The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) is one of the most highly-anticipated events in Detroit. Each year, the latest cars are displayed to hundreds of thousands of visitors. Presentations featuring some of the most cutting-edge automotive innovations are a popular draw. I created a guide to help visitors navigate the show.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural imprint is immediately noticeable in Oak Park, Ill., a suburb of Chicago. The Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio (pictured) served as the architect’s personal residence, complete with a studio and an abundance of Prairie-style flourishes. I explored Oak Park, writing about Wright’s life and legacy.
New York City features over 1,950 parks and recreational areas, from bustling Central Park to the more laidback Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk in Queens. I interviewed Mitchell J. Silver, the current parks commissioner and a Brooklyn native, who grew up going to city parks.
Midland, roughly two hours north of Detroit, is an unlikely architectural laboratory. Alden B. Dow was an architect and protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright, who designed buildings across the Midland region. The Alden B. Dow Home and Studio was Mr. Dow’s personal residence and workspace.
When August Wilson was a teenager, the main Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh became his classroom. He spent untold hours in its vast rooms and among its enormous stacks consuming knowledge. The library played a pivotal role in his life as he developed into one of the most influential poets and playwrights in history.
Prospect Park, opened in 1867, is the anchor of Brooklyn. Over the decades, the park has experienced growth, decline and a much-heralded renewal, but it has always served as a welcoming oasis to the public. The stately Boathouse, saved from demolition in the 1960s, is a defining feature of park. I wrote a guide to help visitors navigate all the winding paths and car-free roads.
Detroit is best known as the center of the American automotive industry, and for good reason. Vehicles have been tested and built in the area for generations, and the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant offers an opportunity to see dozens of the company’s most iconic vehicles, from the Model T to the 1965 Mustang. I visited the Ford plant and featured it in my 36 Hours column on spending a weekend in Detroit.