Detroit, Michigan is typically not thought of as a hot spot for vacationers, but that may be the key to a great vacation. There’s tons of fun waiting in Detroit, from its lively casinos to its beautiful architectural sites. Detroit has a few surprises in store as well. There are so many cheap flights to Detroit right now that it will not take a huge chunk of change to get there. Detroit is home to the big three car makers in the United States and there are a lot of attractions built around those car manufacturers, just as there are Detroit museums and tours built around the car industry. Of course Detroit is home to Motown Records and there are museums and clubs that are dedicated to the music industry.

A little known fact about Detroit is that it is host to some pretty awesome casinos. Gaming is relatively new to the Motor City but they have done a fine job at getting casinos up and running. Caesars Windsor is a newly built casino that has two hundred room towers, a ball room, a theater and all the amenities that are expected with the Caesar name. The Forum Tower was newly added and is comparable in size to the Augustus Tower. The casinos in Detroit have breathed new life into the Detroit. Of course, if Caesars is not your cup of tea there are other hotel and casinos to choose from. There is the Motor City Casino that is seventeen stories high and was just built in two thousand and eight.

If gambling is not in your blood, then there are other activities to keep you occupied, like the world class Detroit Science Center. The Center is an interactive experience and a wonderful way to spend the day with the family and learn a little something at the same time. The activities at the Science Center are age appropriate and fun. Detroit is a big metropolitan area that attracts big name entertainment. There are always great shows and concerts happening around Detroit, check ahead to see what is available if you are planning a vacation. And although Detroit may be a big metropolitan area, it is still but a short drive away from some beautiful country – wine country. You’ll find top notch distilleries and wine-tasting. Detroit is also home to several amusement parks that provide hours of family fun and thrills. And no one can overlook Lake Michigan for world class boating, fishing and water sports, or for just picnicking in the beautiful Michigan weather. Get there before the early Michigan winter sets in, though – or you might find yourself up to your armpits in snow earlier than the rest of the country.

You have several choices when it comes to traveling from Metro Airport to the city of Detroit. If you’re familiar with Detroit, you may choose to rent a car from the airport and drive yourself or take the public transit system. You may also choose the less-stressful option of hiring a limo service to take you into the city.

The Detroit Metro Airport offers numerous car rental services including Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Hertz. It’s true that automobiles are a way of life in the Motor City. Major freeways connecting Detroit with its suburbs and beyond include I-75, I-94 and I-96. The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel is a toll tunnel connecting Detroit with Windsor, Ontario, just to the north. Maximum driving speeds are 70 mph. The airport is located 20 miles west of the city center.

It’s important to remember, however, that traffic is heaviest in Detroit around rush hour, as workers fill the downtown area in the morning and vacate it by evening. The city is laid out in a conventional grid system; however, this is sometimes compromised by the meandering shoreline of the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair. Another hindrance to driving yourself is road construction projects which can create lane closures and traffic backups.

Renting an airport limo is not as extravagant as it sounds. In fact, it’s affordable for most travelers. It is also an appealing option to avoiding the hassles of Detroit traffic. Detroit airport limo service is only slightly more than what you would pay for a taxi cab. The difference may only be around $10, and you’ll be receiving much better service. A non-stop journey into the city center should take about 20 minutes when traffic is clear and up to 1 hour during rush traffic.

In Michigan, Checker Cab is the largest company, and serves all of Detroit’s 147 square miles. The cab service is the most recognized is Detroit. Fares in the city of Detroit are set by ordinance. The current fare is $2.50 per trip plus $1.60 per mile. Taxicab meters are set and inspected annually to ensure proper calculation. It’s important to note that vehicles for hire picking up within the city limits of Detroit are required to have a Detroit Bond Plate attached to the vehicle. In addition, drivers are required to secure a Public Vehicle license. Riders should never hail a vehicle that does not have these two important items. While it is not customary to tip a Detroit cabbie, you may tip them several dollars for help with your bags.