Vacation in Detroit ?

[Willi]

For someone to fly from New York to Detroit will cost them about $300
- for the same price one could go to a southern destination like Miami

There needs to be a strong, strong, desire for people to part with their cash
- just don't think Detroit has that appeal factor , across the USA, for ordinary people.
Oh look Honey, let's go to Detroit to see the Heidelberg project, in person, up close...er no;
-- I can see it just fine here on the internet and pocket the $500 it would cost.

People just won't spend $500 or $1,000 to come to the D;
especially if they don't give diddly poo about sports or casinos.

Tooooo many post from their perspective of KNOWING almost everything about the city
-- but to JON DOE from NoWhere, USA there just isn't that pool of info to draw from.
Hence the money gets spent elsewhere, where they do cater to tourism.

[dtowncitylover]

Except they don't, which is the whole point.

NYC, LA, Miami, New Orleans, Vegas, Orlando, Honolulu, etc. are rather unique, which is, in part, why they get tons of tourists, and why Detroit doesn't.

You seriously don't get why someplace like NOLA gets tourists while someplace like Dallas doesn't? Really?


Well that certainly sounds unique. A well maintained park with a country-like atmosphere; never heard of such thing. I'm sure the tourist hordes in Paris and Venice are cancelling their plans and rebooking their flights to Detroit as we speak...

No, they get tons of tourists because this is America and those are popular. They may be "unique" but some of it is pure American shallowness and consumerism. Orlando? Disney Corporation. Las Vegas? Gambling. LA/Miami? Tinseltown and tanning. But some people are fine with that.

I would say New York and New Orleans are the only truly unique one on that list.

All cities are different, obviously, but the thing that grabs outsiders about Detroit more than anything, is how unlike we are to any place in world. There is no comparison. [[You can joke and say Baghdad, but that's completely idiotic)

[Willi]

Unless someone takes that ""tourist"" literally by the hand and chauffeurs them around
-- they'll find a fraction of the attractions on their own and leave with a bad mental image.
Highly doubtful they would tell friends and family to make the trip, spend their money.

[dtowncitylover]

I would say, on average, Detroit is one of the ugliest cities in the developed world. Most of our major streets are borderline dystopian. I am not getting this claim that people will visit us for the allegedly beautiful architecture.

Where are these arterials and neighborhoods that make Florence and Brugge look like a West Virginia outhouse? I'd love to see them.

You're right. Winter in Detroit is especially brutal to our image.

I'm not saying people will visit us for architecture [[though if you had any "in" to the architecture/historical preservation circles you would think differently), I'm saying our architecture can be just as awe-inspiring at NYC or Boston.

Indian Village, Corktown, Boston Edison, Rosedale Park, among others, all have an amazing collection of housing. Grant it, much of their character is on the inside. The details are awesome to see.

[dtowncitylover]

Unless someone takes that ""tourist"" literally by the hand and chauffeurs them around
-- they'll find a fraction of the attractions on their own and leave with a bad mental image.
Highly doubtful they would tell friends and family to make the trip, spend their money.

Well yeah we already know this, now how do we change that?

Transit. Public safety. And a Pure Michigan ad all about Detroit.

[dtowncitylover]

I understand that Detroit is not NYC. Or Miami. Or SanFran. But what is with all the antagonism against people trying to market Detroit into being a tourism draw? We have alot to do in that market but why are some against the money and even jobs that tourism economy could create here. Whatever happened to those Great Lakes cruises? Where's the commuter rail between AA and Detroit via Metro? How about City Airport revitalizaion for Southwest or Frontier to use? We have so much potential to market ourselves but instead we're just doing what we always do, sit on our high horses and judge.

[iheartthed]

That's my point. If it takes 30 minutes to walk between ESB and Central Park, how is that any different than 30 minutes from Campus Martius to Henry Ford Village? The distance covered is obviously significantly different, but it's still 30 minutes spent traveling.

Because most of New York's attractions are stuffed into that 30 minute walk. You could spend a week trying to do all there is to do along what is a 30 minute walk, point to point. In Detroit there's those two points and nothing else between.

[DetroitPlanner]

Because most of New York's attractions are stuffed into that 30 minute walk. You could spend a week trying to do all there is to do along what is a 30 minute walk, point to point. In Detroit there's those two points and nothing else between.

Maybe for you but I'd want to go to Coney Island, Downtown Brooklyn, Bronx Zoo, Guggenheim, 125th St......

[Johnnny5]

For the most part, planes going to Detroit are for 3 purposes :
a.) someone coming to Detroit for Work, employer sent them
b.) someone returning to Detroit, after being somewhere else
c.) some coming to see a family member

When I lived out of state on the East Coast, I could fly a LOT of places cheaper
than the airfare back to Detroit Metro merely to see family, friends.

If your best buddy wanted to come to Detroit for a VACATION
where would you go, what would you do, that was not specific to an event ?
Spending hours and hours and hours in car, doing big mileage, doesn't cut it

What would bring someone to Detroit, spend their hard earned cash,
- If it was NOT related to a sports game, and NOT related to the casino ?

So Detroit isn't a huge vacation destination. Why do we need to be one ? There are many unique things to do in Detroit and the surrounding suburbs and really who the heck cares!

If you're looking for a touristy vibe go to NYC, Orlando, Vegas or DC. There are plenty of attractions there that are one right next to the other and businesses eagerly waiting to strip dollars from the wallets of the bug eyed vacationers.

[animatedmartian]

Because most of New York's attractions are stuffed into that 30 minute walk. You could spend a week trying to do all there is to do along what is a 30 minute walk, point to point. In Detroit there's those two points and nothing else between.

But then that's not a 30 minute walk from point A to B. That's aimless sightseeing. In which case, time and distance isn't a disruption.

The two conflicting arguments in this thread seem to be that Detroit doesn't have enough interesting destinations or that they're too far apart, yet if someone isn't stressing about time or distance, Detroit has plenty to see and do. If on the other hand, time is limited then a tourist isn't really going to see a whole lot. Either way, I still don't understand how either discourages people from visiting Detroit if the same things can be said of most any tourist destination.

[Willi]

It's about Image -- only if a person actually visits the 1/2 dozen uber cool spots in the D;
and then tells 10 friends, who also tell yet another group of 10 friends, will Detroit become decent.

Years ago on a cruise, I told folks I'm from the Detroit area- almost got an entire table to myself.
No one thought it was interesting, or had questions, or wanted to engage in discussion about it.
It's a non-starter, a buzzkill, in many folks mind, from OUTSIDE the Great Lakes Basin States.

Perhaps Gilbert, Illitch, Taubman, Pulte and the rest need to pay "Pure Michigan" instead .

[animatedmartian]

Maybe tearing down blight, reducing crime, and improving mass transit will improve Detroit's image. It has nothing to do with attractions that the city does or doesn't have.

[Spartan]

Most of these things aren't unique, though.

Belle Isle is pretty ill-maintained and big urban parks aren't rare.
A riverfront isn't a rare thing. Almost all cities have waterfronts of some sort.
Big cities tend to have big festivals and events. Also not rare.
Campus Martius is the main intersection. Not rare.
Sports are a function of population. Not rare.
Architecture, on average, kind of sucks. There are some notable buildings, but this is true in almost all big metros. Nice pre-war office buildings though.

Motown Museum, ok, that is unique, but it's a house.
Henry Ford/Greenfield is unique but less of a museum and more of a rich dude's weird collections of random stuff from random locations
Factory tours are kind of unique, but most people don't care. "Hon, forget Aruba this year, let's fly to Detroit and tour an auto plant".
Heidelberg is totally unique and horrible and that's not a good thing for Detroit's competitiveness
Zoo and art museum are quite good but, again, not enough of a draw on their own

You're asking what makes Detroit interesting and unique. I provided a list of wonderful, and in some cases, unique attractions, but you discounted everything that makes them so. There are very few TRULY "unique" things in the world, especially man-made.

- Of course big cities have festivals and events, but they don't all have world-renowned EDM festivals, or huge free Jazz Festivals.
- Many cities have riverfronts, but they're all different in their own way. The riverfront in Detroit isn't the same as Chicago's, Boston's, etc.
- Of course big urban parks aren't rare, but how many are on an island?
- Of course sports aren't rare, but no one else has Comerica Park, Ford Field, and Joe Louis Arena.
- Detroit is very highly regarded for its architecture, especially in the Art Deco style. It produced one of the most famous American architects in Albert Khan. Granted, it's surely not unique to the city in general, but you won't find another Fisher Building or Guardian Building.

- Who cares what the setting of Motown is? It's a unique, rare, strictly-Detroit attraction, which is exactly the kind of thing people travel for.
- A collection of random stuff from random locations is pretty much what every museum is.
- Everyone has their preferences. I'd skip Aruba to tour factories, castles, breweries, etc any day of the week. I don't enjoy sitting on a beach when I travel. I want to see something.
- Heidelberg is a completely unique art project that draws visitors from all over the world [[although how many is debatable). It doesn't matter if you like it or not, it is [[or was) a potential asset for the city.
- I don't disagree about the zoo and museums, but all those things added together make a place interesting. There are very few museums in the world that are "draws" [[e.g., Le Louvre, The Met, Smithsonian).

I could write a very similar reply to just about any city in the world discounting it's biggest assets.

- Sure, New York has Central Park, but even San Francisco has a bigger park!
- The Empire State Building is cool, but I've seen other tall buildings.
- Broadway is fun, but I can see a play in my own city. Even a Broadway play!
- The Met is great, but everywhere has museums.
- Times Square is just a big plaza with nothing to do.
- etc.

[Spartan]

I hate to harp on this zoo thing, as I think Detroit is a fine vacation spot in the way most US cities are, but where did this "top 10" ranking come from? Who is regarding the Detroit Zoo so highly?

A Google search was fruitless.

After some searching, it appears I have overrated it some. It's probably not going to draw in visitors like an Omaha or San Diego might, but it is still a pretty highly regarded zoo and a solid asset, though. For example, it gets 4/5 on TripAdvisor

[Bham1982]

I could write a very similar reply to just about any city in the world discounting it's biggest assets.

- Sure, New York has Central Park, but even San Francisco has a bigger park!
- The Empire State Building is cool, but I've seen other tall buildings.
- Broadway is fun, but I can see a play in my own city. Even a Broadway play!
- The Met is great, but everywhere has museums.
- Times Square is just a big plaza with nothing to do.
- etc.

I don't agree, at all. These places are unique, unlike the places you list.

Central Park is probably the most iconic park on the planet. It's nowhere near the largest park in NYC, and is not noted for its size.

ESB is probably the most iconic tower on the planet.

Broadway/Times Square probably the most iconic theater district/urban crossroads

Met probably the greatest comprehensive art museum, etc. etc.

Detroit doesn't have stuff like this. It never did, and it probably never will. It was never a visitor-oriented city. There is no globally iconic neighborhood, building, park, etc.

Saying "Gee well Mt. Clemens has a tall building and Paris has a tall building, therefore the Macomb Courthouse= Eiffel Tower" is rather silly. Eiffel Tower isn't famous for being a building, Central Park isn't famous for being a park; these places are iconic beyond their specific uses.

[TTime]

I couldn't respond earlier because I was busy but in my opinion Chicago is absolutely relevant to the discussion and apparently a few others felt the same. While it is true that the main tourist areas are dominated by chubby Midwesterners it would be completely false to say that international travelers aren't drawn to Chicago. If Detroit were to somehow magically draw thousands of those Midwesterners where the hell would they go and why would someone from Indiana spend the extra cash and time to come here instead of Indianapolis? If you want to see the parts of Michigan that draw licence plates from all over the Midwest go check out the West side of the state in the summer. Detroit could be a niche tourist destination at best but there are simply too many other options that offer more at the moment. I know how some of you can't stand anectodal evidence but I've been to almost 2 dozen states this year alone and it is truly surprising to see how many really cool cities there are within driving distance that simply offer considerably more to your average tourist.

[Richard]

It is the fear of the unknown,outsiders everyday are pounded with the ills and danger of the city so the thought is if one wants to visit the city, do so in a bullet proof car surrounded by swat for protection.

As a major tourist attraction maybe not so much.but with a targeted nich market you guys have already listed many points of interest and shows the city does have something of interest to bring to the table,until it comes to freeway interchanges and Motown historical houses.
People do love thier cars and music and worldwide the history behind that.Does the city have anything along those lines for starters?

i travel from Fla to Mlps via Amtrak layovers in Chi and DC,I do not spend a dime in Chi because it is to confusing to figure out the transit,DC and old time tours takes me by the hand and points me in the direction,I can go by their path or bear off on my own,but in the back of my mind I know where and when they will be at any given time.

I think packaged deals that would kinda take people by the hand in order to overcome that uncertain aspect is really what is needed at this time in the early stages.

There really is no argument that the city has nothing unique to offer,it is more so not knowing the city would you load the kids up and visit and if not what would it take to make it appealing.

[Spartan]

I don't agree, at all. These places are unique, unlike the places you list.

Central Park is probably the most iconic park on the planet. It's nowhere near the largest park in NYC, and is not noted for its size.

ESB is probably the most iconic tower on the planet.

Broadway/Times Square probably the most iconic theater district/urban crossroads

Met probably the greatest comprehensive art museum, etc. etc.

Detroit doesn't have stuff like this. It never did, and it probably never will. It was never a visitor-oriented city. There is no globally iconic neighborhood, building, park, etc.

Saying "Gee well Mt. Clemens has a tall building and Paris has a tall building, therefore the Macomb Courthouse= Eiffel Tower" is rather silly. Eiffel Tower isn't famous for being a building, Central Park isn't famous for being a park; these places are iconic beyond their specific uses.

I already addressed this argument. You discounted everything that makes Detroit's attractions unique. I don't agree with the things I said about NYC either, and you refuted the claims just as I refuted yours about Detroit. I know Central Park isn't just "another big park" but neither is Belle Isle. I know The Empire State Building isn't just another skyscraper, but neither are the Guardian Building nor the Fisher Building. Granted, New York isn't a fair comparison because it's a city 10 times the size of Detroit and more well-established. The thread was asking why people would travel to Detroit. I'm providing reasons people would. Why do people travel to Portland? Or to Denver? Or to Phoenix? Or Atlanta? Every city has its own fabric and its own attractions. Do I expect people to choose Detroit over New York or Chicago very often? Hell no. But it's assinine to suggest that no one would ever come here because it doesn't have anything "unique" despite a multitude of evidence otherwise.

If you're looking for a truly unique selling position for what would make people come to Detroit over other major cities in the US/world, I argue this: dichotomy. It's a fascinating story that you can see and feel. The failure of the auto industry and general economy vs. the recovery. The "greater Downtown" against the neighborhoods. The "big business" against the independent art and shops. It's about how the past and present has shaped the way the city is and was, and how it's blue-collar history has provided it's "never-say-die" attitude. It's not about what "things to do" or "things to see" are in Detroit. It's about how all those things shape the city as it [[barely) stands today. THAT is something that is truly unique to the city of Detroit.

[DetroitPlanner]

What we need to do is build a roadside park at the Giant Tire. If we had one we would get millions of visitors to come here and spend lots of money on things like Bomb Pops and creamsicles.

[Willi]

NEXT time everyone travels out-of-the-state to somewhere else, look over those massive
brochure stands that advertise all the fun things to do , and compare/contrast to Detroit.
Does Detroit even have a tourism bureau, attempting to get folks to come to Detroit ?

Any city can "draw" folks for a festival, that's way toooo easy.
It's getting folks to come , just to come and SEE the city, explore its sites, vacation a few days.
Rent that car, put some serious mileage on it and , enjoy the car town of the USA;
[[just make sure you paid and signed for that Extra Insurance Package on the rental)
--all two thousand square miles of metropolis, 'cause staying downtown D isn't all that.

http://www.visitdetroit.com/free-detroit-travel-guide

http://www.visitdetroit.com/detroit-.../?dealid=23731

[jt1]

I think the bigger question to Willi and Bham - What cities in the US are worth travelling to that are truly unique?

We have NY and NO listed and what else. What makes those cities unique.

Your arguments are really limiting what you would consider to be viable vacation destinations. I guess it all depends on the person. I've had amazing vacations around the world and have seen everything from idyllic countrysides [[boring because there is nothing there) to small towns in Europe [[why go there since the large towns are bigger and have more history) to beaten down towns in Central America. Somehow I've found them all enjoyable and unique even if some spots are no different than simple, bland places in the US.

I've been throughout much of Europe, much of Central America and the Caribbean, Finaland, SE Asia, South Africa as well as much of the US [[even that bland Midwestern part you guys are too good for).

Somehow, I've found something great and enjoyable in most places and the things most enjoyable were the least touristy areas/things. Perhaps you and others need to change how you travel and see the world.

Orlando, Miami and LV all make me want to puke because they are American made tourism for people too lazy to find enjoyment without it being shoved in their faces. Walking through parts of West Virginia may not be 'touristy; but damn, they are beautiful.

Perhaps in all this debate is the fact that you both [[and much of America) clearly need your enjoyment and activities listed and convenient. Sounds like a horrific way to travel if you ask

[noise]

After some searching, it appears I have overrated it some. It's probably not going to draw in visitors like an Omaha or San Diego might, but it is still a pretty highly regarded zoo and a solid asset, though. For example, it gets 4/5 on TripAdvisor

I think where you and I differ is that it's simply not highly regarded in comparison to other zoos.

[dtowncitylover]

NEXT time everyone travels out-of-the-state to somewhere else, look over those massive
brochure stands that advertise all the fun things to do , and compare/contrast to Detroit.
Does Detroit even have a tourism bureau, attempting to get folks to come to Detroit ?

Any city can "draw" folks for a festival, that's way toooo easy.
It's getting folks to come , just to come and SEE the city, explore its sites, vacation a few days.
Rent that car, put some serious mileage on it and , enjoy the car town of the USA;
[[just make sure you paid and signed for that Extra Insurance Package on the rental)
--all two thousand square miles of metropolis, 'cause staying downtown D isn't all that.

http://www.visitdetroit.com/free-detroit-travel-guide

http://www.visitdetroit.com/detroit-.../?dealid=23731

I like how you asked if Detroit has a tourism bureau and then linked the website to Detroit's tourism bureau. Also...

http://dhivedetroit.org/

[Richard]

I think the bigger question to Willi and Bham - What cities in the US are worth travelling to that are truly unique?

We have NY and NO listed and what else. What makes those cities unique.

Your arguments are really limiting what you would consider to be viable vacation destinations. I guess it all depends on the person. I've had amazing vacations around the world and have seen everything from idyllic countrysides [[boring because there is nothing there) to small towns in Europe [[why go there since the large towns are bigger and have more history) to beaten down towns in Central America. Somehow I've found them all enjoyable and unique even if some spots are no different than simple, bland places in the US.

I've been throughout much of Europe, much of Central America and the Caribbean, Finaland, SE Asia, South Africa as well as much of the US [[even that bland Midwestern part you guys are too good for).

Somehow, I've found something great and enjoyable in most places and the things most enjoyable were the least touristy areas/things. Perhaps you and others need to change how you travel and see the world.

Orlando, Miami and LV all make me want to puke because they are American made tourism for people too lazy to find enjoyment without it being shoved in their faces. Walking through parts of West Virginia may not be 'touristy; but damn, they are beautiful.

Perhaps in all this debate is the fact that you both [[and much of America) clearly need your enjoyment and activities listed and convenient. Sounds like a horrific way to travel if you ask

Your special,but you do not count in the big picture of tourism.
The adverage person has after working all year has one week for vacation,and it is your job as a host to make that week a affordable ,memorable and safe experience that makes them want to return or at the very least recommend you to a friend.

If it takes grabbing them by the hand then that's what you do,seems to work well for Disney.

The concept of telling a potential tourist that because they would prefer an organized tour they can fuck off is probably not such a good public relations campaign.

[Bham1982]

IWhile it is true that the main tourist areas are dominated by chubby Midwesterners it would be completely false to say that international travelers aren't drawn to Chicago.

I think you're right, to an extent. The issue is your basis of comparison.

Compared to Detroit or Cleveland or Indianapolis, yeah, Chicago is getting a lot of international visitors.

Compared to NYC or LA or Miami, no, not too many foreign visitors to Chicago. It has a much more distinct Midwestern visitor feel.