I am traveling to SE Michigan via Niagara Falls and SW Ontario for a week’s holiday at the end of September and would love some recommendations around great restaurants and great bike rides in Detroit and its suburbs. I grew up in the Bloomfield Hills/Birmingham area and attended the University of Michigan in the mid-80s so am most familiar with the northwest suburbs. I also spent 9 months in the late 90s consulting with GM downtown and am comfortable with knocking around the city.
But things change quite a bit over 15 years. Restaurants come and go, new areas rise as interesting communities, etc. Where would you take visitors for a bike ride? Which restaurants would you take them to? What areas of the city or suburbs would you spend an afternoon in?
Some info to help (and references may be outdated):
Restaurants
I’m an adventurous eater. Not interested in going to the Chop House. Happy to spend a significant amount of money for a stellar meal but just as happy to discover a hole in the wall that serves great BBQ or pirogues.
Bike Rides
I don’t hammer. My perfect bike ride is 40 miles with either beautiful scenery or an interesting destination. I’ll average 15 mph or so and will often carry panniers so I can make a purchase and easily carry it back. One example would be the classic Ann Arbor ride out Huron River Drive to the Dexter Cider Mill. I’m not afraid to ride busy roads or city streets and cool weather or rain isn't an issue. Overnights are possible, also. In Ontario I'm parking the car at a charging station and riding out to a campground for the evening.
I have not settled on lodging as of yet and may move around. Will definitely be in AA for two evenings to see friends. If there’s a great ride in central MI or along the Lake Huron shoreline I may hop up there for a day or two. So, help me decide!
But things change quite a bit over 15 years. Restaurants come and go, new areas rise as interesting communities, etc. Where would you take visitors for a bike ride? Which restaurants would you take them to? What areas of the city or suburbs would you spend an afternoon in?
Some info to help (and references may be outdated):
Restaurants
I’m an adventurous eater. Not interested in going to the Chop House. Happy to spend a significant amount of money for a stellar meal but just as happy to discover a hole in the wall that serves great BBQ or pirogues.
Bike Rides
I don’t hammer. My perfect bike ride is 40 miles with either beautiful scenery or an interesting destination. I’ll average 15 mph or so and will often carry panniers so I can make a purchase and easily carry it back. One example would be the classic Ann Arbor ride out Huron River Drive to the Dexter Cider Mill. I’m not afraid to ride busy roads or city streets and cool weather or rain isn't an issue. Overnights are possible, also. In Ontario I'm parking the car at a charging station and riding out to a campground for the evening.
I have not settled on lodging as of yet and may move around. Will definitely be in AA for two evenings to see friends. If there’s a great ride in central MI or along the Lake Huron shoreline I may hop up there for a day or two. So, help me decide!