Detroit, Michigan Travel and Tourist Information

Mention Detroit and “tourism” won’t be the first thing that comes to mind. But don’t let the city’s former reputation fool you. Detroit may be a town you associate with blight, crime and neglect, but think again. The Motor City is reawakening, radiating a new 21st Century self-confidence.

In the 1950s, downtown Detroit was the cultural beacon of the Midwest, a bustling playground where locals, travelers and weekenders from Toronto savored local restaurants, shops, theaters and nightlife.

After struggling with decades of white flight to the suburbs and a label as America’s Murder Capital, Detroit is staging an astonishing comeback. Decrepit downtown buildings have been demolished, historic landmarks are being restored, and new places are being built. Over the past several years, Detroit has implemented a $2 billion 10-year riverfront redevelopment project, opened scores of previously vacant and boarded-up buildings, and is transforming downtown, from an epicenter of urban decay into a respectable public place. In spring of 2005, baseball’s All-Star Game was played in Detroit’s Comerica Park, and Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions, will be the site of the 2006 Super Bowl. Detroiters, are beginning to take pride in their city, and many suburbanites who work downtown are eyeing a return, fueling a booming luxury loft and condo market. The city is, as they say, “hot.”

With three casinos (including the MGM Grand), a lively Greektown and the country’s second largest theater district, Detroit has a lot to offer visitors. But keep in mind that once you get away from downtown, the area’s strong automaker heritage is apparent; the sprawling city is almost impossible to traverse without a car.

Though not without its problems, this native Detroiter who previously lived in the city for 35 years, is proud to say, Detroit has regained much of its past allure.