Detroit was my first solo adventure, serving as a trial run for taking adventurous trips alone. I had waited most of my life to travel with someone, always waiting just a little longer for a partner who had both the interest and the ability to take off and explore the world.
That never really happened, so I decided to venture out on my own.
Detroit seemed like a fair balance of a reasonably safe, domestic destination and—for a Southern boy who had never really been exposed to harsh northern winters or the “inner city” reputation of a place like downtown Detroit—an exotic destination drastically different from my usual spots.
So, I booked an AirBnB for a late-February week close to downtown Detroit, packed my bags and made it happen.
Admittedly, I was a bit nervous, and I was hesitant up until the point of no return. I clearly remember handing over my checked bag to the attendant at the airport and thinking that this was it, I was really going. But, to quote one of my former leaders and mentors, “The best way to start is to… start.” And that’s what I did.
Initial Impressions
My first few hours in Detroit seemingly confirmed the stereotypes. It was cold (very, very cold) with overcast skies that matched the wet asphalt, creating a uniform layer of gray that seemed to envelop the entire area. Traffic was light, but within a few minutes of leaving the airport I hit a pothole big enough and deep enough that I’m pretty sure it damaged the rental car.
When I arrived at my AirBnB, it was pretty much what I expected. A bland, gray mid-rise with potholes in the driveway and parking area, a broken entry gate and trash strewn about. I was a little hesitant to take my then-brand-new expensive Zero Halliburton suitcase through the ice and mud, but it survived just fine. When I walked into the building and the lobby smelled like weed, I wasn’t the least bit surprised.
Refining the Impressions
Despite my initial impressions, both the AirBnB and Detroit itself turned out to be quite nice! The AirBnB apartment itself was cozy, very warm, and perfect for my needs (it would have been fine for two people as well, but more would have been pushing it). The host was very responsive and friendly, and I found myself missing the place when I left.
The same is true of Detroit in general. Despite its rough reputation, the city is a diverse metropolis with a long history of innovation and an extremely rich culture. I will make a subsequent post about things to do in Detroit, but I filled my time exploring some impressive architecture, enjoying a renowned symphony and taking in an opera at the historic opera house.
Transportation around Detroit is quite easy. Despite the size of the city, it doesn’t have terrible traffic. I returned the rental car and chose to walk most places near downtown, but even the suburbs were only about 20 minutes away in an Uber.
Cost and How I Did It
Total cost: About $700
February is an off season for Detroit travel, so it was easy to do this trip on the cheap. My round-trip airfare from Orlando to Detroit on Frontier Airlines was $78, plus another $65 for a checked bag. The AirBnB for an entire week cost around $330. I only had a rental car for one day, but that cost about $49; since I walked to most downtown destinations, Uber expenses were minimal and came in just under $100 for the entire week. I was able to get cheap-seat tickets for the opera and the symphony at around $25 each, and another $30 for the Ford Museum of American Innovation. I don’t include groceries and meals in the total cost since I would have paid for these at home even if I didn’t travel.
Of course, your costs may vary and there are always ways to travel for less. If you’re a sports fan, a ticket to a game may cost a bit more than my symphony tickets, but you may be able to find a much cheaper ticket at TicketNetwork. A more upscale hotel would undoubtedly be more expensive than my barebones AirBnB. But if you’re dedicated to traveling on the cheap, Detroit should be on your list!