Getting Your WiFi on in Detroit

Story by Leslie Cieplechowicz

You just took the most awesome selfie with the Spirit of Detroit statue against a brilliant blue sky. And you just have to show it to your friend. As you get ready to tap the send button, you realize you don’t have enough data. Such a bummer.

Or you are at home and just finished your work project. You are so stoked to show it to your boss. But as you go to send it, you get an error message, Wi-Fi network unavailable. You try again, then again, ready to throw your computer against the wall. So frustrating.

So what to do? Lucky for you, there are spots all over the city where you can go to get free Wi-Fi. So whether you need your buddy to marvel at your new cool pic or you need to send a large file without it taking all day, here are the spots to head to before you pull your hair out.

There are five parks within the city of Detroit that now offer free Wi-Fi. Head to one to enjoy the beautiful surroundings while connecting. If the weather is dark, rainy, and cold, you can park near the sites and still access the Wi-Fi while staying warm and snug.

Bradby Park near Hamtramck has plenty of free parking along with a fun playground to keep the kids busy while you check your email. Chandler Park sprawls over 200 acres and offers many amenities along with the free Wi-Fi including a bubbling water park, tennis courts and a challenging 18 hole golf course. Clark Park in southwest Detroit, surrounded by busy shops and historic homes, hosts numerous festivals and concerts throughout the year that you can visit after using its wireless network. McDuffy Park, located in New Center’s Historic District, received a makeover in the past two years, and now has picnic tables, grills and a horseshoe pit. Palmer Park, off of Woodward Avenue is one of the largest parks in the city with woodlands, meadows, athletic fields, a fitness zone, and historic structures such as the vintage Merrill marble fountain that used to stand outside the Detroit Opera House.

Any of the McDonalds within Detroit have internet access. Enjoy some delicious, economical fast food off the dollar menu while you scroll.

If you need a little caffeine, head to a Tim Hortons and grab a cup of steaming joe along with a sticky pastry to enjoy while you do your browsing.

Panera Bread is the perfect spot if you need to upload larger files with their fast Wi-Fi and it offers toasty, chewy bagels, a variety of mocha choices, delicious sandwiches, and refreshing teas.

If you are hankering for some delicious chocolate soft serve along with perfusing the internet, head to a Wendy’s for an icy frosty , a yummy cheeseburger and some wireless.

If you crave a cup of artisan coffee, brewed from a custom blend in less than a minute, along with some free internet browsing, check out Roasting Plant Detroit. You can also purchase signature grounds to take home, such as Hawaii Kona Kealakekua or Ethopian Guji Uraga.

Set in a renovated historic church, Congregation Detroit not only has free Wi-Fi but free, fun filled events such as Frosty Fridays and Wine Wednesdays. Congregation also has a variety of delectable food, heavenly coffees, and a bar with its own drink concoctions such as the Jubilee and the Devil’s Marc.

Need to wash some dirty clothes and access the internet? Then head to unique, funky The Commons
for a hot brew and a savory sandwich while waiting for your undies to sparkle.

At Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters, you can satisfy your sweet tooth while sending your cute pics to friends. Dessert Oasis offers small batch brewing and a variety of homemade decadent cheesecakes to sink your teeth into with flavors such as Cap’n Crunch Berry and Banana Nutella.

With a motto of, “Always Tasty,” Anthology Coffee sources, roasts, and brews rich espresso and latte from house roasted beans. Enjoy the free wireless and grab a scoop of gelato to go with your pastry.