Travel

Saint Hyacinth Roman Catholic Church Tour & Lunch at the Ivanhoe Café, Home of the Polish Yacht Club

Thursday, May 23, 2024 | 9:50-1:30pm

Limited spots remain for this offering. Please call the office for availability.

 

Bus departs Next at 9:50 am, returns about 1:30 pm. Please bring cash for yourlunch as most resturants do not sperate checks. 

The first Polish immigrants came to Detroit during the 1840’s. In 1872, 70 Polish families lived in the city. By 1907 when St. Hyacinth Church was founded, Detroit Poles numbered over 60,000 and the majority lived in the vicinity known as Poletown. In 1907 St. Hyacinth was established as the second parish to derive from Poletown's original Roman Catholic Church, St. Albertus. It was named after a thirteenth century Polish Dominican. On May 25, 1924, parishioners dedicated/consecrated this Romanesque Revival and Byzantine style church, designed by Detroit architects Donaldson and Meier. Today St. Hyacinth is considered the most active of all of Poletown's Catholic parishes, and continues to remain a stronghold for Polonia and a true gem on the eastside of Detroit. Enjoy a 45 minute guided tour of this magnificent sanctuary. Following the tour, lunch on your own at the Ivanhoe Café. The Ivanhoe Café, Detroit, celebrating over 100 family owned years, is home to the world famous Polish Yacht Club, and has a homey ambiance and a simple menu with seafood, salads and sandwiches. 

DIA Regeneration Exhibit & Melodies at the Museum Concert

Thursday, May 30, 2024 | 10:30-2:30pm

This offering is currently at capacity. Please call the office to be added to the wait list. 

Bus departs Next at 10:30 am, returns about 2:30 pm

This trip to the DIA has a primary focus on the Regeneration Exhibit and a special Motown Tribute concert. Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898 – 1971 honors the legacy of African American filmmakers and actors from the dawn of cinema, through the golden age, and into the aftermath of the Civil Rights Movement. Regeneration includes historical photographs, costumes, props, posters, and interactive elements specifically designed for this exhibition and juxtaposed with significant contemporary artworks. Regeneration highlights the agency many Black artists asserted in their respective crafts despite challenges of systematic racism, revealing their tenacity, immense talent, and unwavering commitment to creative expression. You will have two hours to experience this dynamic exhibit (quite possibly sneak in café time if you wish) and then at 1:00 pm enjoy a special live, melodies at the museum performance. Enjoy a Motown Tribute with G-Note 7: performing Motown classics from the 1960s and 1970s in the Detroit Film Theatre. You will also receive to-go cookies and bottled water for the bus ride back. This trip is “What’s Going On” (Marvin Gaye)!

The Belt Alley & Mootz Pizzeria

Thursday, June 6, 2024 | 10:30-1:45pm

This offering is almost at capcity. Please call the office to check availability. 

Bus departs Next at 10:30 am, returns about 1:45 pm. Please bring cash for lunch as most resturants will not split checks. 

 

The Belt is a culturally redefined alley in Detroit that is home to murals and installations by local, national, and international artists. The project is an example of our growing interest in reimagining underutilized spaces throughout the city. This formerly desolate alley has transformed into one of the most dynamic pedestrian-friendly public spaces in the country. It’s located between Broadway and Library St. and connects Gratiot Ave. to Grand River, and the is filled with amazing artistic works from more than a dozen different artists. You can spend hours eating, drinking and looking at the art in and around The Belt, so if you’re looking to kick-start your creative mind, here’s how you can do it! Lunch following, on your own, at Mootz Pizzeria & Bar. Mootz is one of the best pizza restaurants in Detroit, and they serve old fashioned pies with a ton of flavor. On top of pizza, they have a wide variety of appetizers, salads, and desserts. You can’t miss the garlic knots, or the meatballs.

John King Books & Los Galanes Lunch

Wednesday, June 12, 2024 | 10:00-1:30pm

This offering is currently at capacity. Please call the office to be added to the wait list. 

Bus departs Next at 10:00 am, returns about 1:30 pm. Please bring cash for lunch as most resturants do not split checks. 

John K. King Used & Rare Books hardly needs an introduction to any readers in Metro Detroit. Located in a former four-story factory at Lafayette and the Lodge Expressway for thirty years, the million-book collection is the biggest in Michigan and among the largest in the United States. John King Books has long been popular destination for local bibliophiles as well as tourists, and boasts four floors containing over a million titles of used and rare books. You will have 1 and ½ hours to browse the bookstore as you choose. Maps of the building will be provided on the day of the trip. After enjoy lunch on your own at one of Mexicantown’s anchor restaurants, Los Galanes. Los Galanes offers a full menu of authentic dishes, all accompanied by warm tortillas made right in the front window.  

Michigan Design Center "Aging in Place" Designer-Led Tour

Thursday, August 8, 2024 | 9:40-12:45pm

Join us for a designer-led tour at MDC focused on solutions to enhance your forever home. During this tour we’ll explore various design strategies and resources to help you maintain independence and enhance your quality of life. This event is designed to provide valuable insights and practical tips for navigating the challenges of aging gracefully. Lunch in the MDC Café, on your own, after the tour.