Tall skyscrapers and big-time entertainment. Downtown Detroit boasts over 13,000 theatre seats, three pro sports teams, three casinos, and the Detroit RiverWalk—a 3 ½ mile promenade alongside the Detroit River, with bike paths, carousel, fountains, marina, and parks. Visitors can explore Downtown via People Mover, riverboat cruise, bicycle rentals, and a wide range of walking, bike, Segway, and pedicab tours. Entertainment is nonstop, with Broadway musicals and plays, national concert tours, a professional opera theatre, outstanding restaurants, sports bars, posh bars, and clubs. The historic Greektown district is a popular area for live entertainment and restaurants, ranging from authentic Greek fare to fine dining. Downtowners gather at Campus Martius Park for summer music and winter ice skating. Festivals and events energize Downtown Detroit all summer, such as the Detroit River Days, the Movement Electronic Music Festival, and the Detroit International Jazz Festival. Get your downtown neighborhood map! (pdf)
Itinerary: River Walk Stress Buster
District: Downtown Detroit
Starting Point
Park at Rivard Plaza, located at the foot of Rivard and Atwater streets, just a few blocks east of the GM Renaissance Center along the Detroit River. Additional parking is located adjacent to the GM Renaissance Center.
What to do
Detroit RiverWalk — 3.5 miles of walking, riding, jogging, people watching, and catching rays.
RiverWalk Café — Hot dogs, salads, wraps, smoothies, and Michigan classics. Rivard Plaza
Diamond Jack’s River Tours — Take a two-hour narrated tour along the Detroit River.
Cullen Family Carousel — $1 rides for big and little kids. Rivard Plaza
Wheelhouse Detroit — Bike rentals and tours. Rivard Plaza
Rickshaw Detroit — Explore the riverfront via pedicab.
GM Renaissance Center — Free public tours of Detroit’s landmark. Leaves from Pure Detroit, GM Ren Cen Tower 400 (M-F noon and 2pm)
Pure Detroit — Authentic Detroit apparel and unique gifts. GM Ren Cen Tower 400
Andiamo Detroit Riverfront Outdoor Café — Great food overlooking the Detroit River. GM Ren Cen
BonBons Candy and Godiva Chocolatier — for sweet treats. GM Wintergarden in the Ren Cen
William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor — Fishing, picnics, and a wetlands area frequented by geese, hawks, pheasants, muskrats and foxes. The first urban state park in the country, featuring its own 52-slip marina.
> Download Downtown District Map
Tips
Two to four hours is optimal. Wear comfortable shoes. Crowds are much lighter on weekdays, mornings, and non-event days. Check the websites below for times and costs for the riverboat cruise, bike rentals, pedicab rides, carousel tickets, meal/refreshments. Diamond Jack’s River Tours begin June 10 and run through September 5 (Thursday-Sunday). Restrooms at Rivard Plaza and GM Renaissance Center Wintergarden.