What to Do in Detroit: Outdoor Activities

On our first stop we visited the museums in the Detroit area. Now we are going to take our ventures outside and explore the beauty within Detroit, yes it is there! We will visit some great favorites of mine including the Eastern Market, Greektown, Campus Martius, and Detroit's Riverfront. All are filled with great outdoor fun for every age and every season so buckle up and enjoy the ride!

One of my favorite places to visit in Detroit is Greektown. I have been going to Greektown since I was a young girl with my parents. Whenever we went to Detroit for some sort of event we would be sure to make a stop in Greektown to eat. My first date with my husband was to Greektown and we eventually honeymooned in Greece. So it is a must do on my list whenever I venture into the city. So what makes it so great? Well the food of course. Greektown is really about exploring the foods from Greece and taking in the cultural influences of the country. There are a variety of restaurants in the area and they all feature Greek specialties such as Lamb, kebobs, and of course the sweet treat, baklava. Another family favorite is Saganaki. Although I'd love to tell you this is a Greek specialty, it really is one of those American spins on a Greek original. If you were to ask for this in Greece, they would look at you like you were speaking Greek. Oh, maybe they wouldn't do that but they definitely wouldn't know what you are talking about. The infamous flaming cheese that is served with warm pita bread to spread upon is a Detroit creation. The tasty cheese is doused with brandy, lit on fire and then put out by squeezing fresh lemons on it. As the flame is lit everyone yells, "Opa!" Another attraction for your stop in Greektown is the casino. If you are a gambler, you may want to check this out. It is in the heart of Greektown and cannot easily be missed.

As you stop on this next part of our journey, prepare your senses for a tantalizing time. This will be a feast for your eyes, nose and stomach. Detroit's Eastern Market is open on Saturdays from 5am-5pm and draws huge crowds looking for the freshest fruits and vegetables along with great quality local fare. It is an amazing experience to walk through the open area venue with vendor after vendor selling their products. You can find almost anything in this enormous farmers market. If you are looking to find the freshest in season produce to feed your family, you have entered the right place. After you have selected your treasures to bring home, stop by one of the road side grills and have a freshly grilled hot dog, sausage or even ribs. Your nose will betray you and your stomach will thank you!

Eastern Market is not just for food. The market holds its annual flower day on the third Sunday in May each year. It is one of the largest flower shows in the country. It is an amazing experience. There are so many flowers on display and for sale that you are overwhelmed by the beauty. And let me tell you from experience, you can find some great deals! Flower day is not just about flowers. It is a family event filled with with face painting, crafts, mini train rides, and much, much more all for free! Two tips if you decide to attend this incredible event. Pack your patience and your wagon. You will not be able to carry all that you want to buy as you get caught up in the excitement of the day. It will also be VERY crowded. There will be people packed into a very tiny space all trying to maneuver their wagons and goodies through the crowds. But most of all enjoy! It is truly a great time.

Eastern Market also has other events through out the year. They hold a harvest fest and a Michigan apple fest in October. They also offer Market History walking tours that every Saturday from May-October at 10am.

Winter or summer, there is much to do at Campus Martius Park. It sits as the central draw of Detroit and lures people there all year long. In the winter, the fountain area is transformed into an outdoor skating rink. Don't worry if you don't have skates, you can rent them! There is also a spot where you can enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and warm up after you have amazed others with your skating talents. At the beginning of February, the city holds a winter festival called Arctic Blast. The center of the activities surround Campus Martius and there are a wide range of activities and food available. There are ice slides, dog sled races, warming stations, and food from local restaurants and vendors.

In the summer the area is a beautiful park with a delightful fountain. The park is filled with beautiful gardens, areas to relax and socialize. There are also two stages that are brought out for concerts such as the Jazz Festival that is held in the summer. There are statues and monuments to adorn the park and commemorate the history of Detroit and the surrounding community.

Detroit's Riverfront has historically been an underdeveloped resource for the city. However in recent years there has been a movement to improve the area in order to attract tourists both within the Detroit area and those who have traveled great distances.

Hart Plaza is one part of the area that has been around for a long time. It has been a long summer tradition to hold a variety of concerts and festivals in this area. It becomes a center of cultural exploration as the festivals range from a country and western hoedown to the Arab and Chaldean Festival.

One of the newest hot spots is Rivard Plaza. It opened to the public in June 2007 and is complete with a carousel that you can ride for just $1. You can also rent bikes or just walk along the river. A cafe is on site if your stomach needs a little fuel after all of that walking or biking.

Additional activities that are along the riverfront include boat tours through Diamond Jack tours. The company offers dinner cruises, history cruises, and much more. There are also concerts on the weekends, a riverwalk group and most recently yoga on the river.