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Grosse Pointe & Nautical Mile Driving Tour

Tour Overview

The Grosse Pointe & Nautical Mile Driving Tour takes you up the beautiful shoreline of Lake St. Clair and through some of Metro Detroit's most exclusive suburbs (the same ones chronicled in the 1997 movie Grosse Pointe Blank starring John Cusack). Known for decades not only for their wealth but also for their exclusivity, the Grosse Pointes provide residents with use of a number of private waterfront parks and are home to one of the country's finest yacht clubs. Further north is the Nautical Mile with the largest concentration of boats in the Midwest. The tour can easily be completed in 3 to 4 hours depending on how long you spend in each location and whether you opt for a tour of the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House (recommended!) which could add to the time.

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Lake Shore Drive [A]

Jefferson Avenue between Fisher and Nine Mile Roads along the shore of Lake St. Clair

Heading north out of Detroit, the scenery changes dramatically as Jefferson Avenue enters the Grosse Pointes which consists of five communities -- Grosse Pointe Park, the City of Grosse Pointe, Grosse Point Farms, Grosse Pointe Shores, and Grosse Pointe Woods. After Fisher Road, Jefferson transitions into Lake Shore Drive, a spectacular stretch flanked on one side by majestic Lake St. Clair and on the other by sprawling mansions, estates, and immaculately kept neighborhoods.

Grosse Pointe Yacht Club [B]

788 Lake Shore Drive, Grosse Pointe Shores

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Towards the north end of Lake Shore Drive you will find the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. This is one of the country's premier yacht clubs and has roots dating back to 1914. Note the unique 18^th century Itailian Renaissance design and a 187 foot bell tower that serves as a navigational aid to Lake St. Clair boaters.

Edsel & Eleanor Ford House [C]

1100 Lake Shore Drive, Grosse Pointe Shores

Website

The Edsel and Eleanor Ford House is the former private residence of Henry and Clara Ford's only child, Edsel, his wife Eleanor, and their children. Open to the public since 1978, the home sits on 87 lakefront acres and maintains a collection of original antiques and art. Public tours are available most days.

The Nautical Mile [D]

Jefferson Avenue between 9 and 10 1/2 Mile Roads in St. Clair Shores

Website

While there is no denying the beauty of the Grosse Pointe area, it is not known as an entertainment destination -- and its residents like it that way. If action is more your style, you will find a bit more of it along the Nautical Mile, located in St. Clair Shores on Jefferson between 9 and 10 1/2 Mile Roads. The Nautical Mile is the hub of Metro Detroit boating and boasts the largest concentration of boats in the Midwest. Here you will also find a number of dining, shopping, and entertainment options.