Detroit - the “D” to locals - brings to mind vintage cars and the music of Motown. Since Henry Ford built his first car in Detroit in 1896 and invented the automobile assembly line, Detroit has been the king of cars. It is the world’s headquarters for General Motors and Ford Motor Company and the North American headquarters of Daimler Chrysler and Volkswagen. And, since Berry Gordy, Jr. founded Motown in 1957, Detroit has moved the world with music. Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Bob Segar, Madonna, Eminem and Kid Rock are a few of the music giants who got their start in Detroit. Cars and music take center stage in Detroit; however, the city boasts interesting claims to fame. Although you may not associate cultural arts and Detroit, the city is second only to New York City in number of theater seats east of the Mississippi River.
Detroit’s Belle Isle Park is the largest island park within city in the U.S. Detroit is the birthplace of the nation’s first soda. Vernors was created by James Vernor, a pharmacist in Detroit in 1862, almost 25 years before the debut of Coke. Detroit is the headquarters of Dominos, Hungry Howie’s and Little Caesars mega-pizza chains. And, a quick geography lesson: Detroit is actually north of Windsor, Canada because of how the border curves. (If you decide to take a trip across the border, bring proper proof of citizenship.)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne Country Airport (DTW) is located 15 miles south of downtown in nearby Romulus. Detroit transportation is provided by major rental car agencies, shuttles and buses. Getting around Detroit requires a car. Inner and outlying area public transportation is limited to SMART city buses and a People Mover elevated light rail operating in a one-way loop around the perimeter of downtown with frequent stops.
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