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Sight Downtown Detroit

Hart Plaza and the Detroit RiverWalk

A sight in Downtown Detroit, free to visit and worth about 30 minutes. Best time to go: Night.

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Hart Plaza and the Detroit RiverWalk in Downtown Detroit
Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0 · license

Why go

The riverfront plaza looks straight across the Detroit River to the Windsor skyline, with the RiverWalk running east.

It is one of 8 curated places we feature in Downtown Detroit, alongside 2 activities, 2 bars & cafés and 2 places to eat. 6 more of our picks sit within about half a mile in a straight line, so it pairs easily with Guardian Building and London Chop House. At about 30 minutes, it slots neatly between bigger plans.

Type
Sight
Neighborhood
Downtown
Price
Free
Time needed
30 min
Best time
Night

Nearby

Our closest curated picks, including 4 beyond Downtown Detroit. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.

  1. 1
    Guardian Building

    1929 Art Deco skyscraper with a tiled, vaulted lobby open to the public.

    Sight · Detroit · 0.2 mi straight-line
  2. 2
    London Chop House

    Revived version of Detroit's storied 1938 steakhouse, in a basement dining room on Congress Street.

    Food · 0.2 mi straight-line
  3. 3
    Campus Martius Park

    Downtown square with the city's Christmas tree, a skating rink and lit trees, next to the Cadillac Square holiday market.

    Activity · Detroit · 0.3 mi straight-line
  4. 4
    The Rink at Campus Martius Park

    Downtown's seasonal ice rink sits under the city Christmas tree and lit trees, ringed by office towers.

    Activity · 0.3 mi straight-line
  5. 5
    American Coney Island

    Coney dogs with chili, mustard and onions on Lafayette Boulevard since 1917.

    Food · Detroit · 0.4 mi straight-line
  6. 6
    Lafayette Coney Island

    Downtown hot-dog counter serving Coney dogs since 1917.

    Food · Detroit · 0.4 mi straight-line

On these curated routes

Hart Plaza and the Detroit RiverWalk is a stop on our Detroit New Year's Eve route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.

More to do in Downtown Detroit

Hart Plaza and the Detroit RiverWalk is our only sight pick in Downtown Detroit; here is what else we recommend there. See the full Downtown Detroit guide.

When to go: weather by month, based on Detroit

Our climate figures for Downtown Detroit come from nearby Detroit. Average daily highs in Detroit run from 30°F in January to 82°F in July; May is usually the wettest month. For Hart Plaza and the Detroit RiverWalk itself, we suggest: Night.

Modelled monthly averages for Detroit from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Detroit weather by month (covers Downtown Detroit).

Getting there

Map links open a live search for Hart Plaza and the Detroit RiverWalk, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Coordinates
42.32750, -83.04440
Destination
Downtown Detroit, Michigan

Hart Plaza and the Detroit RiverWalk: quick answers

How much time do you need at Hart Plaza and the Detroit RiverWalk?

Plan on about 30 minutes at Hart Plaza and the Detroit RiverWalk. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Hart Plaza and the Detroit RiverWalk?

Our pick: Night. Insider tip: The best free spot downtown for a midnight view of both skylines.

Is Hart Plaza and the Detroit RiverWalk free?

Yes, we list Hart Plaza and the Detroit RiverWalk as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.

Which TripsCircle routes include Hart Plaza and the Detroit RiverWalk?

Hart Plaza and the Detroit RiverWalk appears on Detroit New Year's Eve, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.

Add it to your crew's plan

Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Downtown Detroit.

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Lists & regions

Also in Downtown Detroit

Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.