Travel

Kirk in the Hills Tour and Lunch

Thursday, December 12, 2024 | 10:15-11:15am

This event is almost to capacity. Please call the office to check availabilty. 

Bus departs Next at 10:45 am, returns about 2:45 pm

We will visit and take a one-and-a-half-hour docent-led tour of Kirk in the Hills, the dream and vision of Colonel Edwin S.George. Colonel George, a Detroit businessman, gifted his home and estate (Cedarholm) in 1947, intending the Kirk to be a community church serving the area. View the Pewabic ceramic tile, Marshall Fredrick’s sculptures, and the tower which houses one of the world’s largest carillon with 77 bells. The Gothic design church was patterned after the once famous 13th century Melrose Abbey in Scotland, and is one of the last truly Gothic structures built in America. 

Michigan Central Station Guided Tour

Thursday, December 19, 2024 | 1:30-5:30pm

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

Bus leaves Next at 1:30 pm, returns about 5:30 pm 

Discover the rich history and incredible transformation of Michigan Central Station on this 90-minute guided station tour. First opened in 1913, the iconic Beaux-Arts structure once served as Detroit's bustling railway hub until its closure in 1988. Now, as one of the city's most beloved landmarks, the station is undergoing an ambitious restoration led by Ford Motor Company and Michigan Central. Expert guides will bring to life the station's rich history, sharing stories of its grandeur, decline, and rebirth. Marvel at the work of over 3,100 skilled craftspeople, see how innovative technologies like 3D printing are being used, and learn about what’s next for Michigan Central. Please be aware that the station is an active construction site. Guests may encounter noise, dust, and limited access to certain areas.