I'll be in Detroit in about 2 months, planning to stay downtown (wedding block hotel = Westin on Michigan Ave/Washington Blvd). Can share notes about food/drink/sights after the trip.
The arena is in the first block outside (north) of the freeways that loop around downtown. Downtown hotels should be walkable or short cab/Uber ride.
Have been there a few times (5+ yrs ago) -- brother in law got his PhD at Michigan State, and we have family anmd PSU friends in the western and northern suburbs. Downtown Detroit was a lot like downtown Cleveland, meaning pretty gritty and appeared to vacate after 5 pm, but you're OK in daylight or with crowds. The rest of the city was best driven thru or skipped. Though maybe some things have changed in 5 yrs. (Also, we did not visit Midtown, home to cultural stuff like Motown and museums.)
For trip planning purposes:
1. Time flights to avoid rush hour. The airport is a long honking way from downtown -- 20 mi away, SW of Dearborn. Mostly freeway, but that only helps so much. In my previous trips, traffic picked up when factory first shift ended (around 2:30 - 3 pm), and didn't let up until after dinner.
2. Rental cars are mega-expensive -- $600/week + taxes. You won't need one if staying downtown. (Though a suburban hotel + car + gas/parking might be cheaper than a downtown hotel.)
