If you’re going to travel, why not travel sustainably? And if you’re going to visit Detroit, why not put your eco-friendly ideas into practice? It’s a great place to do it. And no matter why you’re going, if you’ve decided to spend a little extra time in Motor City, that makes sense – it’s got a lot of charm, character, history, and culture, so you’ll never be bored. The key is to make sure you’re doing what you can to be as kind to the planet as you can, and with that in mind, here are some tips on how to travel sustainably during longer stays in Detroit.
Choose Your Accommodation Wisely
When you’re planning a bit (or a lot) of a longer stay, the right accommodation makes all the difference, so you should be looking for places that make sustainability a priority – they’ll mention it on their website as it’s definitely a selling point, so they should be easy to spot. We’re talking about things like energy-efficient systems, recycling programs, locally sourced products and amenities, and so on. One option that’s sure to tick all the boxes are extended stay hotels in Detroit Michigan because you’ll often get plenty of practical perks like kitchen and laundry facilities, helping you cut down on waste from eating out or even overpacking.
Plus, the very fact that you’re staying in one place for a longer time is a sustainable move – you’re traveling less so your carbon footprint will be lower. So why not pick a comfy long-term place to stay to make the trip even better?
Don’t Use A Car
Detroit might be famous for its cars, but the fact is that the city is – perhaps ironically – very walkable, so you won’t actually need to have a car while you’re there, and that’s already a good start when it comes to protecting the planet. If you’ve chosen a good place to stay, you can explore many of the neighborhoods on foot, and not only is that eco-friendly, but it’s highly likely you’ll see more as a result, so that’s a great bonus.
If you can’t walk somewhere, public transport is a good alternative – there are options like the QLine streetcar or the Detroit People Mover which are budget-friendly as well as planet-friendly. And if you really do have to use a car, opt for an electric or hybrid one to off-set the environmental issues.
Support Local Business
Detroit has a plethora of excellent local businesses that range from coffee shops to diners and much, much more. They’re all worth exploring, and what’s great is that when you shop and dine locally, you’re not just reducing the environmental costs, you’re also supporting the community, and as a visitor, that’s something you should be aiming for.
You don’t even have to spend a lot to make this happen – if you’re staying at a place with a kitchen, you can head to the Eastern Market, pick up some fresh, local produce, and cook it at ‘home’, ensuring you’re helping the community, helping your budget, and helping the planet all at once.
