couple nice restaurants--though they're in danger of closing because of the casino voucher issue--and that's about it. Shopping in trapper's alley? That must've been written during the blink-of-an-eye window when it first opened because that's long gone.

Belle Isle used to be a real destination back in the day with the zoo, the aquarium and the greenhouse. Now all that stuff is gone or nearly gone. The maintenance/cleanup on the island is spotty and every square inch of pavement/sidewalk is covered with broken glass. I won't go so far as to call it a dump but it is certainly no more than an average-below average park now.

On the positive side, eastern market and mexicantown are underrated and often overlooked. I highly recommend checking them out if you haven't.

9/10 for me. Detroit born and raised. It'll remain 9/10 because hockey sucks.

9/10 for me. Detroit born and raised. It'll remain 9/10 because hockey sucks.

...but have you ever been to game?

9/10, haven't done hockey, but I've seen the rest twice.

4/10 Tigers, Greektown, Redwings, Mexican town

Mexicantown? LMFAO. Just come to my part of the country and EVERY neighboring town will look like Mexicantown.

For the best "ethnic" experience in the Detroit area, I go with east Dearborn.

Much of Detroit's ethnic communities got killed off by big road construction, and I'm not a big fan on Mexican food. I only ever made it to Mexicantown years after the other "top 10" listed because a friend of mine had her "going away" party there.

3/10, Mexican Town, Tigers, Red Wings.

10/10 for this guy.

geerussel, trappers alley used to be a mall, before the casinos. though, as far as i know it had been dead forever. i remember going there for a fudge shop, but that was back in the 80's.

that article is indeed old, it also claims the joe is the biggest indoor stadium.

mexicanvillage is the most underrated restaurant in detroit. phenomenal.