Driving to Detroit for a Game from Toronto

[Locke]

All jokes aside though, past experience on trips to Detroit is swell and all, but more recent anecdotes would be more valuable.

Detroit has undergone some major changes in the last 18 months, so experience from a few years ago isnt all that relevant anymore.

[Bill Bumface]

I've stayed there twice, the last time being 10 months ago.

The first time we stayed in Caesar's in Windsor. The most memorable thing about Windsor was the hangover which had roots in Detroit.

Getting in on the bus sucked, and we were standing on a hot sweaty bus stuck in a tunnel full of exhaust for a long, long time. Then you get to clear customs over and over.

Getting home was a challenge finding a cab that didn't have a gun in it so we could get back over the border.

Staying in downtown Detroit we got rooms at the Book Cadillac pretty cheap, especially for how nice that hotel is, and met a bunch of the Flames, who were also staying there.

We grabbed Coney Island's several times, walked around downtown and checked out the beautiful skyscrapers that are now abandoned and had a really fun time.

+1 for staying in Detroit.

[Northendzone]

nothing says fun like viewing abondoned sky scrapers........i would not recommend using the bob probert border crossing shuttle service, unless you idea of fun also involves a full body cavity search

[Calgary14]

I went there on a business trip last month. I was told not to go near Joe Louis arena past dark (I was curious to see how bad it was so I went in the middle of the day; its pretty bad).

http://abcnews.go.com/US/man-trade-d...ry?id=26028405

The suburbs aren't nearly as bad though

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

I went there on a business trip last month. I was told not to go near Joe Louis arena past dark (I was curious to see how bad it was so I went in the middle of the day; its pretty bad).

http://abcnews.go.com/US/man-trade-d...ry?id=26028405

The suburbs aren't nearly as bad though

We had a fantastic time going for beers after the game near Joe Louis. There was almost no one around to be honest, not much to be scared of when it's a total ghost town.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

We had a fantastic time going for beers after the game near Joe Louis. There was almost no one around to be honest, not much to be scared of when it's a total ghost town.

The Red Wings restaurant (I can't remember the name) was pretty happening before the game when I went. Just be prepared that when they ask you if you want to add a "side" of chili, you will practically get an extra meal of chili. Outside of that restaurant though, the rest of downtown did seem really devoid of people. It was kind of eerie.

I will say this about Detroit though... everyone we encountered seemed really friendly right from the game, to every other place we went while we were there.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I will say this about Detroit though... everyone we encountered seemed really friendly right from the game, to every other place we went while we were there.

I agree. People seemed genuinely thrilled that you would choose to come to Detroit as a tourist. Even the punk Wing fan kids we encountered getting Coney Islands before the game gave us the necessary friendly ribbing but were some of the nicest punk kids I've ever encountered.

[BigNumbers]

So I am hoping folks can help me with some final planning now that we have set the framework...

1. Friday the 17th - TOR/PEN game in TOR @ ACC
2. Saturday the 18th - Det/TOR @ Jo Louis Arena
3. Stay Saturday night in DET due to #4 below
4. Sunday - NFL game @ Ford Field.
5. Monday - fly home from Toronto
   

If this was your trip, how would you plan the travel to/from DET and the hotels?

Right now I am thinking we'll stay in DET @ the Ren Cen hotel Satuday night, and then go try and tailgate @ Ford Field before the game.

Sunday is the big question mark, as we want to stay in Windsor @ Ceasars sunday night, but we are trying to figure out wtf we'd do with our bags during the game? I am thinking we leave them at the rencen hotel and swing by to pick them up.

How hard is it to get through the tunnel without a car on a non game day? Taking the shuttle from Windsor into DET to get to the saturday night hockey game should be fine, and then the RenCen is right by the Jo, so we'll just walk there...

Thanks for any thoughts for some Windsor/Detroit noobs. Looking to have a good time but don't want to get murdered.

[Flames89]

When I was last down for a game, we stayed in Windsor at Ceasars and have stayed at the Waterfront. Hotel doesn't matter as you wont be there long. Headed across the bridge in a shuttle.
After the game we went to the Casino IN detroit. It is fairly sketchy, but fine. At least you get drinks for free vs Ontario. Took a cab home from the casino across the border. Just ask a cab driver if he can, as some can't as they may have a record.

EDIT- Sry, didnt read above. Why not stay at the MGM Grand Casino. I am sure they offer shuttles to both events.

[bigtmac19]

Most hotels will gladly hold your bags for you in a case where you are traveling past check out time. The tunnel bus schedule is online under Transit Windsor. Cabs are very willing to cross the border, although we did get stopped and almost pulled in because the border guard recognized our cab driver as someone he had dealt with before who had some questionable activities. Thankfully, apparently not that serious.