Woodward Dream Cruise 2024

Woodward Dream Cruise 2023

The Woodward Dream Cruise in Detroit is the world’s largest one-day automotive event, drawing 1.5 million people and 40,000 classic cars each year from around the globe.

• Stay Downtown close to the city’s top attractions and take a rideshare to Ferndale. The Detroit Foundation Hotel is rated “Superb” by guests, full of charm and character with spacious rooms, a gym and perfect location.

The Cruise

North American cruisers from California, Georgia, Canada and all points in between caravan to Metro Detroit to participate in what has become, for many, an annual rite of summer. It takes place every year on the third Saturday of August in Detroit.

Woodward Dream Cruise Route

• The massive cruise goes along the famous Woodward Avenue, built during the industrial boom at the start of the 20th century. The cars go from Pontiac suburbs, past Ferndale, Oakland County, to the State Fairgrounds not far from 8 Mile Road.
• The cruise also showcases old-time drive-ins and restaurants along Woodward Avenue that keep Americana spirit alive.
• Ferndale is a great place to visit during the cruise. It has an entire street festival based around the cruise, along with some excellent restaurant options.
• Pontiac is also becoming a more popular spot to hang out and watch; it is the northern turnaround area and will be less crowded than other places along the route. Downtown Royal Oak, about a mile east of Woodward, is a good location to eat and relax if you want to stay close but be away from the crowds.

The Schedule

• An official ribbon cutting will take place on Friday at 5pm in Ferndale.
• The cruise starts Saturday at 9am.
• Woodward leads straight into the heart of the Motor City.
• Downtown Detroit is awesome, and Highland Park is home to the old Model T plant.
• The cruise ends promptly at 9 p.m. just south of 9 Mile Road.

Where to stay in Detroit?

• Many of the bars are on or around main streets to the north of downtown, on McNichols, 7 Mile, 8 Mile or 9 Mile Roads, and along Woodward Avenue. Stay at The Element Hotel, just a short taxi drive to the bars and clubs.
• Ferndale is a little further from downtown and is a gay-friendly neighborhood with several gay shops, cafes, and nightclubs. Royal Oak at the end of Woodward is also worth a visit and has stores, cafes, and theaters.

Recommended Hotels in Detroit

The following Detroit hotels are located in the Downtown district. Ferndale is a 17 minute drive from Downtown.

MGM Grand Detroit,  Aloft Detroit,  DoubleTree Suites,   Atheneum Suite Hotel