4 Amazing Mexican Eateries in Detroit

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

With so many fun places to visit in Detroit, why not get out and explore? Adventure is just waiting for you at the area's local zoos and aquariums that make for a day of amazing family fun. Here are five fun zoos and aquariums in Detroit and the surrounding areas where you're sure to make unforgettable memories. The Detroit Zoo Starting off our list is the top-notch Detroit Zoo. Make a reservation online and purchase your tickets beforehand to guarantee entry on your day of choice. They have animals from around the world which include anteaters, tigers, and everything in between. Their famous Polk Penguin Conservation Center is expected to reopen in the fall of 2020 and will get you up close and personal with four penguin species. The Detroit Zoo also offers several intimate animal encounters such as breakfast with the animals, an up close and personal giraffe experience, and more. Other attractions include a 4D theater, a simulator ride, and a carousel. more Sea Life Michigan Sea Life Michigan is a wonderful aquarium located in Auburn Hills. Twelve different interactive zones allow you to explore and visit over 250 species of sea life. You can observe stingrays, sharks, fish, and more. The interactive touch pool is a great place for little ones to learn about sea stars, prawns, and sea anemones. Educational talks and shows occur throughout the day and include Turtle Talk, Stingray Tales, and even a stingray feeding demonstration. Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park At Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park in Alto, you can experience animals up close and personal. It's home to close to 1,500 animals and over 180 different species. Visit with ring-tailed lemurs, a sulcata tortoise, snakes and other reptiles, fish, and many more animals as well. This hands-on experience is a family run business, and we guarantee the whole family will enjoy a day here. Events are held throughout the year and include the Park Before Dark, Jr. Detective Day, and Princess and Superhero Day. Heritage Park Petting Farm The Heritage Park Petting Farm is another spot you can visit for some family-friendly fun. This hands-on experience allows you and your children to interact with animals such as goats, alpacas, and ponies. Gaze into the natural pond where you'll see fish, turtles, and ducks. Purchase yearly admission passes for only $60 so you can visit as often as you'd like. The farm is open year round and is a great way to get out of the house no matter the weather. Carousel Acres In South Lyon, you can head over to Carousel Acres for another petting zoo experience. This is a unique farm that is home to reindeer, lemurs, and ponies, and they also do a mobile petting farm and pony parties. Their friendly animals have all been raised here and are very social, so this attraction would be great for those with little ones. The next time you're looking for a zoo or aquarium to visit with the family, check out one of the great local places listed above. Enjoy your day out exploring and have fun. Image via Pixabay.com