Tomorrow AM, we're Detroit bound. Haven't been in the heart of it since around '83ish. Going to see the Tigers at Comerica.
Okay....I'm jealous
Staying at the Atheneum Hotel downtown.
You're starting off on a good note. The Atheneum is a really nice hotel. One of the nicest until the casino hotels were completed and the Book Cadillac renovated.
Any Detroiters on here that can give me any tips? Taking I-75 into the city then getting off on I-375. I think we'll walk to Comerica.
Unless you arrive during rush hour your drive should be uneventful. No real construction in your path, at least from Pontiac (where I work) to downtown (my company's HQ). Even the 9-Mile inferno is pretty much cleared up.
Plan on seeing the Science Museum and Ford Field.
Science Museum is cool. You'll need to drive there from the Atheneum. Straight north on Woodward up to Warren Ave. Ford Field is right next to Comerica Park, so you're walking distance from the Atheneum.
Greek Town (where the Atheneum is located) is always good for just walking around / people watching. The Casinos (Greek Town Casino is connected to the Atheneum) are good for watching decent live music in the lounges.
Greenfield Village is a full day trip. Not 'cause it's far, but because there is so much to see. Edison's lab, the chair Lincoln was killed in, the car Kennedy was killed in, the bus Rosa Parks sat down in, George Washington's field kit. A lot of cool historical stuff. From the Atheneum, go back up I-375 to I-75 to I-94 WEST. Take I-94 WEST to M-39 Southfield Expressway NORTH to Rotunda exit. Follow signs for The Henry Ford.
You could also go into the Renaissaince Center (GM World HQ) and see whatever cool products we have on display. There's a scenic Riverwalk behind the GM HQ / Renaissance Center. Walking distance from the Atheneum.
Hows the crime, walking around, panhandlers, etc in that area? Easy to get around?
Only issue I have with downtown is the panhandlers. No better / worse than any other large city. Crime is not really an issue in the areas around the stadiums, Hockey Town/ Theater District, Renaissance Center and the casinos. As far as easy to get around? Make certain you know where you are relative to JEFFERSON, WOODWARD, GRAND RIVER, MICHIGAN, or GRATIOT. Be careful with GRAND RIVER and GRATIOT, though, because they radiate out diagonally from near where JEFFERSON and WOODWARD meet. Typically, if you can get to one of those streets, you can get anywhere downtown.
Atheneum is right next to Fishbones, which has a New Orleans theme and cuisine. Still one of my favorites. If you order room service, it's coming from Fishbones. A lot of nice Greek restaurants in Greek Town. The Renaissance Center has Andiamo (Italian) and Seldom Blues (American). These two are near the top of the price scale. One of the co-owners of Seldom Blues is jazz artist Alexander Zonjic. They typically have GREAT dinner entertainment. Expect to spend about $120 per couple. At the very top of the food chain (pun intended) is Opus 1. It's walking distance. Your concierge can direct you. I know where it is, just can't remember the applicable street names.
At the more moderate range, there's Hockeytown Cafe, right across Woodward from Comerica Park. There's also a Hard Rock Cafe in Campus Martius (just ask, everybody knows where Campus Martius is), and Cheli's Chili (owned by future NHL hall of famer Chris Chelios) is also right next to Comerica Park, on the side looking towards Campus Martius. There are also a couple cool little restaurants like "Small Plates" on a side street near Comerica Park.
Enjoy!
