Detroit is famously known as Motown (short for Motor Town) and is located on the flat plains of southeast Michigan, on the Detroit River. Best known for producing cars ever since Henry Ford’s first Model Ts rolled off the production line, Michigan’s largest city is an industrial hub with soul and is noted for deals on national travel. Be sure to explore the surrounds by car rental from Detroit.
Getting there
The base for Northwest Airlines, Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is just 32kms southwest of Detroit’s heart. This bustling hub receives regular services from many major US cities and is also a regional hub for inbound European flights. Shuttle services and buses from the airport to downtown Detroit are frequent and reliable. Amtrakеs Chicago-bound train stops in Ann Arbor. Greyhound provides bus services to more than 40 cities throughout Michigan, including destinations in the Upper Peninsula, as well as to other Midwest states.
Major routes into Detroit with a rental car include I-75 from the south (Toledo) and north (Flint). You can also drive along I-94 from the west (Chicago) and route 401 from the east (Toronto).
Key attractions
Dominated by the Renaissance Center with its seven massive circular glass towers along the Detroit River, Detroit’s downtown area is well worth exploring. A curious attraction, Trappers Alley, was a historic fur trapper’s warehouse that now houses shops and a museum. Just north of the downtown is the Cultural Center, a collection of world class galleries and museums. The Museum of African American History is the world’s largest African-American historical and cultural museum and is located close to the Detroit Science Center.
A must-see for all music lovers, the Motown Museum offers an appealing tour through the original recording studio, passing through rooms full of photos, album covers, newspaper clippings, gold records.
Out and about
Well worth the trip, the Henry Ford Museum is located in Dearborn, just 10 miles southwest of Detroit by rental car on Highway 12. Also good for a day trip, Keweenaw National Historical Park was established to commemorate the rich history of copper mining on the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan. It has the oldest metal mining heritage in the western hemisphere, dating back 7,000 years.
Outdoors lovers will want to head to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore by Detroit car rental, covering a lengthy stretch of Lake Michigan’s eastern coastline, as well as North and South Manitou Islands. There are numerous outdoors pursuits in the area and the lighthouse here dates from 1871.
Leisure options
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra performs at Orchestra Hall, while the Michigan Opera Theater performs at the Detroit Opera House. Touring Broadway shows can bee seen at Fox Theater. Try your luck at the first casino opened here, the MGM Grand Detroit, or the MotorCity Casino. Along the western Michigan shoreline are hundreds of sandy white beaches, the finest in the Midwest. Online you will find national deals on travel to Detroit.
Safety
While outdoor pursuits are great way to enjoy your holiday, they do put you at risk of accidents or injuries. Additionally, travelling in unfamiliar environments can result in missed travel arrangements or other problems. It’s best to take out travel insurance when visiting Detroit.