Detroit's best cheap/frees sights and things to do?

We are planning a trip to Detroit soon (it's where I grew up) we have several things we want to do but are looking for any tips or suggestions for cool, quirky, unusual or otherwise memorable things to do in the Detroit area.

Favorite foods, locations etc. Any help is appreciated!

Quote from Renaissanceman : We are planning a trip to Detroit soon (it's where I grew up) we have several things we want to do but are looking for any tips or suggestions for cool, quirky, unusual or otherwise memorable things to do in the Detroit area. Favorite foods, locations etc. Any help is appreciated!

Checkout farmer markets from local community gardens.

There also alot of house fires and house demoing if your in to that sort of sightseeing

Quote from FAL : Checkout farmer markets from local community gardens. There also alot of house fires and house demoing if your in to that sort of sightseeing

Uhm,...Thanks? Yeah, I think we'll stay away from the burning houses. I was thinking more like historical spots, cool used stores, "haunted" locations etc.

Quote from Renaissanceman : Uhm,...Thanks? Yeah, I think we'll stay away from the burning houses. I was thinking more like historical spots, cool used stores, "haunted" locations etc.

Oh for that kind of hip stuff, I suggest yo bring along a GPS device, visit MI tourism sites, and talk to locals at the farmers market since you looking for small niche spots .

Detroit Institute of Arts [dia.org](5200 Woodward Avenue).

Metro Detroit - Tourism and Travel | VisitDetroit.com [visitdetroit.com]<li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none; outline: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: top; width: 145.14999389648438px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-image: none; ">http://www.visitdetroit.com/images/e...in-Palooza.jpg [mi.us]
PUMPKIN PALOOZA [mi.us]

Scurry over to downtown Plymouth Oct. 21 for festive games, amusing contests and even some trick-or-treating.
<li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 16.116666793823242px; border: none; outline: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: top; width: 145.14999389648438px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-image: none; ">http://www.visitdetroit.com/images/e...ing-Parade.jpg [visitdetroit.com]
AMERICA’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE [visitdetroit.com]

Take part in tradition at the 86th annual Thanksgiving Day Parade.
<li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 16.116666793823242px; border: none; outline: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: top; width: 145.14999389648438px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-image: none; ">http://www.visitdetroit.com/images/e..._Lightfest.jpg [waynecounty.com]
LIGHTFEST [waynecounty.com]

The scenic 4.5-mile stretch of Hines Drive is transformed into a glorious



Detroit Weekend Activities on a Budget - Experiences In The D | The Blog for Visit Detroit [visitdetroit.com]

Quote from FAL : Oh for that kind of hip stuff, I suggest yo bring along a GPS device, visit MI tourism sites, and talk to locals at the farmers market since you looking for small niche spots . Detroit Institute of Arts [dia.org](5200 Woodward Avenue). Metro Detroit - Tourism and Travel | VisitDetroit.com [visitdetroit.com]<li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none; outline: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: top; width: 145.14999389648438px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-image: none; ">http://www.visitdetroit.com/images/e...in-Palooza.jpg [mi.us] PUMPKIN PALOOZA [mi.us] Scurry over to downtown Plymouth Oct. 21 for festive games, amusing contests and even some trick-or-treating. <li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 16.116666793823242px; border: none; outline: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: top; width: 145.14999389648438px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-image: none; ">http://www.visitdetroit.com/images/e...ing-Parade.jpg [visitdetroit.com] AMERICA’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE [visitdetroit.com] Take part in tradition at the 86th annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. <li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 16.116666793823242px; border: none; outline: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: top; width: 145.14999389648438px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-image: none; ">http://www.visitdetroit.com/images/e..._Lightfest.jpg [waynecounty.com] LIGHTFEST [waynecounty.com] The scenic 4.5-mile stretch of Hines Drive is transformed into a glorious Detroit Weekend Activities on a Budget - Experiences In The D | The Blog for Visit Detroit [visitdetroit.com]

NOW, I sincerely thank you! Repped!

Quote from Renaissanceman : NOW, I sincerely thank you! Repped!

No problem, enjoy your time in MI.

Quote from FAL : No problem, enjoy your time in MI.

Thanks! I am sure we will. We took a 1 day trip earlier in the year and had a blast but just didn't have enough time to do all we would've liked. This time we've reserved a car and a room so we can spend two full days exploring.

Quote from Renaissanceman : We are planning a trip to Detroit soon (it's where I grew up) we have several things we want to do but are looking for any tips or suggestions for cool, quirky, unusual or otherwise memorable things to do in the Detroit area. Favorite foods, locations etc. Any help is appreciated!

Detroit Science Center
5020 John R St Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 577-8400

Motown Historical Museum
2648 West Grand Boulevard Detroit, MI 48208
(313) 875-2264

Fort Wayne (if you are into that sort of thing)
6325 West Jefferson Avenue Detroit, MI 48209
(313) 628-0796

Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum
31005 Orchard Lake Road Farmington Hills, MI 48334
(248) 626-5020

Sander's Candy Factory Tour
Morley Candy Makers
Home of Sanders Candy
23770 Hall Road (M-59)
Clinton Township, MI 48036

Unfortunately the Detroit Science Center is closed, so cross that one off the list. They're working on re-opening it, but they have a cash flow problem at the moment.

Don't forget about food! If you like BBQ, do not miss Slow's BBQ [slowsbarbq.com].

Also The Fly Trap in Ferndale [theflytrapferndale.com] - kind of a dive but with awesome food.

I also have a list of 60+ events in MI during the fall, but it doesn't copy/paste well. Here's a link if you want to download it: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/17898830...%20MI.xlsx

Quote from johnlawwhiskey : Detroit Science Center 5020 John R St Detroit, MI 48202 (313) 577-8400 Motown Historical Museum 2648 West Grand Boulevard Detroit, MI 48208 (313) 875-2264 Fort Wayne (if you are into that sort of thing) 6325 West Jefferson Avenue Detroit, MI 48209 (313) 628-0796 Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum 31005 Orchard Lake Road Farmington Hills, MI 48334 (248) 626-5020 Sander's Candy Factory Tour Morley Candy Makers Home of Sanders Candy 23770 Hall Road (M-59) Clinton Township, MI 48036

THANKS! Ft. Wayne did make our list. Not only is it historical but it is also rumored to be haunted. The candy tour isn't a bad idea either.

Quote from Jeffbx : Unfortunately the Detroit Science Center is closed, so cross that one off the list. They're working on re-opening it, but they have a cash flow problem at the moment. Don't forget about food! If you like BBQ, do not miss Slow's BBQ [slowsbarbq.com]. Also The Fly Trap in Ferndale [theflytrapferndale.com] - kind of a dive but with awesome food. I also have a list of 60+ events in MI during the fall, but it doesn't copy/paste well. Here's a link if you want to download it: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/17898830...%20MI.xlsx

Thanks for the update and the suggestions! Slows sounds good but I think we've maxxed out our food choices now with Buddy's Pizza, Sorrento Pizza, M..O..T..Z Burgers (OMgosh they are addictive and just as good as when I was a kid), Cheli's Chili, Oakwood Bakery for their Pepperoni Rolls etc.

Quote from Jeffbx : Unfortunately the Detroit Science Center is closed, so cross that one off the list. They're working on re-opening it, but they have a cash flow problem at the moment. Don't forget about food! If you like BBQ, do not miss Slow's BBQ [slowsbarbq.com]. Also The Fly Trap in Ferndale [theflytrapferndale.com] - kind of a dive but with awesome food. I also have a list of 60+ events in MI during the fall, but it doesn't copy/paste well. Here's a link if you want to download it: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/17898830...%20MI.xlsx

Wow! Couldn't believe the Science Center was closed. Such an awesome place. Dang economy!

Quote from johnlawwhiskey : Wow! Couldn't believe the Science Center was closed. Such an awesome place. Dang economy!

No...

Dang Detroit politicians running the city into the ground.

Enter At Your Own Risk: Police Union Says ‘War-Like’ Detroit Is Unsafe For Visitors
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/...-visitors/

Quote : Detroit Police Officer Association (DPOA) Attorney Donato Iorio said officers are holding the “Enter At Your Own Risk” rally at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in front of Comerica Park “Detroit is America’s most violent city, its homicide rate is the highest in the country...,” Iorio told WWJ’s Kathryn Larson.

Let's be careful out there.