Detroit is still the fascinating city of all things automotive, but it is also a city transformed.  Have you visited Detroit lately? 

Arrival at Detroit’s Metro Airport sets the stage for the new Detroit.  The  Northwest Airlines World Gateway Terminal provides nearly 100 gates, an elevated tram, spacious walkways,  unique  Detroit-themed shops and restaurants. A second terminal is under construction.  Detroit’s largest convention hotel  recently renovated its rooms and its over 100,000 square feet of meeting space.
 

The Wintergarden,  a new five story glass atrium overlooking the Detroit River has opened with a wide selection of boutiques and shops. Other hotels have upgraded and enhanced their facilities; early 20th century office buildings have been restored and converted to trendy condos in a remarkable revitalization effort throughout the whole city of Detroit. 

New side-by-side stadiums for the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Lions anchor Detroit’s entertainment district.  The world’s largest Polar Bear exhibit, The Arctic Ring of Life, is now open at the Detroit Zoo. The state-of-the-art, interactive facility encompasses over four acres and features a 70-foot underwater glass tunnel for easy viewing.
 

Campus Martius,  in the heart of the business district, includes Compuware’s world headquarters. This software and technology giant anchors the 10-block area. Its 15-story office building will overlook a new city park with an ice-skating rink, band shells and outdoor cafes. Fountains and public benches are plentiful. Up to 150 special events a year are scheduled for Detroit’s newest public green space.  

A $500 million development project is underway along the Detroit River. Tri-Centennial Park (the state's first urban state park to be opened in more than 100 years) will be the first phase completed. Two other parks will be connected with a network of bike and jogging trails. In addition to the "greening" of the riverfront, a new harbor for cruise ships and pleasure boats will open near GM World Headquarters. This phase will complete a 3-mile network of parks that stretch from Belle Isle’s MacArthur Bridge to Joe Louis Arena.

Greenfield Village re-opened in June 2003 after extensive renovations and improvements. Visitors can experience 300 years of American history through 83 historic structures, including the actual Wright Brothers Cycle Shop from Dayton Ohio, where Orville and Wilbur built their first airplane or explore Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park Laboratories from New Jersey, where Edison invented the light bulb and phonograph.  Celebrate the 100th anniversary of flight with a special 40,000-square-foot permanent exhibit,‘Heroes of the Sky’, featuring the stories and  airplanes from the first 40 years of aviation.

MotorCity Casino and MGM Grand Detroit Casino are each in the process of enlarging their gaming space to 100,000 square feet.  Convention space and hotels are being added.  

It's a great time to visit Detroit!