Day 1: Arrival in Detroit
Recently I had the opportunity to stay at FireKeepers Casino & Hotel in Battle Creek, MI for the Jake Owen show. Michigan has been one of the states to mark off my list to visit. My trip started with a flight into Detroit, MI and I rented a car for the weekend. If you never rented a car in Detroit, there is a shuttle that takes you to the office off site. Once I received my car rental, I started my day in downtown.
Downtown Detroit Murals:
I am always looking for cute and unique Instagram spots in every new city. Downtown Detroit has a ton of murals, and a cute alley called The Belt. Luckily, I went on a week day where it was quiet and no one was around to be able to take my self portraits in the alley. The Belt is made up of restaurants and bars with art murals all over the walls. It’s a must stop while visiting Detroit. I loved the “Greetings From Detroit” mural nearby as well.
Lunch in Toledo, Ohio:
Next, I headed to Ohio to check that state off my list. Toledo is only a 45 minute drive from Detroit, and it was a nice stop for lunch. I found this amazing restaurant called Ye Olde Dirty Bird. They had amazing food but my favorite was their drink called Salted Caramel Pretzel! If you love Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, then you would enjoy this drink!
Murals in Fort Wayne, Indiana:
After lunch I headed to Fort Wayne, Indiana for some more murals and Instagram worthy spots. When I was little girl I visited Indiana but don’t remember much of it, so it was a nice stop before my final destination. Fort Wayne is only an hour and a half from Toledo, and I have never seen so many corn fields in my life on the way. Once I arrived, I headed to the murals in downtown Fort Wayne. These murals were located at: 112 W. Wayne Street & 120 W. Wayne Street.
FireKeepers Casino & Hotel:
Finally, I was headed to Battle Creek, Michigan which was an hour and half north of Fort Wayne. I was so excited to stay at FireKeepers Casino & Hotel. The hotel was absolutely amazing! The property is a 8-story resort-style hotel that features a 111,700-square foot gaming floor with 2,900 slot machines, 70 table games, multiple restaurants and lounges, a live poker room and bingo room. The hotel just built a second tower of rooms & I was honored to stay in one of those rooms. FireKeepers opened their doors in 2009 and it’s been a favorite gaming destination for residents in central and southern Michigan, northern Indiana and western Ohio. The check in process and hospitality was amazing! If you can’t go to Vegas, then this is definitely the spot to “Get Your Vegas On!” For more information you can find it here.
Day 2: Jake Owen Show
FireKeepers has an excellent coffee and bagel cafè downstairs in the lobby for breakfast. It’s called Gapi Coffee & Sweets, and it’s so affordable! Coffee, hot beverages, sandwiches, and delectable desserts will give you the boost to keep getting your Vegas on! Gapi is the Potawatomi word for coffee. I spent the afternoon exploring the hotel & casino and ended up at Dacey’s Sportsbook & Taphouse for lunch. I was so amazed on the size of the casino.
FireKeepers isn’t just a hotel & casino, it’s an event center that is capable of seating up 2,000 guests as a concert venue. When not in use as a concert venue for superstar performers such as Tony Bennett, Reba McIntyre, and Tim Allen, the versatile space can accommodate banquets, corporate meetings, trade shows, and other events. Later that evening, Jake Owen was going to be the first show since the pandemic. I was so excited! To get this wonderful night started, I had dinner at the new Nibi location downstairs near the second tower. The night before I made friends with one of the bartenders in High Limits. Thanks to Rachel for hooking me up for a spot at her bar in Nibi. The food was delicious just like she said it would! I ordered the shrimp cocktail & lobster chowder. Rachel, you are the best and thanks for keeping me company!
It’s show time, baby! Jake Owen did an amazing job for his performance and the crowd loved him! The show was super close of selling out. My longtime friend DJ Brian Dawe joined Jake Owen’s team earlier this summer, and I couldn’t be more proud of him! Here is a recap video from that night with Brian’s remix of “Days Of Gold.”
Day 3: Departure
After a wonderful weekend, it was time to head back home but not after a final stop at Rachel’s bar. I only came for Jake Owen, but the hotel amazed me with it’s hospitality and entertainment! Make sure to check out their future shows coming up that include: Larry The Cable Guy, Chicago, Randy Houser & more! I definitely would come back in the future.
