On our road trip through the Midwest of the USA, a stop in Detroit, the "Motor City", was of course not to be missed. Detroit is a city full of contrasts that fascinates with a lively art scene, historic architecture and exciting history. Just around the corner is Ann Arbor, a charming college town with cozy cafes, independent bookstores, and leafy parks.
Detroit
Around 10 a.m. we left Port Huron in a southerly direction. After an hour and a half we reached downtown Detroit. The plan was to park in the Z parking garage. We had found this on the Internet, it was sprayed differently on each floor. Unfortunately, a woman stood in front of the driveway and told us that the parking garage was full. She gave us a note for the Sisters Parking in Greektown. After we parked our car, we walked again to the Z-parking garage. We took the elevator all the way to the top to take some photos. The view from up there of the skyscrapers of downtown Detroit and the restored Art Deco buildings that reflect the rich history of the Motor City was pretty good. Then we walked down two floors to look around. The sprayed pictures on the floors were quite nice, but not so exciting.
Across the street, we boarded the Detroit People Mover. This driverless monorail offers a convenient and affordable way to explore downtown Detroit. Over a distance of around 4.8 kilometers, the train connects 13 stations, providing easy access to popular attractions such as the GM Renaissance Center, Greektown Casino and the Detroit Riverwalk. The trains run clockwise and offer great views of the city skyline. The ride costs $0.75 (no credit cards), no matter how long you drive. We got in at Cadillac Place and drove the whole way once. The train was clean and we were almost the only passengers.
Unfortunately, we could not get our car out of the parking garage without any problems. At the entrance we could not take a ticket, but had to insert our credit card into the terminal. Theoretically, we should be able to pay for the stay with the same credit card when we leave. Thanks to a nice gentleman we were able to solve the problem. I had to quickly sprint to 7 Eleven, get cash and pay with it. In principle, a great system, but if it doesn't work...
Detroit is known for its vibrant street art scene, and the graffiti in the city tell stories of rebellion, hope, and artistic expression. Particularly impressive is the mix of historical and modern styles that can often be found on the walls of abandoned buildings. A particularly fascinating lost place is the large, abandoned Michigan Central Station. This monumental building, once a railway hub, now attracts artists and adventurers alike. The station's huge halls are covered in colorful murals and graffiti that give the place a unique atmosphere and make it a must-see for anyone who wants to discover the rough and creative heart of Detroit.
Ann Arbor
Then we went on to Ann Arbor. As soon as you enter the city, you can tell from the many young people that we are in a lively university town in the US state of Michigan. Ann Arbor is known for its delightful mix of culture, nature, and education. The city is home to the prestigious University of Michigan, whose sprawling campus dominates the center of Ann Arbor and offers a variety of cultural and sporting events. For nature lovers, the many parks and green spaces, such as the Nichols Arboretum and the Huron River, offer plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, and paddling. We drove to the city center to Zingermann's Delicatessen. In this shop you can buy various delicacies. But that's not what we were there for... We wanted to eat a sandwich. We ordered a chicken salad sandwich and a hot dog. Not cheap at about 21 USD, but very tasty.
Today's destination was the town of Middleburry in Indiana. Actually, we had only chosen this place because of the favorable starting point for the trip to Chicago the next day. But when we arrived in Middleburry, we realized that we were in Amish County. There were black carriages everywhere and there were extra parking spaces for the carriages in front of the shops.
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