About Town: Detroit
By Ceri Mobley, PGATOUR.com Associate Site Producer
The PGA TOUR heads back to the Midwest this week for the final major of the year at Oakland Hills in Bloomfield Township, Mich. Never really heard of the place? Well, we'll make it easy -- it's a Detroit suburb, which means you won't have any trouble finding entertainment and accomodation.
SOMEWHERE TO SNOOZE
You won't find any hotels on this late notice in the small town that hosts the PGA Championship, but big city Detroit is only a half-hour drive from the course, so plan on making the commute.
• Major manor: The Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, Mich., is an English Manor-style, four-star hotel less than 30 minutes from Oakland Hills. Doesn't that sound like the appropriate place to stay during the last major of the season? Rates start around $500 a night for a luxury room.
Other options:
• Auburn Hills Marriott: This three-and-a-half-star hotel is in nearby Pontiac, which is less than 15 minutes from the tournament. It has an indoor and outdoor pool as well as on-site dining. Rates start at $210 a night.
• MGM Grand Detroit: If you don't mind a little bit longer of a drive, then book a room at this classy four-and-a-half star casino hotel. It'll take you just under an hour to get to the course. Rates start at $299 a night.
SOMETHING TO SNACK ON
Get a little of everything this week from small-town Midwestern eateries to fancy Motor City bistros.
•Traffic Jam and Snug: We know the name intrigues you, but don't let that be the only thing to attract you to this Detroit establishment. Its in-house baker, microbrewery and dairy makes it a one-stop shop for all the Midwestern favorites. And if this week has you thinking back on the last major we had, then you'll feel right at home here -- they even serve fish and chips!
• Kruse & Muer at the Lake: A modern swing on traditional Midwest farmhouse cuisine, the menu here offers hearty dishes such as roasted corn chowder, a 14-ounce sirloin and pan-roasted chicken.
• The Whitney: Detroit dining at its finest. The Whitney restaurant is located in a 115-year old downtown mansion and serves up classic and classy American cuisine. Upstairs, you'll find an upscale lounge -- Wintergarden -- where you can relax with an after-dinner drink.
• The Rattlesnake Club: One of Detroit's most famous restaurants, the Rattlesnake celebrates 20 years this year, so join in the celebration with them and order up a delicious meal. Suggestions? Crispy calamari to start, pan-seared duck for an entrée and a baked russet potato on the side.
SOMETHING TO TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT
• Everyone knows that Detroit is the home of the automobile industry in America, so pay tribute to one of the PGA TOUR's sponsors and visit the Buick Gallery and Research Center in the Alfred P. Sloan Museum. The exhibition features over 25 classic and concept cars from Buick as well as an old-fashioned 1940s soda fountain (fully functional) from the heydays of Detroit's auto business.
• What is America without its heartland? And what is the heartland without a drive-in movie theater? Miracle Twin Drive-In is just what it sounds like -- a drive-in theater with two screens. Playing this week: Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Dark Knight, Hancock and Stepbrothers.
• There's more to Michigan than cars and movies. The Great Lakes State has a great outdoors where you can take great, deep breaths. How about getting some fresh air on an ecotour while you're here? There are all different kinds of tours depending on your interests, so find one you like and pack a picnic.
• Motor City is the home of Motown, and you can't spend any time in Detroit without checking out the Motown Historical Museum. From Smokey Robinson to Michael Jackson, this place is bursting with musical memorabilia.
STICKING AROUND?
Though Bloomfield Township is just around the corner from Detroit, try to find some time to explore some other attractions in the the Great Lakes State. Here are a couple of suggestions.
•Bay City: Nestled on the south end of Saginaw Bay, a southwest protrusion of Lake Huron, Bay City is your quintessential lakeside town with all of the character you would expect from a Midwest bayside town. Swim, fish, tan, golf, sail, shop, eat and relax your 9-5 troubles away. Plus it's a lake, so, you know, there are no sharks.
• Grand Rapids: Doesn't the name just make you want to visit? I swear I knew nothing about this town before now, but the name is what made me want to know. Name aside, Grand Rapids is one of the most bustling cities in the Midwest with a very modern atmosphere. It's a great place to have a city getaway; stay in a fancy hotel, eat snobby cuisine and spend far too much money shopping.
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