This may be posted somewhere else, and sorry for not searching, but when and where is NAIAS. Also about how much is it to get in. I'm in Indy and very interested in going.

Strider-

In Detroit in January...

See www.naias.com for more info...

---jps

Speaking of the NAIAS- I'm debating whether or not to rent a car when we go- we probably won't use it all that much, just to get back and forth to the airport and maybe to dinner one or two nights (we're staying about a 10 minute walk from the show). Someone here has to know how bad driving in Detroit is. Especially from the airport to that area. From what I understand, it'll cost about $40 just to get a taxi from the airport to our hotel, and I can rent a mid-size car for about $28 a day. Since we're staying three days, it's just about as cost effective to rent one as get a taxi.

I'd rather have a rental car then depend on taxis, but if driving in Detroit is like driving in NYC, I'll pass. Anyone with Detroit experience got any advice?

I would say rent the car. It's all about the timing. When it's not rush hour, things are fine. No real traffic problems. Cabs aren't that prevalent in Detroit like NY anyway. You may wait for a while.....not necessarily a good thing in downtown detroit.

Originally posted by Elara
...Anyone with Detroit experience got any advice?

I was born and raised there. :D

But haven't been back there for some time (might have been around 1998 or so to show my wife around the area) The traffic wasn't that bad - but let me preference that I'm use to big city driving (I lived in L.A. for almost 20 years and spent a lot of time visiting NYC also)

;)

I believe that if the people mover (a mini tram type monorail) is still in opperation, that will take you around the downtown area like Greektown (great food and some fun clubs as I remember - but I believe that "Trapper's Alle is closed down or gone- if not check it out) and the Renaissance Center ...

but if you wanted to be a Tourist and visit any of the museums (like Henry Ford's Geenfield Village) - you'll need a car!

Yeah waiting on the street for a taxi is not a smart idea!

Edit: Most rapid transit is not very easy to come by - everyone there has a car except for those who cant afford one and take the bus ...

... not that there's anything wrong with that

Since the Big 3 were based in Detroit, they pretty much used their influence to prevent any kind of viable public transportation from being developed there (to make people buy more cars). Even to this day, public transportation in Detroit is a joke. Not that it matters anymore, because the city is fairly deserted and the only reason people still live there is because they're too poor to move out...

But anyway, I'd highly recommend the rental car.

Thanks guys. I'll be reserving one tomorrow. It sounds like it isn't that bad, and since I learned to drive in DC it can't be too much worse. I had no idea that public transportation was so non-existant- glad I thought of asking on here.

:)

Have fun! take loads of pictures ;)

If you have any extra time away from the Auto Show (I know that it will be very hard to be pulled away from the Mazda/RX-8 exibit) - The Detroit Art museum is a good bet to visit and you have to eat at any resturant in "Greek Town" They are all real good (alway a MUST DO when I go back! Any native could make a better sugestion :D but I've come to notice that everyone has a different favorite)... and if you have time, drive around Belle Isle island (visit the green house-arboritum [ I don't recall the actual name] where they have a nice tropical & desert plant life) or over to Windsor Canada (also good resturants and a striking view of Detroit's river front)


:D :) :)