Detroit / NFL Draft transportation info ?
The wife and I, and our daughter are going to be in Ann Arbor this week, and decided to hop over to Detroit for the draft. I'm not from AA or Detroit, and from small town southern WV and we don't have parking/transportation issues.
I've been trying to check info on the NFL app about the draft and where to park and shuttle yadda yadda yadda. I really can't tell what the best option is. I'm thinking driving in to a point, and then get shuttled over.
Does anyone have advice or input on what's going on with the parking and transportation? What would be my best option? It would really be great (a miracle) if we could just drive in and find a parking building or parking lot close enough to just walk to the draft - but I'm not expecting that to actually happen. Any help ??
Anyone else going from AA ? I mean, I could give someone a ride to and from if you can help us with the transportation/parking aspect.
Also - look for my sign at the draft haha.... I'll have 2. One is a big block M, and the other will say 1608 days since OSU beat Michigan (I'll update it to 1609 Friday)
I don't know what RR is? Railroad ??? I obviously don't know the metro or rail system.
I'm pretty sure he meant RichRod ("from small town southern WV")...
OHHH... hahaha.... Actually I caught a lot of hell over Rich Rod when they hired him away from WV. People was mad we took their coach.
Ding, ding, ding.
Might work on Friday.
Is it even worth going? I registered and am thinking about it, but in an earlier post people mentioned that you're so packed in, and so far away from the stage, that there's not much reason to go...
yea - I saw that too... but it's just for the experience. it'll be cool just to be there and part of the buzz and excitement. I really wish JJ, Blake, Mike, or Zak or others were going to be there. I guess showing my 1608 days sign when Harrison goes up on stage will be good enough heh. Maybe Jim will see the signs and send something haha
I hear you. I guess I should have been clearer, I'm more asking for myself than anything. I had been leaning towards going, but after what some of those posters wrote a few weeks back, the more I've thought about it, I'm now leaning toward not bothering, though I'm hoping to elicit some thoughts either way...
Have you been before? Also, we don't have anything fun going on in our town... getting out to do anything is a big deal. This will be a pretty big deal for us. All the kids at my daughters school think it's pretty cool that she's going.
Have you been before?
Unfortunately no, so I don't have anything to go off of...
I like the NFL and I am interested in who goes where, but I cannot think of one reason to attend the NFL draft.
Yeah, who would possibly want to hang out in Detroit as they host the draft after the Lions best season/as the Wolverines break the draft record.
Detroit has an absolute ton of parking. It will be expensive but you won't have any trouble finding a spot. I would avoid high levels of parking garages because it will take you forever to get out.
Good to know... everything I've seen says parking and transportation will be a problem. I've been to NYC and found parking easily there - I figured Detroit was similar, but just trying to plan ahead
It will be difficult to park near Campus Martius but a quarter mile away in any direction there are tons of lots and garages.
I don't mind to park and walk... I've told the wifey and daughter that we'll probably have to walk a mile or so. We'll get in our steps for sure heh
The area around Campus Martius is all blocked off so it won't be possible to park real close. Our office is in the blocked off area and I think most people are working remote this week. I have heard recommendations to come down in the morning if you are planning to drive. I think it would make sense to park far away and be prepared to walk. Not sure whether the Q-Line is an option.
The NFL app says the Q-Line will operate as scheduled with short service routes. This was honestly the option I was looking at because they give locations and an address. The list parking at New Center Garage, Cass Garage, or John R & Piquette. Would you recommend any one over the other ?
I picture 30,000 people trying to get on a trolley that holds 50 after the Lions makes their pick.
There's a helpful Crain's article, but they require a subscription to read. Here is a summary in my own words. If you want to park downtown / near downtown, reserve something in advance. It'll be expensive but it's possible to get a spot. Otherwise, there will be Shuttles.
Shuttle Options:
- Corktown - $15. Bagley Mobility Hub. 1501 Wabash.
- Midtown - $10. Wayne State University Parking Garage. 450 Palmer.
- River East - $15. River East Parking Garage near RenCen. 1000 Franklin
I would recommend the Corktown lot if you're coming from AA. Midtown will work too.
The City of Detroit has the below article that has a lot of info:
Awesome info! thank you so much !!!
Just don't. It will be chaos. 500,000 people crammed into the streets of about 6 square blocks.
I get it if crowds aren't your thing. But this I think it's going to be really cool. The city has done a great job getting ready for it. There should be tons to do in the surrounding areas. The draft is always a fun time - one of the only sporting events where there are no losers (except the Jets).
Does anyone know how casino parking will work? The casino garages (e.g. Greektown) are usually open for people with player's cards, but I'm not sure if there will be an exception given just how many people are expected to attend...
Get there a smidge earlier than planned and go walk around the casino for 20 minutes, throw a few dollars onto a slot machine then head off. I have a friend who does this on event days as I believe they want the parking to be for people playing at the casino -- so if you do a little quick gamble you qualify as.
Sadly, you have to know someone to even be able to see the stage. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck watching it on a screen on Jefferson somewhere.
I’ll watch from home on Thursday and Friday, but I may go for a bit just to check out the scene on Saturday.
I'm the opposite schedule... going Thursday and Friday, and then have to go take care of some paperwork on Saturday for stadium event staff :)
You’re joining the Event Team ?? 10 am Junge Center??
Wecome aboard if so…11th yr. as ETM for me.
YES! That’s where I’ll be Saturday morning! I’m so excited!!!!
SpotHero is a great little app for going to bigger cities during events. It will show you a lot of parking lots, some I never thought of/knew about as a Detroiter, with prices and you can reserve and pay for on app. Everything is on a map grid so its a great to way to compare parking prices and snag a spot in the general area you want.
It would be about a 1.5 mile walk (QLine is in the area) but you typically can find free street parking further up Woodward, a bit north of Little Caesars arena. The side streets between Woodward & John R and street parking on John R itself are free and typically available. I was able to find a spot there during the Thanksgiving Parade for the Lions game that afternoon and there were a looooot of people downtown that day.
Thanks for the info. I’ll download SpotHero now
Try the Park Whiz app, they control most of the parking down there. The people mover is free for this week, so check out parking relative to those stops. Also, there's a shuttle from Ann Arbor, D2a2 that can take you there. It goes every hour. https://d2a2.com/
Also, even though it's free you have to have NFL OnePass app to get in so be sure to download that on your phone before you go.
There's a map here: https://visitdetroit.com/2024nfldraft/#jlgetting-downtown
silent for 12 years and suddenly loquacious?
April 23rd, 2024 at 10:25 AM ^
Forgot I had even joined until a few months ago and been reading here and there since. We are going to the draft and thought I'd share info we had. Thanks for the warm welcome.
Try ParkWhiz app. You can usually find lots reasonable walkable for relatively cheap prices. Not sure if true for draft but true for sporting events.