For years, Detroit was not on the top of “must-see lists”. After the industries that propped the place up closed down, people started to move away in big numbers. It wasn’t the kind of place you’d want to visit on your travels. But that’s all changing now and Detroit is going through a lot of changes.
New bars and restaurants are opening up all over the place and people are starting to move back to the city and breathe life into it again. Now is a great time to visit the city and watch it as it grows. If you’re planning a trip to the US, here’s everything you need to know about visiting Detroit.
Where To Stay in Detroit
Detroit itself does have some great places to stay but there is still a lot of work to be done in the city. You’re probably better off staying in a hotel near Detroit Airport instead. It’s only around 15 to 20 minutes away from downtown Detroit (unless it’s rush hour, in which case, factor in more time) so everything is easily accessible.
It’s also a lot more convenient when you’re traveling because you’re right there next to your hotel when you land and on the way back, you don’t need to get up early and factor in loads of extra time to travel to the airport.
Public Transport
Detroit is a city that was built on the motor car industry so you’d expect the public transport to be second to none. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case and the public transport links are a bit hit and miss. Some buses go from around the airport to the downtown area but they’re not that frequent so you’ll have to plan.
You might be better off renting a car for the time that you’re there, not having to deal with the tricky bus system will take the stress out of your trip and leave you more time to enjoy the city.
When you’re trying to get a feel for the city, the People Mover is your best bet. This driverless overhead train does a 3-mile loop of the city every 4 minutes or so. It only costs $.075 a ride and it’s a great way to get your bearings before heading out to explore.
Things To Do for a Weekend Trip to Detroit
Even though Detroit has had a rough couple of years, there are still plenty of great things to do while you’re there. It’s a great city for cycling as there are some great cycle paths along the river. If you follow the riverfront for about 15 minutes, you’ll reach the MacArthur Bridge. Cross over the other side and you’ll be on Belle Isle, a great park island complete with an aquarium.
The Eastern Market has been revived in the last couple of years and you’ll find it filled with lots of local farmers produce, artisan food stalls and crafts. If it’s shopping you’re after, there are also a lot of designer shops that have moved into the area recently.
The Detroit Institute of Art is the cultural center of the city, housing some amazing collections. Most notably, an exhibition on Frida Kahlo and the time she spent in Detroit.
Check out the local food scene in Detroit. There are several new restaurants that you need to try.
Detroit is a city with a difficult past but you shouldn’t write it off just yet. It’s a city on the rise again and worth visiting.
