visiting detroit in december/january

[j.hoop 64]

hey guys, i will be making my first trip to detroit in a few months, and i was wondering what parts of town to stay in/ and to avoid, any cheap fare hotels in decent areas, and things to do for someone who is 20 years old. ill be by myself also, and will be trying to catch at least 2 home games. a customer at my work has me terrified about staying out of certain areas at night ! also he told me i could go to canada (somewhere called windsor??) via a tunnel(??) without a passport and get drunk and party. is that at all accurate anymore?? thanks in advance !!

[pinkprincess027 0]

The thread at the bottom has some pretty good information about hotels, and about a few other things to do in the Detroit area. I don't live near Detroit, but I have been to several games, I will try to help but I always have gone and come home in the same day, so for the most part I go to whatever sports event I am going to and come home. I think that June is when you will need a passport to get into Canada but it may be January. The tunnel to Canada is close to the Joe, and it takes you into Windsor. You will need to have some ID in addition to your drivers license to get into Canada, like your birth certificate. If you are looking for Wings gear I suggest visiting Hockeytown Authentics, it's maybe twenty minutes away from the Joe. If you are going to a couple games I would suggest going to one game, then going to Hockeytown Authentics, the prices seem to be identical, but they do have some different things at each place, Then you will have an idea of what you want if you are on a budget. Since you will be going after baseball season Hockeytown Authentics should have quite a bit more Wings stuff, than during the summer when they have a good share of Tigers stuff. The Joe seems to have different apparal than Hockeytown Authentics, but Hockeytown seems to have more signed stuff, and a larger selection of player's jerseys, and more player specific shirts. On the same road as Hockeytown Authentics is Somerset Mall, which has quite a lot of stores in it. To eat there is Cheli's Chili and Hockeytown Cafe. The both are ten minutes at the most away from the Joe. The both offer a shuttle to the Joe if you don't want to drive. All three times I have been to Cheli's he has been there, it's been when I have been to Detroit for other things on days when the wings were not playing, like for the open practice and a tigers game, but if you are interested in meeting him I have heard that he often heads to the one downtown after the games. I have also heard a lot about the food at Greektown, but I have never been there myself.

I don't know where you are coming from, or how long you are staying but the Griffins games are a lot of fun, and front row seats are $25, and you should be able to get them the day of the game. I think its about 2 1/2 hours from Detroit to Grand Rapids. I always like to point out this option because I like to see the young guys play, and it is a lot cheaper.

http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=53299

Edited October 24, 2008 by pinkprincess027

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I've been in/around the area a few times. Last time I just stayed in Dearborn. Nice suburb and convenient as it's probably just 5-10 minutes east from the airport, and about a 10 minute drive into the downtown area/JLA from the west.

Dearborn has some good places to eat or drink at, nothing extravagent compared to any other place you might see, but still good food/restaurants, etc. If you are looking for something hockey-themed, Cheli's Chili is there, as well as in downtown area but I'm not sure where it is exactly in downtown.

Greektown area in downtown is small but good food/hangout spots there as well. Comerica Park where the Tigers play and Hockeytown Cafe are nearby as well. Downtown is a good little area to explore.

If you have time to drive a little north Hockeytown Authentics is in Troy although that's a decent drive from the airport/downtown area. Royal Oak is a little north as well but that's also a real nice suburb.

[j.hoop 64]

The thread at the bottom has some pretty good information about hotels, and about a few other things to do in the Detroit area. I don't live near Detroit, but I have been to several games, I will try to help but I always have gone and come home in the same day, so for the most part I go to whatever sports event I am going to and come home. I think that June is when you will need a passport to get into Canada but it may be January. The tunnel to Canada is close to the Joe, and it takes you into Windsor. You will need to have some ID in addition to your drivers license to get into Canada, like your birth certificate. If you are looking for Wings gear I suggest visiting Hockeytown Authentics, it's maybe twenty minutes away from the Joe. If you are going to a couple games I would suggest going to one game, then going to Hockeytown Authentics, the prices seem to be identical, but they do have some different things at each place, Then you will have an idea of what you want if you are on a budget. Since you will be going after baseball season Hockeytown Authentics should have quite a bit more Wings stuff, than during the summer when they have a good share of Tigers stuff. The Joe seems to have different apparal than Hockeytown Authentics, but Hockeytown seems to have more signed stuff, and a larger selection of player's jerseys, and more player specific shirts. On the same road as Hockeytown Authentics is Somerset Mall, which has quite a lot of stores in it. To eat there is Cheli's Chili and Hockeytown Cafe. The both are ten minutes at the most away from the Joe. The both offer a shuttle to the Joe if you don't want to drive. All three times I have been to Cheli's he has been there, it's been when I have been to Detroit for other things on days when the wings were not playing, like for the open practice and a tigers game, but if you are interested in meeting him I have heard that he often heads to the one downtown after the games. I have also heard a lot about the food at Greektown, but I have never been there myself.

http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=53299

thanks alot!! you response was very helpful

[j.hoop 64]

thanks for responses so far! just found out passport isnt required for land travel until june 09. looking forward to partying in windsor!!

[Jwo 7]

Authentics is in the Troy Sports arena shopping plaza thing. You will see a big Red Wings Logo and a big Detroit Tigers logo in the store front. Just thought I point that out since I stopped by there today. Bring lots and lots of cash if you are going to buy something. It is expensive.

Edited October 6, 2008 by Jwo