My SO and I are planning a baseball tour for August, and are trying to book something for the Detroit area, to attend a few games at Comerica Park. We keep running into information, though, recommending hotels in Dearborn. Is it advisable to stay there, as opposed to downtown Detroit? It looks like a good 20-25 minute ride from Dearborn to Comerica- is there any (safe) transportation available, other than our own car? Does anyone have any experience or recommendations?

Thanks in advance-

You definitely need a car. There is no public transportation

What are your plans besides the game at Comerica Park? Do you want to be close to the park so you can walk there and back, and venture out during non-game time?

I'm not sure why they are suggesting Dearborn, not much to do there except Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum. Does they hotel have shuttle service to Comerica Park? Don't take the MDOT (bus service)

Thanks for the fast replies!

This is part of the problem- it looks like many of the tourist attractions seem to be closer to Dearborn (Henry Ford, etc). We really have very little "planned" yet, aside from 2 games at Comerica- but we are thinking to stay for 3 nights, driving in from Cleveland, and then on to Toronto.

Is the downtown Detroit area generally safe? I know that is a very "beginner" question, but I keep reading hotel reviews where people say that areas "seem to be safe for Detroit", etc. This is a bit of a concern, if we are going to be walking at night. We also want to have easy access to restaurants, etc.

So the question really is: is it better to be tied to driving into Detroit, or stay in downtown? Either way, we will most likely visit the Henry Ford Museum.

What other destinations are recommended in the area (or within a short drive)? Would anyone recommend the Motown museum (we are members of the RRHOF), or the Detroit Institute of Art?

Thanks again!

You could stay in Ann Arbor. It is safe, walkable, lots of nice restaurants, only 20 minutes from Dearborn.

There are only 3 hotel choices in downtown Detroit. The Hilton Garden Inn is only about 2 blocks from the ballpark. The Courtyard and Marriott at RenCen both have great views and are accessible to the People Mover, the tram that circles the downtown area.

Dearborn has many more hotels ranging from the Ritz and Dearborn Inn to the Red Roof and Days Inn. The Dearborn Inn is a historic hotel built in 1929. Behind the main building are replicas of famous Americans homes that are divided into suites.

You'll be fine walking in Detroit, just use common sense as you would in any large city. Stick to populated and lighted areas and be aware of your surroundings.

The Henry Ford is composed of Greenfield Village, the outdoor museum and The Henry Ford Museum. You can easily spend a day at each. Check their site at www.hmfgv.org.

The Motown Museum is worth a visit and only would take a couple hours. The Institute of Arts is closed for renovations until November.

Thank you again to everyone for their help and insights!

Regarding the people mover: does it run after ball games? This is the only time of day that I am really concerned about, as far as safety.

Is there a reason why there are so few hotels in downtown Detroit? Frankly, when we pulled up the map on Google Earth, my SO got a bit concerned- usually there aren't hotels in areas where tourists don't want/need to be... The other question is, why the plethora of hotels in Dearborn?

The Ritz in Dearborn looks lovely, but most likely out of our price range.

With really only 1.5 days in the area, which would you recommend? Commuting for the games by car, or the museums? I assume parking at Comerica is plentiful/safe- correct assumption?

Thanks again again!

Detroit is really not good, that's why there are no hotels there. Sorry for people who live there (and they are some of the nicest people anywhere), but we almost ended up moving there as my husband had consulted there for a year and a half, commuting weekly from 350 miles away.

When we were looking at houses I wanted to live in an urban area, and we drove around the city (for several days really) with a desperate realtor and frankly I've never seen such a destitute and pathetic place. It was really, really bad. There were one or two supposedly up and coming areas, but, wow, way too urban pioneering for me.

Everything in Detroit is in the suburbs and they were bad too (at least I thought so) but not in a scary way, just in a endless sprawl, no soul, kind of a way.

Really, go to the ballpark but you will not want to be a tourist there.

By the way, you can reliably get a 3 star hotel (Hilton, Embassy Suites or Marriott) in Troy for under $50 on Priceline. It's pretty close to the city.

Thanks again for the insights- this will be our first time to Detroit, and while I'm sure that it is a safe enough place... I just don't want to be placed in a less-than-great situation venturing out in the evening. We are certainly not "bar hoppers", but we would like to stay somewhere with a relatively safe location for a post-10pm arrival back to the hotel.

I don't get to spend much time on the US board, so I should explain that I travel quite often to Moscow and Saint Petersburg. I get very defensive when people speak badly about these two cities, so I don't want to upset any Detroiters (Detroitians?). I really am speaking from a place of having no clue what the city will be like.

My SO and I have a history of liking underrated cities, though- we just loved Cleveland, and will head back this trip!- so we hope to say the same of Detroit.

Any last bits of advice before I hit Priceline?

katya_NY,

Citylghts gave you the most specific advice. in Dearborn, I prefer Dearborn Inn (http://tinyurl.com/2ewq6q) over the Ritz. It is very good, and with much old world charm complete with replicas of old American homes. Also, right next doors to HFGV and other attractions. You will be less than half an hour from downtown Detroit so not really far at all.

Plethora of hotels in Dearborn because that's near the headquarters of some of the biggest automakers of the world. Yes, there are many parts in Detroit that unfortunately are hit hard by poor (or lack of) management for some time. Then again, there are many parts of the world where entire countries are destitute.

Just plan well to enjoy it. BTW, DIA is undergoing massive renovations, and closed through end of November.

There are sections of Detroit that are rough, just as there are sections of NYC and Washington and Chicago and LA and many other cities.

There are also areas that are vibrant and well-kept, just like the suburbs. I walked around downtown last week and had no problems other than encountering a couple panhandlers who were much less agressive than the ones in the Loop.

The only automaker in Dearborn is Ford. Most of the hotels were built on land that was originally part of Henry Ford's estate and is owned by Ford Motor.

GM has always been within the city limits and has been putting lots of money into the area around its new headquarters in RenCen with great results.

The People Mover runs until midnight during the week and 2 am on weekends.

If you opt for downtown, there are several restaurants in Greektown and Bricktown to choose from. There's also the Roma Cafe which has been in the Eastern Market, on the east edge of downtown, since 1890. The Elwood Grill, the Century Club and Hockeytown Cafe are all a block's walk from Comerica Park.

If you choose a Dearborn hotel, try LaShish, Kiernan's Steak House or Cheli's. All are on Michigan Ave near Monroe St.

Another alternative is to stay in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. I live in Windsor myself.

It probably is the same distance or closer than Dearborn. You do NOT need a passport to stay here. You can take public transportation (the "tunnel bus") from downtown Windsor to Comerica Park, in which case you don't have to worry about paying to Park.

It usually doesn't take very long to cross the border. Downtown Windsor is right on the river between Downtown Detroit and Downtown Windsor. I'd say it is about a 1/2 hour or so bus ride (you can check with the bus company). Downtown Windsor is VERY safe. There are a lot of great restaurants in Windsor and you can walk around down by the 3-4 mile riverfront park.

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Thanks for the suggestions! We are still considering both Dearborn and Windsor for hotels- I just wonder how convenient the buses are to cross back over to Windsor after the game (?). It doesn't look on the website like the bus stops near to Comerica:

http://www.citywindsor.ca/DisplayAtt...?AttachID=5650

Unless I am misunderstanding something?

Thanks for the help!

I can't tell - you may need to contact Transit Windsor re the tunnel bus schedule - but if you notice - near Comerica Park there is an "S" which indicates special events transit stop. I believe that this would be a stop for ALL Tigers home games. Try calling Transit Windsor - they could tell you.

My previous post was incomplete re the gambling - all gambling winnings are tax free in Canada - and extra bonus!

If you stay in Windsor you don't need a passport, but if you don't have one, you need proof of identity AND proof of citizenship. Photocopies and notarized copies are not acceptible.

You can get info about the tunnel bus at www.dwtunnel.com. The drawback of the bus is that if one passenger has a problem clearing customs or immigration, the entire bus must wait.

Wolverine Spoken like a true detroiter. Detroit Rocks. No bad area's on my list. I like the Ritz Carlton Dearborn personally. I like to stay on the Club, get spoiled to death. You can always hire a car to take you anywhere you'd like to go in the City. Thomas is a Lovely Gentleman that works in the front of the house there at the Ritz and He can take care of all your travel needs.

Next door to the Ritz is a Huge Mall called Fairlane. Lots of Shops and places to eat. The Ritz will take you there anytime for free. HF and etc is within walking distance of the Hotel, but once again the Hotel will take your there for no charge. The Ritz has a special on rooms with tickets to HFM and Breakfast for like 199. a nite. Not bad.

Detorit is not a tourist mecca. I'd stay outside the city. The Comerica Park is a joy though.