Is Detroit a safe place to visit?

Question

I'm from Toronto, Canada and going to be visiting Windsor next week. I'm planning to see Detroit as well since Windsor is right beside it, but how dangerous is Detroit? I'm planning to use public transit to get around Windsor and Detroit. I'm probably only going to visit the downtown and greektown area of Detroit, so would I be able to walk around those parts of Detroit without any problems?

BTW I've walked around other American cities on my own, such as NYC, L.A., and San Francisco. So is Detroit generally the same or is it in a much different category of danger, compared to those cities?

Answer 1

Detroit is safe as long as you do not do stupid things. Public transportation is pretty safe. The main thing is to try and not travel alone if you don't have to. Greek town and Downtown are not bad at all, just don't go around into random neighborhoods because then is when you could run into more trouble. For the most part Detroit is not that bad, and is probably along the lines of NYC. There aren't as many people, and it is hard to run into bad areas. If you will just be going to places like Greek town, Tiger Stadium(which is interesting to see since it is getting torn down), the Fox is in a very nice area to walk around and Comerica park and Ford Field share this nice area. The River front is also nice to visit as well. The People Mover is good to take around the areas it sounds like you are going. It is safe, reliable and cheap.. Despite what people say people aren't getting mugged and raped around every corner. Just be smart and you shouldn't have a problem. I hope that this helps. If you have any more questions don't be afraid to ask!

Answer 2

do not go to detroit... its the most violent city in the US

Answer 3

h**l NO

Answer 4

Detroit has one of the highest crime rates in the States, I have heard.

Personally, I would just drive on through. I've been through there several times crossing the border and it's a really depressed area. There's graffiti everywhere, a lot of the shops are boarded up or caged. The homes are dilapidated and some of them are just boarded up. It looks like a lot of the people have just abandoned the area. It used to be a fairly prosperous city in it's hey day but with the closing of the car plants etc. , there are few jobs, a lot of poverty and a very high crime rate. Personally, I would stay in Windsor, if I were you. If you do decide to go, I agree with the other person who said 'don't look like a tourist'. I would go during the day and not be there at night and I would not wear any expensive rings or anything, carry a cell phone with you and don't carry a lot of money.......

Answer 5

I've lived in the Detroit area all my life. I worked in downtown for 13 years, go to school at Wayne State University, and I frequently visit Greektown, Mexicantown and other areas of Detroit. I've never had a problem. The view of Detroit as being so dangerous is perpetuated by the ignorant souls who have never visited it. It's like any other city, there are good areas and bad areas, Greektown is very safe, and fun, I go there all the time, and it's an easy walk from the tunnel. You won't find as much mass transit available in Detroit as you do in other cities, but the people mover is good for getting around downtown. As long as you stay on the beaten paths you will be just fine.

Answer 6

I live in suburban Detroit.It's pretty much like any other American city. You'd be okay in Downtown and Greektown, and always be very alert, but for your safety, don't go into residential areas, don't have any expensive jewelry on, don't stay out at night, and stay on the beaten path...

This is in a suburb near detroit, about a 20 minute drive, but this is a must see:

http://www.thehenryford.org/

Here are some other things to do:

DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts) - http://www.dia.org/

Eastern Market http://www.easternmarket.org/

Belle Isle - http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us

MGM Grand Detroit Casino - http://www.mgmgranddetroit.com/

Answer 7

Public transportation is safe during the day if you're not alone, you should have no problems. Just don't look too touristy, and don't carry too much expensive stuff, because, like all cities, there are pickpockets and muggers. If you're staying downtown, you should have no issues with any crime, just make sure to stay alert. If you are out at night, call a cab and get a ride back to your hotel, just to avoid any trouble. Overall, if you stay out of bad areas, don't look too touristy, and don't get sassy with any locals or stare at people, you really won't have any problems at all.  

Answer 8

You should be perfectly fine.  I don't know what you heard, but don't believe it.

Answer 9

Even the DEAD aren't staying in Detroit.  According to the Detroit News, not only is Detroit losing around 500 people each year in population, over 1,000 dead people have left between 2002 - 2007.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...

Living people who've left Detroit to move to the suburbs don't want to go into Detroit to visit their dear departed at the cemeteries, so they're having them disinterred and transferred to cemeteries in the suburbs.

This is not out-of-town media ripping on Detroit, but Detroit's own newspaper.  And it's not outsiders ripping on Detroit, but locals who are fed up with Detroit.

Answer 10

Downtown Detroit is very safe, safer than the US national average. If you keep your wits with you and don't draw a lot of attention to yourself you shouldn't have a lot of fuss on your hands.

Answer 11

Detroit is no more dangerous than most parts of LA, and Detroit has just as much of a diversity of people as NYC.

Downtown Detroit is pretty a pretty nice area, so enjoy.

Detroit does have it's bad spots that fit some of the horror storuies you hear, but most parts aren't like that. Also, all of the bad areas of Detroit are residential areas, and I couldn't imagine why any tourist would want to go check out any residential parts of a city (boring), so you'll be just fine.

Answer 12

If you wanna talk about graffiti, go to Montreal and Quebec City, then we can talk. Detroit's graffiti problem is tame compared to those cities. I am from Detroit and personally I would never use a DDOT bus, they are unsafe, unreliable, and break down alot. Windsor's bus system is fine, though. You'll be fine downtown and Greektown, just always be alert. There'll be panhandlers but just ignore them. I would recommend going with someone or a group though just to be on the safe side, but if not just be cautious. Downtown is very well policed and you shouldn't have any problem. If your taking a car, just remember to hide things like your GPS or if a nice radio, put it under the seat. Taking the tunnel bus between Windsor and Detroit is fine also. Ride the People Mover!