I came to Detroit again during the final weekend of 2012 to catch some college hockey at the Joe Louis Arena. These events, of course, happened before the NHL settled its CBA issues, but I needed my share of hockey in the D and wanted to support downtown restaurants and businesses that rely on Red Wings fans. I stayed on the Saturday and Sunday, stayed downtown for the weekend and took in the sights of downtown and Campus Martius Park on the Saturday and went ice skating as well. Downtown Detroit this holiday season, IMO, enjoyed its finest days in a long time, downtown was all decorated up like I had never seen before, seeing all the people at Campus Martius Park that night around downtown was astonishing! Without further ado, here are my pics from that weekend. Note: these were taken with a BlackBerry Torch phone, not my camera. ;)

 

Looking north on Woodward, towards Campus Martius Park

 

Large Salvation Army Kettle in Campus Martius Park, with One Kennedy Square behind it

 

 

Large Christmas Tree, beautifully decorated, sitting on top of the Campus Martius fountain

 

 

Woodward Avenue, storefronts lit up and decorated beautifully!

 

 

 

In the rink @ Campus Martius Park...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The heart of the Motor City hasn't been decorated this nicely and lit up this brightly in a long time!

 

 

 

Looking out at the Renaissance Center from my room @ the Courtyard Marriott

 

Greektown

 

Joe Louis Arena

 

Just a few shots from the games...

 

First was third place between Michigan State and Michigan. Michigan won 5-2.

 

Championship Game between Western Michigan and Michigan Tech. Tech won the Great Lakes Invitational Championship 4-0!

 

Michigan Tech wins the 2012 Great Lakes Invitational Championship, first time winning it since 1980!

 

 

Hope you enjoyed the tour!

Nice pictures, thank you. I like how they have an ice rink downtown and their Christmas tree is pretty sweet. I need to get back up to Detroit again, always have a good time there.

Thanks!