Adventures in Dating By Gigi Flores and Helen Obispo

Whenever I’ve asked people about their favorite romantic getaway, I get sent suggestions for exotic places. Now Detroit might never have been someone’s idea of romantic, but when I asked Felix about his favorite place, he told me it was the River Walk in downtown Detroit. And Gigi totally agrees… for those of us in the Detroit Metro area who cannot get away a lot, there is so much to do in Detroit… and the river walk is romantic and beautiful. Gigi has plans to take Jean-Claude here when he comes for a visit…

The River walk is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Greek town, with its wonderful Greek restaurants and casinos (yes Mike, casinos!!). You can stay at the wonderful Marriott hotel on the river’s edge/ you can even pop over to Windsor and check out the Canadian side, always so close to Detroit.

There are so many music festivals held here along the river at Hart Plaza… The African world festival from August 20-122, the Jazz festival in September is world known… and this year it is from September 3-6. The country hoedown, and so many more…

You can get on the Detroit Princess Riverboat for a romantic cruise and dinner along the river. You can drive to Belle Isle, preferably in the daytime for this one, and have a romantic picnic. I think I will have to write up some more on Belle Isle too, as it is an unknown beauty spot stuck right by a metro city… It might not be the safest place at night, but during the day you can drive your car, ride your motorbike or bicycles, swim at the beach, and stroll along the water’s edge.

The Detroit RiverFront Conservancy, a non-profit organization, was founded in 2003 with the mission of bringing public access to Detroit’s Riverfront. Today, three miles of the east Riverfront is complete and open to the public. The overarching goal remains in place: To develop a total of 5 ½ miles of Rverfront, from the Ambassador Bridge to Gabriel Richard Park, just east of the bridge to Belle Isle connected by RiverWalk, plazas, pavilions, parks, harbors and green spaces. There are endless exciting possibilities ensuring use and enjoyment of the Riverfront for generations to come.

The Conservancy is responsible for the construction, improvement, operation, maintenance, security, programming and expansion of the Detroit RiverWalk and associated green spaces.
Our environmental practices are proactive and visible in the community. As the beautification flourishes, and the walkable Riverfront grows, the significance of this distinctly urban treasure becomes more apparent to the people of the city, of the region, and of the world.

After all, where else can you watch the sun set over two countries?

Yes, Detroit can be romantic… as many people have told me lately, it’s not WHERE you go…but WHO you are with…