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My first visits to Detroit were for hockey or baseball games only. I rarely took the time to go sightseeing or visit some of the city’s great museums. When my brother got married there in December 2018, I took a few extra days to get to know the city better and I liked what I saw.
Getting There
Detroit Metro Airport is located about 20 miles outside downtown Detroit in the suburb of Romulus. It’s a hub for Delta and connects the city to several domestic and international destinations. I’ve never flown into the airport.
Detroit is an easy drive from cities such as Chicago, Indianapolis, Toronto, and Cleveland. I’ve done the drive several times from Chicago. There’s also an Amtrak service from Chicago to Detroit via Ann Arbor on the Wolverine line.
Buses
There are several ways to get around downtown. DDOT runs buses within the city. SMART runs buses out to the suburbs. Check their official websites for current fares and routes.
People Mover
The People Mover is an elevated train that runs for three miles around downtown Detroit. It opened in 1987 and has 13 stations on a loop. For a good overview of the city, you can ride the entire loop which takes about 15 minutes. The People Mover is fare-free throughout 2024 (as of February 2024).
The People Mover was and still is a controversial topic. It’s been panned as a useless waste of transportation funds for a very walkable downtown area. Ineffective as it may be, for visitors it’s an easy and fun way to see some of the city’s beautiful architecture.
QLine
The QLine is another controversial public transportation line. It’s a streetcar that runs the length of Woodward Avenue from Grand Boulevard to Congress Street. It connects to Amtrak, SMART, DDOT, and the People Mover, and passes some of the best museums, sporting venues, theatres, and tourist attractions in the city. The QLine is currently free to ride (as of February 2024).
Hotels
There are several hotels to choose from in downtown Detroit. I’ve only stayed downtown once, at the Hollywood Casino Hotel (formerly the Greektown Casino Hotel), in 2007. I’ve also stayed in Troy, which is a short drive away.
Sports
Detroit has a great professional sports scene and has some of the best stadiums in the country, and all are within a few blocks of each other. Ford Field hosts the NFL Detroit Lions and Comerica Park is the home of the Detroit Tigers baseball team. Little Caesars Arena hosts the NBA Detroit Pistons and the Detroit Red Wings NHL team. The stadiums often host concerts and other events as well.
Coffee
Roasting Plant has some good coffee and a fun contraption called the Javabot, which grinds, roasts, and brews coffee in front of your eyes. It’s located at Campus Martius.
