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EXPERIENCE DETROIT
Attractions
& Self-Guided Tours
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Detroit Riverfront Tour
Tour Overview
The dawn of a vibrant
Riverfront is one of the most exciting initiatives under way in Detroit
today. The city boasts nearly 14 miles
of frontage along the fascinating Detroit River, 5 1/2 miles of which are the
focus of massive development investment.
Ultimately, the entire stretch will include a continuous Riverwalk
with green spaces, children's playscapes, art
fairs, outdoor dining, fishing areas, historical markers, and awe-inspiring
views of Belle Isle, Windsor (Canada), and the occasional ocean
freighter! Much of the East Riverfront between the Renaissance Center
and Belle Isle is open to the
public. The West Riverfront is in
progress and will include an exciting new Port Authority and Public Dock,
providing a gateway to the region for cruise ships passengers from around the
world. But this area of the Riverfront
is only part of the intrigue. Do not
miss this fantastic tour.
Skip To…
Tour Map
Related Tours
Resources &
Links
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Fort Wayne [A]
6325 West
Jefferson Avenue, Detroit
Website
Hard to imagine war with Canada!
Not in the 1840s, however, when tensions ran high with our
British-controlled neighbor to the north and Detroiters demanded a stronghold
to protect them from attack. The
threat of war with Canada eventually faded, but the importance of the Fort
increased. Fort Wayne played major
roles in the Civil War and both World Wars.
The Fort is open to the public on weekends only, so make sure to plan
accordingly. A great historical
destination!
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 Hart Plaza [B]
1 Hart Plaza,
Detroit
Website
Hart Plaza is situated in the heart of the City along Jefferson
Avenue, opposite the Financial District and adjacent to the Renaissance
Center. This mostly hard-surfaced
14-acre park was opened in 1955 to provide a new gathering place and focal
point for the City. Hart Plaza
occupies 14 scenic acres on the riverfront and has a capacity of 40,000,
making it an ideal host for numerous cultural and ethnic festivals throughout
Spring, Summer, and Fall. Notable
events held here include the Detroit Electronic Music Festival, Detroit
International Freedom Festival, and Detroit International Jazz Festival.
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 Renaissance
Center Riverfront Promenade [C]
100
Renaissance Center, Detroit
When touring the Riverfront,
it's basically impossible to miss the tallest building in Michigan and Detroit's most recognizable icon. Opened in 1976 with the hopes of
re-energizing Detroit's economy, the Renaissance Center, or
"Ren-Cen", is again at the forefront of Detroit's redevelopment
efforts. General Motors moved its headquarters
to the Renaissance Center in 1996 and spearheaded extensive renovations
completed in early 2005. The
renovations not only modernized the facility but made it more accessible and
welcoming to the public from Jefferson Avenue. The Ren-Cen and its 6 cylindrical towers
previously offered mainly office space and few public attractions. Now, the building's interior treats
visitors to a brilliant new Wintergarden that provides
views of the Detroit River, a suspended glass circulation ring that helps improve
pedestrian flow inside the building's maze-like interior, a GM-sponsored
showroom of historic vehicles, a first-run movie theater, a 1,298-room hotel
located in the 73-story center tower, and several prominent restaurants and
retailers. The exterior of the facility was
also redeveloped. The Ren-Cen's
Riverfront Promenade is the first step and centerpiece of Detroit's overall
riverfront redevelopment.
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 William
G. Milliken State Park and Harbor [D]
1900 Atwater
Street, Detroit
Website
This
"green oasis" is the only urban state park in Michigan. Opened in 2005 at the location of the St.
Aubins Marina, the park draws land-dwellers and boaters alike. Spanning nearly 31 acres, the park includes
open green spaces, a 52-slip marina, and a 62 foot replicate of the
lighthouse at Tawas Point State Park in northern Michigan on Lake Huron. The park is ideal for picnics, fishing, or
for simply taking in great views of the river, Belle
Isle, and the Detroit and Windsor skylines. As an added bonus, bring your bike or
rollerblades for a great workout on the unique Dequindre
Cut Greenway accessed just north of the park.
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 Belle
Isle
Douglas
MacArthur Bridge off of Jefferson Avenue
Full Tour Page
Belle Isle
is a 982-acre island and park in the Detroit River managed by the Detroit
Department of Parks and Recreation.
The island has been subjected to significant budget cuts recently,
resulting in the closing of America's oldest public aquarium (opened in
1904). Nevertheless, Belle Isle still has many excellent
attractions to offer, including the Belle Isle Nature Zoo , the Anna Scripps
Whitcomb Conservatory, and the Dossin Great Lakes
Museum to name a few.
Consider packing a lunch and enjoy great views of Detroit and Windsor while you relax on Belle Isle's
half-mile beach (the only beach in the City).
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Tour
Map
Number of Destinations: 5
Overall Tour Time:
1 day
Continue the Tour!!!
The allure of the Riverfront doesn't
end at Belle Isle! Visit our Grosse Pointe & Nautical Mile
Driving Tour and Michigan Thumb Tour
pages to find out more…
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