Neuad
03-26-2012, 06:13 PM
After seeing this article (http://www.starcitygames.com/magic/misc/23820_An_Info_Guide_To_Grand_Prix_Salt_Lake_City.html) I decided it would be cool to have a little info guide for cities that see regular Starcity opens, or GP's, or have upcoming or whatever. While mine will be nowhere as detailed as this, I will attempt to start things off with Detroit.
Detroit
Detroit is a city that get's a real bad rap, and while we do have a lot of corrupt politics, and shitty areas in the city, which major city doesn't? It really isn't that bad downtown, obviously at night it gets a little shadier but if you're near the casinos, Cobo hall, or Comerica Park/Ford Field (baseball/football) it really isn't bad at all.
I don't spend a lot of time in the city, but I know some of the restaurants and will impart this knowledge to you.
The site
I've only been down to Cobo itself for the North American International Auto Show, which is obviously a lot larger then a Starcity Open, so I don't know what kind of concessions will be open on site. I always use the main entrance located at
Cobo Hall-Macomb Entrance
Washington BlvdDetroit, MI 48226
but that all depends on where you park.
Parking
During the NAIAS all the lots in the surrounding city are open, but I have no idea which will be open for this. With this said, I think your best bet will just be the parking garage for Cobo. With so few people traffic won't be much of an issue. There are lots of little 5-20 dollar lots spread out surrounding Cobo, but again I don't know if they will be open or not.
Hotels
I don't know too much about hotels downtown as I've never had to stay in one, but there are a few within walking distance
Marriott at the renaissance center is within walking distance straight down the river of Cobo Hall - http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dtwdt-detroit-marriott-at-the-renaissance-center/
The only other thing that comes to mind is if you want to get out of the city, and don't mind a half hour ish drive, there is a nice grouping of hotels in Livonia, one of the suburbs. They are all located in that rough area, as well as some sit down chain restaurants to eat at. If you choose to stay out here know there is an exit directly for the Cobo Hall parking garage is about 10 feet off the freeway so you won't have a ton of zig zagging to do.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Laurel+Park+Place+livonia+mi&ll=42.414,-83.416357&spn=0.009077,0.021007&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Laurel+Park+Place+livonia+mi&cid=0,0,8992999175467734586&t=m&z=16
Restaurants
This is the area I can really shine here
Slows BBQ - MUST EAT -
Slows get's national attention as being one of the best BBQ's in the country. They have 2 locations, one a sit down restaurant located at
Slows Bar B Que
2138 Michigan AveDetroit, MI 48216
(313) 962-9828
and one that is purely takeout, located at
4107 Cass Ave
Detroit, MI 48201
Personally I say if you are coming to Detroit, make it a point to get to this place. They are hands down the best BBQ I have ever had. Expect to spend 20-30 a person without drinks, maybe less depending on what you get.
Lafayette and American Coney Island
Lafayette Coney Island
118 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 964-8198
American Coney Island
114 W. Lafayette, Detroit, Michigan
These are 2 competing Coney Island's right next to each other, and are 2 of the best. For those of you that don't live in the midwest, a Coney Island is a diner that are really only found in this part of the country. A Coney Dog is a chili dog done to perfection. Again, I highly recommend either of these places, especially because they are cheap and within walking distance of the site, although it might be a little bit of a walk.
Atwater Brewery
Atwater Block Brewery
237 Joseph Campau Street, Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 877-9205
I've only been here once. . .well, twice in the same day but. . .the food was really good, the beer was good, and it was decently priced.
Jacoby's
Jacoby's
624 Brush Street, Detroit, MI
(313) 962-7067
When I asked my Uncle, who knows downtown a bit more, he suggested this as a bar. Apparently they have a ton of beer on tap.
Drinking
All sales of alcohol, be it at a store or bar, end at 2am, and start back up again at 7am (I think? Never bought anything early before) regardless of day.
Local Game Stores
Get Your Game On
310 South State Street Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 786-3746
This is a great local game store located in the middle of downtown Ann Arbor, it's a bit of a hike from Cobo Hall and downtown Detroit, 45 minutes or so with light traffic, but if you're in town and looking for something to do it's always good.
B C Comix & Games LLC
17125 Silver Parkway
Fenton, MI 48430
(810) 208-7100
BC Comix is an up and coming game store, only 2-3 years old, but with a great standard crowd and a growing legacy community. Sadly this store is a huge hike, 1 hour give or take 15 minutes, from downtown Detroit but well worth the drive if you need somewhere to play FNM or some other jazz.
RIW Coins & Stamps
29116 5 Mile Road, Livonia, MI
(734) 261-7233
Home to many well known pro's, this is a little store in the Detroit suburbs, about 20-30 minutes away from the convention center. Not a giant fan of the staff here so I avoid it by all possible means.
Pandemonium
1858 Middlebelt Road, Garden City, MI
(734) 427-2451
30 minutes or so away from downtown is Pandemonium, again I've only been here once or twice and from what I know they don't have any legacy scene at all, not sure about standard. It's a little ways out of my way and again I'm not a fan of the staff.
Warriors 3 Comics & Games
35613 West Michigan Avenue, Wayne, MI
(734) 895-9069
I've only heard about this place, never been there, but I have some friends who hang out there on a regular basis and they are trying to grow a legacy scene so it can't be all bad.
Stadium Cards & Comics
2061 Golfside Drive, Ypsilanti, MI
(734) 434-0283
I must mention Stadium because while it isn't the biggest or most popular store, the owner is a great guy and every time we talk to him about hosting a tournament, he does everything he can to set it up and give decent prize support. We asked him to host a GPT for Indy, and he did putting up a Sea for first place. I have a blast every time I go here simply because it's all friends and we just goof around.
Other things in the city
Hart Plaza
Hart Plaza is just a cool little area to walk around, see the Detroit river, you can see Joe Louis' fist from it. A great view of Canada. Just kind of a cool place to walk around and chill for a bit. It is just north of Cobo Hall along the river
Casino's
Motor City Casino
2901 Grand River Avenue Detroit, MI 48201
(866) 752-9622
Greektown Casino
555 E Lafayette St
Detroit
(877) 424-5554
MGM Grand
1777 3rd Street
Detroit, MI
(877) 888-2121
Detroit has 3 Casino's in it. . .not much really needs to be said about this. I've only been to them 2-3 times so I don't know which is 'best' or anything, but they're just a good time.
Detroit Institute of Art
The DIA is always worth a walk through, but I know most of you are going to be in town for a magic convention not art. Still worth a mention
Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village
This again is more of a tourist destination and takes multiple days to walk through, but worth mentioning. Henry Ford decided to collect everything he could from the Wright brothers workshop, to the chair Lincoln was shot in, to Edisons last breath and put it all in a giant museum/village. Amazing to walk through and anyone within driving distance I highly recommend coming up to visit it over a weekend.
Transit
Detroit doesn't have much mass transit, you can get cabs and stuff but not by just leaning into the road like you can in other major cities. We have a bus system but I've heard it isn't the greatest. The one big thing Detroit has is the people mover. It's an above ground rail system with 10ish stops throughout the city at major things such as Joe Louis Hockey Rink, Greektown Casino, Cobo Hall, etc.
I can't really think of more off the top of my head, I wish I knew downtown better to start this thread off on a better foot but hey it's better then nothing. I hope this help's someone somehow =p
Detroit
Detroit is a city that get's a real bad rap, and while we do have a lot of corrupt politics, and shitty areas in the city, which major city doesn't? It really isn't that bad downtown, obviously at night it gets a little shadier but if you're near the casinos, Cobo hall, or Comerica Park/Ford Field (baseball/football) it really isn't bad at all.
I don't spend a lot of time in the city, but I know some of the restaurants and will impart this knowledge to you.
The site
I've only been down to Cobo itself for the North American International Auto Show, which is obviously a lot larger then a Starcity Open, so I don't know what kind of concessions will be open on site. I always use the main entrance located at
Cobo Hall-Macomb Entrance
Washington BlvdDetroit, MI 48226
but that all depends on where you park.
Parking
During the NAIAS all the lots in the surrounding city are open, but I have no idea which will be open for this. With this said, I think your best bet will just be the parking garage for Cobo. With so few people traffic won't be much of an issue. There are lots of little 5-20 dollar lots spread out surrounding Cobo, but again I don't know if they will be open or not.
Hotels
I don't know too much about hotels downtown as I've never had to stay in one, but there are a few within walking distance
Marriott at the renaissance center is within walking distance straight down the river of Cobo Hall - http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dtwdt-detroit-marriott-at-the-renaissance-center/
The only other thing that comes to mind is if you want to get out of the city, and don't mind a half hour ish drive, there is a nice grouping of hotels in Livonia, one of the suburbs. They are all located in that rough area, as well as some sit down chain restaurants to eat at. If you choose to stay out here know there is an exit directly for the Cobo Hall parking garage is about 10 feet off the freeway so you won't have a ton of zig zagging to do.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Laurel+Park+Place+livonia+mi&ll=42.414,-83.416357&spn=0.009077,0.021007&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Laurel+Park+Place+livonia+mi&cid=0,0,8992999175467734586&t=m&z=16
Restaurants
This is the area I can really shine here
Slows BBQ - MUST EAT -
Slows get's national attention as being one of the best BBQ's in the country. They have 2 locations, one a sit down restaurant located at
Slows Bar B Que
2138 Michigan AveDetroit, MI 48216
(313) 962-9828
and one that is purely takeout, located at
4107 Cass Ave
Detroit, MI 48201
Personally I say if you are coming to Detroit, make it a point to get to this place. They are hands down the best BBQ I have ever had. Expect to spend 20-30 a person without drinks, maybe less depending on what you get.
Lafayette and American Coney Island
Lafayette Coney Island
118 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 964-8198
American Coney Island
114 W. Lafayette, Detroit, Michigan
These are 2 competing Coney Island's right next to each other, and are 2 of the best. For those of you that don't live in the midwest, a Coney Island is a diner that are really only found in this part of the country. A Coney Dog is a chili dog done to perfection. Again, I highly recommend either of these places, especially because they are cheap and within walking distance of the site, although it might be a little bit of a walk.
Atwater Brewery
Atwater Block Brewery
237 Joseph Campau Street, Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 877-9205
I've only been here once. . .well, twice in the same day but. . .the food was really good, the beer was good, and it was decently priced.
Jacoby's
Jacoby's
624 Brush Street, Detroit, MI
(313) 962-7067
When I asked my Uncle, who knows downtown a bit more, he suggested this as a bar. Apparently they have a ton of beer on tap.
Drinking
All sales of alcohol, be it at a store or bar, end at 2am, and start back up again at 7am (I think? Never bought anything early before) regardless of day.
Local Game Stores
Get Your Game On
310 South State Street Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 786-3746
This is a great local game store located in the middle of downtown Ann Arbor, it's a bit of a hike from Cobo Hall and downtown Detroit, 45 minutes or so with light traffic, but if you're in town and looking for something to do it's always good.
B C Comix & Games LLC
17125 Silver Parkway
Fenton, MI 48430
(810) 208-7100
BC Comix is an up and coming game store, only 2-3 years old, but with a great standard crowd and a growing legacy community. Sadly this store is a huge hike, 1 hour give or take 15 minutes, from downtown Detroit but well worth the drive if you need somewhere to play FNM or some other jazz.
RIW Coins & Stamps
29116 5 Mile Road, Livonia, MI
(734) 261-7233
Home to many well known pro's, this is a little store in the Detroit suburbs, about 20-30 minutes away from the convention center. Not a giant fan of the staff here so I avoid it by all possible means.
Pandemonium
1858 Middlebelt Road, Garden City, MI
(734) 427-2451
30 minutes or so away from downtown is Pandemonium, again I've only been here once or twice and from what I know they don't have any legacy scene at all, not sure about standard. It's a little ways out of my way and again I'm not a fan of the staff.
Warriors 3 Comics & Games
35613 West Michigan Avenue, Wayne, MI
(734) 895-9069
I've only heard about this place, never been there, but I have some friends who hang out there on a regular basis and they are trying to grow a legacy scene so it can't be all bad.
Stadium Cards & Comics
2061 Golfside Drive, Ypsilanti, MI
(734) 434-0283
I must mention Stadium because while it isn't the biggest or most popular store, the owner is a great guy and every time we talk to him about hosting a tournament, he does everything he can to set it up and give decent prize support. We asked him to host a GPT for Indy, and he did putting up a Sea for first place. I have a blast every time I go here simply because it's all friends and we just goof around.
Other things in the city
Hart Plaza
Hart Plaza is just a cool little area to walk around, see the Detroit river, you can see Joe Louis' fist from it. A great view of Canada. Just kind of a cool place to walk around and chill for a bit. It is just north of Cobo Hall along the river
Casino's
Motor City Casino
2901 Grand River Avenue Detroit, MI 48201
(866) 752-9622
Greektown Casino
555 E Lafayette St
Detroit
(877) 424-5554
MGM Grand
1777 3rd Street
Detroit, MI
(877) 888-2121
Detroit has 3 Casino's in it. . .not much really needs to be said about this. I've only been to them 2-3 times so I don't know which is 'best' or anything, but they're just a good time.
Detroit Institute of Art
The DIA is always worth a walk through, but I know most of you are going to be in town for a magic convention not art. Still worth a mention
Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village
This again is more of a tourist destination and takes multiple days to walk through, but worth mentioning. Henry Ford decided to collect everything he could from the Wright brothers workshop, to the chair Lincoln was shot in, to Edisons last breath and put it all in a giant museum/village. Amazing to walk through and anyone within driving distance I highly recommend coming up to visit it over a weekend.
Transit
Detroit doesn't have much mass transit, you can get cabs and stuff but not by just leaning into the road like you can in other major cities. We have a bus system but I've heard it isn't the greatest. The one big thing Detroit has is the people mover. It's an above ground rail system with 10ish stops throughout the city at major things such as Joe Louis Hockey Rink, Greektown Casino, Cobo Hall, etc.
I can't really think of more off the top of my head, I wish I knew downtown better to start this thread off on a better foot but hey it's better then nothing. I hope this help's someone somehow =p