Stay in Detroit

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The well known economic and crime-ridden woes of downtown Detroit has dogged the city to such an extent that Detroit has been renowned as the US capital of urban decay and crime. However, the city has a richness to its history and sport compared to many other more visited places.

Detroit is trying to make a comeback behind the economic revitalization of its downtown, with much of this focus being on the provision of new sporting stadiums for its professional sporting teams. Although some parts of the City still show signs of malaise, areas such as Rivertown and Greektown are proving to be popular downtown tourist destinations.

However, most of the attractions in Detroit are still located out of the downtown area, such as those to its north in the Cultural Centre precinct. Here is located the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Museum, the Detroit Science Centre and the world famous Museum of African American History.

Detroit is world famous as the home of the automobile (the Ford Motor Company) and African American music, called Motown. The epicentre of motor vehicle culture is the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, some 12km southwest of Detroit on Hwy 12.

Motown actually derives its name from ‘Motor Town’. It was the studio that produced famous hit makers such as The Supremes and The Temptations. Located in the northern suburbs of Detroit, the Motown museum is a must see celebration of a culture which represents 80 per cent of the city’s population.

Whilst in Detroit, it is definitely worth taking an Amtrak or a Greyhound bus to visit to nearby Ann Arbor and Ypsilitsi, the home of the University of Michigan and University of East Michigan respectively. The University of Michigan Wolverines, in particular, is one of the most successful sporting colleges in the US.

Ann Arbor is typical of university towns in the US - it has an attractive, vibrant main street and town square that exhibits the ‘left-of-centre’ mentality lacking in most mainstream US cities. It is definitely one of the prettiest small towns in the US.

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Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is located 20 miles southwest of Detroit. It is the hub of Northwest Airlines, so at least if you catch Northwest you will be assured of a direct flight here. Shuttle services from the airport to downtown Detroit are the best option for getting into town

Amtrak trains are located at 11 W Baltimore Avenue, about 5 km north of the heart of downtown Detroit. Greyhound buses are located at 1001 Howard Street, which is more centrally located in downtown Detroit.

Unfortunately, when you build your history on the glorification of the motor vehicle, it stands that other transportation services will suffer. The D-DOT bus system serves the city and suburbs, but the services are difficult to catch and timetabling is somewhat irregular. However, moving within the City Centre is a bit easier. The new and modern People Mover monorail is a quick, easy way around downtown's sites on a 5km-elevated track. A downtown trolley also runs along major downtown streets to and from the Renaissance Center.

DETROIT RED WINGS

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Detroit’s best and most famous team is undoubtedly the Detroit Red Wings – considered the most valuable franchise in the NHL. In fact, the area around Joe Louis Arena, home of the Red Wings, is called Hockeytown, so ingrained is the game in Detroit.

The Red Wings started in the NHL in the 1932-33 season. They had constant success until they hit a very lean 70’s and early 80’s. However, since then the Red Wings have become one of the key NHL standard bearers. All up they have won 10 Stanley Cups, two of which occurred back to back in 1996-97 and 1997-98. They are the reigning 2002 Stanley Cup holders.

DETROIT PISTONS

PALACE OF AUBURN HILLS

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DETROIT LIONS

FORD FIELD

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In 1930, the NFL added a franchise from Portsmouth, Ohio, called the Spartans. After four seasons, the team was purchased to play in the Motor City as the Detroit Lions. The Lions dominated the NFL in the 1950s with four division titles and three league championships.

However, 1957 was the Lion’s last championship – which explains the desperation that long-suffering Detroit fans have felt over the years. Even though the Lions have made the playoffs several times in the 90’s, the new millennium has seen the Lions return to mediocrity.  The Lions are probably more famous for their large domed stadium in Pontiac, Michigan, a suburb located 30 miles north of Detroit. Even though the Lions have just recently moved back downtown, the Silverdome remains the world's largest air-supported domed structure and seats over 80,000 spectators under a fibreglass roof, which was the largest capacity in the NFL.

DETROIT TIGERS

COMERICA PARK

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DETROIT SHOCK

THE PALACE OF AUBURN HILLS

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The Palace of Auburn Hills currently hosts the Pistons and the Shock and is located at 2 Championship Drive, Auburn Hills. Auburn Hills is located over 20 miles north-west of downtown Detroit.

Opened in 1988, the Palace has a capacity of 21,500. The Pistons have played in 7 different arenas since arriving in Detroit in 1957, with the Palace being used since the 1988-1989 season.  It is very difficult to get to the stadium other than by a car, cab or limousine service. The best bet may to catch the SMART Bus Route 450 to Pontiac (Pontiac Transportation Center) from downtown Detroit and catch the Pontiac Rainbow Service or a cab to The Palace from there.

Joe Louis Arena also hosts the Pistons sometimes but is mainly the host of the Red Wings and is located in downtown St Louis at 600 Civic Center Drive, Detroit. The Arena was opened in 1979 and has a capacity of 20,000 for ice hockey. The area surrounding the Arena is now known as ‘Hockeytown’ in tribute to the Detroit Red Wings and more than a dozen college-hockey events held annually at ‘The Joe.’

One of the more fascinating events happens if the Red Wings make the playoffs. The Red Wings' most eagerly anticipated tradition is throwing an octopus on the ice during the playoffs. The bizarre fan ritual began back when only four NHL teams made the playoffs, and the eight legs symbolized the eight wins needed to win the Stanley Cup. Attendants are booed if they use a shovel to remove the octopus and cheered if they use their bare hands.

By public transit take any DDOT bus to downtown and change to the DDOT  People Mover station adjacent to Joe Louis Arena. 

Comerica Park hosts the Tigers and is also located in downtown Detroit. Only opened in 2000, the Park, with the just completed Ford Field next door, is an attempt to revitalize Detroit’s economic fortunes. The capacity of Comerica Park is 40,000.

Like many of the newer baseball stadiums, Comerica Park is an attempt to combine the old with the new. The Park has one of the largest scoreboards in US and fans receive a view of downtown Detroit over right field. One of the novelties of the Park is that when the Tigers hit a homerun (which is not as common as you might think these days), two tigers atop the scoreboard roar and the fountain in centre field shoots water in the air.

Mid July – Champions Tour Ford Senior Players Championship at TPC of Michigan, Dearborn.  

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UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT MERCY

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The UDM Titans are located at 4001 W. McNichols Rd, Detroit, some 10 km north-west of downtown. The Titans have teams in several sports, including men’s and women’s basketball. The basketball teams play out of Callahan Hall, which is located on campus and has a capacity of about 9,000. From downtown Detroit, catch the DDOT Bus Route 32 (McNichols), which goes past the campus (get off at McNicholls/Livernois).