Join University of Windsor faculty John Hartig and Tom Najem for a walking tour in Detroit. Detroit is well known for its public spaces and its art and architecture. Indeed, Detroit's architecture is recognized as being among the finest in the United States. Recently, Detroit's Campus Martius Park was named the No. 1 Best Public Space in the nation by USA Today readers. In addition, USA Today readers identified the Detroit RiverWalk as the No. 1 riverwalk in the United States three years in a row. This walking tour will explore these unique public spaces and highlight architecture that is now making Detroit a destination of choice.
Depending on interest, three tour options will be available:
Option 1: a tour of the Detroit RiverWalk - the No. 1 riverwalk in the United States three years in a row. This new waterfront porch is one of the largest, by scale, urban waterfront redevelopment projects in the United States, and gives hope and proves that Detroit has a bright future.
Option 2: a tour of downtown Detroit, for those more interested in Detroit's urban spaces and art deco buildings. This will include a walk through some of the historic buildings like Guardian and Book Cadillac Buildings, the many public squares, and depending on interest, taking the tram to mid-town to see the museum district.
Option 3: a limited tour of both the Detroit RiverWalk and Campus Martius Park.
Participants will transit to Detroit on the Transit Windsor Tunnel Bus which makes hourly trips between Windsor and Detroit (https://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/transit-windsor/service-to-detroit/Tunnel-Bus-Service). You will need to have documents to clear customs/immigration at both the US and Canadian points of entry. For most, this will be a valid passport or Nexus card. Depending on your passport, you may need a visa, so please check in advance. Fare is $10 cash (Canadian or US) each way and the bus only accepts exact fare. Participants will board the Tunnel Bus at 12:50 pm from the Caesar’s Windsor stop with arrival at US Customs at 1:20 pm. Once participants clear Customs, you will meet the tour organizers at the Mariner’s Church located adjacent to the US Customs plaza. You will spend ~3 h in Detroit before transiting back to Windsor on the 4:40 pm bus.
