Detroit/Downtown



Downtown Detroit is the central business district of Detroit, bordered by the Lodge Freeway to the west, the Fisher Freeway to the north, Interstate 375 to the east, and the Detroit River to the south. The area contains most of the prominent skyscrapers in Detroit, the nation's second largest theatre district, several parks, many of which are linked by the Detroit International Riverfront, three casinos, and much more that is sure to make your visit a unique and memorable one.

Understand
Downtown Detroit is very empty but anyone who visits will be pleasantly surprised to see one of America's best preserved collections of late nineteenth and early twentieth century buildings standing beside the contemporary. Casino resorts add an air of excitement to the entertainment hub of the region. The International Riverfront teems with activity. Restaurant clusters emanate from Greektown, the Renaissance Center, and downtown stadiums. Downtown, with its revitalized riverfront area, has evolved into a popular place to reside with many new high rise lofts and restored historic homes. In the past decade, the area and the entire city has seen many historic buildings renovated, many parks open, and much more.

By car
The most popular way of getting to Detroit is by car. The area has many parking garages and is easy to access from the freeways, and parking prices aren't bad.


 * If coming from the south: take I-75 North toward Detroit and exit at Exit 49 to M-10. Exit on the left toward M-10/Lodge Freeway/Civic Center. Take the M-10 South exit toward the Civic Center and then merge onto the Lodge Freeway/M-10 South. The Lodge Freeway/M-10 becomes Jefferson Avenue. Finally, turn left onto Woodward Avenue, and you will be in Downtown.
 * If coming from the west: take I-96 East and take the I-75 North/M-10 exit on the left toward Flint/Civic Center. Continue to the M-10/Lodge Freeway exit toward Rosa Parks Boulevard/Civic Center and then exit on the left toward M-10/Lodge Freeway/Civic Center. Take the M-10 South exit toward the Civic Center and then merge onto John C Lodge Fwy/M-10 South. The Lodge Freeway/M-10 becomes Jefferson Avenue. Finally, turn left onto Woodward Avenue, and you will be in Downtown.
 * If coming from the north: take I-75 South and continue onto I-375 South/Chrysler Fwy via Exit 51C on the left toward the Civic Center. Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue. E and turn right onto Woodward Avenue, and you will be in Downtown.
 * If coming from the east: take I-94 West and merge onto I-75 South/Chrysler Freeway via Exit 261A toward Toledo. Continue onto I-375 South/Chrysler Freeway via Exit 51C on the left toward the Civic Center. Turn left onto Jefferson Ave. E and turn right onto Woodward Avenue, and you will be in Downtown.

By bus
Detroit has two bus systems and a Downtown People Mover. The is the central hub of the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT). Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transit (SMART) buses also serve the transit center. Look up bus times at transit.google.com

After arriving at the transit center, hop on the people mover by walking either south to the Michigan Ave Station or north to the Times Square Station. The people mover is the easiest way of getting around Downtown.

By electric scooter
With the right app loaded you can pick up a scooter that are scattered around downtown, run by a number of companies including Spin, Bird and Lime.

Architecture
Detroit is home to one of the world's largest collections of late 19th- and early 20th-century buildings. During the past decade, the city has restored many of its architecturally significant buildings. Several of Detroit's buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Detroit is definitely one the best destinations for architecture buffs.

Gambling






Theater
Foxtown, on Woodward Avenue, is the nickname of Detroit's theater district. The name comes from the city's Fox Theatre, which is the largest of the nation's fox theaters. Foxtown is home to dozens of performing arts venues. It is the second largest theater district in the United States, after New York City's Broadway. The theater district lies in the northern end of downtown Detroit, bordering Midtown. The nearest People Mover stations to the area are the Grand Circus Park Station at Park Street, near Woodward Avenue, and the Broadway Station at the corner of Broadway and John R. Some of the more popular theaters include:

Greektown
Explore Detroit's Greektown, with its Greek restaurants and shops surrounding the Greektown Casino.



Pizza
Detroit is known for its "Detroit-Style" Pizza:



Coney Island
Detroit is known for the greasy and messy Coney Island hot dog, and for its Coney Island restaurants which are open very late or even 24 hours to catch the late-night bar crowd.



Budget
You can find a good selection of food trucks on Cadillac Square Park, but on a fine weather lunchtime expect long lines.

Drink
There are many great bars in a street-art covered alley called The Belt.

Go next

 * Windsor, Ontario, Canada -- lies just across the Ambassador Bridge (which is in the Southwest Side. Or through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel which is next to the Renaissance Center (good to use if you see traffic backed up onto I-75). This heavily trafficked border crossing has shaped Windsor more than anything else; well-maintained, walkable streets, shops and restaurants, Caesar's Windsor (Canada's largest casino), and adult entertainment. The lower drinking age (19) draws young Americans and ensures a vibrant club scene on weekends. Windsor provides great views of the Detroit skyline, especially on summer nights Windsor's waterfront. Since the passing of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, Crossing the border requires passport or an enhanced driver's license.  A birth certificate or standard driver's license is no longer enough to make the crossing.