Transit Guide: Downtown Detroit Tree Lighting
This Friday, November 16, is the 15th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and 2nd Annual Light Up Beacon Park. The crowd is expected to be over 40,000. With only 65,000 parking spaces in downtown Detroit, it would be good to have other options to get there besides driving your own car and parking.
Every “essential guide” you will come across focuses on parking and road closures because the majority of us drive. I’ve put together this guide to let you know there are other (cheaper) options besides driving yourself or using Uber or Lyft.
Start by downloading the TransitApp if you don’t already have it.
Traveling from the Suburbs?
You can park & ride in the suburbs to get to the heart of downtown Detroit. Last January, SMART started a service called FAST (Frequent Affordable Safe Transit). These limited stop buses run on Michigan Ave, Woodward Ave & Gratiot Ave all day seven days a week. Click on the road name for a map. Click here for schedules. Buses run frequently and cost just $2 for adults, $1 for students & $0.50 for senior and persons with disabilities.
You can usually find plenty of parking near FAST bus stops and ride right to Spirit Plaza at the foot of Woodward. From there you are just a few blocks from Campus Martius, dozens of bars, restaurants and retailers. For more information on FAST service, check out this informative blog or go to www.ridesmart-fast.org.
The City of Detroit has issued the map on the left showing road closures during the tree lighting. Fortunately the FAST buses are not affected since they swing around Campus Martius and end at Spirit Plaza.
Traveling from the Detroit Neighborhoods?
Ride to downtown on DDOT! Detroit’s Department of Transportation has upgraded their look and their service. In addition to 24-hr service on 8 Mile & Dexter (Cass), DDOT has their ConnectTen service which features 24-hr operation, WiFi and frequent service. You can use these buses to reach downtown. The only route on detour will be #4 Woodward which will not travel south of Grand Circus Park. Most bus routes end & begin at the nearby Rosa Parks Transit or near Spirit Plaza on Larned which are both close to Campus Martius.
DDOT buses circle around Campus Martius except for Woodward, which will be on detour during the tree lighting.
Already Downtown?
If you’re already downtown and can’t find nearby parking, drive further north on Woodward and take the QLine. There are dozens of places to park along Woodward. You might pair up your trip with dinner at one of the dozens of great places to eat in Detroit. The QLine will only run between Grand Boulevard and Campus Martius. Be prepared for delays as the QLine runs with traffic all the way to State/Gratiot.
Detroit People Mover
The People Mover is also a great way to get around downtown. It has stations near many downtown parking garages making for a shorter walk in the cold to Campus Martius.
MoGo
Another fun way to get around downtown is on MoGo, Detroit’s bike sharing system. For $8 you’ll get 24-hr access to all MoGo bikes in downtown Detroit. You are allowed 30 minutes for each trip as MoGo is meant for quick trips from one station to the next. Keep an eye out for their #MoGoFrostBike. Find one, ride it and post a photo with the hashtag to win a prize!
There will also be free shuttles between Campus Martius & Beacon Park!
