What To Know And Where To Go In Southeast Michigan
It’s time to pull out your kites because the Detroit Kite Festival is returning to Belle Isle for its second year. The Detroit Kite Festival will take place on Sunday, July 15 from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 pm. The Detroit Kite Festival will have kites for sale as well as to borrow incase you don’t have the funds to buy a new kite. You can also try your hand at building your own …
You might not have made it over to Belle Isle State Park since the fall season has started, but if you do, you'll see that a ton of work is happening over by Lake Okonoka. A $5 million restoration project is well underway that will restore the long stagnant lake near the Belle Isle United States Coast Guard Station. When you actually get out there to see the work, …
There is something about seeing kites flying in the sky that brings back memories of my childhood. I remember going to the park as a family to fly our kites on particularly windy days. My little brother and I would spend the time trying to see who could keep their kite in the air the longest. It has been a long time since I've flown a kite. However I know it is only a …
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Belle Isle Conservancy are looking to restore a historic shelter on the island and say they're in need of your help. There is currently a fundraiser to raise $50,000 by June 30 to restore the Newsboy Shelter (Shelter #1). This shelter was built in 1911 and is one of the oldest structures on Belle Isle. The Newsboy …
A rare flatwoods forest on Belle Isle is in danger due to Oak Wilt, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources along with the Belle Isle Conservancy is undertaking a four-phase project to control the fungus. A helicopter is going to be used to transport felled logs out of a sensitive habitat area at Belle Isle Park. This measure is being done to prevent damage caused …
One of the things that goes hand and hand with warm breezes and beautiful parks are kites. But what if the island park had a whole kite festival? To that end, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and Detroit Kite Festival announced today a new crowdfunding campaign to support the Detroit Kite Festival, scheduled to take place July 16, 2017 at Cricket Field on …
Welcome to February! I'm hoping that Punxsutawney Phil does not see his shadow this week. I know we've had a pretty tame winter so far, but I am ready for spring to arrive. Black History Month at the DIA - Detroit The Detroit Institute of Art will be showing numerous films throughout the weekend as part of the Pioneers of African American Cinema series. On Sunday, …
The Belle Isle Conservancy, along with leaders of the Grosse Pointe area’s garden club communities, is hosting the 10thannual Garden Party on Belle Isle on Tuesday, September 13th from 5:30PM-7:30PM. The annual event raises funds for various projects benefiting the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory. Proceeds from this year’s event will support the restoration of the Lily …
This weekend is chock-full of activities, so it might be hard to pick just one. Honestly, I had a hard time narrowing the list down to five, so I've thrown in a bonus event as well. Have a great weekend, and try to stay cool. Paddle Board Races - Belle Isle We've already covered this event at the beginning of August, but the day has almost arrived to participate in this …
Walking casually past many of the buildings and sites in Detroit, you’d never know they hold a violent past. However, many of the city’s iconic landmarks and attractions have had their own brush with organized crime. The Mafia and its rivals, notably the Purple Gang, had their favorite haunts and places where they committed terrible crimes. Fortunately, time has largely …
The Aquarium on Belle Isle, originally opened in 1904 and at one point was America's oldest-running aquarium (it was shut down for a few years starting in 2005 due to budget issues), has a very cool koi pond next door between it and the Whitcomb Conservatory. The Aquarium was designed by none other than the godfather of Detroit architecture, Albert Kahn. The pond houses …
Ready to see the beauty of Belle Isle accented by unique artwork from local and regional artists? Plan to attend the first ever Belle Isle Art Fair on August 6 and 7. The fair will take place next to the Scott Fountain near the Southern tip of the park and is a great outing for families, art connoisseurs, or people who just want to get out and enjoy the sunshine. “This is …
One of the fun things about the Internet is finding things that give you a window that lets you see in on the past. One of those windows are postcards. These samples are from the Detroit Publishing Company and are, according to the New York Public Library, now public domain. Digitized just last year, there's a plethora of great images from Detroit that we're going to share …
At first, it’s easy to brush the idea of an Alpaca Ranch on Belle Isle off as completely absurd. While the thought of such a move may seem strange, a Detroit couple believes that this is one new idea that deserves a chance. Detroiter David Shock, the creator of the idea of "Alpaca Land Detroit," thinks Detroit needs more cute. The concept was a response to the family’s …
We’ve entered the heart of the holiday season, the time when folks start to feel the pressure of months of shopping procrastination. If you’re like me, you’ve been holding out until now to dive into the grueling world of holiday shopping, and it’s finally time to scrape what’s left of the shelves and make your best attempt at manipulating wrapping paper and tape to get your …
Detroit has seen its fair share of drone stardom during the last few years, and it's not over yet. Check out this short video that focuses on Detroit's one of a kind gem, Belle Isle State Park, which has seen significant development throughout the last several years. With help from the Belle Isle Conservancy, The State of Michigan, and lots of volunteer hours, the …
Names that might make out-of-towners do a double take are part of Detroiters’ everyday vocabulary. We’re used to the neighborhoods, streets, and cities that makes up Metro Detroit. However, we don’t often stop to think about how these places got their names and who the people (and sometimes places) are behind them. 1. Hamtramck Like much of Detroit’s history, Hamtramck …
I'm a native Houstonian, and I moved from the Greater Houston Area to the Metro Detroit area last August. I knew that things would be different - the winters would be colder, for one. However, there were some things that I didn't anticipate. Take a glimpse into a non-Detroiter's mind and find out some of the things we think upon moving to the city. 1. Why Can’t I Turn …
What’s up Detroit, we're back once again for the weekend rundown with your City 5. We’ve crossed into the last month of summer, which means winter is poking her icy claw at our sacred tropical bubble. Soon enough we’ll be talking about ice skating at Campus Martius, so slip on your flip flops and let’s enjoy what’s left of this magical summer window. Detroit Improv …
There's going to be even more racing at Belle Isle State Park, this time with a partially dirt track and a heart-stopping 70 foot jump. We're getting word that the Red Bull Global Rallycross series will race July 25 and 26 on Belle Isle in Detroit. There's drifting, high contact between cars, and much more. Check out the GoPro reel from last year - this isn't a place where …
Despite the less than ideal weather last weekend, the Grand Prix managed to produce solid returns for 2015. Notable attention came through television ratings, viewership, and social media. It appears, however, that Detroiters would rather leave the rain to the ducks. Attendance at the event was estimated at 65,000, down from previous years because of the stubborn …
Belle Isle’s historic bus stop shelter at the southeast corner of Inselruhe and Loiter Way has been renovated, just in time for summer. It will serve as a stop for Pedicabs and horse-drawn-carriages on the island. The Department of Natural Resources, the State Historic Preservation Office, and the Detroit Training Institute of Technology and its students worked together to …
The Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix returns to the Motor City Friday-Sunday, May 29-31, 2015. Here's what you need to know to get the most from the event. The Grand Prix will feature the cars of the Verizon IndyCar Series, the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, the Pirelli World Challenge Series and the trucks of the SPEED Energy Formula Off-Road Presented by …
Grand Prix fans will get a free taste of this weekend's Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix in downtown Detroit tomorrow evening. (Wednesday, May 27). The Quicken Loans Grand Prix Street Fest powered by Chevrolet will take place at Campus Martius from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. There is no admission cost, and fans of all ages are encouraged to join the festivities. Drivers …
Thanks to a $50,000 donation by Platinum Equity (owned by Tom Gores who is known locally for owning the Detroit Pistons), more than 300 new bulbs were replaced on the Belle Isle Bridge with LED lights as well as the large lagoon by the Scott Fountain, just in time for the Fireworks and the Grand Prix. The results are stunning. They shot a video which we embedded above, but …
The outdoor season has finally started! The sun is out. The birds are back. The days are gorgeous, and the kids are getting restless. Entertain your precious balls of energy by taking them out and about the city this Spring and Summer. Rediscover Detroit and create wonderful family memories. Here are 10 fun family things to do in Detroit to get you started. Visit the Detroit …
Friends of Detroit Rowing, a nonprofit organization that offers rowing classes and programs, signed a 30-year lease with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, DBusiness reports. “We have been working diligently with the state of Michigan and the DNR to bring this lease to fruition and open the Belle Isle Boat House to the public,” says Julie Dinan, president of …
After receiving nearly 9,000 name suggestions, the planned statewide hiking and bicycling trail finally has a name. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced this 1,259 mile long showcase trail will officially be called Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail. “This name effectively captures the beauty and strength of our state’s exceptional natural and cultural …
Beginning February 1, 2015, all vehicles must have a Recreation Passport to enter Belle Isle. Over the past year, the Recreation Passport has gradually been phased in at Belle Isle; vehicles were allowed into the park without a Recreation Passport until the vehicle owner’s next registration renewal date. However on February 1, visitors entering Belle Isle without a vehicle …
Is "Detroit, Land Of The Great Outdoors" a slogan that rings true in your heart? If it doesn't, it should. It's more than possible to be active and enjoy being outside in the city. I have biked around the city, zipped down the Dequindre Cut on a Segway, and enjoyed a sunset cruise around the the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair. I've taken walks around Belle Isle and been …
Calcara Park is now a field of dreams for young kids enrolled in Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL) youth baseball programs. Last year PAL received a $25,000 Grand Slam Grant from Comerica Bank to renovate the field, located at Charlevoix St. and Ellery St. The completion of the park was announced by the bank at …
