Find cheap flights to Detroit

Detroit, known also as Motor City, is the largest city in the state of Michigan. Famed for its once dominant auto industry and as the birthplace of the Motown sound, a soul-influenced genre of pop music, it has seen hard times. The city is beginning to experience a resurgence through a determined effort by local government to regain control of its finances and invest in revitalization. Visitors can witness this transformation as it develops, and reflect on the checkered history of this once mighty metropolis. If you visit Detroit during the summer months, you’ll find temperatures of 80 – 84 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s high tourist season, with a busy schedule of festivals and events, so flight and accommodation prices will be at their peak. In winter, Detroit is frigid, with daily high temperatures at 29 – 39 degrees Fahrenheit. You won’t have to fight the crowds though, so it could be a good time to travel here. The only busy period is between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The shoulder seasons of spring and fall offer moderate temperatures, and fall is less busy than spring, so it may be a better choice for your Detroit getaway.

If you plan to venture beyond Downtown Detroit, your best bet is to rent a car. Otherwise, you can get around on foot, by bus, or use the elevated rail service called the People Mover. Here’s what you should know about Detroit transportation.

Public Transportation

Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) buses serve most parts of the city. An adult fare is $1.50 USD and children under 44 inches ride free with an adult. Another excellent public transport option for visitors is the elevated light rail system, the People Mover, which runs a 3-mile loop through downtown and offers exciting views of famous landmarks. There are 13 stops including the Renaissance Center, Joe Louis arena where the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings play, Campus Martius Park, and Greektown. The fare for the People Mover is an economical $0.75 USD.

Taxis

Taxis are typically easy to hail around stadiums, museums and hotels or other tourist hotspots. They charge $2.50 USD to start, with an additional $1.00 USD per mile, and a waiting charge of $24.00 USD per hour, plus tips. You may get a cheaper ride if you call Uber or Lyft; both services operate in Detroit.

Bike Share

For those who prefer to get around on two wheels, Detroit’s bike-share program, MoGo, offers 43 stations within the downtown area where you can pick up a bike and ride. An $8.00 USD day pass allows you unlimited 30-minute rides.

Things to do and places of interest in Detroit

If you want to visit a lively city with energy, you should certainly travel to Detroit. You can witness the exciting revitalization that is taking place as entrepreneurs and visionaries work to restore their beloved home. Here are some suggestions for your itinerary.

• Detroit is a musical mecca with events and festivals taking place year-round. If you visit on Labor day, you can take in the Detroit Jazz Festival. If you plan a spring visit, Memorial Day weekend in May brings the Movement Electronic Music Festival.
• Visit the Detroit Institute of Arts which opened at its current location in 1927 during the post–World War 1 auto industry boom. With over 100 galleries, you can admire works by Degas and Cézanne and a collection of pieces by African-American artists. Don’t miss Diego Rivera’s expansive mural – Detroit Industry.
• For Instagram-worthy pictures of Detroit’s impressive skyline, cross the MacArthur bridge onto Belle Isle. It’s also a great place for a leg-stretching stroll or an invigorating jog.
• On Saturday mornings during the summer, go down to the Eastern Market where Detroit residents often do their weekly grocery shopping. A lack of grocery stores within city limits makes this their best opportunity to find fresh produce brought into the city by the farmers.
• A short 20-minute drive southwest of the city center will bring you to Dearborn, Michigan, where you can tour the Ford Fort Rouge factory built by Henry Ford. The tour will help you understand the rise of the auto industry in the US as well as the intertwined strength of American unions.
• Check out the Motown Historical Museum where Berry Gordy Jr. built Motown’s iconic roster which included Diana Ross and the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and the Jackson 5. You’ll see Studio A, Motown’s first recording studio where innumerable hit songs were recorded.

Tips and tricks for visiting Detroit

Detroit has earned a bad reputation due to its high crime rate, but don’t let that deter you from visiting. Practice caution, and avoid venturing into questionable neighborhoods, especially after dark. Always lock your vehicle, and don’t wear expensive clothing and jewellry while using public transit.

There are certainly safe parts of the city where you can feel as confident walking around as you do in any large city. These include Downtown Detroit, Greektown, Midtown and Corktown (during daylight hours).