Visiting Detroit

[ChownutZ 0]

Hi Guys I am visiting Detroit in November to catch a couple wings games.

I keep hearing how bad it is to stay in the city there...for safety and such.

I just wanted to hear some opinions on some things:

1) I am staying at the Marriot Renassiance...I think it's close to the Joe...what is the area like? is it a safe area?

2) I am from Canada and have never been to an NFL / NBA game. The week I am there, there is only 1 NBA game and 1 NFL game.....and they are both on the SAME day...NFL game is at 1:00PM and NBA game is at 6:00PM...is it possitble to make both ??? Not sure what Detroit traffic is like on a Sunday.

I know someone else posted about going to Detroit from NY. I tried to add my post there but was not getting any replies...Thought I would try a new posting

[wingsfan75 2]

Tough call on the game situation. It should be do-able because the Lions stink it up anyway and should be over with within a few hours. The Palace is about an hour away from the city depending on traffic.

Renaissance area is a good area. There's a lot to do within a mile and a half of that zone. Mainly casinos and eateries.

[FunkedUp 29]

Hi Guys I am visiting Detroit in November to catch a couple wings games.

I keep hearing how bad it is to stay in the city there...for safety and such.

I just wanted to hear some opinions on some things:

1) I am staying at the Marriot Renassiance...I think it's close to the Joe...what is the area like? is it a safe area?

2) I am from Canada and have never been to an NFL / NBA game. The week I am there, there is only 1 NBA game and 1 NFL game.....and they are both on the SAME day...NFL game is at 1:00PM and NBA game is at 6:00PM...is it possitble to make both ??? Not sure what Detroit traffic is like on a Sunday.

I know someone else posted about going to Detroit from NY. I tried to add my post there but was not getting any replies...Thought I would try a new posting

Cool man. The Marriott is in a good area. You won't have problems there. Just be mindful of your surroundings. A lot of people will exaggerate the dangers of downtown Detroit and might advise you not to stay there, but as a resident and local that is simply not true. I don't mean to scare you, because downtown Detroit is very safe, but remember that you are in Detroit!

You technically could make both Lions and Pistons games if you wanted, and by doing so you would have a great day of Detroit sports, but Ford Field (Lions) and The Palace (Pistons) are not very close to eachother but not too far away either. I'd estimate it would take about an 1 hour to get to Auburn Hills from Detroit, but you never know...could be less or more depending on a number of factors. If I were you, I'd definitely do both!

Enjoy Detroit! It suffers a bad rep a lot, but its a great city!

[DaWingsin071 4]

sweet I too am going to be going to my first Redwings game in Detroit. I am from Minny so I will be going to the Nov 8th game against the Devs, which is killer because my buddy is a huge Devils fan. Anyone know of any great places to eat or what places I should look at traveling to while there. Any info would be greatly apreciated.

[shoe 165]

go to triparvisor.com check out what people have to say about the hotel and area I visited Detroit once last year for the parade and once the year before for a game I heard the same kind of stories you prob did like cops pulling people over for stopping at red lights telling them not to stop ect but I never saw anything like that around the joe best advice I can give is map your route and don't explore what looks suspicious getting lost could lead to problems

[GoalieManPat 1,007]

Ya you can make both games. Its actually less than an hour from Detroit to the Palace. I live 20 miles north of Auburn hills and it take about an hour to get to Detroit. Once you get on the highway you'll be there in no time. As long as it doesn't take a long time to get out of the first game you will be alright.

The area around the stadiums isn't bad. It is Detroit and all but as long as you use common sense about where your at you will be fine. As with any big city though its easy to get lost and you could end up in some shifty neighborhoods. Just plan where you want to go or if you have a nav system in your car it'll be a lot easier to get places.

Edited September 26, 2008 by GoalieManPat

[Guest mindfly]

Detroit... well U.S should invest more money into train/subway... must be pain in the ass to take the car all the time especially at heavy traffic etc, and not very good for the global warming ... just saying....

[ChownutZ 0]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the info...Think I will try to get tix to both the lions/pistons game!

Not everyday that i can check out an NBA/NFL game!

Thanks AGAIN!

Any recommendations for really good restaurants?

[Guest mindfly]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the info...Think I will try to get tix to both the lions/pistons game!

Not everyday that i can check out an NBA/NFL game!

Thanks AGAIN!

Any recommendations for really good restaurants?

Why not check out Red Wings while you're at it?

[DatsyukownzU13 1]

Hi Guys I am visiting Detroit in November to catch a couple wings games.

I keep hearing how bad it is to stay in the city there...for safety and such.

I just wanted to hear some opinions on some things:

1) I am staying at the Marriot Renassiance...I think it's close to the Joe...what is the area like? is it a safe area?

2) I am from Canada and have never been to an NFL / NBA game. The week I am there, there is only 1 NBA game and 1 NFL game.....and they are both on the SAME day...NFL game is at 1:00PM and NBA game is at 6:00PM...is it possitble to make both ??? Not sure what Detroit traffic is like on a Sunday.

I know someone else posted about going to Detroit from NY. I tried to add my post there but was not getting any replies...Thought I would try a new posting

1)) Cool area, probably as safe as you can get while being in the Detroit area. The renaissance building itself is really cool and they re-did the water front so you should check that out. Some cool casinos and restaurants around there. If you're into seafood there's a Tom's Oyster Bar down Jefferson a bit that's pretty good.

2)) Avoid the Lions like the plague. Unless you are a big fan of the other team. It's like watching high school football. Pistons would be a better environment but the thing is the Pistons play out in Auburn Hills which is quite a trek from the Detroit area. I guess if you are really desperate to see some more sports the Lions game wouldn't be terrible because it's close to the city and the facility is really nice (Ford Field).

[betterREDthandead 58]

Hi Guys I am visiting Detroit in November to catch a couple wings games.

I keep hearing how bad it is to stay in the city there...for safety and such.

I just wanted to hear some opinions on some things:

1) I am staying at the Marriot Renassiance...I think it's close to the Joe...what is the area like? is it a safe area?

2) I am from Canada and have never been to an NFL / NBA game. The week I am there, there is only 1 NBA game and 1 NFL game.....and they are both on the SAME day...NFL game is at 1:00PM and NBA game is at 6:00PM...is it possitble to make both ??? Not sure what Detroit traffic is like on a Sunday.

I know someone else posted about going to Detroit from NY. I tried to add my post there but was not getting any replies...Thought I would try a new posting

1) Downtown may well be the safest part of the city. I would expect no problems there. I really don't believe downtown Detroit is any less safe than any major city. If it really worries you, take the People Mover from the RenCen to the Joe, it's the long way round the loop but it stops at both. But the Joe is a mere ten-minute walk, all you gotta do is walk down the riverfront, it's impossible to miss.

2) The Lions, believe it or not, are a tough ticket. They'll likely be sold out on a wave of support for firing Millen. In fact Ford Field has never not been sold out for a Lions game. Good luck with that. As for getting to the Palace, no problem. Just hop on I-75 (or I-375 which empties into 75) and drive north for about 45 minutes. Sunday traffic is not so bad.

3) Restaurants - any old place in Greektown is good. Just go to Greektown and pick one. And stop at the Coney Islands. Either Lafayette or American. They're not in Greektown, they're on West Lafayette. Greektown is easy to get to, just head up Beaubien from the RenCen and you can't miss it. The Coney Islands are also easy: go to Campus Martius, which is the park in the middle of Woodward, then go up Michigan Ave. about a block and you'll see them. There's also a Hard Rock on Campus Martius, if you're one who likes collecting that stuff.

[rdwngnut 0]

Detroit... well U.S should invest more money into train/subway... must be pain in the ass to take the car all the time especially at heavy traffic etc, and not very good for the global warming ... just saying....

We are the motor city, they want us to buy cars and not use mass transit!! Even though the auto industry sucks, I doubt we will ever see any type of mass transit like NY or Chicago. They want us buying cars!!

[DatsyukownzU13 1]

3) Restaurants - any old place in Greektown is good. Just go to Greektown and pick one. And stop at the Coney Islands. Either Lafayette or American. They're not in Greektown, they're on West Lafayette. Greektown is easy to get to, just head up Beaubien from the RenCen and you can't miss it. The Coney Islands are also easy: go to Campus Martius, which is the park in the middle of Woodward, then go up Michigan Ave. about a block and you'll see them. There's also a Hard Rock on Campus Martius, if you're one who likes collecting that stuff.

Seconded, Campus Martius is the area to be if you are in the city. Au bon pain is pretty good too (it's in the center of campus martius). Greektown too, Pegasus is a really nice, good-tasting restaurant.

[selkie 10]

Ya you can make both games. Its actually less than an hour from Detroit to the Palace. I live 20 miles north of Auburn hills and it take about an hour to get to Detroit. Once you get on the highway you'll be there in no time. As long as it doesn't take a long time to get out of the first game you will be alright.

The key words being 'As long as it doesn't take a long time to get out of the first game'. I'm trying to remember how long wait time typically is to get out of the parking lot at the Palace, but I can remember spending 30+ minutes at the JLA parking garage, and once spent like an hour and a half in the lot of the Pontiac Silverdome after a Pink Floyd concert before we could get to the exit of the parking area.

Anyone have recent exit time examples for the Palace, or know if they've got some non-season ticket holders priority/VIP parking area that would get you on the road quicker for extra $$$?

[rdwngnut 0]

The key words being 'As long as it doesn't take a long time to get out of the first game'. I'm trying to remember how long wait time typically is to get out of the parking lot at the Palace, but I can remember spending 30+ minutes at the JLA parking garage, and once spent like an hour and a half in the lot of the Pontiac Silverdome after a Pink Floyd concert before we could get to the exit of the parking area.

Anyone have recent exit time examples for the Palace, or know if they've got some non-season ticket holders priority/VIP parking area that would get you on the road quicker for extra $$$?

The Palace sucks for traffic flow. I usually try to come in off Joslyn Road which is past the Palace and you come down it to the Palace and then part far away from the doors, close to the exit and pray you get out quick....

[betterREDthandead 58]

The Palace sucks for traffic flow. I usually try to come in off Joslyn Road which is past the Palace and you come down it to the Palace and then part far away from the doors, close to the exit and pray you get out quick....

Agreed. I've always found it easy to get into, s***ty to get out of. Second the notion of parking as close to the parking lot exit as possible. It means a bit of a walk to the doors, but who couldn't use the exercise anyway?

[union drone 0]

Hi Guys I am visiting Detroit in November to catch a couple wings games.

I keep hearing how bad it is to stay in the city there...for safety and such.

I just wanted to hear some opinions on some things:

1) I am staying at the Marriot Renassiance...I think it's close to the Joe...what is the area like? is it a safe area?

2) I am from Canada and have never been to an NFL / NBA game. The week I am there, there is only 1 NBA game and 1 NFL game.....and they are both on the SAME day...NFL game is at 1:00PM and NBA game is at 6:00PM...is it possitble to make both ??? Not sure what Detroit traffic is like on a Sunday.

I know someone else posted about going to Detroit from NY. I tried to add my post there but was not getting any replies...Thought I would try a new posting

Marriot Renaissance is a very nice hotel. It is part of the Renaissance Center complex at the heart of Detroit. It is right on the river overlooking Hart Plaza and the Windsor skyline. The Winsdor-Detroit tunnel (goes under the river) is right next to the RenCen (as it is called locally). You are about a five minute walk from the Joe (a very safe five minutes at that). Although I would be at least somewhat on guard walking anywhere in Detroit, you could draw about a 1 km circle around the RenCen where the chances of anything bad happening to you are fairly low. My office is about two blocks from your hotel, so I know the area pretty well. You are also a short walk to Greektown (or very short people mover ride, goes from RenCen directly to Trapper's alley/Greektown Casino), which is a decent area for food, drink, gambling, etc.

It is quite a drive to get from Ford field (downtown) to The Palace (Auburn Hills, outer suburbs), but assuming that the game at Ford takes 3 hours, I would assume that you should be able to reach Auburn Hills with time to spare. To get there get on I-375 North in the city, which merges with I-75 North after a few miles. I-75 passes very close to The Palace.

If you are coming from Canada via Windsor, I would recommend crossing at the tunnel. You will end up exiting literally in the shadow of the RenCen. If you take the Ambassador Bridge, you will potentially end up in a shady area unless you get directly on the Highway (I-75, which is under constuction near the bridge and may make things tricky, especially for a visitor).

[Booster313 138]

Detroit... well U.S should invest more money into train/subway... must be pain in the ass to take the car all the time especially at heavy traffic etc, and not very good for the global warming ... just saying....

We live in the motor city....we are kind of partial to our automobiles.

[redhot 0]

I always park at the Nemo's (right next to the Tiger Stadium) and take the shuttle to the Red Wings game. I'd assume the shuttle is running if the Lions are playing. It's a lot quicker to get out of JLA taking the shuttle. And Nemo is a good restaurant to eat in too.

[T.Low 1,011]

For a unique and fun experience make reservations at the Cadieux Cafe for feather bowling. Its sort of a combination of bowling and curling, I guess. Its the only feather bowling alley in all of North America. You need reservations.

[HOCKEY MATTERS 167]

For a unique and fun experience make reservations at the Cadieux Cafe for feather bowling. Its sort of a combination of bowling and curling, I guess. Its the only feather bowling alley in all of North America. You need reservations.

Bath City Bistro in Mount Clemens has 3 feather bowling lanes.

[detroitdan 0]

I'm heading to Detroit that weekend too, Wings-Devils Saturday night and Lions-Jags Sunday afternoon...can't wait!!!!

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Hi Guys I am visiting Detroit in November to catch a couple wings games.

I keep hearing how bad it is to stay in the city there...for safety and such.

I just wanted to hear some opinions on some things:

1) I am staying at the Marriot Renassiance...I think it's close to the Joe...what is the area like? is it a safe area?

2) I am from Canada and have never been to an NFL / NBA game. The week I am there, there is only 1 NBA game and 1 NFL game.....and they are both on the SAME day...NFL game is at 1:00PM and NBA game is at 6:00PM...is it possitble to make both ??? Not sure what Detroit traffic is like on a Sunday.

I know someone else posted about going to Detroit from NY. I tried to add my post there but was not getting any replies...Thought I would try a new posting

A little late on responding and I'm probably repeating stuff people have already said but here goes...

I've been to a few games in Detroit in the past. Take the word of locals over me but from my experiences downtown is safe pretty much everywhere. Greektown area in downtown is small, but plenty of good hangout spots and places to eat.

Last time I was literally just there for a day and a half catching a playoff game so I just stayed in Dearborn since it was close to the airport and downtown. If you have time maybe go there, Henry Ford Museum is there which is a great place to visit, and Dearborn is a nice suburb with a lot of good eats and hangout spots as well.

[timothy1997 0]

surprised no one has looked at the ACTUAL game for the Lions and Pistons. Lions play the Jags the weekend I think your talking about. Like people before, the Lions are a tough ticket despite being terrible. Pistons play the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics. That is gonna be a tough ticket as well so personally I would go to any game that you ACTUALLY can get tickets to. If you want a competitive game tho, you cant go wrong with the Pistons-Celtics game.

[ChownutZ 0]

Hey All,

Thanks for all the info! Took notes of the places mentioned in all the responses!

There seems to be alot of good food places to check out...the feather bowling seems different, never even heard of that before.

Also, how is Cheli's Chilli Bar??? Being a hockey / wings' fan I feel obligated to check this place out !!

Plus there seems to be alot of eatery suggestions, what about tourist things? Any places that is cool to check out??

Thanks AGAIN!!