By Lynn Jones / The Urban Traveler
In partnership with Spirit Airlines, the Free Press Urban Travel was whisked away on a nonstop flight from Jacksonville to Detroit, Michigan. Because Motown is my hometown, my staff and I were eager to board Spirit Airline’s flight bound to Michigan. After arriving at Jacksonville International Airport (JIA) we quickly made our way to the kiosk and were greeted with a smile by Spirit Airline Reps who took the time to process boarding passes to connect to our departure gate. Overlooking the shoulders of the local reps, were New Orleans Spirit Airline employees that flew to Jacksonville International Airport (JIA) to assist with the newly launched scheduled nonstop flights from Jacksonville to Detroit and Jacksonville to Chicago. Flights from Jacksonville to Chicago were on the tarmac patiently waiting for passengers to board! Heading to the gate, out of nowhere Spirit Airlines yellow billboard shone bright like a diamond! Spirit Airlines is now among the top tier airlines for nonstop flights around the world.
The boarding process went smoothly and the pilots did not hesitate to offer us a peek inside the cockpit. Airline stewardess welcomed passengers on the plane with smiles, compliments and open arms. Before we buckled ourselves into our seats, we spoke to passengers about their boarding process and satisfaction so far. One family of five excitedly boasted on how they saved $800 by booking with Spirit Airlines. Other passengers agreed that the cost of the flights were the reason for the bookings. Passengers bragged that direct flights to the Midwest would be thier ticket home on weekends, holidays and summer vacations with their families. Spirit Airlines seats are roomy with plenty of leg room and overhead storage. The flight was quick, approximately two (2) hours to arrive in Detroit. The pilot pushed the petal to the metal and the flight arrived at the DTW gate an half/hour early!
Arriving in Detroit, the weather was cold and snowy! We headed straight to our scheduled appointment to Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions. We met with Lions Corporate Communications Manager Ellen Trudell for a prearranged tour of the stadium. The blue and white decorated field came to life as teenagers were engaged on the field playing a local football scrimmage tournament. Touring the stadium was historic, as the Lions have been members of the National Florida L since 1934. According to reports, “the Lions have won four NFL championships, tied for 9th overall in total championships among all 32 NFL franchises; however, their last was in 1957, which gives the club the second-longest NFL championship drought behind the Arizona Cardinals.” Although never winning a Super Bowl since 1957, the Lions fan base continues to sell out each Sunday. Barry Sander, Joe Schmidt, Lem Barney Alex Karras and Matthew Stafford are just a few of the Detroit Lions players that have led the team to playoff berths and division titles (www.detroitlions.com) #golions
Next door is Comerica Park home of the Detroit Tigers! The Tigers are in the history books as “one of the AL’s eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit as a member of the minor league Western League in 1894. The Tigers constructed Bennett Park at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Trumbull Avenue in Corktown (just west of Downtown Detroit) and began playing there in 1896. In 1912, the team moved into Navin Field, which was built on the same location. It was expanded in 1938 and renamed Briggs Stadium. It was renamed Tiger Stadium in 1961 and the Tigers played there until moving to Comerica Park in 2000.” The Detroit Tiger have won four World Series championships: 1984, 1968, 1945, 1935. Heralded players include Lou Whitaker, Kirk Gibson, Mickey Mantle (October 20, 1931 – August 13, 1995) and the famous in your face Coach Sparky Anderson (February 22, 1934 – November 4, 2010)! Roaring in front of the Comerica Park is a larger than life “tiger” ready to pounce on the opposing team.
As the day turned to evening, it was time to head to the radio show of the Reel Hustler, hosted by native Detroiter Cornelius Gross. The show is a Friday staple at Highlands Park’s WHPR studios (www.fm881whpr.com), whre Entertainment Executive R.J. Watkins is the head honcho in charge! WHPR studio promotions include podcasts, radio, TV shows and an under construction studio aimed towards creation of local and nation media productions. The “Reel Hustler” radio show was impressive – the show airs on the radio and TV at the same time! Rocking to the beat, Gross airs his show out of WHPR Virgin Island Room, where sunshine, blue skies and palm trees prepare listeners for an after work party in the studio! Watkins was kind enough to engage in on-air conversation about his extensive career that expands decades. When you leave the studio, you’re still rocking to the WHPR beats!
Rounding out the evening was a trip to Detroit’s Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) Casino. The MGM Lion mascot stands tall in downtown Detroit as a staple for visitors to feel the vibe of walking the Las Vegas strip. We didn’t play the slots, but enjoyed cocktails and views of Detroit’s skyline.
As a native of Detroit, my family still resides in the city and the outskirts, thus the evening was filled with family hugs and love!
The next day our scheduled appointment included a trek to the Charles Wright Museum (www.thewright.org). Holding court in the center of the museum is the Aretha Franklin tribute room, detailing the life and legacy of the Queen of Soul; a true to life slave quarters/middle passage exhibit stemming from the early 1400s, civil war, to the civil rights movement and the millennium. Detroit’s ‘black bottom’ is also highlighted as bustling neighborhood where blacks migrated from the South to Detroit for better jobs and wages. Also highlighted is the history of former Detroit Mayor Coleman Young, whose little know black history fact states that “During World War II, Young served in the 477th Medium-Bomber Group (Tuskegee Airmen) of the United States Army Air Forces as a second lieutenant, bombardier, and navigator. As a lieutenant in the 477th, he played a role in the Freeman Field Mutiny in which 162 African-American officers were arrested for resisting segregation at a base near Seymour, Indiana in 1945.” Young’s reign as Mayor of Detroit lasted from 1974 – 1984.
As the day progressed, we were excited to tour the Motown Museum, where Berry Gordy began his reign as the President/CEO of a musical hit factory churning out hit records for more than 60 years. The Motown museum tours sits on West Grand Blvd the avenue of Motown stars, such as the Supremes, the Temptations, KEM and more! This is a must see (www.motownmuseum.org)!
A trip to Detroit would not be complete without a night out to Bakers Keyboard Lounge! Bakers Keyboard Lounge is located on Livernois and the infamous 8 mile avenues. Bakers has been a fixture on Detroit’s Music scene since 1934. On weekends you can hear the horns, saxophones, keyboards and jazz musicians playing the tunes of the late great jazz masters: Miles Davis, John Coltrane and more! In 1984, Baker’s Keyboard Lounge celebrated fifty-years of the sound of jazz in Detroit.
Detroit’s skyline is on the verge of revitalization and is a stone’s throw to Canada via the Ambassador Bridge or Windsor Tunnel. This gives visitors to Detroit the opportunity to visit another country making it a two for one vacation! Downtowns Woodward Avenue strip livens up each night with entertainment and restaurants: Kid Rock Restaurant, Little Caesar’s Arena, the Fox Theatre and the Oscar mentioned sleeper Shinola Watch Company (www.shinola.com), praised by “Green Book” director Peter Farrelly: “Shinola watches! Unbelievable! They’re saving Detroit!” said Farrelly as he pointed at his wrist while accepting the award for best original screenplay.
If you’re a Midwesterner and have family in Detroit or yearning for a historic vacation, don’t hesitate to book your flight to DTW NOW and catch a glimpse of the sights and sounds of a revitalized metropolis. Spirit Airlines is ready to fly you nonstop to view the recovery of Detroit’s skyline, neighborhoods, entertainment and sports districts. Come explore Henry Ford’s Model T’s, and The Renaissance Center as Detroiters prepare for the Spirit of Detroit summer activities.
Thank you to Spirit Airlines for their check-in/boarding/onboard hospitality, premier seating and nonstop flight fares! To book your flight visit www.spirit.com. Nonstops now: #jaxtodetroit #jaxtochicago #jaxtolaguardia #detroittoorlando
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