JetsGo From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 2766 posts, RR: 6 Posted (5 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 743 times:
This January, I am going to Detroit to see the NAIAS - North American International Auto Show. Anyway, while I am there, I am thinking about going across the border into Canada. Just to do it, no reason really. Now my question is, will I need a passport for this? I remember going in 2002 and only needed a drivers license. Have the rules changed at all? If so, I would need to get cracking, cause I believe my passport is expired now....
I know there is probably a website for this, but it is much easier to just type away, get back to work, then check back in a few.
Vio From Canada, joined Feb 2004, 1221 posts, RR: 11 Reply 1, posted (5 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 728 times:
Hi Chris,
Well, I've lived in Windsor, Ontario for about 8 years, which is the city right across the border from Detroit. I'm not sure if you need a passport. I think you'll have to check with the American and Canadian customs. I've crossed the border from Windor to Detroit in August (this year) and I didn't need my passport. A driver's license is not good enough though. Valid ID could be a passport, birth certificate or citizenship card.
There are 4 ways you can get to Windsor.
1. Ambassador Bridge (West side of the city)
2. Windsor-Detroit tunnel, which connects the two down-towns
3. Private Boat/Swimming (not recommended)
4. Private plane flying (you can land at CYQG)
I think the first two choices are more realistic and for you, the tunnel is really close to where the Auto Show is.
In Windsor, you can spend a night out on Ouellete Avenue. There are lots of bars there and it's a pretty cool night-life. Drinking age in Ontario is 19 and you have to provide ID to the bouncers. Some nice places: The Beach, Papa Cheneys, Peppers... I can't recall all of them.
I would visit Windsor. It's cool, it's close, it's very safe and most of all, you can use US money at almost every shop in downtown Windsor.
Cheers,
Vio
Superior decisions reduce the need for superior skills.
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25566 posts, RR: 87 Reply 2, posted (5 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 728 times:
Quoting Vio (Reply 1): you can use US money at almost every shop in downtown Windsor.
But you get hit big time on the conversion
Anyway, the requirement to carry a passport will only be in force on air passengers starting 1/1/07. The date for the passport requirement to apply to land crossings has already been pushed back to the middle of 2008 and may be pushed even farther back.
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
JetsGo From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 2766 posts, RR: 6 Reply 3, posted (5 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 719 times:
Thanks for the replies guys. I will most likely be using the tunnel or bridge to get over there. Windsor is exactly where I planned to spend some time, too. Thanks for the information on the bars, will definitely drop by one. As for the drivers license not being good enough, is that only for Canadians entering the US, or does it work both ways?
The last thing I want is to be on that bridge and be forced to turn around! I have seen how choked up it gets!
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25566 posts, RR: 87 Reply 5, posted (5 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 711 times:
Quoting JetsGo (Reply 3): As for the drivers license not being good enough, is that only for Canadians entering the US, or does it work both ways?
Your Driver License is good enough for the land crossings until at least mid-2008. The rules will apply to everyone.
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
A346Dude From Canada, joined Nov 2004, 1169 posts, RR: 10 Reply 7, posted (5 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 700 times:
I will confirm that at least for the time being, a driver's license is all you need.
Is it your first time to the auto show? It's a pretty amazing sight the first time you see it. Lots of great displays and exhibits. Oh, and a nice car or two...
You know the gear is up and locked when it takes full throttle to taxi to the terminal.
NeilYYZ From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (5 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 687 times:
Quoting A346Dude (Reply 7): Is it your first time to the auto show? It's a pretty amazing sight the first time you see it. Lots of great displays and exhibits. Oh, and a nice car or two...
It is a great auto show, I've gone for the past 5 years, always impressed!
VonRichtofen From Canada, joined Nov 2000, 4588 posts, RR: 48 Reply 9, posted (5 years 3 months 1 week 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 655 times:
Ummm I hate to break it to you guys but I believe the rules are changing as of Jan.1 2007 are they not? I believe you will need a passport, perhaps not to get in to Canada, but you get back into the US I believe.
JetsGo From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 2766 posts, RR: 6 Reply 10, posted (5 years 3 months 1 week 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 644 times:
This will be my third time going to the auto show. I can't wait.
Also, I believe that passport rule that takes on Jan. 1 2007 is for those traveling by sea and air. Cars I believe are ok until sometime in 08.
But than again, that is the whole point of this thread, to clear it up...I will probably bring a drivers license and birth certificate just to be safe.
Does anyone have some specific recommendations on where to go, what to do in Windsor? I will probably spend an afternoon/evening there. Most likely on Friday the 12th. Also, I'm bringing the girl, so the "shows" likely won't be an option! lol.
Vio From Canada, joined Feb 2004, 1221 posts, RR: 11 Reply 11, posted (5 years 3 months 1 week 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 643 times:
Hmm,
Isn't the point of the ID to prove your citizenship? There are lots of Landed Immigrants living in Windsor, which don't hold a Canadian Citizenship yet. They have to get a VISA to get into the states. Most of them have a valid Ontario driver's license, but that doesn't tell you if you're Canadian or not. I really don't think a driver's license is good enough. I've passed that border hundreds of times and usually I have my passport or Canadian Citizenship Card. They won't accept my birth certificate, cause I was born in Europe...
Superior decisions reduce the need for superior skills.
LHMARK From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 7255 posts, RR: 53 Reply 12, posted (5 years 3 months 1 week 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 641 times:
A passport makes the border crossing a comparative breeze. We go to Canada all the time, and it generally takes about thirty seconds to get through the customs interview. Ditto for the trip back home.
"Sympathy is something that shouldn't be bestowed on the Yankees. Apparently it angers them." - Bob Feller
NeilYYZ From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 13, posted (5 years 3 months 1 week 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 630 times:
Quoting JetsGo (Reply 10): Does anyone have some specific recommendations on where to go, what to do in Windsor? I will probably spend an afternoon/evening there. Most likely on Friday the 12th. Also, I'm bringing the girl, so the "shows" likely won't be an option!
Well if you're here for a meal I would have to suggest the Tunnel BBQ, it's won all sorts of international awards, best ribs I've ever had, and right beside the tunnel when you come out. If you've not got a car then the Windsor City bus goes through the tunnel and does a loop around downtown Detroit, you can find that information by looking up Transit Windsor in Google.
Now if you're to spend the evening we have one main strip of clubs and bars, Oulette Ave. which is right near the tunnel entrance. There's everything from high end clubs (those being 29 & Park, Berlin or Dante's) to really relaxed bars (those being Aardvark, Honest Lawyer, Voodoo, Rush, Pepper's). It really depends on what you're into, there's honestly a club or bar for everyone on Oulette Ave. The police generally shut down the street on Friday night so that people can walk around as they please, and don't be alarmed by the high police presence, we always have that, there's generally one police officer around every bar, police on foot, on bikes and in cars.
If you have any specific questions feel free to ask.
Vio From Canada, joined Feb 2004, 1221 posts, RR: 11 Reply 14, posted (5 years 3 months 1 week 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 629 times:
Quoting NeilYYZ (Reply 13): Now if you're to spend the evening we have one main strip of clubs and bars, Oulette Ave. which is right near the tunnel entrance. There's everything from high end clubs (those being 29 & Park, Berlin or Dante's)
Dante's??????
I'd rather eat my own $#!^ than go there.... That bar is horrible. First of all, it's a sausage fest, second, the music sucks, I really wonder if the girls in there are of legal age. Horrible bar!
Superior decisions reduce the need for superior skills.
NeilYYZ From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 15, posted (5 years 3 months 1 week 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 624 times:
Quoting Vio (Reply 14): I'd rather eat my own $#!^ than go there.... That bar is horrible. First of all, it's a sausage fest, second, the music sucks, I really wonder if the girls in there are of legal age. Horrible bar!
In all honesty, I haven't gone downtown in ages, I live right beside the University and just go to Big Dicks. Dante's was a pretty happening place when I was in 1st year, but I'm not big into the club's at all, I'm just a bar/pub guy. I haven't been to a club in years, so I guess my opinion is only valid on bars, all I know about the clubs is what I hear from other people. Last time I was really in touch with the clubs downtown was when I worked at Wired, which has since been shut down.
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