Staying in Detroit and going to Tigers Games
Aug 16th, 1999, 09:26 AM
#1
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Staying in Detroit and going to Tigers Games
I'm planning a solo baseball trip to Detroit during the weekend of August 28. My hotel is the Crowne Plaza Pontchartrain. Should I rent a car for the games. Or use the people mover. Get a cab, or walk to the games. Any info you have would be helpful. Thanks!
Aug 16th, 1999, 01:30 PM
#2
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Well, as a relative newcomer to Detroit, I had the opportunity to go to a Tigers game recently. Unfortunately, Tigers Stadium is in a seedy part of town, and I don't think I would recommend walking, especially at night. I don't believe the people mover goes to Tiger Stadium, so I doubt that would be an option. The traffic here is simply horrendous, and there is no stadium-owned parking; the only parking is owned by private individuals who will gouge you. One of my co-workers paid $20 to park! So you might be paying a fortune to go only a short distance, but, given those 4 options, I would choose a cab. You might try contacting the hotel to see if they have a van service to the stadium...?
Another suggestion: I was in the Pontchartrain fairly recently, and while I didn't see a room, it looks like it has seen better days...If you can afford it, I would highly recommend the Atheneum Hotel. It is in the downtown area, in a nice section known as Greektown. It is close to the people mover (although it really doesn't go anywhere!). It may be more than what you are paying, but in this case, the old addage is true--you get what you pay for. Have fun!
Another suggestion: I was in the Pontchartrain fairly recently, and while I didn't see a room, it looks like it has seen better days...If you can afford it, I would highly recommend the Atheneum Hotel. It is in the downtown area, in a nice section known as Greektown. It is close to the people mover (although it really doesn't go anywhere!). It may be more than what you are paying, but in this case, the old addage is true--you get what you pay for. Have fun!
Aug 24th, 1999, 05:26 PM
#3
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I second the cab suggestion. I work in Detroit and know where to park near the stadium, but the walk from the cheap parking would be nearly as far as the walk from your hotel! You don't want to take that walk at night, though, that's for sure. Do see if the hotel has a shuttle. Car will be a waste if you'll only be here two days. I also second the comment about the Atheneum - it's awesome. The Doubletree on Jefferson is also great and maybe cheaper than the Pontch. Pontch rooms are OK but not much to do over there. Also the Westin on Jefferson usually has good weekend packages. If you have time, check out Greektown (can walk there safely from hotel) or the Harmonie Park area (restaurants and entertainment - ask your concierge). Have fun, and welcome to Motown!
Aug 24th, 1999, 06:22 PM
#4
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The info above on the Ponch is right. The Westin is no longer a Westin I think, but is a Marriott--I think it was sold at about the time that the RenCen was purchased by GM. I have stayed at the Westin/Marriott, Ponch and Atheneum. The Atheneum gets the vote hands down. Ask for a junior suite, it has a large bedroom area, plus a nice living room. It should also include a huge 2 person jacuzzi made out of faux marble. Very nice. You can walk from the lobby into Fishbone's Restaurant, a great cajun/seafood place. This is also the beginning of Greektown area. A few of the bars (one of the Irish ones across from Fishbones--Old Shelaighly sp??) in the Greektown area have shuttles that go to the stadium. Greektown is also a very busy place with good restaurants and bars plus a good bakery or two. No matter where you stay, you won't want to walk to the stadium. It's a bit of a hike even from the Ponch and the neighborhood surrounding it is just not very pleasant.
If you 're a bit more adventurous, consider staying at a hotel across the Detroit River in Windsor. There are buses that run between Windsor and Detroit (about $2 Canadian I think each way) and you can easily get a cab when you exit the tunnel at the Marriott. The best views of Detroit are from the Windsor side and Windsor has a nice downtown with many fine restaurants, bars, shops, etc. A nice change of pace. Windsor also has a new, very nice Casino right on the river if you're so inclined. (Detroit also now has one MGM Grand casino open and more to soon follow in case you want to lose money without leaving the country.) The advantage to Canada is that the US dollar goes a long way there right now--about $1.49 Canadian =$1 US. Food particularly is a good buy in Windsor. If you happen to win money at the Windsor Casino, it's also tax free unlike the US.
If you choose this option, just have adequate id for the border crossing. Usually a state issued driver's license is adequate. If you are taking any children, carry a copy of a birth certificate--the US customs officials can sometimes be a hassle, particularly when kids are involved. Many times, I've been waved through the border without even a question!
If you want to consider Windsor, try the Windsor Hilton and request a room with a river view--which I think includes most of their rooms. I've also stayed there--the rooms are cosy for 2, but you do get great views.
Have fun and enjoy Tiger Stadium while you still can.
If you 're a bit more adventurous, consider staying at a hotel across the Detroit River in Windsor. There are buses that run between Windsor and Detroit (about $2 Canadian I think each way) and you can easily get a cab when you exit the tunnel at the Marriott. The best views of Detroit are from the Windsor side and Windsor has a nice downtown with many fine restaurants, bars, shops, etc. A nice change of pace. Windsor also has a new, very nice Casino right on the river if you're so inclined. (Detroit also now has one MGM Grand casino open and more to soon follow in case you want to lose money without leaving the country.) The advantage to Canada is that the US dollar goes a long way there right now--about $1.49 Canadian =$1 US. Food particularly is a good buy in Windsor. If you happen to win money at the Windsor Casino, it's also tax free unlike the US.
If you choose this option, just have adequate id for the border crossing. Usually a state issued driver's license is adequate. If you are taking any children, carry a copy of a birth certificate--the US customs officials can sometimes be a hassle, particularly when kids are involved. Many times, I've been waved through the border without even a question!
If you want to consider Windsor, try the Windsor Hilton and request a room with a river view--which I think includes most of their rooms. I've also stayed there--the rooms are cosy for 2, but you do get great views.
Have fun and enjoy Tiger Stadium while you still can.
Aug 24th, 1999, 06:22 PM
#5
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The info above on the Ponch is right. The Westin is no longer a Westin I think, but is a Marriott--I think it was sold at about the time that the RenCen was purchased by GM. I have stayed at the Westin/Marriott, Ponch and Atheneum. The Atheneum gets the vote hands down. Ask for a junior suite, it has a large bedroom area, plus a nice living room. It should also include a huge 2 person jacuzzi made out of faux marble. Very nice. You can walk from the lobby into Fishbone's Restaurant, a great cajun/seafood place. This is also the beginning of Greektown area. A few of the bars (one of the Irish ones across from Fishbones--Old Shelaighly sp??) in the Greektown area have shuttles that go to the stadium. Greektown is also a very busy place with good restaurants and bars plus a good bakery or two. No matter where you stay, you won't want to walk to the stadium. It's a bit of a hike even from the Ponch and the neighborhood surrounding it is just not very pleasant.
If you 're a bit more adventurous, consider staying at a hotel across the Detroit River in Windsor. There are buses that run between Windsor and Detroit (about $2 Canadian I think each way) and you can easily get a cab when you exit the tunnel at the Marriott. The best views of Detroit are from the Windsor side and Windsor has a nice downtown with many fine restaurants, bars, shops, etc. A nice change of pace. Windsor also has a new, very nice Casino right on the river if you're so inclined. (Detroit also now has one MGM Grand casino open and more to soon follow in case you want to lose money without leaving the country.) The advantage to Canada is that the US dollar goes a long way there right now--about $1.49 Canadian =$1 US. Food particularly is a good buy in Windsor. If you happen to win money at the Windsor Casino, it's also tax free unlike the US.
If you choose this option, just have adequate id for the border crossing. Usually a state issued driver's license is adequate. If you are taking any children, carry a copy of a birth certificate--the US customs officials can sometimes be a hassle, particularly when kids are involved. Many times, I've been waved through the border without even a question!
If you want to consider Windsor, try the Windsor Hilton and request a room with a river view--which I think includes most of their rooms. I've also stayed there--the rooms are a bit small for 2, but you do get great views.
Have fun and enjoy Tiger Stadium while you still can.
If you 're a bit more adventurous, consider staying at a hotel across the Detroit River in Windsor. There are buses that run between Windsor and Detroit (about $2 Canadian I think each way) and you can easily get a cab when you exit the tunnel at the Marriott. The best views of Detroit are from the Windsor side and Windsor has a nice downtown with many fine restaurants, bars, shops, etc. A nice change of pace. Windsor also has a new, very nice Casino right on the river if you're so inclined. (Detroit also now has one MGM Grand casino open and more to soon follow in case you want to lose money without leaving the country.) The advantage to Canada is that the US dollar goes a long way there right now--about $1.49 Canadian =$1 US. Food particularly is a good buy in Windsor. If you happen to win money at the Windsor Casino, it's also tax free unlike the US.
If you choose this option, just have adequate id for the border crossing. Usually a state issued driver's license is adequate. If you are taking any children, carry a copy of a birth certificate--the US customs officials can sometimes be a hassle, particularly when kids are involved. Many times, I've been waved through the border without even a question!
If you want to consider Windsor, try the Windsor Hilton and request a room with a river view--which I think includes most of their rooms. I've also stayed there--the rooms are a bit small for 2, but you do get great views.
Have fun and enjoy Tiger Stadium while you still can.
Sep 26th, 1999, 05:46 PM
#6
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B Cooper-
I hop[e you had a great time at Tiger Stadium! I had tears in my eyes the last time I left Tiger Stadium on Saturday night...
Rich,
I flew to Detroit this weekend and went to two Tiger games. We paid $5 for parking two blocks up Trumbell (north of 75) from Tiger Stadium on Friday night. We parked for free 3 blocks down Trumbell from the stadium(south of 75)in the parking lot of a Bank One.
I have paid $15 for parking several blocks from Guavaween and Gasparilla in Tampa and worse than that in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. These people in Detroit are going to lose their income main or extra) at the end of tomorrow night. I feel very sorry for them.
Kittie
I hop[e you had a great time at Tiger Stadium! I had tears in my eyes the last time I left Tiger Stadium on Saturday night...
Rich,
I flew to Detroit this weekend and went to two Tiger games. We paid $5 for parking two blocks up Trumbell (north of 75) from Tiger Stadium on Friday night. We parked for free 3 blocks down Trumbell from the stadium(south of 75)in the parking lot of a Bank One.
I have paid $15 for parking several blocks from Guavaween and Gasparilla in Tampa and worse than that in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. These people in Detroit are going to lose their income main or extra) at the end of tomorrow night. I feel very sorry for them.
Kittie
Sep 28th, 1999, 09:42 AM
#7
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Kittie:
All I can tell you is that you got the deal of a lifetime! All of the parking lots I drove by wanted at least $15! I'm not sure if you're allowed to park at the bank (!), but I'm glad they didn't tow you!
I have mixed emotions about the people losing that income....while on the one hand, that extra $$ probably goes a long way towards helping them financially, I still hate to be gouged, regardless of who's doing the gouging! Hopefully, the new field will have convenient and affordable parking.
All I can tell you is that you got the deal of a lifetime! All of the parking lots I drove by wanted at least $15! I'm not sure if you're allowed to park at the bank (!), but I'm glad they didn't tow you!
I have mixed emotions about the people losing that income....while on the one hand, that extra $$ probably goes a long way towards helping them financially, I still hate to be gouged, regardless of who's doing the gouging! Hopefully, the new field will have convenient and affordable parking.
