3 Great Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Clinton Township

Detroit, Michigan, has a rich and fascinating history within the automotive industry. The city offers several engrossing attractions and museums that focus on the history of vehicle manufacture. Here are four locations that will capture the imagination of the whole family. more The Henry Ford Museum The Henry Ford Museum covers 9 acres and celebrates the ingenuity, resourcefulness, and innovation of everyday people as they sought to shape a better future. The Driving America exhibit traces the influence of American cars on our culture over the past 100 years. It features cars from the oldest surviving U.S.-made car from 1865 to GM's 2016 self-driving test vehicle. Other exhibits include Driven to Win, the story of American auto racing; a collection of presidential vehicles; and the Rosa Parks Bus. You can also explore the history of the railroads, aircraft, agricultural machinery, and general manufacturing. The museum is next to the 80-acre Greenfield village where you can step back in time, take a ride in a model T Ford, and explore farms and workshops. Ford Rouge Factory Tour During the Ford Rouge Factory Tour, you will learn about the factory's significant history and the development of the production line. The first products from the factory were Eagle Boats for the U.S. Navy, and it has subsequently produced tractors, cars, military vehicles, tank engines, and amphibious vehicles. In later years, the legendary Ford Thunderbird and Mustang, among others, were built at the plant. It is now the home of America's best-selling vehicle, the Ford F-150 truck. Highlights of the tour include the Legacy Gallery with some of the most famous Ford vehicles on display; the Assembly Plant Walking Tour where you get a bird's eye view of the F-150 final assembly line; and the Manufacturing Innovation Theater, which shows you the manufacturing process of the F-150 from concept to the highway. Detroit Historical Museum The Detroit Historical Museum celebrates the city's past from being a rural frontier town to becoming an industrial giant. Included in the exhibits is America's Motor City with its collection of classic cars, which details not only how Detroit built cars, but also how cars built Detroit and why Detroit became the Motor City. You can discover the part that the city and people played in freeing slaves and shaping the outcome of World War II. Explore the Streets of Old Detroit exhibit to experience how the city's streets developed from the 1840s and 1870s to the 1900s. Motor City Music is an interactive exhibit exploring the legacy of Detroit's music from Gospel to Motown. Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Constructed in 1904, the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant was the Ford Motor Company's first purpose-built factory. It's also the birthplace of the Model T, once the world's most popular car. The first 12,000 “Tin Lizzies” were assembled here. You can now walk the worn floorboards and admire the collection of beautifully preserved cars from the era. Whether you are a visitor or a resident in Detroit, these four locations provide a unique insight into the history of the city and the importance of the automotive industry in its development.

You don't have to leave Macomb County to experience the natural beauty of Michigan. In fact, you'll find several beautiful hiking trails right in the vicinity of Clinton Township, whether you prefer a short trek or a full-day journey. more Tomlinson Arboretum Located right in Clinton Township, this site has a multi-use path that wanders through 24 acres of native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees. Guests can enjoy the changing landscape over time as these plants go through their annual lifecycle and attract native wildlife species. You can also purchase a memorial tree for a family member at the Tomlinson Arboretum. Canal Park This park in Clinton Township spans more than 16 acres on Clinton River Road. Here, you'll find the trailhead to the Don Green Nature Trail, which allows you to hike the 2.7-mile route to Budd Park. The forested trail features wood-chip terrain and welcomes leashed dogs. When you arrive at Budd, you'll find another nature trail along with playground equipment, soccer fields, sand volleyball courts, and picnic pavilions with grills. Six Rivers Land Conservancy This expansive land trust protects forested land in Macomb, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, and Oakland Counties, including several nature preserves with miles of trails to explore. Some of our favorite spots in this area are in Anchor Bay Woods Preserve, just a short drive from Clinton Township in New Baltimore and one of the newest tracts protected by Six Rivers. Stroll through more than 171 acres of the largest wetland forest in Michigan, home to dozens of threatened and endangered reptile species and hundreds of native birds. Hikers should also visit East Pond Creek Preserve, about a 30-minute drive from Clinton Township in Bruce Township. This 20-acre wetland location traverses a conifer swamp filled with northern white cedar. Belle Isle Conservancy If you don't mind a drive to Detroit, Belle Isle gives you the chance to explore an honest-to-goodness island without leaving Michigan. On this 982-acre park site, you'll find miles of nature trails through this unique landscape. You can also take to the paved bike trails or rent a kayak to paddle around the Detroit River and surrounding canals. Well worth a day trip, the island also features historic sites, museums, an aquarium, fishing, tennis, recreational rowing programs, and so much more. Macomb Orchard Trail This 24-mile multi-use path uses old rail lines to connect Shelby Township with Richmond and the towns along the way. Eventually, the Michigan rail-to-trail project will connect the Macomb Orchard Trail with more than 180 miles of trails throughout the southeast part of the state. Paved along its entire length, this section passes through grassy valleys offering glimpses of farms, bridges, animals, and other bucolic sights. This trail is open from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset and allows leashed pets only.  You'll find restrooms, picnic pavilions, parking facilities, and other amenities at several points along the way. Add our five favorite hiking spots to your list of fun springtime activities. You'll be able to observe nature reawakening after the long, cold winter months. Image via Pixabay.com

When you're thinking about grabbing some lunch or dinner and Mexican fare comes to mind, then it's time to find some delicious tacos, tamales, and maybe even a little tequila. If you're a fan of authentic Mexican food and you're looking for a new Mexican restaurant to try, then you're in luck. Here are four amazing Mexican eateries in Detroit. Taqueria Mi Pueblo For authentic Mexican food, look no further than the highly rated and well-loved Taqueria Mi Pueblo. Among its tasty offerings are their crispy gorditas, California-style burritos, chimichangas, and tostadas. Their corn tortillas are handmade on the premises. Taqueria Mi Pueblo is located at 7278 Dix St. and is open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., except for Friday and Saturday when they stay open till 11:00 p.m. to feed hungry weekenders. On Sunday, it opens at 10:00 a.m. in case you want some Mexican breakfast or brunch. more Taqueria El Rey Another enticing option is Taqueria El Rey. This place is popular and it's always packed. Locals love their succulent grilled chicken, which you can order as a whole or half grilled chicken with sides of rice, beans, tortillas, and the house salsas. If you're feeling like tacos instead, their wide selection has you covered with meat selections like marinated pork, grilled steak, and chorizo, a Mexican sausage. Taqueria El Rey is located at 4730 W. Vernor Highway. It's open daily with hours on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. El Asador Steakhouse For sophisticated steak and seafood, head to El Asador Steakhouse. This well-loved establishment is the creation of chef-owner Luis Garza. It attracts diners from near and far who come for their fresh, house-made guacamole, the steaks with poblano pepper sauce, and the great selection of tacos that come with your choice of steak, shrimp, lobster, or mahi-mahi. Your meal will consist of fresh, locally sourced ingredients that are never more than two days old. El Asador Steakhouse is located at 1312 Springwells St. It's open Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Mariscos El Salpicon For innovative, fresh seafood, head to Mariscos El Salpicon, where they specialize in Mexican fare from the coastal Nayarit region. Go for the molcajete de mariscos, a scrumptious seafood stew. This steamed and spiced dish is brimming with crab legs, mussels, scallops, and more. You can also feast on generously loaded plates of deliciously seasoned peel and eat shrimp. Fried tilapia, and shrimp quesadillas are also among their offerings. Mariscos El Salpicon has a bar and nightclub. It's located at 8600 Vernor Highway with hours from 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. When you're in Detroit and hankering for Mexican food, you'll find a wealth of mouthwatering options, so you can celebrate taco Tuesday any day of the week. Check out any one of these restaurants for a great dining experience. Image via Pixabay.com