4th of July in Detriot... (Detroit, Warren: rent, crimes, hotel) - Michigan (MI) - City-Data Forum

AppleSauceToss · 06-14-2010, 12:22 PM

My husband & I will be in MI during the weekend of the 4th and that week. He has all his family there and we are going to visit them and also would like to do some fun stuff.
Is Detroit a good place to hang and see some fire works? We are 28 & 32 so we like to have fun, drink and hang out. We just want to have a good time.
Any suggestions or anyone been to the 4th in Detroit

Thanks!

fmax · 06-14-2010, 03:57 PM

Apple,

Let me google that for you

zthatzmanz28 · 06-14-2010, 04:22 PM

If you go downtown--or are brave enough to try Belle Isle ---get there no later than 3:00 pm. For Belle Isle it has to be earlier than noon if you want a spot.

Leave all valuables and jewelry HOME and do not wear designer clothes or accessories.

You might even try the Canadian side if you have your passport to get back into the USA.

You might get a parking spot at the Joe. I would hesitate to park at Cobo underground for obvious reasons, but the exhaust in the underground will choke the biggest of elephants.

Used to be safe on top the parking structure at Wayne State. There is also roof top parking at the Joe / Cobo if it is open.

I have some friends that might be able to get you to the roof of Union Station for a price..if they are out of jail by then.

Also there are cruise boats that sit in the river and charge mega bucks for the privilege of getting snockered in the water after spending $100 for the boat ride. But it used to dock downriver in Wyandotte--a much safer--but not completely safe--alternative to driving the streets of Detroit.

michsnowlvr · 06-14-2010, 06:35 PM

Where in MI will you be. The metro area has tons of stuff to do, it depends what suburb you will be in/near. If you are staying in Detroit proper, the River Days festival and fireworks show is actually on June 21st, so there wont be fireworks on the 4th of July.

Downtown Detroit is pretty safe, if you do want to venture down there.

us66 · 06-14-2010, 08:17 PM

Seeing the fireworks is a delightful experience in Windsor. I went a year or two ago and it was a lot of fun. As for seeing them on the American side, people (I don't know if they still do this) would sit in the median on Mound in south Warren down to Hamtramck. I watched them as a boy once at the old Great Scott at Caniff and Mound. One recent year I thought the MGM Grand parking deck would be a good idea. It wasn't.

AppleSauceToss · 06-15-2010, 08:57 AM

Thanks everyone, well we will be staying in Ann Arbor and Brownstown. We know some people who live in Grosse Ilse, so we may go there. I was just wondering... I live in Nashville, TN and I know the dowtown fireworks are awesome, but it is crowded.
Thanks again!

Led · 06-15-2010, 11:38 AM

Bring your passport and hop on over to the Canadian side. It's safer, more restaurants, better views (you can see the entire Detroit skyline in the background with the fireworks in front), and it will be less crowded along the waterfront since it's Canada and they obviously don't celebrate the 4th.

detroitlove · 06-17-2010, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zthatzmanz28

If you go downtown--or are brave enough to try Belle Isle ---get there no later than 3:00 pm. For Belle Isle it has to be earlier than noon if you want a spot.

Leave all valuables and jewelry HOME and do not wear designer clothes or accessories.

You might even try the Canadian side if you have your passport to get back into the USA.

You might get a parking spot at the Joe. I would hesitate to park at Cobo underground for obvious reasons, but the exhaust in the underground will choke the biggest of elephants.

Used to be safe on top the parking structure at Wayne State. There is also roof top parking at the Joe / Cobo if it is open.

I have some friends that might be able to get you to the roof of Union Station for a price..if they are out of jail by then.

Also there are cruise boats that sit in the river and charge mega bucks for the privilege of getting snockered in the water after spending $100 for the boat ride. But it used to dock downriver in Wyandotte--a much safer--but not completely safe--alternative to driving the streets of Detroit.

Wow I come back to this ignorance

To the OP, if you want to go to Belle Isle, you would have to get there early but unlike what this idiot said you won't have to "leave all valuables" smh. It will more than likely be mostly families there except for on the part we call "the strip". Trust and believe they won't be worried about robbing you since the majority will probably be in expensive cars or old schools they have put plenty of money into and will be wearing name brands and jewelry themselves smh. Funny how this idiots friends are in jail but he/she tells you to not wear anything valuable??? Another thing, what would be the purpose of going to Canada and they don't even celebrate the 4th?

Coldjensens · 06-18-2010, 05:26 AM

The Detroit Firewoks are not on the 4th. They are this Monday.

In Grosse Ile, you can view the Ternton Fireworks from the west side, near the middle of the islands. You kind of need to know somone on West River unless you walk over. It is all private property so you need to get permission before going onto waterfron areas to watch. Trenton shoots their fireworks off over the river and it is very pretty. Not as big as Detroit, but a nice display.

Lots of Cities have fireworks displays, but check with the city. Some have been cancelled due to the economy.

As far as being in Downtown Detroit, just do nto be stupid. Leave your laptop on the front seat of your car, and do not be surprised to find it gone when you return. We watch the Detroit fireworks everyyear. It is crowded. There are all types of people, good ones, bad ones, big ones small ones. Like any crowded place, just use common sense. What you wear is not that relevant, where you go and how you act are what matters. The Detroit side is more exciting. The Canada side is cleaner and more pleasant. Less crowded. If you go to the Canada side, rent a room in a hotel on the waterfront if you can afford it. Remember on the Canada side, you will not be hearing the Star Spangled banner played frequently. IT is a bit odd to celebrate the 4th in a foreign country, especially one that was on the other side in our fight for independance. Still it is nice now. At most you make get some friendly competition (people singing "Oh Canada" louder than you sing SSB, etc.)

I work in Detroit ever day and go downtown for events with my family at elast 5-6 times a year. We have never had nor seen any trouble. We have been approached and even hassled a little by homepless people, but that has happened to me in every major city that I have been in. JUst ignore them, chat with them, give them a dollar, buy them a sandwich, direct them to the nearest kitchen or shelter, whatever you like. Just be aware of where you are if you are communicationg wiht someone who is homeless or asking you for something. You do nto want to be alone with them. That is foolish.
There is a little carnival with very long lines.

zthatzmanz28 · 06-18-2010, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by detroitlove

Wow I come back to this ignorance

To the OP, if you want to go to Belle Isle, you would have to get there early but unlike what this idiot said you won't have to "leave all valuables" smh. It will more than likely be mostly families there except for on the part we call "the strip". Trust and believe they won't be worried about robbing you since the majority will probably be in expensive cars or old schools they have put plenty of money into and will be wearing name brands and jewelry themselves smh. Funny how this idiots friends are in jail but he/she tells you to not wear anything valuable??? Another thing, what would be the purpose of going to Canada and they don't even celebrate the 4th?

Don't we just "love" believing in a fantasy world?

DISCLAIMER--Not EVERYONE is a felon, but there are MORE that hang in downtown at night during an event.

Obviously we forget about the crowd shootings at Hart Plaza, the numerous jackings around that wonderful piece of "art' at Woodward and Jefferson area.

To walk the water front with "bling" is inviting some to pluck it from your person--seriously who really thinks a person can walk the water front after dark with gucci and designer glasses / shoes and not have a better than 75% chance of becoming a victim?

As for "idiots" saying something is "safe" just don't make it so.

The latest favorite phrase seems to be applicable--

Just can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear...

Ohhh....just because one drives an expensive car or has family around does not equate a safe environment.

Even folks who drive BMWs and Benz are capable of committing crimes.

For the real adventerous, go back to Belle Isle the day after fireworks, pick up a lot of discarded furniture (how do you get a couch to Belle Isle in a Cadillac DeVille?) and the million pounds of trash that folks just couldn't bag up...

WTF is up wiff dat?