Anyone from Detroit of southern Michigan here?

[walnutred]

I've been thinking about taking the family to Deerfield Village this summer. The last few times I've been through Detroit makes me very hesitant though. Should I avoid the place or is it fairly safe. Any suggestions on where to stay and where to avoid at all costs?

Thanks.

 

[Jack Flash]

Are you thinking of Greenfield Village? I haven't been there since I was a kid, but IIRC it is in Dearborn, a suburb of Detroit. You can map a route to get there without going through the city, which should eliminate any problem with the city itself. Link_To_Greenfield_Village

When I lived in Detroit, I used to love to go to the Historical Museum. The basement was a recreation of a city street circa 1900. Click on the link and you can see some of the storefronts (behind the kids). Link

I would go there now, but I would always be on guard, as in any city where laws are only a suggestion.

 

[walnutred]

Yes, Greenfield. I don't know what I was thinking.

 

[SShepherd]

lol..there's a place here called Deerfield, but I'm pretty sure your kids would be bored to death!

 

[moosedog]

Greenfield Village is a very cool place to visit and is constantly updating it's displays. There is an outdoor "Village" or an indoor museum. They are both worth seeing.
Passing through Detroit is the same as South Chicago, Jacksonville Forida, etc.
Don't get off the main drag or you can end up in a bad residential neighborhood inhabited by a government experiment gone terribly wrong.
Otherwise, no problem.

 

[walnutred]

Thanks, actually to simplify things I'm looking at a package deal from a hotel in Taylor, Michigan. It provides a shuttle service to and from the village.

 

[GatorFarmer]

I'm from Lansing, left in 2006. The tourist sections of the Detroit area (burbs and city) aren't that bad. Michigan recognizes all out of state carry permits if the permit comes from your home state. It remains a good idea to go about armed, but unless you go on a strange detour or get lost, you'll miss all the war zone areas.

 

[max]

I am going to the SWCA meeting next month and they are taking us to Greenfield.

 

[uzisandfloozies]

i live in southwest michigan. visited greenfield village a few years ago. dont sweat, it is safe. lots of parking, no problems.

while you are there, visit the detroit art museum downtown. fantastic collection of impressionist and asian art. well worth the visit.

 

[Racegunner]

Try The Dearborn Inn. It's across the street from the Village. You'll also be closer to downtown Dearborn for other places to eat and be able to keep your car near.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels...nn-a-marriott-hotel/

 

[pete-driver]

Greenfield village is great. Was there two years ago, they now have very early old cars you can pay for a ride around the village in. Always a fun and safe place.

I have to drive a semi to the worst parts of Detroit from time to time. I am not allowed to carry (company policy). Though I would not suggest getting lost after dark, during the day you would be ok even in the bad neighborhoods.
I hope to get down to Comerica Park to see the Tigers play before it gets too hot.

Heck I'd be willing to give as many as 100 pistol primers to get tickets to a Redwings play off game, at Joe Louis Arena.John

 

[Dennis The B]

I live in Dearborn, and Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum are just a mile from my home.

It's as safe as any place in Michigan, and there are lots of things to see at the Village and the Museum. The Village has seen some real good improvements in the last five years, and the Museum has a great industrial history area, and the cars are worth the visit. They also have a great firearms collection, especially an original Walker Colt.

While your here, have a meal at BD's Mongolian Barbecue, and if you have time, go the Miller's Bar on Michigan Avenue. They have one of the best burgers in the state. Miller's, despite its name, is a great family place.

 

[walnutred]

Thanks all, you helped me decide. I have not been to Greenfield Village since the early 80's so it will be interesting to see the changes.

 

[Nygma]

Plan on spending two days between Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum. There's an awful lot to take in.

 

[walnutred]

Yeah, we figured on two days. As we are only around 2.5 hrs from Dearborn we'll drive up Friday night after work and get there around 8PM. Hit the museum on Saturday, Village on Sunday, drive home Sunday late afternoon. With the obligatory stop at Cabelas in Dundee on the way home.

 

[robotoid]

Greenfield Village in Dearborn is fine, perfectly safe. Going into the City Detroit proper-bad idea, there is nothing in Detroit worth seeing IMHO. I'm not sure I'd want to stay in a hotel room in Taylor though, might end up in a room next to some crack dealers or a meth lab. I'd stay somewhere closer to the Village in Dearborn that caters to tourists. Do not stay in any hotel/motel in Inkster-major ghetto infested with dope.

 

[Jerry N.]

robotoid has it about right. Taylor, Inkster - bad. I'd say the Detroit proper (the downtown area) does have some entertainment worth seeing, but it's an in and out city. You go to the ball game, you get out; you go to the Fox for a show, you get out; you go to the Casino, you get out. YOU DON'T GO SIGHT SEEING IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS - VERY BAD.

Personally, if I were coming here to see Greenfield Village (which is now called The Henry Ford), I'd stay at a hotel near the airport or even go a little north on I-275 to Livonia or Novi. Dearborn is within a very reasonable 20 minute drive and easy to get to. There's no need to stay so close if you have a car (which you have to have in s.e. michigan as there is no real public transportation). The six mile/I-275 and north area has lots of shopping and food options and is as safe as any suburban metropolitan area. I've lived here 48 years. Let me know if you have any questions.