People make the place. People from all over the world, the country, the state and Metro Detroit make their way to Dearborn in ever-increasing numbers for one reason: The Henry Ford. Home to the charming (if not compliant with current standards of historic preservation and context) Greenfield Village and the massive Henry Ford Museum, where you will find the Lincoln chair and the Kennedy car, a Buckminster Fuller Dymaxion house and the Rosa Parks bus, The Henry Ford is ideal for a weekend's worth of visiting. Plus, there's the Ford Rouge Factory Tour, where you can see the assembly line, the world's largest green roof and take in the awe-inspiring magnitude of the Rouge Plant.

Another reason to head to the complex is the IMAX theatre, where Superman and Spiderman have recently gotten the high-tech treatment. Seriously, this IMAX is not just for kids.

But Dearborn has lots of other assets.

Like, getting back to the movie thing, Ford-Wyoming Drive-In, just outside the Detroit border, is hands-down the best place around to watch a movie with a date. In the warmer months, break out the lawn chairs and coolers and in the winter, a blanket and some hot coffee. You'll feel like a teenager again.

And history? Yup, there is more to discover there too. Learn about Dearborn's local history, how it was settled, its older homes, controversial Mayor Orville Hubbard and Michigan's Woodland Indian culture at the Dearborn Historical Museum.

The Ford Homes Historic District, one of Dearborn's oldest and most prestigious neighborhoods, is great for a driving or walking tour. Henry Ford himself developed the neighborhood for his employees in five designs, Models A-F, with each model designated for a particular employment level (Model F was for white collar workers). The Ford Homes are in a neighborhood bounded by Monroe and Military Streets and Michigan Avenue.

If you haven't heard the name Ford enough, just wait. Visit his Fair Lane Estate, so named after an area from his grandfather's home turf in County Cork, Ireland. It's gorgeous and expansive, of course, but what is really unique about Fair Lane is its grounds, on which you will find the powerhouse and garage, where Ford generated electricity and stored his cars. Plus, the landscape is amazing; the family was really into ornithology, native landscaping and agriculture. You can also enjoy a meal at the aptly named Pool Room Restaurant.

Dearborn also boasts the Arab American National Museum, which transformed a vacant building on Michigan Avenue in downtown East Dearborn with its strikingly modern glass and tile façade. The museum works to convey the contributions that Arab Americans have made to the U.S., tell the story of migration from the Middle East and create a cultural connection between the Anglo and Arab communities via art, music and literature.

Dining, drinking, dancing

Dearborn's population is nearly 40% Arab, so there are lots of options for Middle Eastern cuisine. But there are many other food options on Dearborn's dining platter.

Annam Restaurant is like no other in the area. It features impeccably prepared Vietnamese food in a tiny storefront restaurant at once minimalist and chic. It is a must-visit-often choice for fans of Asian cuisine — and for those who like restaurants that just get it right.

Dearborn has a handful of Italian joints, but locals swear by Ciao Ristaurante. Fans of Indian food have long-supported Peacock Tandoori, an old standby with a deservedly good reputation.

Now, for the real question: What is the best Middle Eastern food in Dearborn? I did research and talked to some people. But most importantly, I dug in. And the result was, well, indeterminable. But I can tell you that Cedarland on W. Warren is pretty amazing. If I had to choose just one, though, it would be Adonis on Schaefer Road. It's a bit pricier that most other Arab restaurants in the area, but it's also fancier, with outstanding food. Plus, it has a bar. On weekend evenings the entire restaurant comes alive with music, dancing and the smoking of tobacco in an argileh — a water pipe.

Another place to get both your dance and your grub on is Crave Lounge. With gorgeous décor, beautiful people and Asian fusion cuisine, Crave seems like it belongs in trendy Royal Oak or emerging Downtown Detroit, but its raging success proves something about the growing demand for a night-life scene in Dearborn.

Local no-fuss, no-muss drinking holes include the Elmhurst Tap Room, the Beer Garden, Silky's and the Double Olive.

Bakeries are another delicious Dearborn treat. The best-known Arab bakery is the splendid New Yasmeen, but Patisserie Original Al Hallab on Schaefer is worth a try, too. It is celebrating its 125th year in business — although some of those years were in Beirut, Lebanon.

Another local favorite is Dearborn Italian Bakery, where Metro Detroit's Italian ethnic community flocks for that just-perfect loaf to take to Nonna's house.

Finally, for a quick pick-me-up and snack, the independently owned Little Café on the Avenue (on Michigan in West Dearborn) is a great choice for coffee and light foods.

Shopping

Dearborn isn't a top-choice boutique shopping destination, although Fairlane Mall can probably meet most people's needs just fine. But there are a few spots worth mentioning.

Lily Boutique has a nice selection of stylish threads that are of-the-moment but not too-too trendy. On the East Dearborn side, there is urban fashion phenom Al Wissam, whose jackets and jeans are showing up in lots of rap videos and red carpet appearances. The jackets are intricately stitched leather — one displays the entire Bill of Rights in thread.

Down the street is the downstairs/upstairs combo of Green Brain Comics and Stormy Records, area indie staples now under one roof. Stormy is owned and operated by Windy and Carl, prominent members of a globally-respected local space rock scene who have been active since the mid-1990s. Green Brain — named for a novel by Frank Herbert, author of Dune — is, quite simply, the finest comic book store in all of Metro Detroit.

Photographs by Dave Krieger - All Rights Reserved