Just A Drive Away – Meltdown
I had to head to New York over the weekend, so on the way back to the “D”, we swung by the Christmas Story House in Cleveland. It’s a really cool destination if you get the chance to go there, especially as it gets closer to Christmas. We’ve been there a few times, but it’s always so cool to see the house the Christmas classic was filmed at.
Fun fact: the only scene actually shot inside the house was when the “award” arrived at there. The rest of the inside scenes were shot on a stage in Toronto, Canada.
While we were in the area, my daughter wanted to visit Machine Gun Kelly’s coffee shop. Anyone who knows me knows I’m not an MGK fan at all. But when your daughter wants to check it out, I guess you go.
My question to you is, what are some other cool places to visit within a few hours of Detroit?
-Meltdown-
Michigan Has One of the Top Travel Spots in the U.S.
Michigan is known for its gorgeous lakes, both the Great Lakes and inland ones. Now, the Mitten has bragging rights when it comes to more than just its lakes- try the state’s glorious islands.
Travel + Leisure recently released its World’s Best Awards list. “Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more,” they state in the article.
When it comes to the Best Island in the Continental U.S., Michigan has it. Last year, the winner was Hilton Head, South Carolina, so this is a new honor for Michigan. Moreover, this beloved Michigan spot came out on top of 14 other areas, including the Florida Keys and other major U.S. island destinations.
That prized destination is Mackinac Island. You can’t be surprised, as it’s a very special place. Here’s what the publication said regarding Michigan’s most popular island: “Eighty percent of this roughly four-square-mile island on Lake Huron is protected as a state park. The family-friendly downtown has many restaurants, fudge shops, and galleries. There are also several golf courses, one of which, known as ‘Wawa,’ lies on a battlefield where the British captured the island from the Americans in the War of 1812. You can explore the island by foot, bike or horse-drawn carriage, but no cars are allowed. Accommodations include the Grand Hotel, which dates back to 1887 and earned the No. 6 spot on this year’s list of the Best Hotels in the Midwest.” Find the full roster of incredible island spots here and below.
Meltdown started on the mighty WRIF on the evening of Halloween, 1995. Technically, his first on-air shift was the morning of November 1st. Moving to the Motor City from Buffalo, N.Y., he has built a career and family. Over his almost three-decade stint at RIFF, he's had the privilege to work with some of the biggest personalities in Detroit radio history. He boasts of being just the second-afternoon drive jock in the station's illustrious 53-year history.
Along with his love for rock music and attending concerts, he's also an avid Harley-Davidson enthusiast and hockey player. He plays year-round and manages to squeeze in a few charity games throughout the year. Meltdown writes about the Detroit Red Wings, rock music, and Detroit concert venues.
