I'm still hip deep in snow but thinking about next summer. We were thinking about trying to catch the Woodward Dream cruise. Anyone been there, how was it, is lodging a problem? We were wondering about other things to do in the area. Thanks for any help.

 

OK, I'll bite. What is "The Woodward Dream Cruise?"

 

A 16 mile cruise along Woodward Ave. in Detroit on Aug. 20 this year. Hundreds of cars being shown and cruising just having a good time as I understand it. That's why I was hoping to hear from someone who has done it.

 

Thanks for the info. sounds like fun to me but a bit too far from NH and I run a Marina in the summer. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

If it's in Detroit, I doubt lodging would be a problem. I'd be more worried about thieves!
Corvettes/Carlisle, or Ocean City weekend(MD, second or 3rd weekend in October) is fun too, or the Atlantic City show in April sounds fun!

 

There is a web site for the cruise. Our Corvette club from Temecula CA plans to visit the cruise this summer then go on to Carlisle Pa. try this site for info
info@woodwarddreamcruise.com

 

I have done it. It really goes on BIG all week now. There are so many people there that I now go during the week days.Tim Allen is right .You need to do it once.It has no match. The area has lots of things to do . You could see a Tiger game ,not too far. It is time to book a room, people have been going for years and it just gets bigger. Some say almost a million for the day Sat.You can not believe that there are so many cars of every kind. I spend two days trying to see them and can'nt. Bring your walking shoes and camera.Maybe the folks that set in there lawn chairs under the shade see them all going by.There are parking lots filled with Vettes, Goats ,Road Runners,Stangs ect. All the big three have great stuff there .

 

Here is the Woodward Dream Cruise Official Website

http://www.woodwarddreamcruise.com/

 

Car Clubs meet at different hang outs each weeknight prior to the Dream Cruise Weekend. The location of these hang-outs can be found in the Woodward Dream Cruise Magazine. I don't know if this is available on-line or not. NASCAR was a Michigan International around the same time as the Dream Cruise. Cops seem to be part of the action on Woodward and are very tolerant (short wheel spin wasn't ticketed). I guess if they see somebody being really dangerous, that could change their disposition.

Anybody know about any GM Tech Centre or Milford Proving Ground tours available to Corvette owners?

 

Best time to go without the huge crowds is during the week, still a lot of cars out. In the area for the car buff are the Chrysler Museum, Henry Ford Museum, GM Heritage Collection (not generally open to the public, but tours are available).


The Dream Cruise is like going to a Museum, only you actually get to see the cars being driven.



Some nice hotels in the suburbs north of Detroit, ie Birmingham, Rochester, Troy.

 

If you want to meet with the forum's vette owners just look in the Great Lakes section and you should see places the locals will be meeting during the week...you might look now at last year's threads for pictures and locations...being so close to everything we support the event each year and are your best source for information... here's one forum member who coordinates one of the top events...

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/grea...lp-wanted.html

YLOFVR75 is the forum's SE Michigan events planner...just do a search under his id and find all the information you need to hang with the locals...

 

The Proving Grounds only has a open house once a year in Sept/Oct. More of a new car show and road tour.The only real road tour is by a driver Who knows the road system blind folded. Can take you on roads most can'nt.You have to get a Manager in writing to give you the OK, Sat/or Sun. only.I took my 8 year old son on one. In the old ZR1 and he will go to his grave with what he remembers.It's good to put the fear of God in them once in a while.

 

For those of you interested in coming to Woodward please read the following. Woodward Dream Cruise does not go into Detroit for those who have concerns. I organize CORVETTES ON WOODWARD this is my ninth year. Last year 400 Corvettes frim all over the US and Canada participated. This year I hope to hit the 500 mark. It is a three day good time that benefits the Open Hands Food Pantry. I do all of this to collect food and raise some cash to help them out. Here is the itinerary. More will be added. For more information please email me at vjnlcsvette@aol.com Larry Courtney

CORVETTES ON WOODWARD 2011 INTINERARY
Wednesday August 17
• Two tours of the GM Heritage Center (additional tour can be added)
11:00AM & 1:00PM (subject to change)
Each tour limited to 140 Corvettes. Ten Dollars admission (cash only)
Each tour last approximately 1.5 hours
• The Meet & Greet at the Radisson Hotel in Bloomfield Hills, Mi starts at noon. The DJ Eric will be there to greet you
During the Meet & Greet 50/50 raffle tickets will be sold.
There will be additional second place prizes awarded
• The Radisson Hotel will be selling food
• Kim’s Gold Dust will be there with her jewelry
• Muskegon Brake will have a display and information available
• Greg Banish, Automotive Engineer and Author will hold a seminar
• 7:00 PM the 50/50 raffle will be held.
• There will be door prizes given out throughout the afternoon
• 7:30 PM the police will show up to block Woodward so we can start exiting the parking lots
• 9:00 PM After dropping off our donations at the Open Hands Food Pantry we will head to the MOOSE PRESERVE on the corner of Woodward and Square Lake Road for a party. The restaurant will give separate checks.
Thursday August 18 TOUR DAY Times will be announced later, multiple tours will be available
• Katech Engines 30 people limit each tour
• AAT Advanced Automotive Technologies 20 people per tour
• Spectre Werkes small groups multiple tours
• Race Care Replicas small groups multiple tours
• Party at Hooters Rochester Road and Big Beaver

Friday August 19 Open House at GM PERFORMANCE BUILD CENTER
The plant manager is awaiting final approval for this tour. Times will be announced later. If you own a Z06 or a ZR1 you will have a chance to meet the builder of your engine. When attending the tours at the Build Center all safety rules will be in force. No sandals or open toe shoes allowed.
Unfortunately we will not be able to tour the Lingenfelter Museum.
I am waiting on confirmation on tours to the following
• Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village
• Ford Rouge Factory Tour
• Automotive Hall of Fame
• Walter P. Chrysler Museum CONFIRMED
• Morely Chocolate Company CONFIRMED
Many of us have been to the Corvette Plant in Bowling Green and watched cars produced at the rate of 15 per hour. I thought it might be interesting to see trucks made every 49 seconds.
Why Morely Chocolate? My wife Verna loves chocolate.
In the next couple of months I will be sending notification of additional tours and other suggestions of what to do.
While all of this is going on you will be right in the middle of the World’s Largest Automotive Event, WOODWARD DREAM CRUISE. Every day is a car show. Every night is a cruise night. If it is on wheels you will probably see it here.
Harlan Charles told me he plans to bring some of his team to the Radisson on Wednesday and will bring some cars.
Please remember that with all of the tours, parties and Corvettes this is really to bring everyone together to help support the OPEN HANDS FOOD PANTRY. I am asking everyone to help me by donating food or money or both.
Thank you,
Larry & Verna Courtney

 

For all you youngsters out there...

Famous '68 GTO Woodward Avenue Ad

 

It was also the first concrete road in the US. I wasn't here back then but I have stories on how the big three would give the racers parts to try out kind of an unofficial test track. From what I have read there was no place like it anywhere in the US. I am trying to get the author of a great book on the history of Woodward at this years event. There is already a promised donation of his book to give away.

 

This is the reason why I chose Wednesday night for Corvettes on Woodward. So if you are in the area stop by at the Radisson hotel in Bloomfield Hills and bring a donation for the food bank. The parking lot is in the back of the hotel. I also have the lot next door. Or better yet contact me so you can get on some of the tours.

 

I was born in Detroit and raised in Birmingham...back when Detroit truly was the "Motor City." Woodward Ave. and 'Woodwarding' was just part of living anywhere in the metro area. I've never been to the Cruise but I'd love to go. I hear its an outrageous celebration of everything auto. There are all kinds of places to stay but I'd look first to the official Cruise website for basic information.

As for other things to do...Michigan in the summer is beautiful! I'd definitely go to Greenfield Village / Henry Ford Museum and plan to spend at least a couple days there alone. The Detroit Museum of Art is another idea. A couple day drivers I'd make would be to the Franklin Cider Mill and Cranbrook Academy. I used to live near Cranbrook Academy...its just a beautiful area to see...great sculptures on the grounds and it has an excellent museum! Check the local Chamber of Commerce or Convention Visitors Bureau website for other suggestions. I'd drive north and stay a couple days at the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island. Be advised no cars allowed on the island...once there you'll travel by horse-drawn carriage or bicycle. Its an 1800's experience you won't forget....the Grand Hotel is stunning. Another place I assume is still around is the Homestead Resort in the Leelanau area (not far from Traverse City). The Cruise alone would make it a worthwhile trip but there's all kinds of things to see and do in the area. Go for it!

 

YES! It is well worth the experience.

 

It is unreal. You'll have lasting memories. You're in Oakland County for the entire stretch.....one, or the best (most prominent) counties in Michigan.....or the United States! Most of the action between 12.5 mile and 15 Mile Raod (Maple). Since it runs on an angle, this heavy area is over 3.3 miles long in each direction, 4 lanes on each side! Lodging on Woodward at a premium, but ton of places within minutes. Over a million people expected for the weekend. Action actually starts the weekend before.....even the weekdays after 5:45 p.m. Don't miss 'Old Woodward' (Hunter) below Maple....or theCity of Pontiac if you have time.

 

....for things to do nearby.....Walter P. Chrysler Museum, The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village, Greektown Casino (great restaurants on street), Comerica Park (Detroit Tigers), MGM Casino, Windsor Casino (bring Passports), dining in 'downtown' Birmingham and lounging at Grant Park (redone). Time permitting, don't miss Mustang Alley (all of 9 Mile road on Saturday in 'Fashionable' Ferndale just east of Woodward). Enjoy!