Ashley & Fraser
Things To Do
Greenfield Village
Both the ceremony and reception will be taking place on the grounds of The Henry Ford. Some time during the weekend, be sure to visit either The Henry Ford Museum or Greenfield Village or both! The Henry Ford Museum occupies over 250 acres and has over 26 million artifacts. It will definitely teach you all about how the Motor City got its name! Greenfield Village is an outdoor living museum dedicated to American history. Henry Ford himself had historic homes from all over the East Coast deconstructed and rebuilt on the grounds. During the time of the wedding, the Village will be putting on a special event, Hallowe’en, Oct 9th & 10th in the evening. It usually includes 100s of carved pumpkins, costumed characters, treat stations, live music, and hot brews and snacks. The Henry Ford has special significance in Ashley’s life. She spent much of her younger years here, whether it was with her family, on school trips, or reenacting the Civil War with one of her high school friends.
Buddy's Pizza
Maybe not as famous as New York thin crust or Chicago deep dish, Detroit has its own unique style of pizza. You may have not heard of our rectangular pizzas before, but it is good enough to get multiple shoutouts on Barstool’s pizza reviews :) Detroit style pizza originally was cooked in blue steel pans used by automotive workers, giving it the rectangular shape. The dough is thick, creating a focaccia-like crust. The pizza is covered with Wisconsin brick cheese and then topped off with tomato sauce. Out of all of the Detroit style pizza places, Buddy’s is Ashley’s personal favorite and the original.
Shatila Bakery
Shatila is a must visit! Dearborn is home to one of the largest communities of individuals of Arab descent outside the Middle East, and Shatila is among of the city’s most famous food landmarks. The founder of the bakery came to Dearborn in the 1970s, when a growing number of Middle Eastern refugees fled conflicts in their home countries, coming to the Detroit area due for jobs in the auto industry. Since the bakery opened, it has been a staple in the Metro Detroit community!
La Pita
Dearborn is well known for its Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. One of the best restaurants near the wedding venue is La Pita. Ashley’s aunt and uncle also really love another restaurant, Al Ameer. Whether it is one of these two restaurants or one not mentioned, be sure to experience some of the cultural food in Dearborn!
Three Cedars Farm
One of the best parts about fall in Michigan is the apples are ripe for the picking! Metro Detroiters celebrate apple season by visiting orchards to drink apple cider, eat special cider doughnuts, pick pumpkins out of the patch, pick their own bushel of apples, pet the animals on the farms, and get lost in corn mazes. Others that are loved besides Three Cedars Farm are: - Erwin’s Orchards in South Lyon - Plymouth Orchards & Cider Mill in Plymouth - Parmenter’s Cider Mill in Northville
Corktown
Our favorite area of downtown!! Corktown is simultaneously both historic and delightfully hipster. The largest landmark in the neighborhood is the old Michigan Central Station. Once standing in disrepair, it is currently being re-developed into something new which is kind of a cheesy metaphor for the city as a whole. While visiting Corktown, make sure to stop at a few of these places to eat and drink!! - Mercury Burger Bar - Slow’s Barbeque - Two Jame’s Distillery - Sugar House - Bobcat Bonnie’s (brunch on the weekends is a must!) - Bucharest Grill - Astro Coffee
The Sugar House
The Sugar House is one of Ashley and Fraser’s favorite places in Detroit and visit almost every time they are in Michigan. As Detroit’s original craft cocktail bar, they boast of 101 foundational classics while also featuring a rotating seasonal menu of original house cocktails. They also have an extensive spirits list that is anchored by the many hand picked single barrel bourbons and American whiskies.
Detroit Riverwalk
The Detroit Riverwalk stretches along the Detroit River, the natural border between the USA and Canada. The riverwalk is 3.5 miles long and offers parks, plazas, and pavilions to enjoy, as well as views of Detroit and Windsor. While on the riverwalk, you’ll pass both the GM Renaissance Center and Hart Plaza. The “RENCEN” is the largest building on the Detroit skyline. It was originally built by Ford, but eventually became the world headquarters of GM. It is filled with shops, restaurants, and hotels. Hart Plaza features many historical markers and statues. One of the most famous is the sculpture of heavyweight champion Joe Louis’s fist.
American Coney Island
Coney dogs are a Detroit staple. These hot dogs are smothered in chili, yellow mustard, and onions. The best in the city are definitely from either American Coney Island or Lafayette Coney Island, depending on who you speak to. These two restaurants sit side-by-side and have a long standing rivalry that spans over a century and Detroiters will happily go to war for whichever they pledge allegiance to. It all began when Greek immigrant Gust Keros opened a hot dog cart on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Lafayette, where he sold his Coney Island hot dogs. The cart was a success, and in 1917, he opened American Coney Island. Gust brought his brother Bill to the country to get involved in the business; however, in 1924, Bill opened Lafayette Coney Island right next door instead. Whether this was due to a dispute or just a business decision is still shrouded in mystery. While in town, try one of each and decide for yourself which coney is the best!
Eastern Market
One of the oldest and largest year-round markets in the United States, Eastern Market takes place every Saturday, offering local food and art. The market is run by a non-profit that does a lot of work to give back to the area, so be sure to stop by. Ashley used to visit the market with her Grandma when she was younger and has fond memories of getting pastries while there. The area around Eastern Market includes cute little shops and interesting places to eat and drink. Check out the Detroit City Distillery for cocktails made with Detroit spirits or Vivio’s for a massive Bloody Mary!
Belle Isle
Belle Isle is an island on the Detroit River between the US and Canada. The island contains a state park, a free aquarium open on weekends, a conservatory, and the Detroit Yacht Club. Walking, biking or jogging the many miles of trails is a great way to see the island and enjoy views of the city and its Canadian counterpart, Windsor.
Dearborn Hills Golf Course
Dearborn Hills Golf course is a public course very close to the ceremony & reception venue. It is also rated one of the best courses in Metro Detroit so if you are planning to play a round, this would be an excellent choice!