Motown Historical Museum

This is not some ordinary museum, it also once was the headquarters of Motown records and Tamla records during the 1960s.  This is also an attraction in our very own downtown.  What I thought was cool was that Stevie Wonders and The Temptations recorded their hits here.  Other artists I may not know, but some of you may be aware of are Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson and Miracles, and The Marvelettes.  Another cool thing I read about was that the Motown Records was nicknamed Hitsville USA because it produced so many hits at once.  The museum (which is actually two houses combined) consists of an office, a recording studio, a switch board, and a daycare.  I know at first I thought this was all very random.  The Motown museum holds memorabilia for all its’ artists.   This includes album covers, costumes, and pictures that relate to the history of Motown.  The founder of Motown was Berry Gordy.  If you like music, why not visit this attraction and learn about the history of those artists that were founded right here in your hometown.  I did not know this place existed until I was researching attractions in Detroit and this came up.  This attraction seems interesting enough to visit.  Motown holds a lot of its’ history still today.  It still has cigar and candy vending machines, the same ones from before.  It also has much of the recording equipment from back then.  I love history and any type of historical attraction will work for me.  This attraction preserves the history of Motown Records.

Greektown

A night of entertainment and enjoyment… this is what you should expect when you visit our very own Greektown casino and resort.  This attraction is located right in downtown area.   Greektown is known for its’ magnificent restaurants as the food is what some people keep coming back for, well I  know that why I always tend to go back.  The other thing is I am still not 21 and therefore cannot gamble, which leads me to my other point… the casino!!!  Greektown is one of the major casinos located in the downtown area.  As weird as it sounds, well maybe to just me, my parents still go on somewhat “dates” to Greektown and enjoy a nice dinner and then entertain themselves at the casino.   This would be one of those“best of both worlds” type of attraction when it comes to taking someone on a date… since you have the dinner and the entertainment back to back with one another.  Greektown also provides its’ own hotel for those that want to “getaway”.  They can go downtown and enjoy their night and instead of going back home, they can enjoy a longer night out and then just go right upstairs to their room.  It should feel like they are really on a “mini type of getaway”.  Greektown casino also provides music and show entertainment for its’ guests.   Just remember the dining is available for anyone, but the casino only allows those who are 21 years old.

Image -  http://detnews.com/article/20090722/BIZ/907220337/

Cider Mill

This time of the year is the perfect time to gather your friends or family and head out to the Cider mill!  One of my favorite cider mills is the Westview Orchard.  This orchard provides a cider mill, apple picking (this time of year; as it may vary depending on the season), and an adventurous farm.  The different crops or fruits that grow here vary from peaches, apples, pumpkins, cherries, corn, strawberries, and much much more.  They also provide a mini farm area with farm animals you can feed or pet.  If your bring children along, this orchard has a children playground.  I have been on many field trips here with my preschoolers/toddlers and they love it!  The playground is very safe might I mention, as it is cover with tire rubber (instead of rocks or sand) which is very convenient and safe when little children are running around.  The cider mill and donuts are absolutely delicious as well!  This cider mill is located on 30 mile and Van dyke (if you take m-53 all the way up it would be on your left hand side once you pass 30 mile).  Spending the day at the orchard is fun and relaxing.  You can also walk around and enjoy the scenery while you are there.  Make sure to grab some extra cider mill and donuts before you leave (you might crave them the next day as I always do).  The cider mill will not be open for much longer, so take the opportunity and head out there before it gets too cold out!

Haunted House

Sorry for the late post… midterms this week were a pain! Glad they are over with now back to blogging!  Since Halloween is around the corner what better attraction to write about than a haunted house!  Erebus Haunted attraction to be exact!  I am sure many of you have heard of this haunted house that is currently in the city of Pontiac… if not I hope this post will be helpful!  Erebus is known as the largest walk through haunted attraction in the world as it was recorded in the Geinuss Book of World Records.  I find that kind of cool since it is here in our Metro-Detroit area.  I have not been to this haunted house, but I really do want to go to it someday!  Many people I have spoken to do recommend this attraction as their stories seem exciting and fun.  Yes, the attraction is pricy ($23 a person) but I guess it is worth the price.  The owners of this attraction are actually brothers (Terebus’ borthers) as the doors opened in the year of 2000.   This four story haunted house has artwork and special Hollywood like features you will not forget.  From what I also know, I suggest that you go a little earlier than planned (timing wise) since the line to the attraction gets pretty as the night goes by.  This haunted attraction is opened everyday now until Halloween (October 31).   If you want to spook someone out or even get yourself spooked out and have a exciting night then Erebus (located in downtown Pontiac once again) is a great place to go! 


http://www.hauntedpontiac.com/

Mexican Town!!!

Let me just admit I have not been down to Mexican town…yet!!!  I have heard a lot about it as it sounds exciting, but my crazy busy life with school and work makes it hard for me to have any fun!  However, that doesn’t mean you guys can’t enjoy a night at this ethnic diverse little town.  It is located in the southwest portion of the city of Detroit.  Many have said it is sort of tucked away as many people who are not familiar with the place have passed by it and missed it.  Mexican town is of course known for its’ diverse and yummy food!  There is also some shopping in Mexican Town, which is actually how I heard of the place.  One of my coworker’s friends does some shopping in Mexican Town.   Back to the food, Flaming Fajitas sound amazing right now!  Mexican Town also offers restaurants that carry live music and dancing, which is a plus!  You can spend a day and have lunch and do some shopping here or even spend a night with some dinner and dancing as well, whatever works in your favor.  This little town offers a variety of restaurants for you to choose from.  Most these restaurants are opened late as the little town tends to have an increase in population during the night life.  Once I have the chance to spare some time and stop by this fun place, I will make sure I will!!! As many of you should do the same ;)

Our Very Own Detroit Zoo!

Most people who live in Detroit or the suburbs of Detroit have been to our very own Detroit Zoo!  It has been over a year since I have been there (my boyfriend was joking one day and said he wants to go see the lions so I surprised him with a trip to the zoo that same week.  Let’s just say we spent over an hour just watching the Lions… they really are amazing!)  As I was younger I would visit the zoo multiple times on school field trips and now I still go there to (most of the time I am taking my younger cousins.)  I am trying to convince the pre-school I work at to set up a field trip to the zoo because I know the children would just love it!  The zoo makes everyone happy!  Seeing all these different animals you wouldn’t normally see is exciting.  Plus walking around the zoo on a nice day couldn’t sound any better.  Even during Halloween, the Detroit Zoo sets up a Trick or Treating even for families… we took my younger cousins a few years back and they loved it!  I am sad to say however, the elephants have been recently moved out of the Detroit Zoo and have been sent somewhere with a more bigger and suitable environment.  As long as the elephant are safe and more comfortable at their new location is all that matters, we will miss our big friendly mammals however!  The butterfly and penguin exhibits are one of my favorite things to see when visiting the Detroit Zoo.  If you have not been to this spectacular zoo, take a day off from your everyday busy life and visit this zoo… you won’t regret this day trip.

http://loftsofmerchantsrow.wordpress.com/2010/06/29/the-spirit-of-detroit-and-the-detroit-zoo-what-moves-you/ - Image

The Greatest of All...

This next shopping experience will be about our very own Great Lakes Crossing Outlet in the city of Auburn Hills.  This huge outlet mall is not too far from Oakland University, as it is just a few miles north on I75.  This outlet mall is a shopping experience that is unlike any of the other malls in the Metro-Detroit area.  It attracts customers from all over Michigan and Canada.  It offers over 180 retail stores and restaurants… as 25 of those retail stores are only found here throughout all of the state of Michigan.  This attraction also offers a movie theater and a bar inside the mall!  It is like you can do it all here… shop, eat, watch a movie, and maybe even stop by for a drink (perfect place for a date ;) since you get it all here).  This outlet mall has upscale brands, which is always great since the outlet sets the prices much lower than the original stores.  You can really spend all day at this mall, I know I have!  Walking around and stopping in a store here and there is just great.  Let’s not mention that this mall holds a huge Forever 21 store, which you can basically spend hours at (for those ladies who adore this store, and I should  also say men as well since they carry a men collection at this location).  I feel like you can find anything you are looking for here, I know I always tend to go there when I am looking for a gift or an outfit for a special occasion… since the mall is so big, you have more choices!!! Below I provided a link for further information and details about this mall.

 http://www.greatlakescrossingoutlets.com/

Shop Shop and keep Shopping...

This week I will continue my posts with my favorite theme, Shopping!!!  I don’t know if this may apply to others, but shopping is the cure to a bad or even a good day.  Shopping is fun and is a social activity that families and friends can do together.  Most my shopping is done at Somerset Mall in the city of Troy… so I thought I would discuss Somerset in this blog.  Not only do I do my shopping at this mall, I also work there on the weekends (Ann Taylor on the South Side).   Somerset mall attracts shoppers from all over (even lots of people from Canada) as it has a variety of retail stores for its’ shoppers.   Many may consider Somerset Mall an upscale shopping mall; in a way I agree… however, the scenery is beautiful and enjoyable.  This mall has been around since 1969 as the South side was expanded in 1992 and the North side was created in 1996.  The department stores vary from Macys, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Neiman Marcus… with Macys holding the most space (largest department store in the collection).  The collection provides shopping for everyone, as you will feel delighted and relaxed with your experience here.  Somerset Mall also holds many restaurants to dine at after a long day of shopping.  Also, the collection provides entertainment here and there that also increases the mall population (especially during the weekends).   Stop by Somerset Mall… do some shopping, grab a bite to eat, and go home feeling great!  I also provided a link for those who are not familiar with the collection, (this will list the stores and restaurants available and any additional information). 

http://www.thesomersetcollection.com/

http://www.cometocapetown.com/why-cape-town/entertainment/shopping/