Montreal or Detroit?

Question

Hey, I have in Toronto, and I want to know which is a better city to visit? (better attractions, public transit, etc). I'm planning my fall vacation. Thank you.

Answer 1

Someone's actually considering Detroit as a tourist destination?? Incredible, with all the negative media and stereotypes against Detroit and the area I didn't think anyone who lives out of the area would even consider visiting Detroit; heck I know people that live an hour away and have never visited the city and most suburbanites seem to consider Detroit a necessary evil that they need to visit occassionally for business, etc. I guess I'll do my best to "sell" Detroit to you. I"ve lived in Michigan my entire 36 years; grew up in the Northern Detroit suburbs, know most of the state fairly well and currently live about an hour from Detroit up in the Port Huron area (I'm less than a mile from Ontario myself). I won't tell you that Detroit is the greatest city anywhere and I won't laugh at you for considering Detroit as a vacation destination either like pretty much every one else will do/has done- I try to be very fair about Detroit. I do find it funny that you are considering 2 "French" settled/North American cities for your vacation. First, as others have said, public transportation in Detroit is probably as poor as anywhere else in the world- Detroit is "the Motor City" and, as a result, public transportation has been very neglected, inefficient, etc. in the whole metro-Detroit area because people were expected to have their own transportation (also meaning support your employer and buy a Big Three auto). Next, it is sad but true that large sections of the city are in serious decay due both to decades of white-flight (as Whites moved into the suburbs as more Blacks moved to Detroit in search of jobs; Detroit is about the most racially segregated city anywhere) and also due to economic problems (mismanagement, corrupt officals, and most importantly lack of jobs/industry/etc which continues today especially as the Big Three continue to cut jobs as they lose market share to foreign competitors). I have to admit from what I know of Detroit and what I have seen/read about Montreal (never actually been there although I have seen much of Ontario and Toronto), Montreal would clearly be the "prettier," "nicer," and more "historic" choice for sure; Detroit and much of the surrounding area is a gritty, blue-collar place although there are also numerous wealthy suburban communities and area inside Detroit as well. Now, what does Detroit have to offer? First, I'll say that Detroit and the rest of metro-Detroit is much closer culturally to Toronto and Ontario than Montreal/Quebec is. Michiganians and Ontarians(?) cross the border for work, recreation, shopping, etc. and generally have much in common with and more acceptance of each others cultures than what I have experienced in my brief encounters with French Canadians in other countries (Caribbean/Mexico/etc.) If you like hockey, I have to point out that we (Detroit) have had the more successful team recently, in addition and depending on if you come quickly, you could watch the Lion's play (American) football and/or the Tiger's play baseball in the city- Piston's are a good half hour or more North of the city. I think Detroit has one of the finest zoo's anywhere. The city (as well as the metro-Detroit area and the rest of Michigan also) has various festivals and events going on all year long- the Michigan State Fair and Jazzfest both were going on last week in Detroit. Detroit (actually neighboring Dearborn) has the Greenfield Village/Henry Ford Museum if you are interested in the history of the area. The city has various theaters, clubs, casinos, fine and casual dining places, museums, etc., etc offering a tremendous variety of recreational opportunities. Then, when I add the additional recreational outlets found in the countless metro-Detroit suburban communities as well, the choices seem almost limitless. I guess it would help everyone responding to your question if you would explain in further detail what kinds of things you are looking to do for your vacation so that we can provide you with a better, more educated response on what you can find and expect in Detroit and the rest of this area. Feel free to contact me if you think I can provide any more info to you.

ps- keep in mind that many people say they're from Detroit when they actually live in the general area/suburbs/etc.- I know I do when I'm out of Michigan just to make things easier (and I grew up about 20 miles away in the Northern suburbs and now live about an hour from downtown Detroit). Again, many Detroit suburbanites and most out-state Michiganians and outstaters have grown up with an unhealthy "fear," warped view of the city (based on second and third-hand stories/things they've heard about the city because/and they've never or rarely been to city and either take for granted or do not know what Detroit does have to offer; again consider White flight and the subsequent racial issues that persist today as a result between the inner-city (mostly Black) and suburbs (largely White) and also consider that Detroit can not shake its' violent image during the late 70's and early 80's as "the Murder Capitol of the World.") Yes, Detroit certainly does have its' problems with drugs, gangs, violent crime, urban decay, etc. just like every other large city (I know Toronto faces many of the same problems also and I would assume Montreal does as well- just not quite on the same level as Detroit does); it just seems that Detroit has been and continues to be the most (easily) "picked on" place in the US because it is/has been an easy target to criticize(due to its' history from the last half century), because many people don't really know or appreciate how much Detroit and the metro area actually does have to offer(even people who say they are "from" Detroit), because people who live elsewhere in the country find it "convenient" or fun to bash Detroit (as a way to make themselves feel better about where they live) usually without ever having been there, and because the media (outside of the area) never reports anything good about the city (just like we only hear about the problems of other places in the US, Canada and elsewhere). Anyway, thanks for the question and interest in Detroit; I'm having lots of fun debating the "merits" of Detroit and the metro area against everybody else who just automatically dismisses the city (and again I will tell you the city does have its' share of problems).

Answer 2

They say Montreal is like being in Europe. It has more of an old time feel, more fashionable people, and has a lot of history. Detroit does not have a good public transportation system. It is the motor city after all, so most people have cars. Detroit does have some of the best museums one could go to. Detroit Institute of Arts, Henry Ford/Greenfield Village, Detroit Historical, and then also the Detroit Science Center. Then Detroit has a nice downtown. Renaissance Center, Greektown, Mexican Town, great restaurants, great night clubs, and good shopping. Detroit can be a great place to visit. Montreal does have more for a tourist to do. Montreal is more tourist oriented. Detroit does have much nicer people though. If you want to try a different culture, try Montreal. It is much different than the rest of Canada and US. I would suggest Montreal because they have many things to see and do. Detroit does also, just not as much. I have traveled all over the world, but I do like living here in Detroit.

Answer 3

I live outside of Detroit, and there is not much to do in the city. You could see a Tigers game, Lions game, visit Greek town, or a casino. If you go further North in MI there are more things to do, boating, camping, shopping etc. There is also Michigan Adventure amusement park about 2or 3 hours away.

Never been to Montreal, so all I could tell you is look up Montreal in your search engine and look for attractions. I think it depends on what you are interested in doing.

Answer 4

I have been to both cities and I would choose Montreal over Detroit because Montreal has a strong backbone for public transportation, the attractions throughout the city are wonderful, and you can find something that is in your interest.

Answer 5

The easiest question I have found to answer. I have lived near Detroit all my life so I can tell you to go to Montreal!!! Detroit is just a down and out City now and going farther down each day. Go to Montreal!!!

Answer 6

Detroit has horrible public transit, but has awesome attractions (museums, parks, riverfront). The best times to go would be in the summer (free concerts, festivals, beaches, amusement parks, etc.) and in January for the Winter Blast/Auto Show.

I don't know much about Montreal, but am hungry to visit Toronto.

Answer 7

I live in Detroit. Do yourself a favor -- visit Montreal. Public transit is much better there, and there just isn't much to see and do in Detroit anymore. Since the auto industry has tanked this city has become a bit of a ghost town. You can thank me later.

Answer 8

Montreal, Detroit is like any big city in USA if you have seen one, you don't need to go there.
but if you have visited Montreal before then Detriot is a better choice.

Answer 9

I'd say montreal if you know how to speack french.
Detroit is like Toranto. Montreal also has great sites.

Answer 10

I'd head to Montreal. (I live in the Detroit metro area) It has so much more to offer, culturally than the D. DEFINITELY has better public transport.

Answer 11

Montreal: old world charm right down to the angry French undertone.

Detroit: bombed out landscape, dangerous-looking citizens. But they still have a baseball team.

I'd go w/ Montreal, which has the additional virtue of being closer to where you're starting out from.