If you have never been to Ann Arbor, really you should go and visit the campus area! Leave after morning rush hour, walk around the rest of the morning, have lunch at one of million spots in Ann Arbor (most would suggest Zingerman’s for the “true” Ann Arbor experience!) and be back in Detroit mid afternoon if you like.
Most of all, come back and tell us what you did!
I agree with abasket, if you want to visit any community outside of Detroit I would also pick AA! It’s a really fun town to walk around. (Cranbrook is really cool too, especially like the Saarinen house.) I agree with you Kelsmom, I think Slow’s BBQ is overrated, I like southern BBQ too. Incidentally, there is a really good BBQ spot in Grosse Pointe, Noble Pig, it is really small it only has a few tables but does a good takeout service.
You can’t beat the Whitney for old world elegance which might appeal to your parents. It’s been years since we’ve dined there, but we used to have dinner in the grand first-floor dining room and then head up a Gone-with-the-Wind-like staircase for dessert. Remnants of robber baron decadence. 
When I was a kid, we used to tour the Vernors factory next door, long since gone. If you’ve never had Vernors (very gingery soft drink), you can order it in most restaurants, Greektown for sure. Also, try Stroh’s ice cream if you get a chance.
OOh that’s a good one ChoatieMom - an old iconic Detroit mansion AND food. Haven’t eaten there in quite a few years, it was a tradition with my coworkers to have dinner there and then go to Old Shillelagh one of the nights when I was working in Detroit during the auto show.
We’re getting ready to fly to Detroit tomorrow morning. Thanks again for all the great suggestions. My dad got tickets to the Detroit Symphony for Wednesday night. The weather there looks warmer than in Maine, at least!
Its beautiful today! Windy and 70 an hour south. You might encounter some rain but mild temps 50’s and 60’s I think.
In the Detroit airport right now.
They say it’s 67 out, it’s about a 100 in the airport.
Have a great time @MaineLonghorn. Have a Vernors and a coney :))
Bring back a can of Vernors so you can make a boston cooler at home (couple scoops of vanilla ice cream in a glass with Vernors poured over the top!)
I LOVE Boston Coolers and was confused when I moved to Boston to discover no Vernors there. Imagine my happy surprise on finding Vernors in the supermarket when we moved to Arizona because our local chain (Fry’s) is owned by Kroger. I know what I’m having for dessert tonight. Thanks for the reminder @abasket.
Alas, Vernor’s was bought out by some standard soft drink company, and at least the last time I had it was no longer aggressively gingery.
I second Cranbrook and the DIA. My husband grew up in Bloomfield Township, and we used to go there annually, but it has been awhile. They were not sophisticated diners, so I can’t offer anything useful there.
Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum are interesting, although I gather the former isn’t open at this time of year.
Personally, I think a tour of the Rouge plant would be fascinating, as would the Motown Museum. I’ve never been to either.
As Mainer, I doubt you will find it too cold. Your Texan parents on the other hand…
My H is a dedicated Vernors guy - if there was a change he would have complained! Still gingery to us! If you buy Vernors beware of the first few sips - you have to let it sit for a few minutes or the gingery carbonation will have you coughing!!
From Wikipedia:
"LA Metropolitan News-Enterprise Editor Roger Grace describes the original flavor as “mellow yet perky with the mellowness attributed to the aging in oak barrels, and the perkiness to the use of more ginger and sugar than “dry” ginger ales. Many people believe that the taste of Vernors has changed significantly in recent years. Grace describes the current flavor as an “emaciated version of a product that once was” and “sweetened carbonated water with ginger flavoring”. Theories as to the reason for the claimed change in flavor include that the secret formula has been changed to use new products not originally available to Vernor, such as high fructose corn syrup; that it seems to have less carbonation than formerly; and that Vernors is no longer aged four years, but three in oak barrels.[9][19]”
All I can say is that I noticed a difference. Or thought I did.
Vernors… you love it or you hate it. (Hate camp here!). In case anyone reads this for future reference, a tour of the Rouge auto manufacturing plant used to be available. I don’t know if it still is, but my dad took my kids and they thought it was interesting.
Also. if you go to Zingerman’s for lunch, plan on taking a while. Long lines. I admit, last time I went they had remodeled to make the line more efficient, but they gave up some of the charm in the process. Felt like a cattle call. Food was still good, though. And don’t think the Roadhouse is a good substitute for a trip to the original. It isn’t, had an overpriced and not great (compared to the original) meal there last year.
Go to Zingerman’s mid afternoon (like 2:30-4) for a shorter line. But if there is a line they sometimes come by with free samples. You can still eat in the original upstairs area or in my favorite area, the area where the desserts/coffee/gelato are featured. - it really was necessary to add more room for the crowds. Bring home a loaf of bread - I recommend the yeast nut breads - hearty as all get out. (the breads and bagels are also often 50% off “end of day” - late in the afternoon/early evening.
The Rouge tour leaves from Henry Ford Museum. https://www.thehenryford.org/visit/ford-rouge-factory-tour/
It’s pretty amazing how clean the F-150 assembly line is, and how green is the process (including the paint shop). You could eat off the floor. Makes me want to buy one. Ford is a great company. Lots of robots in use.
There are a bunch of Zingerman’s businesses besides the Deli - an Asian place “Miss Kim” at Kerrytown, Bakery, Coffee shop and Creamy (cheese) on Airport Blvd near State & Ellsworth, and the Roadhouse (American Food and BBQ) at Jackson & Maple. Good eats near campus include Totoro (Japanese), NeoPapalis (pizza) , Jerusalem Garden (ME), and the Red Hawk (pub food). If you want a really good dinner try Pacific Rim (fusion) on Liberty near Main.