The old Detroit may have been Motor City, but Detroit 2.0 is taking eco living very seriously. Take a trip on the recently opened QLINE for a quick, and cheap, tour of the downtown area. The QLINE travels on a 6.6-mile loop along Woodward Ave from Congress (Downtown) to Grand Blvd (North End/New Center) with 12 total stops along the route. A one-way trip takes approximately 20-25 minutes depending on traffic.

Sites along the way include the birthplace of the Model T at the Ford Piquette Plant (461 Piquette), the first building constructed by the Ford Motor Company in 1904 (Amsterdam stop); the Detroit Institute of Arts (5200 Woodward) (Ferry Street stop) and Little Caesars Arena (2645 Woodward) (Adelaide/Sproat Street).

The streetcars (there are five in all) are wheelchair accessible. Stations have high platforms that allow wheelchair users to easily board and disembark from the train. The stations also have level floor areas with substantial standing areas that can be used by wheelchairs. The streetcar features both audio and digital display stop announcements.

Find out more here.

Top Tip: The QLINE offers reduced fares for passengers with disabilities.

If you are Detroit on the weekends, don’t miss out on the chance of exploring the Guardian Building. The tour gives access to rarely seen areas of the Art Deco building (a National Historic Landmark), as well as incredible views from the 32^ndfloor (there are 36 in all). Learn more about the building, which was designed by Wirt Rowland and dates back to 1929. The tour of the building, which was dubbed the “Cathedral of Commerce” takes about 60 minutes and, best of all, is completely free of charge.

The tour is wheelchair accessible.

Find out more here.

Top Tip: No need to RSVP, just turn up on the day of the tour and sign up for the time of your choice.

Indulge yourself (and your taste buds) with traditional afternoon tea at the Whitney Mansion (served strictly at 2:00 p.m. each afternoon). Enjoy soup and salad, scones, tea sandwiches and miniature pastries as you take in your ornate surroundings. The David Whitney Jr. House, built by lumber baron David Whitney Jr., has 52 rooms (including 10 bathrooms) and was the first house in Detroit to have a personal elevator. Make sure you take time to have a nose around, either before or after teatime.

There is a ramp to enter the house. Access to the upper floors is via elevator.

Find out more here.

Top Tip: You need to reserve in advance for afternoon tea. 

While it’s hardly Las Vegas, or even Atlantic City, Detroit boasts three casinos where you can have a flutter – if you are feeling lucky. Try your luck at dice, cards or on the slots at the MGM Grand Detroit, Greektown Casino or MotorCity Casino Hotel. Once your money runs out – or once you win big – take a break and check out the many food outlets and entertainment options also on offer. Just remember, the house always wins!

Top Tip: Stick to your budget!

Get your motor thrill fix with a Ford Rouge Factory Tour. Part of The Henry Ford, this self-guided tour, five-part tour puts you at the heart of the assembly of the Ford F-150 truck. The tour includes a short movie about the history of the Rouge, a multi-sensory film experience about the making of the Ford F-150 truck, an observation deck tour, an elevated walkway to see the final assembly of the truck and “The Legacy Gallery,” which highlights some of the most famous cars manufactured at the Rouge, including the Model A and Ford Mustang.

Ford Rouge Factory Tour buses are wheelchair-accessible and can accommodate smaller-model electric scooters.

Complimentary wheelchairs are available at the Factory Tour Visitor Center upon request.

All exhibit areas of the Visitor Center and factory walkways are accessible.

Large-print maps of the Ford Rouge Factory Tour are available from bus greeters at the tour Visitor Center.

Staff members have received training on working with guests who are blind or visually impaired, and have been given tips on providing detailed descriptions during their presentations.

Find out more here.

Top Tip: If you want to see production taking place, make sure not to visit on a Sunday or the first two weeks of July (see website for other non-production dates throughout the year). 

Detroit is justifiably proud of the Dequindre Cut Greenway, a two-mile path that links the East Riverfront, Eastern Market and several residential neighborhoods that lie in between the two. It’s a far cry from its original incarnation as a Grand Trunk Western Railroad line. The greenway, which runs mainly below street level, boasts a 20-foot-wide paved pathway, with separate lanes for pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

Wheelchair accessible ramps to the Cut are located at Atwater Street, Franklin Street, Woodbridge Street, Lafayette Street, Gratiot Avenue, Wilkins Street and Mack Avenue. 

Top Tip: We recommend going all the way to Eastern Market to explore one of the oldest and largest markets in the U.S.

We know how it is, your time is limited; you can’t get out of the city; sites aren’t accessible. You might not be able to hike Michigan’s great outdoors, but you can get a taste of life on the wild side with a visit to the Outdoor Adventure Center, an interactive attraction aimed especially at kids. Learn a little about a lot of Michigan with exhibits on the state’s rivers and lakes, pine forests, bridges and hunting and trapping traditions. Try your hand at fishing in a fishing simulator, explore a mine or just relax by the campfire.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says it has worked “very hard to make the experiences at Outdoor Adventure Center accessible for all our visitors.” The OAC recommends being in touch in advance to discuss specific needs and requirements.

There are family restrooms and elevator access to the upper floors.

The OAC can arrange for a sign language interpreter.

Top Tip: The Center is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Head over to downtown Royal Oak to get your indie flick fix. The Main Art Theatre has been showing movies since 1940s. Originally a single-screen cinema, there are now three screens showing a range of independent film and foreign language movies. If you are around in the summer, stay up late and enjoy movies at midnight.

The theater offers CaptiView, a personal closed-captioning device that transmits dialogue to a small easy-to-read personal screen that attaches to the seat. It also has Fidelio, a wireless audio system that delivers descriptive narration. In addition, all film content can be enhanced with amplified sound by using an Assisted Listening Devices (ALD).

Find out more here.

Top Tip: The cinema has free parking on the south side of the building and along the back of the building

Detroit is served by Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

Accessible restrooms are located throughout both terminals. Family restrooms are located in the following areas:

McNamara Terminal
Concourse A, near Gates A8, A12, A20, A28, A34, A46, A60, A68, A72
Concourse B, near Gates B3, B15
Concourse C, near Gates C7, C16

North Terminal
Concourse D, near Gates D8, D10, D16, D23, D26
Ticket Lobby near each Passenger Screening location
Baggage Claim

Animal Relief Areas are available at each terminal in both pre- and post-security.

Accessible parking spaces are available in each parking structure and surface parking lot (valid placard or license plate required).

When parking at the surface parking lots, free shuttle service is available to transport travelers to each Terminal's Ground Transportation Center.

Accessible van parking spaces (for vehicles not exceeding 8’-2” in height) are available in the Green Lot in the McNamara Garage in the McNamara Terminal or the Blue Parking Deck in the North Terminal.

Rental car shuttle bus stops are located in the Ground Transportation Centers of both the McNamara Terminal Parking Garage and the Blue Parking Deck of the North Terminal All shuttle buses are equipped with accessible lifts or ramps.

Find out more here.

Wheelchair-accessible cabs can be ordered from Metro Cars – 800-456-1701.

All Detroit Department of Transportation buses and routes are accessible.

Base yourself at the 3-star DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Detroit Downtown – Fort Shelby. The recently refurbished hotel has what it says are the largest guest rooms in the city. At 650-square-feet, there’s certainly plenty of room. Each suite has a separate bedroom and living area. There’s also complimentary Wi-Fi, a coffeemaker with coffees from Wolfgang Puck, LCD TV and mini fridge. You don’t even have to go far to eat. The hotel houses Motor City Kitchen (an urban twist on comfort food) and Motor City Café, where you can get coffee, pastries and grab-and-go sandwiches.

Mobility accessible features include roll-in showers or accessible tubs.

Hearing-accessible features include televisions with closed captioning and TTY.

The exercise facility and restaurant are accessible.

There is valet parking only.

Find out more here.