Detroit after 5:00 p.m.

June 27, 2007 10:50 AM

What is there to do in Detroit after 5:00 p.m. with two teenagers in tow. (Forgive me for posting this question to MeFi earlier today. I am indeed a freakin' newbie.)

I will be in Detroit on a work related gig from July 10-13th. I will only have a few hours in the evening free... and one of those evenings I will have two 13-year-old boys in tow. Any suggestions on stuff to do?

posted by eviltiff to travel & transportation (18 comments total)

The Henry Ford Museum is a sure thing. They have an IMAX, too. Check on the hours. Detroit Tigers games are a lot of fun.
posted by Eringatang at 10:56 AM on June 27, 2007

I'd definitely second Eringatang's suggestions, as both are great things to do. I'm not sure what the Detroit Zoo has going on at night these days, sometimes they have special "events" - but it stays light until at least 8 or 9 p.m. lately anyway. The zoo isn't actually in Detroit (but neither is the Henry Ford Museum/Greenfield Village) - but it is a straight shot up I75.
If the museum sounds like a good idea, the Historical Museum is really cool, as is the DIA (Detroit Institute of Art). Both are located downtown, pretty close to Comerica Park (Tigers).
posted by slyboots421 at 10:59 AM on June 27, 2007

I visited detroit with my family when I was 15 or 16, the Ford Museum was really cool.
posted by jjb at 11:01 AM on June 27, 2007

well, there's not too much to do in metro Detroit at night if you're under 21. I might suggest heading to a place like Royal Oak, where you can wander around, window shop, and so forth. I'd suggest the Detroit Institute of the Arts, but am not sre offhand what time they close at.
posted by Windigo at 11:02 AM on June 27, 2007

The Renaissance Center has movie theaters.
posted by mmascolino at 11:06 AM on June 27, 2007

The Detroit Zoo is *in* Royal Oak, also - to tie together those two suggestions. I'd say a Tigers game at Comerica and then a visit to Greektown.

You can ride the People Mover in a small circle to nowhere, too.
posted by kcm at 11:08 AM on June 27, 2007

If the evening you have free is the 13th, might i suggest The New Science Center? They're open until 9pm on Fridays. Open until 5pm on other weekdays. Saw the Body Works thingie there not too long ago. Looks like its still there until Sep. 3.
posted by Wink Ricketts at 11:21 AM on June 27, 2007

What part of Detroit? It makes a pretty big difference.
posted by The Deej at 11:26 AM on June 27, 2007

FWIW I hereby forgive and welcome you, freakin' newbie eviltiff.
I have never been to Detroit, so I personally cannot help you though. :(
posted by miss lynnster at 11:57 AM on June 27, 2007

I second the People Mover. It may be a small circle to nowhere, but it's a really nice view of downtown for cheap.
posted by bluishorange at 12:29 PM on June 27, 2007

I find it personally offensive when someone with a lower user number than mine claims newbie status.

I also vote for the Henry Ford museum, it's the only place I remember enjoying in Detroit, although I was a bit later in my teen years than your boys.
posted by solotoro at 12:38 PM on June 27, 2007

A Tigers game is out. The 10th is the All-Star game. The 12th and 13th the Tigers are in Seattle.

I would second the Detroit Science Center, particularly the "Our Body" exhibit -- people are really interested in it, and I think it would be right up the alley of 13-year-old boys. You can also catch IMAX movies at the science center.

The Henry Ford Museum (or, as they call themselves now, "The Henry Ford") is always a good choice. They have a cool "rock stars and cars" exhibit going on now. And the adjacent Greenfield Village complex is interesting and educational (it's laid out like a turn-of-the [20th] century village).

The Detroit Institute of Arts is pretty interesting -- if you go do not miss the Diego Rivera mural room. Sorry, the DIA is apparently closed until November.

Ann Arbor (about a 45 minute drive) has lots of nice restraurants, museums, and University of Michigan-related stuff.

Bob Dylan's at the Freedom Hill Amphitheatre in Sterling Heights (30 minute or so drive) on the 11th. Don't know if that would appeal to 13-year-olds, though.

There's a Hard Rock Cafe downtown they might enjoy for dinner.

Have fun!
posted by pardonyou? at 12:41 PM on June 27, 2007

Alas, their website says they close at 5.
posted by solotoro at 12:43 PM on June 27, 2007

Hmmm, solotoro's right. But the IMAX theater is open with late showings. And it appears that the next Harry Potter movie opens on July 11, and there's an IMAX version with "select scenes in 3D." If they're Harry Potter fans, might be a fun diversion. Then take them a couple miles to Miller's Bar (kid-friendly) for one of the best hamburgers you'll ever have.
posted by pardonyou? at 1:53 PM on June 27, 2007

Ah ha! But there is a Bob Mould concert on July 12th at night in the Ford Museum, to go along with the Rock exhibit. Call and see if this means you can walk around, too. I think I'm gonna buy tickets right now. I friggin love Bob Mould. See you there.
posted by Eringatang at 1:59 PM on June 27, 2007

You could hit up Gameworks in Auburn Hills, Dave and Busters in Utica, or Lucky's in Novi if video games are their thing. If you're talking right downtown you could hit up the Garden Bowl, if not just for the novelty that it was the first bowling alley in America.

If sports are in the equation, since baseball is out (which is really too bad, Comerica Park is awesome), you could hit up Cobo hall on the 11th for ESPN's Streetball (basketball) tour. I believe the Grand Prix is in town that week as well.

There is really a lot of stuff going on this time of year, though. If you pick up a Metro Times or Real Detroit once you get in town, you can get a handle on the different festivals or whatever are likely happening that week.

It's too bad you don't have a day off, because Ford also has their River Rouge factory tour which is actually really effing cool, and teenage boys would love it. Too bad it closes at 5:00.
posted by fusinski at 2:19 PM on June 27, 2007

The main section of the DIA is closed but there's still stuff going on there. DIA page for more.

You could take them for a walk on the river. The new section of the RiverWalk is open east of the Renaissance Center and there might be some rides or other events or attractions.

Maybe there's something going on at Wayne State although it is summer.

You could always have dinner in Windsor, Canada. It's a lot closer than any other suburb.

There may be some programming at Campus Martius, like a movie night or a free concert.
posted by tomo at 3:54 PM on July 9, 2007

Thanks, pardonyou! I took the kids to the IMAX theater in "The Henry Ford" to see Harry Potter. I was glad I thought to order tickets in advance as all of the shows for the next several days had been sold out. The kids loved the movie and it earned me major kewl points with their parents.

Also thanks to kcm and bluishorange for suggesting the People Mover. For two bits, I got a spectacular view of the downtown area. The People Mover cars are a great place to people watch, as well.

On my last day in Detroit, I had planned to check out Windsor, Canada in the afternoon, cross back over into Detroit in the evening, and then stroll around Greektown for a few hours before getting back to the hotel to pack for my return trip home. Unfortunately, crossing the border back into the U.S. took longer than I had anticipated (a 45 minute wait in line followed by a 20 minute interrogation that included an inspection of the sandwich combo meal I purchased at Subway). Afterwards, I did not have enough time or energy to explore Greektown.
posted by eviltiff at 5:43 PM on July 14, 2007