The Detroit Science Center

The Detroit Science Center is also in Midtown Detroit.   This location provides historic information involving the works of science.  This is also a place where many schools take their students on field trips.  I went to the Detroit Science Center as a student and I also have been there recently as a teacher assistant with the students at the preschool I currently work at.  The Detroit Science Center not only has a variety of science exhibits and experiments, but also has a Dinosaur exhibit as well.  Let me just tell you, this exhibit looks and feels real… It’s amazing.  You will learn a lot about the history of science if you visit the Detroit Science Center.  Each area not only has an information panel, it also has hands on experiments and examples.  Children and adults will end up loving this science center as science is for anyone of any age.  Just as you cannot put a limit on science, you cannot put a limit on whom or how many times a person can visit this attraction.  The Detroit Science Center also provides an IMAX theater which plays movies and shows that entertain the guests.  The center also provides different types of programs that many children will enjoy.  The Detroit Science Center is a great place to visit, as this attraction will also provide you with a good time and an excellent learning experience. 

 

http://www.sciencedetroit.org/pressroom.html - Image

Detroit Institute of Arts

I will continue my blogs this week with a theme regarding museums.  Museums are not only exciting to visit, but can also be a learning experience for all.  Let’s begin with the Detroit Institution of Arts, also known as the DIA.  I have been to the DIA multiple times and still never get bored while I am there.  There are new things to see and learn about every time you visit the DIA.  The DIA’s mission is “to create new experiences that help each visitor find personal meaning in art.”  Those that may not even enjoy art could experience something new when going to the DIA.  I am not a big fan of art, but my DIA experience had me discover that art is a beautiful thing as each work has a meaning to it.  These art collections are diverse as they come from many different places around the world.  The DIA is located in Midtown Detroit as it is surrounded by many other museums and Wayne State University as well.  The DIA expresses a variety of cultural work that speaks for itself.   The art work is inspiring and represents different cultures from Asia to Africa.  The DIA gives opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds to interact or reconnect with their cultures through the artwork and exhibits.  Those who visit the DIA can vary in age; they could visit on a school trip or come with friends or family.  I went to the DIA on a field trip in middle school and in college (art history course).   The DIA also provides a variety of entertainment and events.  Each event follows a theme as it is exhibited throughout its’ time period.   More information regarding the DIA’s artwork, exhibits, and events can be found on their website… http://www.dia.org/ .   Take some time to visit the historical and inspiring collections of the DIA! 

Ford Field ... Go Lions!

I am going to continue this week’s theme of sports as this next post will be about our very own Ford Field as it is the home of the Detroit Lion’s football team!  I will have to be honest and say that I have never been to a Lion’s game.  But this year I hope that will change as I have been promising my boyfriend we will go to one.  Ford Field was originally supposed to be an outdoor stadium like the Tiger’s stadium next door, but ended up being an indoor stadium.   The field was completed in August of 2002.  The naming rights to Ford Field were purchased of course by the Ford family, also including the Lion’s owner William Ford, who controls the interest in the company.    The stadium is not only used for the Detroit Lions, but it has also been used for concerts and events.  Lady Gaga’s concert was a Ford Field a while back (so I guess I have been to Ford Field, just not for a Lion’s game).  Another fun fact I found was that Ford Field claims the best sight lines of any football stadium in the United States, which is made available by a design and that omits the traditional club and suite levels and ends up lowering the upper level.  I plan on attending a Lion’s game this season and I hope you guys also do the same. 

http://www.detroitlions.com/ford-field/facts-history.htmlhttp://espn.go.com/travel/stadium/_/s/nfl/id/8/ford-field%20-%20Image

 

Tiger's Stadium

The stadium was first opened on April 20, 1912.  The Tiger’s stadium was originally called Navin Field at first (after team owner Frank Navin), the ballpark changed its name to Briggs Stadium in 1938 and finally to Tiger Stadium in 1961.  Now this park is known as Comerica Park as it is home to the Detroit Tiger’s American League team.  The park was named after Comerica Bank as its headquarters paid a huge amount of money for the name change.   However, within all these name changes, the stadium was also used for the Detroit lion’s football team back then.  After a while, it was decided that the Stadium was home to the Tigers and the Lions would play at the Silver dome (which in time they changed their location again and today play right next door to the stadium at Ford Field).  Another interesting fact I found was that the Tiger’s stadium was the last park in the American League to install its’ lights back in 1948.  Over the years, there have been a few modifications to improve our park for its players and guests.  Comerica Park is a great place to go and catch a Tiger’s game with family or friends.  Its location is right in Downtown, Detroit, as the drive is worth the while.  The stadium also hosts a firework show on Friday and Saturday evenings after the game has ended.  At the Park, you could enjoy “The famous ball-park hot dogs” as you sit back and enjoy the game.  No matter where you sit at the stadium, you will enjoy yourself (I have been there multiple times and no matter where I sit, I end up having a blast).  Now that our Tigers have won in our Division and are going to the playoffs the Stadium is a place you should definitely go and see!  



http://www.baseball-statistics.com/Ballparks/Det/Tiger.htm

The City of Detroit

I guess I will begin by briefly going over the history and background of the City of Detroit.  I actually took a History of Michigan course over the summer, so let’s just see how much I remember.  Detroit is the largest city in the state of Michigan.   The city was founded in 1701 by a French explorer who is known as Antoine de la Mothe, Sieur de Cadillac.  We can just call him Cadillac from now on.  The area of Detroit was an ideal place to settle then because its’ land was considered fertile and how the city was a port on the Detroit River was also an advantage.  The French thought the location of the city on the river would easily help them defeat the British.  The word Detroit actually originates from the French language as it means strait.  It is the strait that connects the river it sits on to the Great Lakes.  I forgot to mention the city at first was named Fort Ponchartrain du Detroit, by the French.  However, later on (during the French and Indian War) when the British took over the city, they shortened the name down to just Detroit.  Detroit was the capital of Michigan back in 1805 and in that same year a downfall had also occurred.  The fire of 1805 destroyed the city completely.   The fire took place when sparks from the pipe of the town’s baker fell into a pile of hay. The resulting fire spread quickly, and within a few hours only the fort, which was separated from the town by the parade ground, and a few large buildings along the Detroit River were left standing. Everything was constructed with wood back then, which meant everything was burned down.  People took shelter in the Detroit River, sitting in boats and canoes until the fire was put out.  However, Augustus Woodward played a prominent role in the planning and reconstruction of Detroit following a devastating fire.  Justice Augustus B. Woodward devised a plan similar to Washington, D.C.  design. Detroit's monumental avenues and traffic circles were to be fanned out in a baroque styled design.  If you have ever been down to D.C. you would see its’ design is very similar to Detroit’s.  Both cities are very confusing to get around, well to me they are!  But I am glad Woodward rebuilt the city, even though he made it confusing to get around.   Below is a picture of Woodward’s plan for the reconstruction of the city of Detroit. 

Image - http://shegetzguevara.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/old_map_1807_plan.jpg

Why attractions?

Well I just want to say this before I officially start my blogging on such attractions... I will be writing about attractions in Detroit as well as attractions outside of the city.  My attractions will come from the greater Metro-Detroit area (there are pictures of maps right below).  Some attractions will come from the city of Detroit itself, but others will come from its surroundings.  Well the reason I chose to blog about attractions is because I truly love to travel... especially the sightseeing part.  Not only does someone enjoy attractions, but you can also learn a lot when visiting an attraction.  Here in the Metro-Detroit area, there is an attraction for everyone.  If you are someone like my boyfriend who is a fan of sports (especially the tigers, which are by the way doing amazing right now) GO TIGERS! Or someone who likes to spend the day shopping and grabbing a bite to eat afterwards... well all of that and more can be done here in our lovely city of Detroit and its surroundings.  Detroit has a lot of history behind it, as some attractions I will blog about will help explain such history.  Yes, Detroit may not carry the same attractions as major cities like Los Angeles or New York City, but we have our own attractions that make our city beautiful.  I hope my blogging will help people realize there is much do in the Metro-Detroit area, even though they may consider such attractions “small”, but as I will later explain, those “small attractions” will be worth your while. 

Image One - http://darlenekujanek.com/resources/map_metro_detroit.gif
Image Two - http://www.tracyvette.com/images/tpmapdet.gif