Why would anyone come to Detroit?

[PeachLaser]

Don't meant to simplify and take lightly such a serious topic.

Detroit is a gem with mud splattered all over her.

If you want to attract those to the gem, bring them in, but protect them from the mayhem.

If you want to focus on the mud, bring in the movie makers until you hear the thud.

To most outsiders, Detroit is a Jaw Dropping scary place. So abandoned, so unloved.

What happened? That's what most people want to know. What the hell happened here?

There's a beautiful theater there, there's a building there that is a work of art. And there's a vacant, burned out building next to it. What the hell happened?

I have often used the Ford GT40 as an example of when Detroit excelled and had the respect of the world for its automotive achievements against the best of the world. Most people do not understand this respect that the world ushers upon the automotive best. So, if we are not the best any more, then people simply say, "So what?"

Detroit needs to invent the 21st century version of the Ford GT40 and lead the world in automotive excellence and efficiency in doing so.

It's possible.

So, why should people come to Detroit, they should come to see the before and after.

[tallboy66]

That's what I don't understand. I looked at the title of the thread & since I'm "anyone", I gave "outsider" views of why I would come to Detroit; I included the sentiments of people in my region of the country. On top of it, I gave examples, which I admit appear simplistic, that could be taken into consideration to attract tourists. Possibly even follow-on effects of people wanting to relocate. I'm basing those on what I've seen occur here in my community; they may not be one-to-one comparisons, but when you're trying to resolve a situation, you need to be open to anything that is remotely feasible. I offer no "silver bullet" solution because it will take more than that.
Tell me, an outsider, why I should come up there & visit. I told you a few of my reasons as well as how my wife would go. Lets's face it, I wrote a few novels in the process.
I know people here who enjoy all sorts of good live music, dancing, food[[BBQ/Steaks/Seafood for instance), historical districts, museums, festivals/carnivals, sports, fishing, hunting, activities for their children...you get the idea. They're just like most people anywhere; you have to package it as an entire deal. Not only that you have to promote a positive image of the city & convince people they should at least give Detroit/SE Michigan a look. People are lazy, even with the Internet, chances are they won't actually take the time to research; you have to grab their attention & hold it.
If you want "rah rah" here's your chance to do it. But do it with meaning.
I'm off my soapbox.

I meant it more of a tourist way, hard to translate over the web. After leaving and living in NYC and now Chicago people don't seem to blink when tourists come just seems natural, they're destination cities, cosmopolitan but Detroit seems to lack that appeal so maybe it's a question as well as "if I were to go to Detroit this is what I'd see/do"

[Buckingham]

I am traveling to Detroit to visit your zoo. Your zoo has a top-rated polar bear exhibit. I'm staying downtown and using public transportation. I'm from Chicago and I think public transportation is a great way to see a city.

I had some trepidation about visiting Detroit which is how I stumbled across your message board. But, I've visited Cleveland and had a great time and I don't think Detroit is any worse than Cleveland.

Detroit gets more attention for its problems, I think, because it is the location of the auto industry. You know the quote: What's good for the country is good for General Motors and vice versa. So everyone pays attention to Detroit.

[DetBill]

Here we go again.. this gets a little worn but,, its funny, I constantly have out of town visitors from the cities we love to adore on here,, [[ Chicago, Toronto, Montreal) I visit them often, used to live in them and still work often in them. They always enjoy themselves here, we go to lots of good places, restaurants, DIA, pro sports games, Canada, Casinos, Opera Theater , Henry Ford, and one of their favorite place to visit is good old Belle Isle and usually end of with a evening riverfront walk. They constantly say that Detroit has lots to offer people, and the people are real nice,, " Why dont you people here realize that ???" Im asked. I tell them we have a large group that seem to thrive on negativity. but, there is still lots who do realize our assets. I go to those cities, and do very similar things, some of them might be nicer to look at,, but they also have problems. When I go to Cleveland, [[very often for the last two years- partner is there) which overall I feel is a nice city but not all that different in many respects they beat themselves up in their paper the way we do, [[ recent comments in the plain dealer as to why they cant get a superbowl or big casinos/hotels like Detroit, and how their school system is a mess ) , their crime news is very comparable and they are constantly lamenting that they just cant get anything done right [[ hmm sounds familiar?) ,, and yet, in this forum, people talk about Cleveland like its an oasis. Sorry folks, we definetly have some major problems, but if you look for things to do , we have tons. and we are very diverse and their is some good people here and we have actually accomplished hosting many events many cities couldn't hope to . Lets just use a little balance, it is justified.

[daddeeo]

Maybe a concert, ball game, the arts or to get across the border. Easy in and easy out.

[markseth]

I am a middle age white collar professional who lives in Seattle and can't wait to visit Detroit! The history, the architecture, the industry, the people- why would anyone not want to visit Detroit? But does anyone here have a recommendation for a tour operator in Detroit? I am looking for a guided tour of the city while I am there, specifically a tour that is informative and educational. I am not big on driving a car, especially in an unfamiliar city, so a guided tour would be helpful. [[Ironic, I know, that someone who dislikes cars is fascinated by Detroit). And I am not interested in tours of suburbia; I want to see Detroit. Thanks, and I look forward to seeing your fabulous city this spring! And I think I'll post my first-time impressions of your city when I'm there.

[Ezri]

You're right, anyone comparing Detroit to other cities is insane because it's an apples to oranges comparison. Detroit has only 138 square miles of land, Chicago has 228 square miles and LA has 498 square miles. So, based on city limit boundaries, it's not a fair comparison.

Where is the Detroit's Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Tiffanys? It's in Metro Detroit at Sommerset Mall in Troy at 16 mile. If you were to consolidate the areas northward to match Chicago or Los Angeles and match it for size moving Detroit's city limits to 16 mile, you'd have it. Detroit's statistics would also be radically different if they made it all one city. Even though there's a divide on paper, in reality I can just take my car and drive to those areas in 20 or so minutes. You have 5 million people in metro. You think they just go to bed after work, wake up and go back to work? Metro Detroit does not revolve around downtown Detroit anymore. The area has everything [[except a subway, which most people never use anyway because it's so easy to get around with a car) if you just look.

Size means nothing. Don't compare cities according to size... compare it according to history, architecture etc.

You say that Detroit is too small to be interesting because it's only 138 square miles?
Oh well... if I'm not wrong, Paris [[one of the top destinations in the world) is only 41 square miles!

[Ezri]

Hi guys, I'm new. I lived in Detroit in the late 80's early 90's and I just can't forget this beautiful city. Why would people go to Detroit? Because it is unique! It's a city with lots of history, beautifull architecture [[that needs to be preserved!), I was amazed at the music I used to hear at the Eastern Market .... just simple people singing incredible blues! I can't forget Belle Isle... the views of the river... being able to look at Canada "in the south"

Why is it that people don't visit more Detroit? because there is not enough publicity about all the beautifull and wonderfull things. Most of you guys keep on focusing on the negative [[as if Detroit had a monopoly on crime..)

[smudge pot]

I am traveling to Detroit to visit your zoo. Your zoo has a top-rated polar bear exhibit.

Thanks, Buck, and when you're done revitalizing Detroit, why not pop up to Flint and check out the Huckleberry Railroad?

[tallboy66]

I am traveling to Detroit to visit your zoo. Your zoo has a top-rated polar bear exhibit. I'm staying downtown and using public transportation. I'm from Chicago and I think public transportation is a great way to see a city.

I had some trepidation about visiting Detroit which is how I stumbled across your message board. But, I've visited Cleveland and had a great time and I don't think Detroit is any worse than Cleveland.

Detroit gets more attention for its problems, I think, because it is the location of the auto industry. You know the quote: What's good for the country is good for General Motors and vice versa. So everyone pays attention to Detroit.

That's great but the "Detroit Zoo" is in Royal Oak! a suburb not the city.
and this is the whole problem, would you go to Naperville and call it Chicago, or Long Island and call it NYC? No!
The actual city of Detroit needs to reinvent itself and attract business, tourists, residents and have a way for people from other cities countries to get around without a car!

Cleveland has a tram/train light rail thing and they have focused on redeveloping the lake front Detroit has focused on tearing down buildings.

[concernedmetrodetroiter3]

You're an idiot for starting this thread. All you want out of this is to start some bullcrap argument from people stating why they want to come here. You know damn well this city has tons to offer but people are unwillingly to come here because of its rep. Only locals can answer this question. Congrats on trying to claim your 15 minutes on detroityes. What a useless post on my part replying to your ingorant cast to catch a fish. AGAIN, CONGRATS.

[lilpup]

That's great but the "Detroit Zoo" is in Royal Oak! a suburb not the city.
and this is the whole problem, would you go to Naperville and call it Chicago, or Long Island and call it NYC? No!
The actual city of Detroit needs to reinvent itself and attract business, tourists, residents and have a way for people from other cities countries to get around without a car!

Cleveland has a tram/train light rail thing and they have focused on redeveloping the lake front Detroit has focused on tearing down buildings.

The zoo property actually belongs to the City of Detroit, just as the adjoining Rackham golf course used to, too.

[lilpup]

Where is the Detroit Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, grocery store, subway system, Tiffanys?

I'd love to see Detroit have a resurgence and have these things, as it has so many wonderful first rate cultural institutions and sports teams, but we're not quite there yet.

You know, I honestly believe that when such emphasis is placed on shopping, especially upscale shopping, as something to attract visitors, it's an indicator of just how fucked up the American economy and priorities are.

[izzyindetroit]

This is one of the most absurd threads in a long time. People come to Detroit for a variety of reasons. The biggest 5 reasons in my opinion include:

Music - whether it is rap, techno, motown, rock, or jazz Detroit has plenty to offer for a music lover.

Cars - plain and simple. The NAIAS is still the cities largest attraction.

Sports - the current seasons are a bit fruitless but last years Stanley Cup, Final Four, and Tigers season were quite attractive. Not to mention the the boat and air races.

Art - DIA, Russell, Hiedleberg, MOCAD, 555 Gallery, and so on.

Freedom - The greatest part of Detroit is the freedom to do pretty much whatever you like.


Ask someone why they would go to Atlanta, Pheonix, Dallas, Charlotte, San Diego, Orlando, and so on. You will get a lot of different answers. For me, I don't have any desire to visit those cities and I don't see any reason for going.

[smudge pot]

Economic disinvestment and a lack of emphasis on higher education suddenly makes Detroit the equivalent of Juarez, Pyongyang, or Mogadishu. Fine, then. Believe what you will. I'm done with this illogical conversation.

Juarez is livelier, it really never sleeps. Pyongyang is tidier, and has a queer Orwellian appeal. Mogadishu? It probably sucks too much the be the equivalent of Detroit. Final score: Detroit 1, Third World 2.

[tallboy66]

I know the zoo belongs to the city it was a Coleman young thing,and I was a local 20+ years and after leaving it was more a rhetorical question as to a city that has tried to become a "world class city" [[ remember Kwame) sits on an international border it seems that it's still not a destination city outside of business with the big 3, so why would people go and what attraction are there to get people to visit Detroit.
This site is based off the fact that it's a city in ruins a fabulous run, down, abandoned city.