Is it Windsor Canada across Belle Isle Park? (Detroit, Port Huron: for sale, apartments)

[ethnicappalachian]

I visited Detroit last year and went to Belle Isle. I saw some big houses across the river and saw buildings I thought was still Detroit (maybe it was?). I'm looking at the map now and thought that may have been Windsor, Canada. Is this about right? Or was it Riverside?

Is Detroit Windsor tunnel the only way to get to Windsor from Detroit? What about the Ambassador Bridge? Does both routes require a passport or it is just the Detroit Windsor tunnel?

I would think it would hold traffic down if everyone had to stop and show their passport, is there not a faster way to do this?

[djmilf]

If you saw freighters between you on Belle Isle and the buildings, then you were looking into Canada.

Really only two practical ways to get from Detroit to Windsor (and from Windsor to Detroit), and you mentioned them both. The impractical ways involve either driving about 30-40 miles up to Port Huron/Sarnia, traversing in a private boat or ship (which brings in the Coast Guard on either side of the border), or waiting for the Gordie Howe bridge to be built downriver.

Yes, having to show a passport at the international border can slow things down. Both the tunnel and the bridge have about 20+ booths to handle the traffic flow. It's also faster to get into Windsor than into Detroit; in Windsor the border police dress like postal workers, but in Detroit the border police dress like SWAT team members - and the quasi-military guys can tend to be more "thorough".

[walker46]

Originally Posted by ethnicappalachian

. . . Is Detroit Windsor tunnel the only way to get to Windsor from Detroit? What about the Ambassador Bridge? Does both routes require a passport or it is just the Detroit Windsor tunnel?

I would think it would hold traffic down if everyone had to stop and show their passport, is there not a faster way to do this?

If you have an "enhanced drivers license" you don't need a passport. It looks like a regular license except it costs extra and it has the word "enhanced" printed on it and most importantly it contains a Radio Frequency Identity chip (RFID). Only a few border states such as Michigan offer them. But for people that cross the border frequently, it makes the crossing a little easier.

Of course, to apply for an enhanced license you need to prove your citizenship as if you were applying for a passport (unless you've got a passport then that would be proof.)

[Coldjensens]

You can take a boat or swim across or go up to the bluewater bridge. It is a long detour, but if the tunnel and bridge are really backed up, sometimes it is worth it.

If you boat or swim across you have to let them know you are coming, and check in when you arrive. Bring your passport or enhanced license in a zip lock bag.

You can also float over in an inner tube.
Fifteen hundred possibly drunk Americans successfully invade Canada via the St. Clair River | National Post

[North 42]

Originally Posted by ethnicappalachian

I visited Detroit last year and went to Belle Isle. I saw some big houses across the river and saw buildings I thought was still Detroit (maybe it was?). I'm looking at the map now and thought that may have been Windsor, Canada. Is this about right? Or was it Riverside?

Is Detroit Windsor tunnel the only way to get to Windsor from Detroit? What about the Ambassador Bridge? Does both routes require a passport or it is just the Detroit Windsor tunnel?

I would think it would hold traffic down if everyone had to stop and show their passport, is there not a faster way to do this?

Riverside is a neighbourhood of Windsor, and Windsor's eastern border goes all the way to Lake St. Clair. There's are quite a few high rise condos along this stretch, that's what you were seeing.

[brodie734]

Yeah, I would hazard a guess that the big houses the OP is referring to were in Windsor. For much of the isle you have way better views of those luxury Windsor condos than of the Detroit neighborhood bordering the island.

[ekman243]

If the OP is seeing big large homes from Belle Isle he is looking at Detroit because all you can see in Windsor are apartments or condos. Once you are past the coast guard station on the North tip of of the Island you are looking across at the Sand Bar Lane South Conner Creek neighborhood of Detroit. Big beautiful homes on the riverfront beginning at $500,000. I attended a wedding in this area and it is the most beautiful setting around. Matter of fact 18 Sand Bar lane is for sale for 2.5 million if you want your peace of heaven

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by ekman243

If the OP is seeing big large homes from Belle Isle he is looking at Detroit because all you can see in Windsor are apartments or condos. Once you are past the coast guard station on the North tip of of the Island you are looking across at the Sand Bar Lane South Conner Creek neighborhood of Detroit. Big beautiful homes on the riverfront beginning at $500,000. I attended a wedding in this area and it is the most beautiful setting around. Matter of fact 18 Sand Bar lane is for sale for 2.5 million if you want your peace of heaven

You can do a lot better than that for 2.5 million. Horribly ugly on the outside and looks like a subdivision house on the inside. What is wrong with today's architects?

Nice lot though.

For that kind of money, this is what I expect:

https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sal...819_rect/9_zm/

[ekman243]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

You can do a lot better than that for 2.5 million. Horribly ugly on the outside and looks like a subdivision house on the inside. What is wrong with today's architects?

Nice lot though.

For that kind of money, this is what I expect:

https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sal...819_rect/9_zm/

But can they go in the back yard get in their cabin crusier and go watch a concert for free at Chene Park or have the best seat in the house for the fireworks.

[North 42]

Originally Posted by ekman243

If the OP is seeing big large homes from Belle Isle he is looking at Detroit because all you can see in Windsor are apartments or condos. Once you are past the coast guard station on the North tip of of the Island you are looking across at the Sand Bar Lane South Conner Creek neighborhood of Detroit. Big beautiful homes on the riverfront beginning at $500,000. I attended a wedding in this area and it is the most beautiful setting around. Matter of fact 18 Sand Bar lane is for sale for 2.5 million if you want your peace of heaven

There are multi million dollar homes all along the eastern Windsor waterfront, it's definitely not just condos, although there are a fair amount of those too. It's not too hard to figure out what is Windsor and what is Detroit, Windsor is everything south of the river.

This one was selling for $6.5 million

http://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/sa...sor-on-n8s-1a8