suburban Detroit

[mpowis]

just assigned to the area for a two month project, from new England. what is there to see or do in the area (tractor related)

 

[MarkB_MI]

Start with "The Henry Ford", aka the Ford Museum, and Greenfield Village.

On weekends there are antique tractor/steam engine shows around the state.
The Henry Ford

 

[Dopp Creek]

You must go to the Henry Ford museum and adjacent Greenfield Village. So much history there.

 

[mpowis]

is there a listing of tractor shows?

 

[Dean]

Another vote for the Ford Museum and Greenfield Village.

You will need a day for each.

Dean

 

[Dean]

Don't know about tractor shows but you will find a great deal of farm equipment in the Ford Museum.

Dean

 

[ss55]

The Ford Museum and Greenfield Village are two for your "must see" list. Cars, tractors, planes, locomotives, farming, electric generators, Edison, etc. Do they still have that huge car show there too?

There are county fairs, tractor shows and tractor pulls once you get west of Ann Arbor and up in the Lansing area (Dexter, Fowlerville).

At one time the Yankee Air Force was in Ypsilanti. I don't know if it's still there. Not tractors, but big machines. The Ford bomber plant at Willow Run might have something in it now.

Tours of auto and engine plants are very interesting. So are tours of test facilities like GM's Proving Grounds (in Milford?).

Ann Arbor is a town worth visiting. See if you can get tickets to a U of Michigan football game.

Michigan Speedway near Brooklyn.

Frankenmuth.

Brewery and winery tours.

Canoe down the Au Sable river for a nice weekend "up north".

There should be some travel/tourist websites for South East Michigan. Also check out the rest of Michigan, Northern Ohio and Toledo.

Have fun.

 

[Dave H (MI)]

I have 3 tractors, 1 hit and miss, and a mini bike waiting in line for repairs. The corn planter is still sitting waiting to be put away for the year. Need to get the sprayer in shape for weed burn down.

I can keep you plenty busy. Give me a call


Not interested?

1) Henry Ford Museum/Greenfield Village

2) Go to Frankenmuth one day and have dinner at the Bavarian Inn. (or go to Oma's at the hotel across the river...same food, smaller portions, less expensive.)

3) Go to Ann Arbor an check out Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum

4) Find a nice hotel and spend a weekend in our "up north" area. Traverse city area is highly recommended. Cherry Festival next month is small but fun.

5) Check out the concert schedule at DTE Energy Theater, Meadowbrook Theater, DSO, Opera...whatever you like.

6) Any Amtrak will take you to Chicago. Lots to do there also...makes a nice expensive weekend.

Welcome and have fun.

 

[Spook]

Tractor shows are going on thru the summer. In August, the MMOGTA show is in Oakley Michigan, a 2 hour trip from Detroit.

 

[Anonymous-0]

What company do you work for? Location?

 

[mpowis]

thank you for all the responses. I'm headed to the speedway tomorrow for a nationwide race. the ford museum is next on my list. do need to get away from city and suburbs though.

 

[mpowis]

not a mechanic but can turn a wrench, if you need a hand.....

 

[MarkB_MI]

Google "michigan tractor show schedule 2014".

Many of the Michigan shows will be a very long drive from metro Detroit. Check out the Ohio and Indiana schedules as well.

 

[Tech 7]

Cross the border into Windsor....its like a whole different country. Our club show takes place August 9/10 about two hrs east of Detroit. Check out 1st Ontario Two Cylinder Club.

 

[RESLLS]

Dossen/Dossin great lakes maritime museum on belle isle. Need a state park sticker though. Maritime cathedral, beautiful church downtown. Detroit Institute of arts. If you are into country music and here through summer, the downtown hoedown. This weekend is the strawberry festival in Belleville. Bass pro 20 minutes north on I75. Cabelas is an hour sw in Dundee. Frankenmuth, get some fudge across the street from Bavarian Inn. Bronners, world's largest Christmas store is there too. Send an email, I'm 20 southwest of downtown in Southgate. Where you staying? bob75cjataoldotcom
Home most weekends. In Des Moines today, hopefully headed home tonight.

 

[johnlobb]

A serious warning about the city of Detroit. NEVER EVER BUY ANY GASOLINE IN THE CITY OF DETROIT EVER. Carjackings are out of control, I think over 300 so far this year. They have a new great police chief, but he is overwhelmed. Agreed on Henry Ford and Greenfield Village, Windsor, Ann Arbor and canoe or kayak trip on Au Sable river out of Grayling, MI.

 

[Hay hay hay]

City of Detroit is a dangerous place, but the suburbs of Detroit are quite nice. It is a big area so the side of town you are on makes a big difference.

All the suggestions you have received are good, and the lakes are a big part of the area this time of year.

 

[sms]

August 16 check out Woodward Dream Cruise. If you like all kinds of cars.
Woodward Dream Cruise

 

[Dave H (MI)]

You have to be willing to work for food.

Long standing tradition around here. Kids come help with the bale loading. I let them charge the horsey folk 25 cents a bale to load. Me, I don't pay them anything but anyone who finishes out the day gets to go out to the local high end burger joint with the family. I buy.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Run down to Toledo and also go to Wauseon for the National Threshers show later this month. Wauseon should be about 85 miles depending where you are in Detroit. Also an interesting place is the Art Museum in Toledo. Also I think you can still tour the lake freighter in Toledo.

 

[T in NE]

Do they still have sales at Archbold? It's not far from Wauseon.