Not usually a timid traveler but ... Detroit?
Mar 5th, 2003, 03:38 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not usually a timid traveler but ... Detroit?
I'm taking three girls (14, 14 and 15) to a concert @ Cobo Arena in Detroit next month. I booked a hotel through Priceline, hoping for one of the Marriotts on the People Mover. I got the Omni Riverfront instead. I'm not whining - got a good deal - but now I'm wondering ...
I'd read a lot of opinions on Detroit's safety and had decided it wasn't too much of a risk. Then the first three people I told about the trip had scary stories.
The hotel is only a mile away from the arena and just a half mile from the Renaissance Center. What's the neighborhood like in between? Can we walk it safely or should we take the hotel shuttle to the Center, eat there then walk the rest of the way to the arena? I figure we'll take a cab back to the hotel. How easy is it to catch one on the street or should I make arrangements ahead of time?
Also, any recommendations for a casual dinner between the Ren Cen and Cobo that will please two vegetarians and one picky eater? Their tastes run to pizza and grilled cheese ;^)
Thanks.
I'd read a lot of opinions on Detroit's safety and had decided it wasn't too much of a risk. Then the first three people I told about the trip had scary stories.
The hotel is only a mile away from the arena and just a half mile from the Renaissance Center. What's the neighborhood like in between? Can we walk it safely or should we take the hotel shuttle to the Center, eat there then walk the rest of the way to the arena? I figure we'll take a cab back to the hotel. How easy is it to catch one on the street or should I make arrangements ahead of time?
Also, any recommendations for a casual dinner between the Ren Cen and Cobo that will please two vegetarians and one picky eater? Their tastes run to pizza and grilled cheese ;^)
Thanks.
Mar 5th, 2003, 03:55 AM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am sitting in the Renaissance Center right now (at work). DO NOT walk from the Riverplace Omni Hotel to the Renaissance Center or Cobo Arena. It is TOO dangerous. If there is a shuttle to the RenCen, use that or take a cab. Once you get to the area around the Renaissance Center, you will be fine. Also, the area where the hotel is fine, but not in-between.
Not many restaurants in the RenCen. We have a food court (nothing fancy) and a very nice restaurant in the RenCen Marriott Hotel called Riverplace Cafe. There are restaurants in Greektown (a short walk from RenCen). Also, there is a restaurant across the street from the RenCen called Tom's Oyster Bar. Be warned though -- there is a lot of construction at the RenCen. It is not easy to walk around.
If you have other questions, I'll try to answer. Just don't walk from the hotel, promise?
Not many restaurants in the RenCen. We have a food court (nothing fancy) and a very nice restaurant in the RenCen Marriott Hotel called Riverplace Cafe. There are restaurants in Greektown (a short walk from RenCen). Also, there is a restaurant across the street from the RenCen called Tom's Oyster Bar. Be warned though -- there is a lot of construction at the RenCen. It is not easy to walk around.
If you have other questions, I'll try to answer. Just don't walk from the hotel, promise?
Mar 5th, 2003, 04:48 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,611
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You have to be careful in Detroit, but no more than other large cities.
Growing up in a small town in Michigan, I was intimidated by Detroit. But then I lived in New Jersey for 3 years and visited NYC a number of times.
Detroit was scary no more!
Keith
Growing up in a small town in Michigan, I was intimidated by Detroit. But then I lived in New Jersey for 3 years and visited NYC a number of times.
Detroit was scary no more!
Keith
Mar 5th, 2003, 05:28 AM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
edeevee, I also received the Onmi Riverplace through Priceline. I am also not complaining - great price! I'll be staying there in a couple of weeks and I'll either find this thread and let you know how things went or I'll post a new thread.
At this point the only thing I'm really nervous about is getting a room with 2 beds to accomodate my family of 4. While checking out the hotel website I noticed that they don't have many double rooms.
At this point the only thing I'm really nervous about is getting a room with 2 beds to accomodate my family of 4. While checking out the hotel website I noticed that they don't have many double rooms.
Mar 5th, 2003, 05:31 AM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh, if I'm not mistaken, the Rennaissance Center, Cobo, and Greektown are all stops on the People Mover, so you shouldn't have to walk to Greektown.
antmaril, are there People Mover stops that are closed due to construction, or can we still move freely to all of the locations?
antmaril, are there People Mover stops that are closed due to construction, or can we still move freely to all of the locations?
Mar 5th, 2003, 11:58 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Edee, we live in the metro Detroit area and are often downtown for various events. One important thing to remember is how long it will take you to get from the Omni to the concert at Cobo Hall. If it is a popular event (and probably is, if you are coming in from out of town) the traffic to Cobo will be horrendous! This is further complicated if the Red Wings are playing at Joe Louis Arena. I attended commencement ceremonies at Cobo one night and it took us 45 minutes to go less than a mile on Jefferson. We finally jumped out and walked, leaving my friend's husband to park the car. He got inside an hour later. Just a head's up, leave yourself plenty of time to get there. You might want to take a cab to the RenCen and walk to Cobo from there (to save time and money). It's a perfectly safe walk the rest of the way.
Mar 5th, 2003, 01:50 PM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,604
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Detroit in the early 80's kind of reminds me of how Beirut looks now a days minus the misle damage.. I would like too visit Detroit and see how it's changed, but from I've read it dosn't apear like much ..
Mar 6th, 2003, 05:02 AM
#8
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The People Mover no longer does a "circle" because of the construction at the Renaissance Center. You can take the People Pover from the Millender Center (across the street from the Renaissance Center). To be honest, I haven't taken the People Mover since the construction started, so I'm not sure about all the stops. However, I know it doesn't stop at the RenCen because there are no tracks!!!
The traffic on Jefferson can be bad when there are events planned (especially if there is more than one thing going on at the same time). You must allow enough time.
The traffic on Jefferson can be bad when there are events planned (especially if there is more than one thing going on at the same time). You must allow enough time.
Mar 6th, 2003, 05:41 AM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The area between the Omni and RenCen is mostly abandoned buildings. I was told the casinos had planned to build there and the city purchased all the buildings--but that has not happened. I was at the RenCen in October and was working at an office about 3 blocks from the Omni. The office has a guard that would watch us walk from the parking lot to the building. There is a Fuddruckers, bagel shop, Subway, Chinese nearby and it was OK during the day for lunch. At night I usually ordered room service. The RenCen does have a food court as a previous poster mentioned--with Burger King, McDonalds, Subway, etc. However, they usually closed around 6:00. I did go to Greektown--but wasn't impressed. Also stopped by a large sports type restaurant called Hockeytown near Tiger Stadium. It was decent--but the area around it was deserted. Will you be driving into Detroit?
Mar 6th, 2003, 07:01 PM
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you all for your honest and thoughtful replies. Cross my heart, I PROMISE I will not walk between the Omni and the Renaissance Center.
I'll be driving into the city but I think I'll park the car at the hotel and rely on the shuttle and taxis to get us around.
Now, if you can point me in the direction of a decent cheese pizza close to Cobo Arena, we'll be all set.
Thanks again and I hope I like Detroit as much as I like the people who live and work there. You guys are great ;^)
I'll be driving into the city but I think I'll park the car at the hotel and rely on the shuttle and taxis to get us around.
Now, if you can point me in the direction of a decent cheese pizza close to Cobo Arena, we'll be all set.
Thanks again and I hope I like Detroit as much as I like the people who live and work there. You guys are great ;^)
Mar 7th, 2003, 05:56 AM
#12
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For a true taste of Detroit, go to Pegasus in Greektown. You can get Domino's anywhere and a Greek menu should be fine for vegetarians. The big thing there is this flaming cheese appetizer that they set on fire at your table and yell "Oh-pah!" Huge restaurant, lots of families.
Mar 10th, 2003, 06:14 AM
#14
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,611
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Greektown recomendation is New Parthenon.
Also, a trip to downtown Detroit isn't complete without a visit to either American or LaFayete Cony Island. Side by side, they are open 24 hours. They were opened by brothers in 1917. One is still in the family.
Keith
Also, a trip to downtown Detroit isn't complete without a visit to either American or LaFayete Cony Island. Side by side, they are open 24 hours. They were opened by brothers in 1917. One is still in the family.
Keith
Mar 17th, 2003, 01:03 PM
#15
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We just returned from our stay at the Omni River Place. The hotel is in an historical building (Park Davis) so it's grand and yet a little run down at the same time. The high ceilings, wallpapers, carpets, and public areas are charming. Walk the stairs at least once rather than taking the elevator. They are impressive. They have a restaurant and lounge on the lowest floor. We had a drink in the lounge and it was very quiet. The fitness center is located in a separate building and is very nice! I was impressed with that. They have a weight room, a cardio room, locker rooms for men and women with a sauna in each.
We had beautiful weather and walked out to the river, but there is nothing to see or do out there. They could have been pulled indoors for the winter, but there wasn't even a bench to sit on.
We went to the Joe for a Red Wings game (did you see Brett Hull's hat trick?) and had a parking pass, so we drove to the Joe instead of using their shuttle. And we also just drove to Greektown and parked in a garage while we ate.
Get your hands on a map of the downtown area before you go and you should be ok.
We had beautiful weather and walked out to the river, but there is nothing to see or do out there. They could have been pulled indoors for the winter, but there wasn't even a bench to sit on.
We went to the Joe for a Red Wings game (did you see Brett Hull's hat trick?) and had a parking pass, so we drove to the Joe instead of using their shuttle. And we also just drove to Greektown and parked in a garage while we ate.
Get your hands on a map of the downtown area before you go and you should be ok.
Mar 17th, 2003, 02:23 PM
#16
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Be very careful. I grew up and used to live and work in Detroit. I had my wallet stolen downtown at knifepoint, and my car stolen in Farmington Hills at gunpoint. I was working as a CPA when this happened, so it wasn't like I was a drug dealer, either. A very scary place. A couple of years ago I tried to find the coney islands but everything looked so different (boarded up or demolished) that I couldn't even find them. I used to eat there at least 3-4 times a week. Sigh.
