A Visit to Detroit

Both of my recent trips to Detroit have been focused on watching baseball, so I would have to recommend attending a Tigers Game at the new Comerica Park. If you're not into baseball, Detroit has the ever popular Red Wings of the NHL, the Lions of the NFL and the Pistons of the NBA. Culturally, Detroit has a fine symphony and a fabulous theatre in the Fox as well as gambling opportunities and museums. Remember that this city was built around the auto industry and you'll see automobile manufacturer related buildings all over the city and keep you're eye out, you might catch a prototype car cruising the streets.

Quick Tips:

If at all possible, check into flying into the less crowded Flint, Michigan airport rather than Detroit Wayne County International. If you're planning on attending a sporting or cultural event that requires tickets, check with Ticketmaster who handles pretty much everything in the city. If you're planning a side trip to Windsor Canada, you won't need a passport to cross over the border, but remember your driver's license.

Best Way To Get Around:

Detroit has a public transportation system but I can honestly say I've never experienced it. You'll see buses everywhere and there is a small train that runs around downtown. Driving is the easy alternative and even though parking isn't incredibly easy to find, most things are within easy walking distance of a mega-parking lot in the downtown area.

What the Hard Rock Cafe is to music, Hockey Town Cafe is to hockey. The staple sport in a city long known for the tradition of the Redwings, Hockey Town Cafe is a fun restaurant to visit with the family. Check out the displays that highlight the history of the sport as well as the games that are, for the most part, sports related. (Think ESPN Zone meets Hard Rock Cafe). Being the only, or at least one of a few hockey themed restaurants, former greats of the sport are often dropping in for autograph signings or for radio show hostings. If you're actually visiting for the food, they have an eclectic blend that ranges from burgers to steaks. I would recommend their burgers which are grilled thick sandwiches piled high with toppings and take the time to check out their dessert menu which looks fantastic. As can be expected with a theme restaurant, you're not likely to escape the front doors without a stop in the gift shop but you're likely to find that the prices aren't quite as bad as other theme restaurant gift shops. If you're into hockey or just looking for a fun alternative for family dining, give the Hockey Town Cafe a try!

The original Second City Comedy Club in Chicago spawned a host of comedy talent including Martin Short, Dan Akrod and John Candy to name but a few. The Detroit offshoot located in the downtown entertainment complex near the Fox Theatre and Comerica Park is a fine successor of it's brethren institutes. On any given night you're likely to find a great improvisational comedy show with performers from the Detroit area poking fun at Detroit area problems. However, on the rare occasion big name talent has shown up on the marquee and a fine show can be found for a reasonable price (less than $20). If you're looking for a good location for a date or a night out with your friends and enjoy good comedy, there is no place better than the Second City Comedy Club.

Although baseball is no longer played here (at least not on the major league level) Tiger Stadium is still a major part of Detroit's history. Located at the famous corner of Michigan and Trumbull avenues, Tiger Stadium has become slightly dilapidated over the years. When the Tigers moved out at the end of the 1999 season, Tiger Stadium still held the record for the largest major league playing filed (of current stadiums) as well as the only stadium with an obstruction in play (the center field flag pole) but it also offered bullpen dugouts too small for the typical professional player to fit into, substandard locker rooms (by Major League standards) and falling attendance numbers. Certainly not the nicest stadium in baseball, the draw to Tiger Stadium is the history.

To a baseball fan, the ghosts of greats like Ty Cobb and Jimmie Foxx still reside at the ballpark and it's easy to feel a connection with the past. Though when (and if) you visit you won't get to see the Tigers play, you can still see the ballpark which is now being used for amateur baseball games, concerts, truck pulls and other entertainment of the like. When in town drop in and see a part of baseball history and help convince the city of Detroit to keep this treasure of America's national pasttime, before it's too late!

Though not technically IN Detroit, Windsor Canada sits directly across the Detroit River from downtown Detroit. The casino is reasonably large and offers all the standard gambling opportunities, while offering several restaurant choices and the ability to purchase Cuban cigars (shhh...don't tell anyone). Those who are underage for visiting casinos in the US may find a warm welcome at Casino Windsor as the drinking age and gambling age in Canada is only 19. You're also likely to find that the currency conversion rate allows you're money to last a little bit longer than it would in the US. Although I've found that it's more difficult to gain comps (free stuff) at Casino Windsor in relation to US casinos, it is always a welcome opportunity to visit our neighbors to the north (or in Windsor's case east from Detroit).

Truly a delight to visit, the Fox Theatre in Detroit is one of America's grand old theaters. Located direcly across the street from the new baseball stadium, Comerica Park, the Fox may not look like much from the outside but is truly spectacular on the inside. If you've ever visited any of the other Fox Theatres (St. Louis, Atlanta, etc.) you'll likely experience a sort of deja vu feeling. Decorated in much the same style as the other Fox Theatres, the Fox in Detroit is ornately decorated with carvings, statues, and curtains. The scenery alone will draw your attention (and might be more interesting than the show you're attending). Arrive early and take a few minutes to walk and look around and enjoy a wonderful old theater and a temporary connection to days gone by.

Designed to have the same blend of new and old architectural highlights of other recent baseball stadiums (Atlanta's Turner Field and Cleveland's Jacob's Field to name but a couple), Comerica has created a great location to watch a major league baseball game. The new home of the Detroit Tigers has become more than just a baseball stadium but has evolved into a great place to take the family. Starting at the front entry plaza you'll find a huge statue of a Tiger with a baseball perfect for posing your family or friends against for a picture. Notice also that tiger heads dominate the outer facade much like gargoyles at ancient European cathedrals. As you enter the ballpark you'll find a carousel and concession stands galore. When you reach your seats you'll notice that unlike Tiger Stadium there are no obstructed views here. In fact, you'll feel extremely close to the action. Pay attention to the huge tiger dominated scoreboard in left field, the retired numbers in left center field and the view of downtown Detroit over the center field bleachers. As with any new stadium, ticket prices have gone up from the old ballpark as have attendance. So take the family and enjoy a great game at a great new ballpark!

If you're an out of town visitor flying into Detroit, Wayne County International Airport will likely be the first thing you'll see upon your arrival in Detroit. Typical of many large city, busy airports don't be surprised if you experience delays either coming or going, especially if you're flying any airline other than Northwest (who is hubbed here). As you stroll or frantically run through Wayne-County Airport you're not likely to find or experience the shopping mall like feel of Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport or London's Heathrow. Rather, you're likely to find a Starbucks and semi-comfortable spot to sit down while you wait. There has been a trend recently of encouraging travelers to fly into smaller regional airports and if you have the time, check into flying into Flint, Michigan instead. Roughly a half hour from the center of Detroit, the airport is nice, modern and uncrowded. Parking is abundant and the ability to be at the gate in ten minutes from the time you park your car makes it a logical, if not altogether better, option than Detroit Wayne County (especially if you're planning on renting a car or having someone you know pick you up).