Welcome to the 2019-2020 Detroit Red Wings season. This is the third version of this guide to help out visitors looking for some information from locals about Little Caesers Arena (LCA) and surrounding area in Detroit. I hope you find it helpful. Suggestions welcome!

• Safety around the LCA as well as nearby Detroit city streets is very good. Detroit has a reputation of having high crime however in the 25+ years I've been going to games in downtown Detroit I've never felt threatened for my safety. Inside and outside the LCA main entrances are police as well as Olympia Security before, during, and after the game. The streets around the LCA and out to the restaurants and hotels are walkable. But like in any modern city don't go down the sketchy dark streets. Stay on the well-lit streets. Park in a structure or lot and not on a dark side street. Lock your car doors. Don't leave visible items inside the car. In other words don't be a victim.
  
• A guided tour of the LCA is available by scheduling in advance on specific dates. Check the LCA tours webpage for more information on prices and scheduling.
  
• Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster, or at the LCA box office, or through a reseller like Stubhub or even Ticketmaster's Ticket Exchange. Join the mailing list and check out the Red Wings social media for short notice deals like student and military rush ticket pricing and Fan Packs. Be advised the special offers are typically for low demand games like weekdays. Friday and Saturday games especially near holidays or against Canadian teams are high demand and typically not going to have special offers. These games will most likely not have cheap seats even on the reseller market. Starting last season the LCA has changed to mobile tickets only so no more paper tickets. Check out the mobile ticketing guides for more information. There are mobile ticket assistance street teams at the main entrances if you have an issue onsite.
  
• There is a promotional schedule of in-arena giveaways for specific home games. These giveaways are given to entrants at the door after ticket scan until supplies run out. You can get these even at the restaurants if you entered through their doors. If there is a giveaway item that you really want I recommend being at the doors as close to opening as possible. The longer after doors open the less likely you are to get them item.
  
• Joe Louis Arena is activaly being torn down right now. It should be completed by the end of 2019, maybe sooner. If you want a last glimpse, head over to 19 Steve Yzerman Dr, Detroit, MI 48226.
  
• There are a variety of hotels in Detroit ranging in prices from high at the Westin Book Cadillac to lower at the Holiday Inn Express next door to the Westin. Nearby casinos such as the Ilitch-owned Motor City Casino or MGM offer free shuttle to the LCA or short 8 block walk. Check out TripAdvisor Detroit hotels for additional lodging options. My hotel experience is very limited in Detroit because I have no reason to stay in them so post your hotel tips in the comments below.
  
• The LCA has a variety food options (pizza, shawarma, burritos, salads, sammiches, pulled pork, grilled cheese, etc.) inside but they are all at a premium price. The free game day program at the LCA contains a map. In my experience the best bang for your buck is the chicken pita from The Coop. If you want a complete Ilitch experience then get a slice or whole pie of Little Caesars pizza. Detroit is a foodie town and there are many options to choose from outside the arena. If it is your first time to Detroit or haven't been there yet I recommend getting an iconic coney island hot dog from American or Lafayette PROTIP: Lafayette. Check out the /detroit sidebar for more Detroit restaurant suggestions. There are simply too many to list here so suggest your favorites in the comments below.
  
• Harry’s Bar and Temple Bar are neighborhood bars that are within a 2 block walking distance to the LCA if you want to drink and hangout with fans before or after. The /detroit sidebar has more bar suggestions in and around the city. PROTIP: take the QLINE streetcar (US$1.50/3 hours) to the Canfield stop and quaff a few brews over crack fries at HopCat then take the QLINE south 2 stops (10 blocks) to the LCA stop at Sproat St. Got favorite bar in the area? Post in the comments below.
  
• If you're rich and want convenience, park at the LCA VIP parking structure. It may be pricier (US$45 as of 2019-09-17) but it is a comfortable sheltered stroll to the LCA. If you are up for a short walk and would like to save a buck park at the MGM Casino or Motor City Casino for free. From there you can walk 8 blocks or take their free shuttle. The further away you park from the LCA the cheaper it is. Fox Theater is $35, the two Comerica Park structures off the I-75 service drive are both $30. There are also several surface lots nearby, some let you pay in advance. Check out the parking map Want to reserve a spot? Try Parkwhiz.com or their app. Some bars also have shuttles for free or a couple bucks. PROTIP: Nemo's has the best shuttle drivers. Early birds park for free on Temple, Woodward, and in Brush Park across Woodward from the LCA but be careful where you park because the police will write tickets if you park illegally. Ask me how I know. The parking situation is always evolving so post your tips in the comments below.
  
• Coming from Canada? There is a Windsor tunnel bus US/CAN$5.00 one way from the bus terminal downtown Windsor (Chatham and Church) to Cass Ave. and the I-75 service drive next to the LCA. Getting through immigration takes a few minutes. Have your passport and don't be drunk. Check the link above for service times and details.
  
• The LCA doors open 1.5 hours before puck drop. There are four sets of doors one at each corner. The Chevy Plaza at the southwest corner has a large screen that shows pre-game hype videos and on occasion the live game. Also on occasion, there are beebeverage stands in the plaza as well as picnic games (e.g. corn hole). You may have to pass through security to enter the Chevy Plaza but no ticket scan until you enter the arena doors. LCA restaurants will let you in even earlier with a ticket but access to the concourse is blocked off until all doors open. PROTIP: in cold weather prior to main doors opening either hang out at the Box Office (northeast corner) or the District Market entrance just south of the Box Office.
  
• You can sort of watch the players arrive by car (and visitors by bus) into the parking structure off Clifford north of the I-75 service drive. Get there at least 2 hours before puck drop.
  
• The best photos of the LCA exterior are from the east side of Woodward just north of the westbound I-75 service drive looking at the building from the southeast corner. Photo
  
• Will Call tickets at the box office located at the northeast corner of the arena off Woodward Ave.
  
• There is a strict bag size policy enforced at the door. I’ve seen some upset people turned away at the doors. Know before you go.
  
• You will have to go through a metal detector and may be subject to extra screening to enter the LCA.
  
• Free WIFI is available inside as well as outside of the arena.
  
• There are free game day programs inside the LCA at the entrances. Grab one because it has an arena map with section numbers and vendor locations including where to get Detroit and Michigan beers. Sometimes there are interesting articles too.
  
• The Team Store souvenir shop is in the southwest corner of the LCA. The authentic signed gear and memorabilia located in the east end of the store. There are also vendors scattered around the via and upper concourse selling souvenirs. PROTIP: the LCA prices are high for swag. Buy your gear ahead of time online or at Vintage Detroit in Detroit or FanaticU and Hockeytown Authentics out in the suburbs.
  
• Friendly ushers are everywhere to help out and answer your questions. Most will take your photo for you if you ask politely.
  
• During warmups, fans congregate around the glass. Players come out at 30 minutes before game time for warmups. PROTIP: I recommend watching the Red Wings shoot at the net during warmups from behind the net on the glass in section 102/103. Hearing the puck smack the glass inches from your face is neat. Same for aisle for 115/116 on the visiting team side behind the net. The ushers will let you down to the ice level for warmups even if you don’t have tickets in that section.
  
• The sea of banners is gone but the retired jerseys and Stanley Cup Championship banners remain. They are not the originals which are now hanging in the practice rink below the main rink. You may not see them until after hype video because they are retractable. The banners share the ceiling with the Pistons banners on the other side. PROTIP: The best photo op for the Red Wing banners is in front of the Fox Sports Detroit broadcast desk at the top of section 219.
  
• There is a nice mix of old and new artwork in the LCA. Take some time before the game to walk around the lower and upper level concourses to see the manholes, the Howe, Lindsay, Delvecchio statues from the Joe, the original Olympia sign, murals of Red Wing greats. Look for the Red Wing logo at the northeast corner lower concourse made of auto parts. There are multiple selfie and photo spots too like the Red Wings bench and Little Caesars spear. The LCA is shared with the Detroit Pistons basketball team so you will see artwork and displays featuring their greats as well.
  
• Every seat at the LCA has a view of the ice. Some seats in the upper level (rows 6 and above between the red lines) have obstructed views of the center ice score board but there displays mounted behind the gondolas. The layout of the seats are steep especially in the upper bowl where there is less leg room than lower bowl. Sections, rows, and seats are on your ticket but navigation is based on portals. Check your ticket for your portal, go to that, then find your section/row/seat. Sit in your own seat. If you see seats that are still empty well into the first period then move to them. If someone asks you to move out of their seat just do it. Explore the arena to check out different seat views. PROTIP: go up to portals 78-82 to check out the vertigo inducing view down from the gondola.
  
• Get to your seat 10 minutes before puck drop to see the pre-game hype video on the huge scoreboard and on-ice projection.
  
• The LCA has a custom organ with in-house organists that play before the hype video, end of intermissions, and between plays. Lance Luce is recognizable in his red sequined jacket. To see the organ go to the upper concourse behind section 301.
  
• Most Red Wings fans are friendly people and quite knowledgeable about their team and the sport. Strike up a conversation and you'll probably learn something new.
  
• Cheer for your visiting team but don't be a dick about it.
  
• DO NOT STAND UP OUT OF YOUR SEAT WHILE THE PUCK IS IN PLAY.
  
• The LCA has a strict no smoking policy. There is no smoking inside or anywhere outside of the arena at any door. If you leave the LCA to smoke you will not be readmitted.
  
• No, that's not the goal horn from the Joe. It is a recording of the Joe horn and to many people it sounds dull, flat, and disappointing. The horn sound is louder in the lower bowl but then again the speakers are louder in the lower bowl and have a lot more bass than the upper bowl. I have complained to no avail.
  
• Don't leave early! If the Red Wings win the DJ will play Don't Stop Believing in the final seconds or right after the game ends for you and thousands of your friends to sing along. The arena DJ plays music from multiple genres from Motown to country to pop and is known to take suggestions. He can be reached on Twitter @thehockeyjockey.
  
• There is no public accessible spot for athlete autographs. The best opportunity for autographs is an event created for that purpose such as the Season Ticket Holder Open House, Fan Day Open House, or charity events like Toast of Hockeytown, Charity Poker Tournaments, as well as autograph signing events posted on facebook.
  
• Post-game ride share pickups are along the I-75 service drive southeast of the LCA. Shuttles will pick you up where they dropped you off.
  
• Have fun and enjoy the game!
  

I've only been playing craps for a few months. I wanted to learn before I went to Las Vegas. It was my first time in Vegas and my wife hasn't been for 10 or so years.
This report is from 5/4/2019-5/18/2019.
We play in Michigan and Indiana for the most part. There is a Boyd property out here we have been going to for a few years. We were able to get free rooms at the Fremont for 2 nights and Gold Coast for 2 nights. We went to MGM in Detroit once with her mom and they send us offers all the time to go to Vegas. We decided to take them up on it and were able to get 4 nights at the Luxor.
I had a budget of $200/day. My goal was to play $5 craps where I could.
The first weekend we spent mostly at the Fremont. I enjoyed playing at the tables with the older guys and a more relaxed crowd. Always had a $5 table open and the dealers were really nice. I tried to make some 2 way hard ways and yo's and the dealers really seemed to appreciate that. They remembered my name and were always very kind to me. One dealer even flipped the dice to 3-3 for me when he sent them my way to save me time. I really enjoyed playing there.
I saw that they had a shooters club at Fremont and found it curious. I was able to roll 20 and 23 times while I was there, but that's not even close to getting on the wall. I was playing mostly the pass and 6-8 occasionally taking a 5/9 with my winnings. I didn't make much, but people around the table did.
We found our way down to the D and Golden Gate on Sunday afternoon. My wife really enjoyed the Golden Gate and I did as well. Always found 5 dollar tables and at night they have the dancing dealers, which is always a nice thing to look at. Dealers were great any my wife was able to earn comps there quickly. Paid for our dinner at Pizza Rock on just her comps. The D was pretty nice too, but was very loud at night and more crowded.
We had a nice room at the Luxor and spent our first day there (Thursday) walking around the hotels. I was trying to collect a dollar chip from any casino that we went into as a souvenir. Luxor was $10 everytime I was there. 2 tables open in the morning with no one playing. I asked if they would lower it to play, but they declined. We walked to Excalibur and I was able to play for $5 anytime except for Saturday night after 8. They did have a $5 crapless table, but it was crowded and I don't like it. The house edge is high.
I had some coupons for match play at Planet Hollywood so I did play $10 there for about 3 shooters but I lost my money quickly. We had to make some bets for my brother at Caesars so we used his card to park there for free. I did bet one shooter there just to say I played at Caesars.
As you can imagine, the nicer hotels were all $10 and up. I was able to find $5 briefly during the day at Treasure Island and played there for a little while.
We went back downtown the Saturday and Sunday where we could afford to play. My wife found her home at Four Queens. She loved sitting in the Keno room and playing the live Keno and a Keno machine at the same time. She also enjoyed playing High Card Flush and Texas Holdem there. I played craps there for quite a long time, but the dealers for that shift weren't as friendly.
For the most part I would win $100 somewhere and loss $100 somewhere. But I kept most of my money throughout the trip.
Our last weekend we stayed at Gold Coast and played there on Thursday night. We went back downtown Friday night to play at the Golden Gate and Binions. My wife hit a jackpot in slots at Golden Gate before we left that won back all of the money we lost. We left Las Vegas even on money after paying for dinners and such.
It was a really fun trip. I know with my bankroll Vegas can be tough. But we aren't fancy people so downtown was perfect for us. We earned some comps and plan to stay at a Boyd property or the D when we go back in February (we had Disneyland tickets for one day. I've never been and she hasn't been since 1998. But my wife got sick so it's an excuse to go back.). Hoping we can put the money we came back with away to use as a bankroll next time.

It’s the second season of hockey at Little Caesers Arena (LCA). Many fans are still making the trek to the new arena for their first time to watch the Detroit Red Wings play. This is my second version of this guide help out visitors looking for some information from locals. I hope you find it helpful. Suggestions welcome!

• Safety around the LCA as well as nearby Detroit city streets is very good. Detroit has a reputation of having high crime however in the 25 years I've been going to games in downtown Detroit I've never felt threatened for my safety. Inside and outside the LCA main entrances are police as well as Olympia Security before, during, and after the game. The streets around the LCA and out to the restaurants and hotels are walkable. But like in any modern city don't go down the sketchy dark streets. Stay on the well-lit streets. Park in a structure or lot and not on a dark side street. Lock your car doors. Don't leave visible items inside the car. In other words don't be a victim.
  
• A guided tour of the LCA is available by scheduling in advance on specific dates. Check the LCA tours webpage for more information on prices and scheduling.
  
• Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster, or at the LCA box office, or through a reseller like Stubhub or even Ticketmaster's Ticket Exchange. Join the mailing list and check out the Red Wings social media for short notice deals like student and military rush ticket pricing and Fan Packs. Be advised the special offers are typically for low demand games like weekdays. Friday and Saturday games especially near holidays or against Canadian teams are high demand and typically not going to have special offers. These games will most likely not have cheap seats even on the reseller market. New for the 2018-2019 season the LCA has changed to mobile tickets only so no more paper tickets. Check out the mobile ticketing guides for more information. There have been mobile ticket assistance street team members stationed at the main entrances if you have an issue onsite.
  
• Joe Louis Arena is still standing and most of the signage is now gone but you can still snap a photo. The Joe is designated to be torn down at a future date. You can visit the Joe at 19 Steve Yzerman Dr, Detroit, MI 48226.
  
• There are a variety of hotels in Detroit ranging in prices from high at the Westin Book Cadillac to lower at the Holiday Inn Express next door to the Westin. Nearby casinos such as the Ilitch-owned Motor City Casino or MGM offer free shuttle to the LCA or short 8 block walk. Check out TripAdvisor Detroit hotels for additional lodging options.
  
• The LCA now has larger and more variety food options (pizza, shawarma, burritos, salads, sammiches, pulled pork, grilled cheese, etc.) inside but they are all at a premium price. The free game day program at the LCA contains a map. If I am eating at the arena I go for the chicken pita from The Coop. If you want a complete Ilitch experience then get a slice or whole pie of Little Caesars pizza. Detroit is a foodie town and there are many options to choose from outside the arena. If it is your first time to Detroit or haven't been there yet I recommend getting an iconic coney island hot dog from American or Lafayette PROTIP: Lafayette. Check out the /detroit sidebar for more Detroit restaurant suggestions. There are simply too many to list here so suggest your favorites in the comments below!
  
• Harry’s Bar and Temple Bar are neighborhood bars that are within a 2 block walking distance to the LCA if you want to drink and hangout with fans before or after. The Chevy Plaza outside the southwest corner of the LCA has beer stands. The /detroit sidebar has more bar suggestions in and around the city. PROTIP: take the QLINE streetcar (US$1.50/3 hours) to the Canfield stop and quaff a few brews over crack fries at HopCat then take the QLINE south 2 stops (10 blocks) to the LCA stop at Sproat St.
  
• If you're rich and want convenience, park at the LCA VIP parking structure. It may be pricier (US$45 as of 2018-09-20) but it is a comfortable sheltered stroll to the LCA. If you are up for a short walk and would like to save a buck park at the MGM Casino or Motor City Casino for free. From there you can walk 8 blocks or take their free shuttle. The further away you park from the LCA the cheaper it is. Fox Theater is $30, the two Comerica Park structures off the I-75 service drive are both $30. There are also several surface lots nearby, some let you pay in advance. Check out the parking map Some bars also have shuttles for free or a couple bucks. PROTIP: Nemo's has the best shuttle drivers. Early birds park for free on Temple, Woodward, and in Brush Park across Woodward from the LCA but be careful where you park because the police will write tickets if you park illegally. Ask me how I know.
  
• Coming from Canada? There is a Windsor tunnel bus US/CAN$5.00 each way from the bus terminal downtown Windsor (Chatham and Church) to Cass Ave. and the I-75 service drive next to the LCA. Getting through immigration takes a few minutes. Have your passport and don't be drunk. Check the link above for service times and details.
  
• The LCA doors open 1.5 hours before puck drop. There are four sets of doors one at each corner. The Chevy Plaza at the southwest corner has a large screen that shows pre-game hype videos and on occasion the live game. There are also beebeverage stands in the plaza as well as picnic games (e.g. corn hole). You will have to pass through security to enter the Chevy Plaza but no ticket scan until you enter the arena doors. LCA restaurants will let you in even earlier with a ticket but access to the concourse is blocked off until all doors open.
  
• You can sort of watch the players arrive by car (and visitors by bus) into the parking structure off Clifford north of the I-75 service drive.
  
• The best photos of the LCA exterior are from the east side of Woodward just north of the westbound I-75 service drive looking at the building from the southeast corner. Photo
  
• Will Call tickets at the box office located at the northeast corner of the arena off Woodward Ave.
  
• There is a strict bag size policy enforced at the door. I’ve seen some upset people turned away at the doors. Know before you go.
  
• You will have to go through a metal detector and may be subject to extra screening to enter the LCA.
  
• Free WIFI is available inside as well as outside of the arena.
  
• There are free game day programs inside the LCA at the entrances. Grab one because it has an arena map with section numbers and vendor locations including where to get Detroit and Michigan beers. Sometimes there are interesting articles too.
  
• There is a souvenir shop called the Team Store in the southwest corner of the LCA. The authentic signed gear and memorabilia located in the east end of the store. There are also vendors scattered around the via and upper concourse selling souvenirs. PROTIP: the LCA prices are high for swag. Buy your gear ahead of time online or at Detroit Athletic in Detroit, FanaticU or Hockeytown Authentics up in the suburbs.
  
• Friendly ushers are everywhere to help out and answer your questions. Most will take your photo for you if you ask politely.
  
• During warmups, fans congregate around the glass. Players come out at 30 minutes before game time for warmups. PROTIP: I recommend watching the Red Wings shoot at the net during warmups from behind the net on the glass in section 102/103. Hearing the puck smack the glass inches from your face is neat. Same for aisle for 115/116 on the visiting team side behind the net. The ushers will let you down to the ice level for warmups even if you don’t have tickets in that section.
  
• The sea of banners is gone but the retired jerseys and Stanley Cup Championship banners remain. They are not the originals which are now hanging in the practice rink below the main rink. You may not see them until after hype video because they are retractable. The banners share the ceiling with the Pistons banners on the other side. PROTIP: The best photo op for the Red Wing banners is in front of the Fox Sports Detroit broadcast desk at the top of section 219.
  
• There is a nice mix of old and new artwork in the LCA. Take some time before the game to walk around the lower and upper level concourses to see the manholes, the Howe, Lindsey, Delvecchio statues from the Joe, the original Olympia sign, murals of Red Wing greats. Look for the Red Wing logo at the northeast corner lower concourse made of auto parts. There are multiple selfie and photo spots too like the Red Wings bench and Little Caesars spear. The LCA is shared with the Detroit Pistons basketball team so you will see artwork and displays featuring their greats as well.
  
• Every seat at the LCA has a view of the ice. Some seats in the upper level (rows 6 and above between the red lines) have obstructed views of the center ice score board but there displays mounted behind the gondolas. The layout of the seats are steep especially in the upper bowl where there is less leg room then lower bowl. Sections, rows, and seats are on your ticket but navigation is based on portals. Check your ticket for your portal, go to that, then find your section/row/seat. Sit in your own seat. If you see seats that are still empty well into the first period then move to them. If someone asks you to move out of their seat just do it. Explore the arena to check out different seat views. PROTIP: go up to portals 78-82 to check out the vertigo inducing view down from the gondola.
  
• Get to your seat 10 minutes before puck drop to see the pre-game hype video on the huge scoreboard and on-ice projection.
  
• The LCA now has a legit organ with in-house organists. They're pretty entertaining. Check it out the upper concourse behind section 301.
  
• Most Red Wings fans are friendly people and quite knowledgeable about their team and the sport. Strike up a conversation and you'll probably learn something new.
  
• Cheer for your visiting team but don't be a dick about it.
  
• DO NOT STAND UP OUT OF YOUR SEAT WHILE THE PUCK IS IN PLAY.
  
• The LCA has a strict no smoking policy. There is no smoking inside or anywhere outside of the arena at any door. If you leave the LCA to smoke you will not be readmitted.
  
• Yes, that's not the goal horn from the Joe. It is a recording of the Joe horn and to many people is sounds dull, flat, and disappointing. The "horn" is much louder in the lower bowl but then again the speakers are louder in the lower bowl and have a lot more bass than the upper bowl. Since they didn't get a real horn in the off season, chances are the owner doesn't care and won't "fix it" any time soon if at all. I've complained to no avail.
  
• Don't leave early! If the Red Wings win the DJ will play Don't Stop Believing in the final seconds or right after the game ends for you and thousands of your friends to sing along. The arena DJ plays music from multiple genres from Motown to country to pop and is known to take suggestions. He can be reached on Twitter @thehockeyjockey.
  
• There is no public accessible spot for athlete autographs. The best opportunity for autographs is an event created for that purpose such as the Season Ticket Holder Open House, Fan Day Open House, or charity events like Toast of Hockeytown, Charity Poker Tournaments, as well as autograph signing events posted on facebook.
  
• Post-game ride share pickups are along the I-75 service drive southeast of the LCA. Shuttles will pick you up where they dropped you off.
  
• Have fun and enjoy the game!
  

It’s the inaugural season of the new Little Caesers Arena (LCA). Many pilgrims are making the trek to the new arena to watch the Detroit Red Wings play. This is my first version of this guide for first time visitors modeled after the one I put together for The Joe. I hope you find it helpful. Suggestions welcome!

• Safety around the LCA as well as nearby Detroit city streets is very good. Detroit has a reputation of having high crime however in the 25 years I've been going to games in downtown Detroit I've never felt threatened for my safety. Immediately around and inside the LCA there are Detroit City and Michigan State Police as well as Olympia Security before, during, and after the game. The city streets around the LCA and out to the restaurants and hotels are walkable. But like in any modern city, keep your eyes and ears open and don't be stupid. Walk in groups. Stay (reasonably) sober. Don't go down the sketchy alley. Stay on the well-lit streets. Park in a guarded structure or lot not on a dark side street far away. Lock your car doors. Don't leave visible items inside the car. In other words don't be a victim. You'll be fine and you'll have a good time.
  
• A guided tour of the LCA is available by scheduling in advance on specific dates. Check the LCA tours webpage for more information on prices and scheduling.
  
• Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster, or at the LCA box office (if not already sold out), or through a reseller like Stubhub or even Ticketmaster's Ticket Exchange. Join the mailing list and check out the Red Wings social media for short notice deals like student and military rush ticket pricing and Fan Packs. Be advised the special offers are typically for low demand games like weekdays. Friday and Saturday games especially near holidays or against Canadian teams are high demand and typically not going to have special offers. These games will most likely not have cheap seats even on the reseller market. Ticket prices for the first season of the LCA have been higher than historically at the Joe.
  
• Joe Louis Arena is still standing but no longer being used. The Joe is designated to be torn down but that date is currently not public. You can visit the Joe at 19 Steve Yzerman Dr, Detroit, MI 48226.
  
• I personally do not have much experience with hotels in Detroit but I know people who have stayed at the Westin Book Cadillac and the nearby Ilitch-owned Motor City Casino which also has free shuttle to the LCA or an 8 block walk. MGM Casino is also nearby with a shuttle. On the cheaper side is the Holiday Inn Express next to the Westin Book Cadillac. Check out TripAdvisor Detroit for other hotel options.
  
• With all of the new good food options I recommend checking out a restaurant inside the LCA. Sure the food is stadium prices but there are now three full restaurants located inside the arena as well multiple food stall vendors serving a variety of tastes. The free game day program at the LCA contains a map. I am partial to The Coop. If you want a complete Ilitch experience then get a slice or whole pie of Little Caesars pizza to go or sit down at Mike’s Pizza Bar. Outside the arena I also recommend somewhere iconic such as a coney from American or Lafayette (PROTIP: Lafayette). There are many good restaurants near the LCA and beyond. Check out the /detroit sidebar for more Detroit restaurant suggestions in and around the city. Popular spots include Hockeytown Cafe and flaming cheese in Greektown.
  
• Harry’s Bar and Temple Bar are neighborhood bars that are within a 2 block walking distance to the LCA if you want to drink and hangout with fans before or after. The Chevy Plaza outside the southwest corner of the LCA has beer stands. The /detroit sidebar has more bar suggestions in and around the city. PROTIP: take the QLINE streetcar (US$1.50/3 hours) to the Canfield stop and quaff a few brews over crack fries at HopCat then take the QLINE south 2 stops (10 blocks) to the LCA stop at Sproat St. Be advised the northbound QLINE LCA stop is Adelaide St.
  
• For convenience, park at the LCA VIP parking structure. It may be pricier (US$40 as of 2017-11-09) but it is a comfortable sheltered stroll to the LCA. If you are up for a short walk and would like to save a buck park at the MGM Casino or Motor City Casino for free. From there you can walk 8 blocks or take their free shuttle. The further away you park from the LCA the cheaper it is. There are several surface lots and structures nearby, some let you pay in advance. Some bars also have shuttles for free or a couple bucks. PROTIP: Nemo's has the best shuttle drivers. Regardless, remember where you parked, how you got to the LCA.
  
• Coming from Canada? There is a Windsor tunnel bus US/CAN$5.00 each way from the bus terminal downtown Windsor (Chatham and Church) to Cass Ave. and the I-75 service drive next to the LCA. Getting through immigration takes a few minutes. Have your passport and don't be drunk. Check the link above for service times and details.
  
• The LCA doors open 1.5 hours before game start. There are four sets of doors one at each corner. The Chevy Plaza at the southwest corner has a large screen that shows pre-game hype videos and on occasion the live game. There are also beebeverage stands in the plaza as well as picnic games (e.g. corn hole). You will have to pass through security to enter the Chevy Plaza but no ticket scan until you enter the arena doors.
  
• You can sort of watch the players arrive by car (and visitors by bus) into the parking structure off Clifford north of the I-75 service drive.
  
• The best photos of the LCA exterior are from the east side of Woodward just north of the westbound I-75 service drive looking at the building from the southeast corner. Photo
  
• Will Call tickets at the box office located at the northeast corner of the arena off Woodward Ave.
  
• There is a strict bag size policy enforced at the door. I’ve seen some upset people turned away at the doors. Know before you go.
  
• You will have to go through a metal detector and may be subject to extra screening to enter the LCA.
  
• Free WIFI is available inside as well as outside of the arena.
  
• There are free programs inside the LCA at the entrances. Grab one because it has an arena map with section numbers and vendor locations. Sometimes there are interesting articles too.
  
• There is souvenir shop called the Team Store in the southwest corner of the LCA. The authentic signed gear and memorabilia located in the east end of the store. There are also vendors scattered around the via and upper concourse selling souvenirs. PROTIP: the LCA prices are high for swag. Buy your gear ahead of time online or at Detroit Athletic in Detroit or Hockeytown Authentics up in Troy.
  
• Friendly ushers are everywhere to help out and answer your questions. Most will take your photo for you if you ask politely.
  
• There are local Detroit and Michigan craft beer vendors scattered around the arena priced at around US$10. Check the map in the free program for locations.
  
• During warmups, fans congregate around the glass. Players come out at 30 minutes before game time for warmups. PROTIP: I recommend watching the Red Wings shoot at the net during warmups from behind the net on the glass in section 102/103. Hearing the puck smack the glass inches from your face is neat. Same for aisle for 115/116 on the visiting team side behind the net. The ushers will let you down to the ice level for warmups even if you don’t have tickets in that section.
  
• The sea of banners is gone but the retired jerseys and Stanley Cup Championship banners remain. They are not the originals (those are hanging in the practice rink below the main rink) but are retractable. The banners share the ceiling with the Pistons banners on the other side. PROTIP: The best photo op for the Red Wing banners is in front of the Fox Sports Detroit broadcast desk at the top of section 219. Say hi to Keats for me.
  
• There is a nice mix of old and new artwork in the LCA. Take some time before the game to walk around the lower and upper level concourses to see the manholes, the Howe/Lindsey/Delvecchio statues from the Joe, the original Olympia sign, murals of Red Wing greats. Look for the Red Wing logo at the northeast corner lower concourse made of auto parts. There are multiple selfie and photo spots too like the Red Wings bench and Little Caesars spear. The LCA is shared with the Detroit Pistons basketball team so you will see artwork and displays featuring their greats as well.
  
• Every seat at the LCA has a great view of the ice. Some seats in the upper level (rows 6 and above between the red lines) have obstructed views of the center ice score board but there displays mounted behind the gondolas. The layout of the seats are steep and from the ice it looks like the stands are stacked on top of you. Sections, rows, and seats are on your ticket but navigation is based on portals. Check your ticket for your portal, go to that, then find your section/row/seat. Sit in your own seat. If you see seats that are still empty well into the first period then move to them. If someone asks you to move out of their seat just do it. Explore the arena to check out different seat views. PROTIP: go up to portals 78-82 to check out the vertigo inducing view down from the gondola.
  
• Get to your seat 10 minutes before puck drop to see the pre-game on the huge scoreboard and on-ice projection.
  
• The LCA now has a legit organ with in-house organists. They're pretty entertaining. Check it out the upper concourse behind section 301.
  
• Don't be disrespectful during the national anthem(s). Just stand politely and shut up. Some visitors don't understand how disrespectful they can be. It's like 2 minutes, put the phone down.
  
• Most Red Wings fans are friendly people and quite knowledgeable about their team and the sport. Strike up a conversation and you'll probably learn something new.
  
• Cheer for your visiting team but don't be a dick about it.
  
• DO NOT STAND UP OUT OF YOUR SEAT WHILE THE PUCK IS IN PLAY.
  
• The LCA has a strict no smoking policy. There is no smoking area outside of any door. If you leave the LCA to smoke you will not be readmitted.
  
• We know the goal horn recording sucks. We've already told the Red Wings organization about it. They know. They're working on it.
  
• There are a lot of restrooms in the LCA. I haven’t see any long lines like the Joe had. Sadly(?) there are no urinal troughs in the men’s rooms.
  
• Don't leave early! If the Red Wings win the DJ will play Don't Stop Believing in the final seconds or right after the game ends for you and thousands of your friends to sing along. The arena DJ plays music from multiple genres from Motown to country to pop and is known to take suggestions. He can be reached on Twitter @thehockeyjockey.
  
• There is no public accessible spot for athlete autographs. The best opportunity for autographs is an event created for that purpose such as the Season Ticket Holder Open House, Fan Day Open House, or charity events like Toast of Hockeytown, Charity Poker Tournaments, as well as autograph signing events posted at https://www.facebook.com/DRWautographs/.
  
• Post-game ride share pickups are along the I-75 service drive south of the LCA. Shuttles will pick you up where they dropped you off.
  
• Have fun and enjoy the game!
  

Edit 1: typos and ride share info
Edit 2: photo spot location and photo

Happy New Year /Detroit! Every day people come to ask "What should I do in the city??" and this updated thread is our chance to tell them. It's been 3+ years since its been updated so a lot has changed. Keeping a similar format to the 2014 and 2011 editions comment below with any suggestion(s) and a short reason why you recommend it.
Everyone's collective picks will be added into the list below and then added to the sidebar. Closed businesses have already been removed, new Museums section now broken out, if you have any adds/deletes/edits to existing list, just shout it out, I'll leave this post as a sticky and open over the next week so all have a chance to contribute. See below:

Entertainment & Attractions

Public Spaces/Parks:

• Belle Isle Michigans most visited State Park; from Sunset Point to the Conservatory and Aquarium, many beaches there's lots to discover here.
• Eastern Market one of the largest and oldest open-air farmers markets in the country
• Campus Martius highly regarded as one of the best city parks in the country and home to many events throughout the year. Home to Detroit's Christmas tree and an ice-skating rink in the winter.
• Detroit People Mover it's not the most useful system for transit, but is actually a good way to see downtown in a quick 20-30 minutes
• Riverwalk A walkable view of Canada and Detroit River.
• Rouge Park for great outdoor times
• Chandler Park
• Historic Fort Wayne when open

Entertainment Venues:

• El Club Music venue in Mexicantown that also has amazing NY style pizza
• Marble Bar Music venue that also hosts WDET's monthly Moth storytelling
• Garden Bowl/Magic Stick Historic bowling alley, dive bar and concert venue under one roof.
• Baker's Keyboard Lounge top-notch jazz club
• PJ's Lager House live music, local beer on tap
• Theaters Detroit is home to the second largest theater district in the Fillmore, Fox Theater, Masonic Temple, Fisher Theater, Gem, Music Hall, St. Andrews, Detroit Opera House, City Theater, Majestic, Max M. Fisher Music Center

Seasonal:

• Detroit City Football Club (also see /DetroitCityFC) amazing soccer team, nationally recognized.
• Detroit Derby Girls Bouts take place at the Masonic Temple

Other:

• Detroit Film Theatre 1,200 seat auditorium located at the DIA, catch a screening.
• Cinema Detroit Movie theater located in Midtown, select indie films and new releases
• Casinos We have three! Greektown, MGM Grand and Motor City.

Museums & Exhibits

• Detroit Institute of Arts Free for Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb county residents.
• Motown Museum the birthplace of Motown music, located in New Center
• Henry Ford Museum/Greenfield Village Good for vistors if they have a few hours and transportation.
• MOCAD Contemporary Art Museum in an amazing raw space, always changing exhibitions and a nice little shop inside. Located on Woodward in Midtown.
• Michigan Science Center hands-on exhibits, IMAX Dome, Planetarium, mad scientists with liquid nitrogen and lightning. good for kids, located in Midtown.
• Outdoor Adventure Center located in the newly restored Globe Trading Building.
• Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History
• Tuskegee Airmen Museum
• African Bead Museum
• Dossin Great Lakes Museum located on Belle Isle
• Ford Piquette Plant historic auto production facility and birthplace of the Model T.

Retail & Shopping

• John K. King Books Downtown; Largest used bookstore in the state, located in an old glove warehouse
• Pewabic Pottery near Islandview; Detroit original, lots of original ceramic art work to view and purchase
• Third Man Records Retail store and Vinyl Manufacturing plant, owned/operated by Jack White
• City Bird Midtown; Handmade goods from local and regional designers
• People's Records Gratiot in Eastern Market; Internationally renowned treasure trove of rare vinyl, with a focus on Detroit produced stuff
• Hello Records Corktown; Newer record shop with a great collection of new and old vinyl
• Pure Detroit Downtown and New Center; Detroit themed t-shirts, magnets, etc.
• Shinola Flagship Store watches, bikes and leather goods.
• The Hub A Bicycle shop with a charitable bent and affordable bikes.
• Avenue of Fashion Located at Livernois and Outer Drive; shopping district off the beaten path
• Run Detroit Running gear store in Midtown, hosts a welcoming run club every Saturday morning at 8am
• Paramita Sound Record store in West Village

Places to eat:

• Coney Islands Lafayette or American, take your pick. Duly's Place in Mexicantown as another OG contender.
• Supino Pizzeria Eastern Market; Best NY style pizza in the city, delicious fresh ingredients
• Cass Cafe Restaurant and art gallery in Cass Corridor.
• Green Dot Stables Grab your saddle, best sliders in the city.
• Johnny Noodle King one of Detroit's ramen noodle houses
• The Bronx Midtown. Classic dive bar with an equally classic jukebox and a burger that's out of this world.
• Sweetwater Tavern Downtown, /Detroit's pick for 'Best Wings in the City'
• Buddy's Pizza Original Detroit style pizza, well regarded by foodies and chefs.
• Rock City Eatery on Woodward in Midtown. Cheap drinks and great food.
• Dutch Girl Donuts Palmer Park. Best donuts in the city, been doing it the same way forever.
• Mudgies Deli Corktown fresh sandwich shop with patio, recently expanded.
• Cadieux Cafe Jazz music throughout the week and authentic Featherbowling.
• Slow's BBQ Corktown. BBQ that put Corktown as a food destination on the map. Check out Slows-To-Go in Midtown if you're looking to skip the wait.
• The Food Exchange famous for the Big Baby burger
• Vincente's Great Cuban food. Salsa dancing. 20+ types of tequila
• Ottava Via Italian joint in Corktown. Great food, laid back atmosphere.
• Mercury Bar Good food and beer selection and the atmosphere is really cool.
• Townhouse located Downtown
• Bucharest Grill Amazing Shawarma and good prices, 3 locations around the city.
• Scotty Simpson's Northwest side for fish and chips
• Polish Village Cafe Eat your Polish Grandmother's cooking. A Hamtramck staple.
• The Whitney Restaurant in a gorgeous historic mansion. Ambience is spectacular, food has gone through down periods. Good spot for an important date night. Don't be surprised to see a marriage proposal.
• Giovanni's Arguably the best Italian food in the city. Neighborhood is what happens when you zone Heavy Industrial in Sim City, but the food, service and ambience are world-class.
• London Chop House A famous Detroit restaurant name brought back to life, it's a classic dark-wood, old-school steakhouse. Frank Sinatra and Henry Ford II had tables there. Just opened a cigar bar in the same building for after-dinner lounging.
• Roast "Iron Chef" Michael Symon's restaurant in the Westin Book Cadillac hotel. Things happen to meat here that you never thought possible.
• Joe Muer's Seafood Like the London Chop House, a classic name from Detroit restaurant history brought back to life. Located in the ground floor of the GM Renaissance Center, lunch is comprised almost entirely of GM suppliers taking their customers out to lunch, but dinner is another matter.
• Golden Fleece Greektown. "Best Gyro in town" and other greek specialties.
• Mexicantown Most authentic Mexican food in the city, can't go wrong: Los Altos, Taqueria Lupitas, Taqueria Nuestra Familia, Taqueria El Rey, or Taqueria Mi Pueblo.
• ** Takoi** Northern Thai inspired restaurant. James Beard finalist
• Selden Standard Fine dining, local, small plates. Also great brunch.
• Wright & Co Fine dining, local, small plates.
• Republic Fine dining, local, small plates.
• ima Corktown, Udon noodles.
• Flower's of Vietnam Vietnamese restaurant run by a Lebanese chef in an old Mexicantown coney. Only in Detroit.
• Polonia Restaurant Home style Polish and Eastern European food, located right next to Polish Village cafe in Hamtramck.
• Apparatus Room Fine restaurant & bar in the Detroit Foundation Hotel near Cobo Center.
• People's Bakery One of Southwest's finest local shops.

Brunch Spots

• Cliff Bells Foxtown. Bottomless mimosas and bloody Mary's and great selection of French and Soul Food inspired dishes
• Hudson Cafe Downtown. Red velvet pancakes, graham cracker-crusted French toast, and Voodoo Eggs Benedict
• Seva Midtown. great Brunch for Vegan's and Vegetarian's- Small but good beewine selection
• Brooklyn Street Local Corktown. banana pancakes with caramelized walnuts, an inevitably delicious quiche-of-the-day, and of course, the Hangover Special, and some damn good Poutine!
• La Dolce Vita North Detroit. smooth jazz, salmon hash, and the shrimp Benedict make for a fabulous brunch experience
• The Dime Store Downtown. a great selection of Omelets, Benedicts, Sandwiches, and Hash (from Executive Chef Josh, who has spent 2 decades in award winning restaraunts in Chicago, NYC, and A2) and of course, BOOZE! (Their Duck Rueben is out of this world)
• Foran's Grand Trunk Pub Downtown. Great meal options throughout the day but their brunch is great (May I recommend their Corktown sandwich or the Lobster Benedict) with a great local beer selection to boot
• Rose's Fine Foods Rivertown. Homesick for mom's cooking? This place has incredible baked goods and delicious sandwiches that make you feel right at home
• The Clique Breakfast spot on Jefferson in Rivertown area
• Honest Johns Midtown. Good all around menu, drink list and Chicken & Waffles.
• Detroit Institute of Bagels Traditional bagels plus soups & sandwiches in an airy, industrial space with counter seating.

Places to drink:

Breweries:

• Batch Brewing Co. Corktown small batch brewery with 15+ beers on tap and Louisiana-style food.
• Detroit Beer Co. Great beer as well as great food. The Hair of the Dog burger is fantastic.
• Atwater Detroit brewery near the Riverfront
• Brew Detroit Contract brewing facility with a great open space and their own brews. Across the park from Batch. The Loaded Die hosts Tuesday boardgame nights here.
• Eastern Market Brewing Company The large pink elephant mural is hard to miss.
• Founders taproom Needs no introduction
• Motor City Brewing Works Midtown; Microbrewery with delicious beer and uniquely-topped pizzas, rooftop seating in the Summer
• Jolly Pumpkin Brewery Tap room specializing in Sour Beer and Ciders

Bars:

• Motor City Wine located in Corktown.
• SugarHouse Carefully crafted cocktails in a hunting lodge sharing a wall with Slow's. Hells yea.
• Woodbridge Pub
• Cafe D'Mongo's a unique and eclectic "speakeasy." reasonably priced and strong cocktails, live music every night (Fri & Sat only)
• Cliff Bells a solid jazz club right downtown (could be under entertainment as well)
• Dakota Inn Rathskeller a German underground beer hall that transports you straight to Europe, featuring German food, music, and beer. Especially popular during Oktoberfest (mid-September to end of October).
• Jacoby's Biergarten good selection of draft beer, solid German food, and a huge international beer selection
• Jolly Ol' Timers North Cass Corridor. If they're open, you won't find a bar full of more interesting people.
• Old Miami Midtown. A Veterans bar, During the summer, the back yard is the best place to drink in the city.
• Foran's Grand Trunk Pub Downtown; great selection of local Michigan beers, with decent food to accompany it
• Northern Lights Lounge New Center bar with a great patio and decent food.
• Two Way Inn One of the oldest bars in the city
• The Skip Popular alley bar in The Belt
• Ready Player One Barcarde
• Checker BaOffworld Arcade Burger bar & Barcade near Campus Martius

Coffeeshops:

• Astro Coffee a popular cafe in Corktown
• Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Co. Chill coffee bar with beer, wine and some food.
• Socre Tea A tea shop/cafe in midtown. Tucked away on Garfield and John R. Super quiet and relaxing.
• Ashe Supply Co. Small-batch java drinks plus pastries, sandwiches and other goods just off Grand Circus Park in Downtown
• Dessert Oasis Espresso, house-roasted coffee & pastries served in a brick-walled space with artwork & live music. Good window views located Downtown in Capital Park.

Landmarks

• The Grand Lobbies of Detroit See here: http://imgur.com/a/tqC8i
• Guardian Building another beautiful example of Art Deco architecture
• Fisher Building "the worlds largest art project" and a prime example of Detroit's rich Art Deco history
• The Fist of Joe Louis Woodward/Jefferson Ave
• Ford Piquette Plant historic auto production facility and birthplace of the Model T.
• The Spirit of Detroit Woodward/Jefferson Ave.
• Hart Plaza Found along the Riverwalk; a public space that's home to Movement, Detroit Jazz Fest and other festivals throughout the year.
• Senator Palmer’s Font Hill Log House and fountain in Palmer Park (when open).

Not following anyone's Valentine's Day plans from my previous post, I ended up booking dinner at Craft Works (downtown is crowded) for the wife and I. Any recommendations, insights, or advice?
After dinner I guess we'll head over to MGM casino unless anyone can suggest a place to stop for a drink, preferably with some music or the like?
​
Thanks for never letting me down /Detroit

I'm travelling to Detroit on a business trip and looking for a good hotel for 7 days. Anywhere within 25 - 30mi from University of Detroit Mercy. I'd say no more than $200 - $215 per night or not much exceeding $1400. My last visit earlier this year (Jan/Feb 2018) I stayed at the Greektown Casino. It was OK.
 
Edit: I've looked at MGM, Motor City, Aloft, The Siren Hotel on Broadway recently caught my attention but I couldn't find a room within budget, and the same for Westin. Just looking for good recommendations. For example RiverWalk Hotel shows as a 4 star hotel, is in my budget, but has a 2 out of 5 review where 5 is best 1 is worst. The Crown Royal I do not want to stay at Greektown Casino again.
 
Unrelated? :At Greektown Casino - I loved the view and location downtown. The shower was fantastic. The AC in the room worked spectacularly. The food wasn't impressive, an old Holiday Inn breakfast was better. The room layout felt small, which was ok, but it also seemed a little dirty there too. Not a very good cleaning service. The robes were awesome to have but dirty/stained. There wasn't adequate storage in my opinion. Other guests were loud. WiFi... what WiFi? The lobby smelled really good and was always very clean, so it was nice coming and going. The staff was incredibly rude with the exception of a couple folks. The valet seemed slow and a waste of money. I really wouldn't complain overall but I wouldn't return to them to give them any of my money again.
 
 
Update: Thank you for all the wonderful suggestions. I never thought to check B&B's or a Lodge. My budget ended up getting cut, so the Westin and like hotels went off my radar. For what it's worth I'll probably never return to Greektown Casino simply because of the crummy food and valet. I'm going to go with Trumbull Porter! Will update the results.
 

Alright its been 3+ years since we created Detroit's official sidebar "list of things to do" and a lot has changed. People keep asking so let's give it another go. I'll leave this post as a sticky for the next week so everyone's brains can stew over the best of the best in the city.
Keeping the same format as last time, comment with your suggestion(s) and a short reason why you would recommend it. Everyone's collective picks will be added into the list below.
Places to eat:

• Coney Islands Lafayette or American, take your pick.
• Supino Pizzeria Eastern Market; Best NY style pizza in the city, delicious fresh ingredients
• Motor City Brewing Works Midtown; Microbrewery with delicious beer and uniquely-topped pizzas, rooftop seating in the summer
• Cass Cafe Restaurant and art gallery in Cass Corridor.
• Green Dot Stables Grab your saddle, best sliders in the city.
• Johnny Noodle King Detroit's noodle house, a block from Green Dot on Fort St., owned by the same guy.
• Rock City Eatery in Hamtramck. Cheap drinks and great food.
• Dutch Girl Donuts Palmer Park. Best donuts in the city, been doing it the same way forever.
• Roma Cafe Detroit's oldest Italian restaurant.
• Mudgies Deli Corktown fresh sandwich shop.
• Cadieux Cafe Jazz music throughout the week. and featherbowling.
• Slow's BBQ Corktown. Hipsters will howl that it's overrated, but are you going to trust them or Slow's fantastic reputation that constantly sees them on national travel shows?
• The Food Exchange famous for the Big Baby burger
• Vincente's Great Cuban food. Salsa dancing. 20+ types of tequila
• Ottava Via Italian joint in Corktown. Great food, laid back atmosphere.
• Mercury Bar Good food and beer selection and the atmosphere is really cool.
• Bucharest Grill Amazing Shawarma and good prices, located inside Park Bar.
• The Clique Breakfast spot on Jefferson in Rivertown area
• Northwest Side foods: Scotty Simpson's for fish and chips, Nu Wave (seafood), Aunt Betty's (soul food), J's Cafe (soul food)
• Sweetwater delicious wings
• Buddy's Pizza @ Conant/7 mile. Original Detroit style pizza well regarded by foodies and chefs
• Mexicantown Can't go wrong: Los Altos, Taqueria Lupitas, Taqueria Nuestra Familia, Taqueria El Rey, or Taqueria Mi Pueblo.
• Golden Fleece located in Greektown, best Gyro in town.
• Coach Insignia high atop the Renaissance Center, best view you'll get of the city from a dinner table, food is pretty good as well.
• Polish Village Cafe Eat your Polish Grandmother's cooking. A Hamtramck staple.
• Guns and Butter Detroit's only Michelin Star style dining experience.
• The Whitney Restaurant in a gorgeous historic mansion. Ambience is spectacular, food has gone through down periods. Good spot for an important date night. Don't be surprised to see a marriage proposal.
• Giovanni's Arguably the best Italian food in the city. Neighborhood is what happens when you zone Heavy Industrial in Sim City, but the food, service and ambience are world-class.
• London Chop House A famous Detroit restaurant name brought back to life, it's a classic dark-wood, old-school steakhouse. Frank Sinatra and Henry Ford II had tables there. Just opened a cigar bar in the same building for after-dinner lounging.
• Coach Insignia Restaurant at the top of the GM Renaissance Center. Whatever restaurant has been in this space has always been more about the view than the food and this is no exception, but the view makes up for it.
• Roast "Iron Chef" Michael Symon's restaurant in the Westin Book Cadillac hotel. Things happen to meat here that you never thought possible.
• Joe Muer's Seafood Like the London Chop House, a classic name from Detroit restaurant history brought back to life. Located in the ground floor of the GM Renaissance Center, lunch is comprised almost entirely of GM suppliers taking their customers out to lunch, but dinner is another matter.
• Dangerously Delicious Pies Midtown. Meat and sweet pies of several varieties. Located in the back of 3rd street bar.
• Golden Fleece Greektown. "best Gyro in town" and other greek specialties.
• Taqueria Lupita's** Mexicantown

Brunch Spots

• Cliff Bells Foxtown. Bottomless mimosas and bloody Mary's and great selection of French and Soul Food inspired dishes
• Fountain Bistro Campus Martius. Bottomless Mimosas and Bloody Mary Bar. Good place for french toast.
• Hudson Cafe Downtown. Red velvet pancakes, graham cracker-crusted French toast, and Voodoo Eggs Benedict every day (Sunday: Expect a wait)
• Seva Midtown. great Brunch for Vegan's and Vegetarian's- Small but good beewine selection
• Brooklyn Street Local Corktown. banana pancakes with caramelized walnuts, an inevitably delicious quiche-of-the-day, and of course, the Hangover Special, and some damn good Poutine!
• La Dolce Vita North Detroit. smooth jazz, salmon hash, and the shrimp Benedict make for a fabulous brunch experience
• The Dime Store Downtown. a great selection of Omelets, Benedicts, Sandwiches, and Hash (from Executive Chef Josh, who has spent 2 decades in award winning restaraunts in Chicago, NYC, and A2) and of course, BOOZE! (Their Duck Rueben is out of this world)
• Harmonie Garden Midtown. Middle Eastern Food meets Classic American Brunch!
• Foran's Grand Trunk Pub Downtown. Great meal options throughout the day but their brunch is great (May I recommend their Corktown sandwich or the Lobster Benedict) with a great local beer selection to boot
• Macabees Midtown. endless mimosas, champagne chocolate chip buttermilk pancakes, brisket benedict, and the salmon wrap are all delicious
• Rose's Fine Foods Rivertown. Homesick for mom's cooking? This place has incredible baked goods and delicious sandwiches that make you feel right at home
• Honest Johns Midtown. Good all around menu, drink list and Chicken & Waffles.

Places to drink:

• Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Co. Chill coffee bar with beer, wine and some food.
• Socre Tea A tea shop/cafe in midtown. Tucked away on Garfield and John R. Super quiet and relaxing.
• Park Bar Downtown; Great beer selection, beautiful windows, delicious shwarma and curly fries from the Bucharest Grill next door
• Motor City Wine located in Corktown.
• PJ's Lager House live music, local beer on tap
• Woodbridge Pub
• Detroit Beer Co. Great beer as well as great food. The Hair of the Dog burger is fantastic.
• SugarHouse Carefully crafted cocktails in a hunting lodge sharing a wall with Slow's. Hells yea.
• Cafe D'Mongo's a unique and eclectic "speakeasy." reasonably priced and strong cocktails, live music every night (Fri & Sat only)
• Cliff Bells a solid jazz club right downtown (could be under entertainment as well)
• Dakota Inn Rathskeller a German underground beer hall that transports you straight to Europe, featuring German food, music, and beer. Especially popular during Oktoberfest (mid-September to end of October).
• Jacoby's Biergarten good selection of draft beer, solid German food, and a huge international beer selection
• Astro Coffee a popular cafe in Corktown
• Foran's Grand Trunk Pub great selection of local Michigan beers, with decent food to accompany it
• Old Miami Inexpensive drinks in your uncle's basement. On Cass in southern midtown.
• Zenith Cuban/mexican fusion in new center, in the Fisher Building. Also they have a tiki bar.
• Jolly Ol' Timers North Cass Corridor. If they're open, you won't find a bar full of more interesting people.
• Old Miami Midtown. A Veterans bar, During the summer, the back yard is the best place to drink in the city.

Retail & Shopping:

• City Bird Midtown; Handmade goods from local and regional designers
• John K. King Books Downtown; Largest used bookstore in the state, located in an old glove warehouse
• People's Records Midtown; Internationally renowned treasure trove of rare vinyl, with a focus on Detroit produced stuff
• Hello Records Corktown; Newer record shop with a great collection of new and old vinyl
• Pure Detroit Downtown and New Center; Detroit themed t-shirts, magnets, etc.
• Shinola Flagship Store watches, bikes and leather goods.
• Pewabic Pottery lots of original ceramic art work to view and purchase
• The Hub A Bicycle shop with a charitable bent and affordable bikes.
• Livernois and Outer Drive shopping district off the beaten path

Entertainment & Attractions

• Belle Isle
• Detroit Institute of Arts Free for Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb county residents. Concerts every Friday night in the Rivera Court (probably one of the most fantastic and important pieces of public art in the world). Just for the atmosphere alone it's worth going, and the music is generally great as well.
• Detroit Film Theatre 1,200 seat auditorium located at the DIA, catch a screening.
• Riverwalk a walkable view of Canada and Detroit River
• Casinos we have three! Greektown, MGM Grand and Motor City.
• Motown Museum New Center; Studio tours of the houses, really cool stuff.
• MOCAD Midtown; Contemporary art museum in an amazing raw space, always changing exhibitions and a nice little shop inside.
• Detroit City Football Club amazing soccer team, nationally recognized.
• Detroit Derby Girls at the Masonic Temple
• Garden Bowl/Magic Stick bowling alley, bar and concert venue under one roof.
• Stadiums Ford Field, Comerica Park, Joe Louis Arena
• Theaters Detroit is home to the second largest theater district in the Fillmore, Fox Theater, Masonic Temple, Fisher Theater, Gem, Music Hall, St. Andrews, Detroit Opera House, City Theater, Majestic, Max M. Fisher Music Center
• Detroit People Mover it's not the most useful system for transit, but is actually a good way to see downtown in a quick 20-30 minutes
• Eastern Market one of the largest and oldest open-air farmers markets in the country
• Baker's Keyboard Lounge top-notch jazz club
• Movement Festival worldwide-recognized annual Electronic music festival held every Memorial Day Weekend
• Detroit Jazz Festival largest free jazz festival in the world (self-proclaimed, at least) held every Labor Day Weekend
• Detroit Beer Festival one of four Michigan Brewers Guild annual festivals held the last weekend of October
• Campus Martius highly regarded as one of the best city parks in the country and home to many events throughout the year. Home to Detroit's Christmas tree and an ice-skating rink in the winter.
• Michigan Science Center hands-on exhibits, IMAX Dome, Planetarium, mad scientists with liquid nitrogen and lightning. good for kids, located in Midtown.
• Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History
• Tuskegee Airmen Museum
• Rouge Park for great outdoor times
• Chandler Park
• Historic Fort Wayne when open
• African Bead Museum
• Outdoor Adventure Center located in the newly restored Globe Trading Building,
• Dakota Inn Rathskeller Oktoberfest Six Mile and Woodward-ish. One of the coolest activities in all of Detroit, somehow unknown even among hardcore Detroiters.

Landmarks

• The Grand Lobbies of Detroit See here: http://imgur.com/a/tqC8i
• The Fist of Joe Louis Woodward/Jefferson Ave
• Fisher Building "the worlds largest art project" and a prime example of Detroit's rich Art Deco history
• Guardian Building another beautiful example of Art Deco architecture
• Ford Piquette Plant historic auto production facility and birthplace of the Model T.
• The Spirit of Detroit Woodward/Jefferson Ave.
• Hart Plaza
• Senator Palmer’s Font Hill Log House and fountain in Palmer Park (when open).
• Son House in Mt. Hazel Cemetary for the music historian.
• Tigers Stadium field located at Trumbull & Michigan Ave. walk the grounds at the former playing field for Detroit Tigers.

Edit #1: Added most of the suggestions from the comments already- but still a lot to get through! If you have descriptions, or tips for any of the places listed or would like to add more, just leave it below
Edit #2: I've been slacking on the updates- but officially replaced the list in the sidebar! Will work on adding everyones in coming days. stay tuned.

Hi everyone,
I'm looking to see if you guys could toss out some ideas for where to have a company party. I figured some of you must have had office parties at some nice locations. I'm sure that there are plenty of nice places downtown that I may not even be aware of. It could be a restaurant, a bar, or just a nice space that can be rented.
The party can be any Saturday in March or April. It will be a formal party so people will be dressing up. We would have around 100 to 120 guests. We'll need catering and a full bar.
Here are some of the places we've been to already:
DIA
MGM Casino
Detroit Princess
Coach Insignia
Some of the ideas being tossed around now are:
Parc
Mocad
Texas De Brazil
Any other ideas or suggestions would be much appreciated.
Thanks.

THINGS TO DO IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN Established in 1801 Detroit was home to many Indian tribes that you can see with some of the neighboring cities names and the best things I can say about a visit to the Motor City are it’s historical values. There are many places to visit and each one of them has lots of history behind it. If you travel up interstate 75 north for several hours you will come across many Indian reservations that they were awarded by the government for the effect they had on building this nation. Sports Teams You can begin with Joe Lewis Arena the home of the Detroit Red Wings since 1979 they recently opened Little Caesars Arena in September 2017, which is the home of the Detroit Pistons and the Red Wings. As you walk south down the famed Woodward Ave you will see the Home of the Detroit Tigers Comerica Park and just around the corner is Ford Field the Home of the Detroit Lions. In early 2018, all four major sports teams reunited back in Detroit for the first time in nearly 25 years, which has brought millions in revenue back to the Motor City. Theaters Further across the street you will see The World Famous Fox Theater, which has been a stage for many of the past and present superstar performers. It is the host to lots of thing such as, comedy shows, concerts, and kid events. Just about every entertainer from every generation has performed in this theater. Gambling Detroit is also the largest inner city that has legalized gambling. They have three hotel casinos, The Motor City, Greektown, and the MGM Grand casino. You can relax at either one of these resorts and have a great meal, place a bet, get a massage, listen to live music, or just mingle among the fabulous crowds that gather at any of these venues on a daily basis. Museums You can view first hand the lab where Tomas Edison had his first light bulb moment or even the workshop where the Wright Brothers reached the sky. These are some of the features of Greenfield Village. The facilities are over 80 acres wide with shops, dining, and events. Henry Ford Museum is another one of the attractions of The Metro Detroit area it has artifacts, exhibits, and some of the greatest innovations in American History. They have daily tours that include a guide through the Rouge Ford Factory. You get to see first hand Ford Trucks being made from the ground up until they roll off the assembly line and stored to be transported to dealers around the world. You can even view the first Model T or jump on a steam-powered locomotive to visit animals around the compounds. There's the Detroit Institute of Arts you can visit to see Priceless works of art. The Michigan Science center, the Charles H Wright Museum are two other museums in metro Detroit that house many works of art. Last but not least you have to visit the Motown Museum where all of the Motown artists started their entertainment lives. Berry Gordy is one of the most famous names in the world of music and he started his label right there on West Grand Blvd. in the heart of Detroit. Some of the artists that started there were Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, The Jackson Five, and The Four Tops. There are daily tours that take you into this historic building to see where these sounds all began. Restaurants The first class dining in Detroit is one of my favorite parts of the city. You can start off by strolling to Mexican town just down interstate 75 South to Clark Street. Or you can head to the downtown area to Greektown and enjoy some of the best Greek cuisine in the world. Once again there’s the three casinos where you can have breath taking meals at also. In my opinion I would say that there are great places you can dine at after nearly every turn of the steering wheel in Detroit. Image Most of all I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. I have resided in the same home since I was four years old and every one of those years have had it’s share of ups and downs, but I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything in the world. This city has taught me so much about growing into a man and how to turn a negative into a positive. The men and women of Detroit each have a saying that to do anything means that it must be done correctly and this applies to every part of life. Detroit is full of blue-collar workers that go into the factories of Ford Motor, General Motors, and Chrysler on a daily basis and has helped to build this country into what it is today. Each one of these motor companies have a slogan that has Detroit in it's saying. Starting with Chrysler's "Imported from Detroit", General Motors "Detroit's Strong as a Rock", and finally Ford's "Detroit Raises the Bar". A few years ago, when President Obama was in office the three auto companies got into a financial jam and they were bailed out by Obama's Administration to save these American jobs. That turned out to be one of the best things that any modern day President could have done. He was apposed with strong opposition from most Republicans in office, but at the end of the day the loans were paid back and in record time by all three auto companies. Best of all those factory workers jobs were saved by this action and the Motor City was kept alive, well, and still prospering because of this action by a revolutionary President.

Also if anybody has any suggestion for things to do or places i must see or eat out during the month of August. Specifically August 7-10.
Here is the hotel list:
Aloft Detroit at The David Whitney 1 Park Ave Detroit, MI 48226
Atheneum Suite Hotel 1000 Brush St Detroit, MI 48226
Courtyard by Marriott Detroit Downtown 333 Jefferson Ave Detroit, MI 48226
Crowne Plaza Detroit Downtown Riverfront 2 Washington Blvd Detroit, MI 48226
Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center 400 Renaissance Dr W Detroit, MI 48243
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Detroit Downtown 525 W Lafayette Detroit, MI 48226
Greektown Casino-Hotel 555 E Lafayette Detroit, MI 48226
Hilton Garden Inn Detroit Downtown 351 Gratiot Detroit, MI 48226
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Detroit Downtown 1020 Washington Blvd Detroit, MI 48226
MGM Grand Detroit 1777 3rd St Detroit, MI 48226
MotorCity Casino Hotel 2901 Grand River Detroit, MI 48226
The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit 1114 Washington Blvd Detroit, MI 48226
Thank you!

The main Detroit wikipedia page briefly mentions:

Between 2000 and 2010, the city's population declined by 25%.[14] Among major American cities during the decade, only New Orleans experienced a greater decrease by percentage.[14]

But there's no mention of any real issues with the economy. This is the closest the main Detroit page gets to that:

The Detroit automakers and local manufacturing have made significant restructurings in response to market competition.

There's some mention of issues hitting Detroit in the Urban Development in Detroit page. But links to that page have been scrubbed from any other Detroit-related page (seriously, check the edit histories).
Ok, so maybe changes to Detroit belong in the History of Detroit page? Well, that page is pretty clean, as well.
Here's the entire Recent Developments Section of the History of Detroit page. This is the only section (except for a very brief blurb in the "Metropolitan Region" section right above it) that mentions events from 2000-Present:

In the 1990s, the city began to experience a revival, much of it centered in Downtown, Midtown, and New Center. One Detroit Center (1993) arose on the city skyline. In the ensuing years, three casino resort hotels opened in Detroit: MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Greektown Casino which then debuted as resort hotels in 2007-08. New downtown stadiums Comerica Park and Ford Field were constructed for the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Lions in 2000 and 2002, respectively; this placed the Lions' stadium in the city proper for the first time since 1974. In 2008, the city witnessed major restorations of the historic Book Cadillac Hotel and the Fort Shelby Hotel.[26] The city has hosted major events - the 2005 MLB All-Star Game, 2006 Super Bowl XL, 2006 World Series, WrestleMania 23 in 2007 and the NCAA Final Four in April 2009 - all of which prompted many improvements to the area.
The city's International Riverfront is a focus of much development which has complemented similar developments in Windsor, Ontario. In 2007, Detroit completed the first major portions of the River Walk, including miles of parks and fountains. New developments and revitalizations are a mainstay in the city's plan to enhance its economy through tourism.[27] Along the river, upscale condominiums are rising, such as Watermark Detroit. Some city limit signs, particularly on the Dearborn border say "Welcome to Detroit, The Renaissance City Founded 1701".[26] [28]
The 2004 opening of the Compuware Center gave downtown Detroit its first significant new office building in a decade. Significant landmarks such as the Fox Theatre, Detroit Opera House, and the Gem Theater have been restored and host concerts, musicals, and plays. Many downtown centers such as Greektown, Cobo Center and Campus Martius Park, as well as the Michigan State Fairgrounds on the northern border, draw patrons and host activities.

See, we're all wrong. Detroit is a thriving, beautiful city with no real issues facing it. If you thought different, you're wrong and if you edit the pages to reflect that, someone will come and revert/change your edits.
TL;DR: It looks like Detroit is paying people to alter its wikipedia pages to put a positive spin on its current and/or recent history.

Local resident Leonard Wilkins says "The city might not have money but this casino does!". Many of the locals at the MGM Grand Casino, in downtown Detroit, were visibly shaken when an announcement came over the public address system noting that the buffet was out of crab legs. "I didn't come here for grilled cheese" noted local Mildred Hendricks, "I paid my dues, I lost $325 dollars in Keno here this morning and now they drop this on me? Pfffft".