An archival visit with the Sister Pie team

Easy pace · One day

An easy, lovely day on Detroit's east side

A lakeside Ford estate, a church congregation founded in 1865, pie, pottery, a palm house and a jazz dinner: an unhurried day by car.

stops: 6
length: One day
areas: 6

You don't have to rush to see a lot. This day starts on the shore of Lake St. Clair at Edsel and Eleanor Ford's estate, then eases back toward the city for coffee and pie, a pottery that's been working since 1903 and Belle Isle's palm house. In the evening, it's dinner and live music in an intimate jazz club.

An unhurried day

10:00
Edsel & Eleanor Ford House
Grosse Pointe Shores
Henry Ford's only son, Edsel, and his wife Eleanor moved into this Cotswold-style house in 1929, designed by Albert Kahn with gardens by Jens Jensen. The 87-acre estate sits on Lake St. Clair; Henry Ford II grew up here, and today it's a museum with tours.

A short, scenic drive south along the lakeshore on Lake Shore Road.
12:15
Grosse Pointe Memorial Church
Grosse Pointe Farms
Home to a congregation founded in 1865, right on Lake Shore Drive; today's complex was designed by William E. N. Hunter and finished by 1927. Future Metropolitan Opera bass John Macurdy sang in its boys' choir. A short stop is enough to admire the 1920s buildings.

Drive west via Jefferson Avenue to West Village.
13:15
Sister Pie
West Village
Coffee and a slice of pie from this West Village bakery: a light lunch that leaves energy for the afternoon. Check the bakery's own channels for the day's offerings.

A few minutes' drive east to Jefferson Avenue.
14:30
Pewabic Pottery
East Side
Founded in 1903 by Mary Chase Perry Stratton and Horace James Caulkins, it's still a working pottery, teaching space and shop. You'll spot its iridescent glazes on buildings all over Detroit. A roof restoration is underway, so check access first.

A few minutes' drive to the MacArthur Bridge and over to Belle Isle.
15:30
Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory
Belle Isle
Palms, tropical plants and lots of light under the 1904 conservatory dome. It carries the name of Anna Scripps Whitcomb, who gave the city a major orchid collection, and makes for a calm, quiet hour late in the day.

Drive back to Grosse Pointe Farms, to The Hill on Kercheval Avenue.
18:30
Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe
The Hill, Grosse Pointe Farms
An intimate, English-pub-style jazz supper club founded by Carhartt heiress and jazz patron Gretchen Valade. Live jazz plays Wednesday through Saturday; book a dinner table and check the club's events page for the lineup.

Good to know

You drive between stops, so there's little walking; bring comfortable shoes if you want to explore the Ford House grounds.
Ford House runs seasonal tours: check fordhouse.org for current hours, ticket prices and events.
At the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe, Wednesdays bring a solo pianist with no cover, and Thursday through Saturday Detroit jazz groups play with a $20 cover; book a dinner table.
Driving onto Belle Isle requires a Michigan Recreation Passport.