wnyguy Posted October 24, 2011 Posted October 24, 2011 My son (the Lions fan) and I went to Detroit over the weekend and went to the Lions/Falcons game. A few observations- First, not a bad drive. Took the Lewiston Bridge into Canada and it took a little less than 5 hours. Border crossings suck though. Second, what a difference having a stadium in downtown makes. All kinds of places around the stadium within walking distance. Restaurants and bars and shops that you can go to before and after the game. Third, the people were extremely nice and very polite. Very friendly. Ford Field was very nice, lots of concessions and easy to navigate. But as I got to my seat I said to my son. "This just isn't right. Football should be played outdoors." The enclosed stadium made it very loud when the crowd got going but I missed the weather, wind, rain, or snow that we have at the Ralph. Of course my son was bummed at the outcome of the game but he enjoyed the trip. All in all a great experience that I will probably do again.
\GoBillsInDallas/ Posted October 24, 2011 Posted October 24, 2011 Did you take your kid to the Sundowner on the way back?
Mr. WEO Posted October 24, 2011 Posted October 24, 2011 Took my son to the Detroit Auto Show a couple years ago and we walked down the middle of Woodward Ave on a Satruday morning and didn't encounter a vehicle until we got to the baseball stadium. We only saw two humans on the street. Whole buildings (old "high rises") were abandoned downtown with missign windows and graffitti signs in some windows. By nightfall, few cars on the streets. It was surreal.
\GoBillsInDallas/ Posted October 24, 2011 Posted October 24, 2011 Took my son to the Detroit Auto Show a couple years ago and we walked down the middle of Woodward Ave on a Satruday morning and didn't encounter a vehicle until we got to the baseball stadium. We only saw two humans on the street. Whole buildings (old "high rises") were abandoned downtown with missign windows and graffitti signs in some windows. By nightfall, few cars on the streets. It was surreal. Of course, since Woodward Avenue has no vehicle traffic, few pedestrians, and a lot of abandoned buildings, the obvious solution is: Build a light rail system!
plenzmd1 Posted October 24, 2011 Posted October 24, 2011 My kid is 26 and no I didn't. So you went to that "mobile nudie" truck i guess?
BfloBillsFan Posted October 24, 2011 Posted October 24, 2011 Took my son to the Detroit Auto Show a couple years ago and we walked down the middle of Woodward Ave on a Satruday morning and didn't encounter a vehicle until we got to the baseball stadium. We only saw two humans on the street. Whole buildings (old "high rises") were abandoned downtown with missign windows and graffitti signs in some windows. By nightfall, few cars on the streets. It was surreal. I live in the Detroit metro area and the above is a more accurate picture of Detroit. Not much going on unless Lions or Tigers are playing. While I liked Ford Field, I don't care much for the game day experience. Concession stands maybe more prevalent but don't offer much in quality of food. Like the idea of downtown stadium but lose the tailgating atmosphere as seen in Orchard Park (unless that has changed with new parking rules). Can't stand the Lions fight song either. Yes, there are more restaurants and bars around the stadium, but still prefer tailgating to hanging out at bar or restaurant before or after, that's for hockey games. Football=Tailgating BTW, there are casino(s) downtown and NO, they haven't done much to boost the city's economy. Detroit is a baseball city first , check out Comerica Park which is an awesome park (one of the best) with an equally great time.
KD in CA Posted October 24, 2011 Posted October 24, 2011 Of course, since Woodward Avenue has no vehicle traffic, few pedestrians, and a lot of abandoned buildings, the obvious solution is: Build a light rail system! Any excuse to 'redistribute' taxpayer money into the pockets up urban labor union bosses.
MarkyMannn Posted October 24, 2011 Posted October 24, 2011 My kid is 26 and no I didn't. Why would he be a Lions fan? They haven't done anything in the last 26 years A friend of mine has a son about the same age, and the kid is a life-long Browns fan. Why?
San Jose Bills Fan Posted October 24, 2011 Posted October 24, 2011 Any excuse to 'redistribute' taxpayer money into the pockets up urban labor union bosses. Please save it for elsewhere. You know the rules and you ought to follow them.
Doc Posted October 24, 2011 Posted October 24, 2011 Any word on Stafford? Looked like he suffered an(other) injury that will knock him out for awhile.
wnyguy Posted October 24, 2011 Author Posted October 24, 2011 Why would he be a Lions fan? They haven't done anything in the last 26 years A friend of mine has a son about the same age, and the kid is a life-long Browns fan. Why? Good question, his only explanation id that as a kid he liked Barry Sanders. He's been a Lions fan ever since. I live in the Detroit metro area and the above is a more accurate picture of Detroit. Not much going on unless Lions or Tigers are playing. While I liked Ford Field, I don't care much for the game day experience. Concession stands maybe more prevalent but don't offer much in quality of food. Like the idea of downtown stadium but lose the tailgating atmosphere as seen in Orchard Park (unless that has changed with new parking rules). Can't stand the Lions fight song either. Yes, there are more restaurants and bars around the stadium, but still prefer tailgating to hanging out at bar or restaurant before or after, that's for hockey games. Football=Tailgating BTW, there are casino(s) downtown and NO, they haven't done much to boost the city's economy. Detroit is a baseball city first , check out Comerica Park which is an awesome park (one of the best) with an equally great time. I did see some tailgating going on the parking lots close to the stadium and I agree Comerica Park looked like a great place.
Smears Posted October 24, 2011 Posted October 24, 2011 I one time I was in Detroit it looked desolate. For a big city there wasnt movement anywhere. I seen abondoned theaters and store fronts. Hope the city can get back to glory days soon.
Gordio Posted October 24, 2011 Posted October 24, 2011 My son (the Lions fan) and I went to Detroit over the weekend and went to the Lions/Falcons game. A few observations- First, not a bad drive. Took the Lewiston Bridge into Canada and it took a little less than 5 hours. Border crossings suck though. Second, what a difference having a stadium in downtown makes. All kinds of places around the stadium within walking distance. Restaurants and bars and shops that you can go to before and after the game. Third, the people were extremely nice and very polite. Very friendly. Ford Field was very nice, lots of concessions and easy to navigate. But as I got to my seat I said to my son. "This just isn't right. Football should be played outdoors." The enclosed stadium made it very loud when the crowd got going but I missed the weather, wind, rain, or snow that we have at the Ralph. Of course my son was bummed at the outcome of the game but he enjoyed the trip. All in all a great experience that I will probably do again. Like one of the previous posters mentioned you should of took your son to sundowner & paid to get his willy wet. That would of got you nominated for Father of the Year.
wnyguy Posted October 24, 2011 Author Posted October 24, 2011 I one time I was in Detroit it looked desolate. For a big city there wasnt movement anywhere. I seen abondoned theaters and store fronts. Hope the city can get back to glory days soon. It appeared to be hopping on game day?
Heitz Posted October 24, 2011 Posted October 24, 2011 The real question is - did you wear a Bills jersey on gameday? I know you don't want to be the guy that everyone looks at and says "What the hell? That team isn't playing here this week. Wait, that team isn't playing AT ALL this week!" But it still seems too tempting not too I'd love to go check out some games in other stadiums, in a dream world, I'd grab an RV take 16 weeks off and just travel with the Bills!
BuffaloBill Posted October 24, 2011 Posted October 24, 2011 My kid is 26 and no I didn't. Sounded like a great trip ... except for the outcome of the game. I hope you enjoy many more with him.
KollegeStudnet Posted October 24, 2011 Posted October 24, 2011 Did you take your kid to the Sundowner on the way back? Does the 'downer have their 5 star lunch buffet still?
wnyguy Posted October 24, 2011 Author Posted October 24, 2011 The real question is - did you wear a Bills jersey on gameday? I know you don't want to be the guy that everyone looks at and says "What the hell? That team isn't playing here this week. Wait, that team isn't playing AT ALL this week!" But it still seems too tempting not too I'd love to go check out some games in other stadiums, in a dream world, I'd grab an RV take 16 weeks off and just travel with the Bills! Actually no I didn't, my son lent me a Calvin Johnson jersey so I blended in with the locals. Sounded like a great trip ... except for the outcome of the game. I hope you enjoy many more with him. Thanks, it was nice to share the experience with him. Maybe next year we'll do it again.
RyanC883 Posted October 24, 2011 Posted October 24, 2011 (edited) How did your son become a Lion's fan? This makes NO sense. Any word on Stafford? Looked like he suffered an(other) injury that will knock him out for awhile. He's day-to-day at this point, good for my fantasy team. And this guys kid, actually son, 26 is too old to be calling someone a "kid," who mysterously likes the Lions because they had a great RB. Crazy. Edited October 24, 2011 by RyanC883
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