Detroit: sports, cars, Motown and much more.
To say that Detroit is a sports city is an understatement. Detroit isn’t just about professional sports, the city is about catering to sports fans! Casinos, major sports franchises, food, cars, and of course Motown, Detroit will wow you before or after the game.
But let’s get to some basics first. To get a feel for the place, watch our Detroit videos.
When you get to the Big D, you will probably be flying with the Northwest / Delta airlines. Detroit Wayne Airport (or DTW) is a major hub for the Northwest and you will find many direct flights from New York and other major cities. From the airport, you can be in the city center (by taxi in about 20 minutes). That said, renting a car is appropriate if your stay is longer than two days.
Like any other major metropolitan city, Detroit has many hotel options in all price ranges. However, I would plan to stay close to the ballpark, Ford Field, or the Fox Theater. Some suggestions include: Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, Hotel St Regis and MGM Grand.
On your visit, you should definitely visit Ford Field, it is the home of the Detroit Lions and hosted the Superbowl XL. You can take a public tour (for a small fee) and see the field, luxury boxes, press rooms, concessions and changing rooms of this legendary complex. In addition, Comerica Park is a must-see sports attraction. According to the site: http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=det tours run from June to September also for a small fee. Come on tigers!
In case you didn’t know, Detroit is a city of games! You’ll find Greektown Casino and MGM Grand (just to name a few). If you feel like it, pull up a chair in a poker room, double down on a blackjack table, or just kick back with the one-armed bandits. Don’t miss Greektown for delicious Greek food and you can catch a show at the Fox Theater.
I’m not saying you MUST DO IT, but one of my afternoons was spent at the Henry Ford Museum! The Ford Museum and Greenfield Village is a fascinating place to learn about automobile history. You can take a ride in a real Model T and spend the afternoon watching a baseball game where they play by the original rules! It is quite impressive.
Have you heard of Motown? It was invented here. And even if a visit to the original Motown Museum isn’t your thing, Detroit is a city FULL of lots of live music. From rap to rock and R&B to jazz, Detroit’s music is alive at every turn.
Detroit was one of the biggest surprise destinations I have visited over the years. I expected an unsafe, run-down, crime-ridden city with a belt of rust. What I found is a city full of residents who are proud of their city, infrastructure that is being renovated and many activities to fill the schedule from day 1. Enjoy the Big D!