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One of my favorite places in downtown Detroit with great entertainment and restaurants! Whether it's ice skating, shopping around Cadillac Square, and having a drink at Cadillac Lodge, or enjoying putting your feet in the sand and enjoying some bites during the summer months at the Brisa Bar, Campus Martius is a hopping spot all year round! I also remember a while back when they had the musical swings- would love the see those make a return!
This park actually is a re-established area after a fire that took place in 1805. This area was to be the initial area where Detroit would rebuild the city. It's a small yet quaint park area that has several umbrella tables, nice music playing, a stage for live bands and a few food trucks. It's a nice place to take a break and enjoy looking at the historic statues and buildings.
Rated as the best park in the country multiple times by USAToday, home of the annual tree lighting, 2024 NFL Draft and many more epic happenings
I am continually in awe at how much this piece of Detroit has changed. Campus Martius is one of the standout attractions that seems surreal. Winter time brings out the ice skating rink and the winter village with all the little temporary shops and beer gardens. It is a festive environment and there are a lot of other food, drink, and coffee options in the surrounding plaza. I will usually hit the Roasting Plant for some really good coffee before I meander to Campus Martius. You can also check out the One Campus Martius building that has a cool indoor fountain and restaurants like Texas de Brazil and Sugar Factory, but other restaurants in and around the park include Parc, Shake Shack and Potbelly Parking is widely available at the Campus Martius parking structure or via street parking (get the ParkDetroit app to pay) or via pay lot or parking garages over on Congress.
This plaza has blossomed into a city center. I always knew it had potential, but with the calendar of cultural events and new cluster of eateries it has come into its own as a destination. Across the street, Cadillac Sq., are food trucks and additional seating. My evening was filled with night music from the Philharmonic and I was floating above the skyscrapers. Every Friday eve. they welcome the weekend with a "beach party" and live music. In the summer, Thurs. is movie night on the lawn. Not many good parking options. Meters are only good for two hours if you can find one. Garages can be pricey. Consider the Q line or People Mover, or like me park by the river and enjoy a stroll before your festivities.
So pretty! Love all the lights. A holiday tradition. Its always pretty busy so get there early and have some holiday fun!
This urban square has some splendid aesthetics, with various skyscrapers in the background. A lot of seating is available, some of it seemingly dedicated to a fancy cafe, but other seats for those who want to hang around. It's not the kind of park where there's a ton to explore, and I don't think there are any real facilities outside the restaurant, but it's worth wandering by. It's also the end of the light rail line.
I love Campus Martius during the holidays! I love the seasonal ice rink and the festive lights. It's a wonderful time to go downtown, walk around, and enjoy the energy and beauty of the city.
Small little park located in the middle of a roundabout setup in a popular part of downtown Detroit. It's of cool monument with very close walking distance along with shops and places to eat. The medium of the adjoining road is setup like little parks or trails to. In the event we they have a decent sized outdoor ice skating rink that when I went was unfortunately closed at the time. But it seemed like a cool place. Overall it's a neat addition to that particular area.
Beautiful park in the Centre of the Detroit downtown. This is a nice place to hangout watching the amazing lights of the surroundings during the holiday season. There was a giant grand Christmas tree on the water fountain, outdoor ice rink with good music, largest Salvation Army kettle and dazzling display of seasonal lights. I love holiday decorations and the lighting festivities gave a wonderful new year vibe. It's a family friendly place with lot of photo opportunities. Ice Skating Rink was fully booked till Jan 7th. Due to pandemic they reduced the rink count to 25 members only. They suggested to do online reservation in advance. Clean area and well maintained. Lots of security and assistance, felt safe. Pretty safe social distancing. Convenient and affordable parking spots near by. Check out for street parking for cheaper options. Overall, it was a very fun experience, we do plan on returning the same time next year. Highly recommend a visit if you haven't experienced it.
Campus Martius is literally a traffic circle located at the VERY heart of Detroit. It marks the start and/or end of M-1 and is intricately linked to the identity of this city. You might be thinking, well...it's just a traffic circle, so how can it also be a park? And I would say...come and see just HOW MUCH you can fit into a whole traffic circle! You want a beach and a bar? Campus Martius has both! You want a restaurant? Campus Martius has one! You want a whole ampitheater that doubles as a whole ICE SKATING RINK during the holidays?? Campus Martius has got you covered! The list goes on and on. There is so much to do here, and it's great for all ages! As someone who works in Detroit, I try very hard never to get jaded as I have now walked through and enjoyed Campus Martius a stupid amount of times! It is truly wonderful and just adds that much character to our city. I have no idea the history behind Campus Martius and who even decided to turn this traffic circle into a whole park, but I thank them for it! If you have never visited downtown Detroit, Campus Martius is definitely a must-see while you're here! :)
We love coming to Campus Martius Park. Summer, spring, winter, fall, there is always something going on here. We love coming down here around Christmas. The tree is lit, the park is decorated to perfection, and there is so much to do for everyone in the family. Summertime they have beach parties, concerts, and so much more. There is always a spot to sit and chill and take in the vibrant cityscape. Campus Martius is the center of the city. It's a great spot to begin or end a fun day/night.
3 months ago
I was in and around Campus Martius all week as my employer's Detroit office is in the immediate area. It is a beautiful park in downtown Detroit (at least in the day time) and with the shaded tables, a perfect spot for a bite or a drink on a super hot day. Named Campus Martius for "Field of Mars" it is the reference point for Detroit's "mile" roads. Look for the Zero Mile Marker on the ground - Seven Mile and Eight Mile are precisely seven and eight miles from this spot, respectively. It was originally a militia drill ground back in the 1800s and the First Michigan Infantry Regiment departed from Campus Martius in 1861 for the Civil War. The park opened in 2004 and includes the beautiful Woodward Fountain, a seasonal ice rink and a seasonal beach. The - Michigan Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument is also here. [Review 694 of 2025 - 401 in Michigan - 24255 overall] read more
This public space is in the heart of Detroit's downtown. A fountain dots the middle, surrounded by umbrella shaded tables. There's a stage for concerts and a summertime pop up restaurant,. At the foot of the park is the Michigan Soldiers & Sailors Monument. During the summer a sandy beach with warm chairs and in the winter an ice rink. read more
10 months ago
One of my favorite places in downtown Detroit with great entertainment and restaurants! Whether it's ice skating, shopping around Cadillac Square, and having a drink at Cadillac Lodge, or enjoying putting your feet in the sand and enjoying some bites during the summer months at the Brisa Bar, Campus Martius is a hopping spot all year round! I also remember a while back when they had the musical swings- would love the see those make a return! read more
1 year ago
4 years ago
This park actually is a re-established area after a fire that took place in 1805. This area was to be the initial area where Detroit would rebuild the city. It's a small yet quaint park area that has several umbrella tables, nice music playing, a stage for live bands and a few food trucks. It's a nice place to take a break and enjoy looking at the historic statues and buildings. read more
1 year ago
Fun winter venue. Lots to see, like the winter/holiday market that they set up, as well as the ice rink. It's very crowded in the holiday season so plan on that-- it can be a bit much on the busiest days. Lots of nearby restaurants though to make a fun night of it. read more
2 years ago
Rated as the best park in the country multiple times by USAToday, home of the annual tree lighting, 2024 NFL Draft and many more epic happenings read more
3 years ago
I am continually in awe at how much this piece of Detroit has changed. Campus Martius is one of the standout attractions that seems surreal. Winter time brings out the ice skating rink and the winter village with all the little temporary shops and beer gardens. It is a festive environment and there are a lot of other food, drink, and coffee options in the surrounding plaza. I will usually hit the Roasting Plant for some really good coffee before I meander to Campus Martius. You can also check out the One Campus Martius building that has a cool indoor fountain and restaurants like Texas de Brazil and Sugar Factory, but other restaurants in and around the park include Parc, Shake Shack and Potbelly Parking is widely available at the Campus Martius parking structure or via street parking (get the ParkDetroit app to pay) or via pay lot or parking garages over on Congress. read more
This plaza has blossomed into a city center. I always knew it had potential, but with the calendar of cultural events and new cluster of eateries it has come into its own as a destination. Across the street, Cadillac Sq., are food trucks and additional seating. My evening was filled with night music from the Philharmonic and I was floating above the skyscrapers. Every Friday eve. they welcome the weekend with a "beach party" and live music. In the summer, Thurs. is movie night on the lawn. Not many good parking options. Meters are only good for two hours if you can find one. Garages can be pricey. Consider the Q line or People Mover, or like me park by the river and enjoy a stroll before your festivities. read more
2 years ago
So pretty! Love all the lights. A holiday tradition. Its always pretty busy so get there early and have some holiday fun! read more
This urban square has some splendid aesthetics, with various skyscrapers in the background. A lot of seating is available, some of it seemingly dedicated to a fancy cafe, but other seats for those who want to hang around. It's not the kind of park where there's a ton to explore, and I don't think there are any real facilities outside the restaurant, but it's worth wandering by. It's also the end of the light rail line. read more
Small little park located in the middle of a roundabout setup in a popular part of downtown Detroit. It's of cool monument with very close walking distance along with shops and places to eat. The medium of the adjoining road is setup like little parks or trails to. In the event we they have a decent sized outdoor ice skating rink that when I went was unfortunately closed at the time. But it seemed like a cool place. Overall it's a neat addition to that particular area. read more
6 years ago
Beautiful park in the Centre of the Detroit downtown. This is a nice place to hangout watching the amazing lights of the surroundings during the holiday season. There was a giant grand Christmas tree on the water fountain, outdoor ice rink with good music, largest Salvation Army kettle and dazzling display of seasonal lights. I love holiday decorations and the lighting festivities gave a wonderful new year vibe. It's a family friendly place with lot of photo opportunities. Ice Skating Rink was fully booked till Jan 7th. Due to pandemic they reduced the rink count to 25 members only. They suggested to do online reservation in advance. Clean area and well maintained. Lots of security and assistance, felt safe. Pretty safe social distancing. Convenient and affordable parking spots near by. Check out for street parking for cheaper options. Overall, it was a very fun experience, we do plan on returning the same time next year. Highly recommend a visit if you haven't experienced it. read more
Campus Martius is literally a traffic circle located at the VERY heart of Detroit. It marks the start and/or end of M-1 and is intricately linked to the identity of this city. You might be thinking, well...it's just a traffic circle, so how can it also be a park? And I would say...come and see just HOW MUCH you can fit into a whole traffic circle! You want a beach and a bar? Campus Martius has both! You want a restaurant? Campus Martius has one! You want a whole ampitheater that doubles as a whole ICE SKATING RINK during the holidays?? Campus Martius has got you covered! The list goes on and on. There is so much to do here, and it's great for all ages! As someone who works in Detroit, I try very hard never to get jaded as I have now walked through and enjoyed Campus Martius a stupid amount of times! It is truly wonderful and just adds that much character to our city. I have no idea the history behind Campus Martius and who even decided to turn this traffic circle into a whole park, but I thank them for it! If you have never visited downtown Detroit, Campus Martius is definitely a must-see while you're here! :) read more
We love coming to Campus Martius Park. Summer, spring, winter, fall, there is always something going on here. We love coming down here around Christmas. The tree is lit, the park is decorated to perfection, and there is so much to do for everyone in the family. Summertime they have beach parties, concerts, and so much more. There is always a spot to sit and chill and take in the vibrant cityscape. Campus Martius is the center of the city. It's a great spot to begin or end a fun day/night. read more
The year the "CovidGrinch" tried to steal Christmas #2020 One of my most favorite days of the year is Detroit's Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony! Usually, the city streets are glowing with holiday magic, live music, & people gathering from all over the state. We like to head down for a nice dinner and yearly Christmas picture. This year, the streets were sparse, music didn't fill the air, there weren't any people, and no celebration! But, making our way down Woodward Ave, I caught a glimpse of the most beautiful Christmas tree standing in all of its grandeur, the heart of the city, a symbolic beacon of hope & faith! 2020 has taken so much from all of us. Don't let it dim your light from within! Best end of the night, a carry out from one of our favorite spots, Layfette...Life is better with a Detroit Coney! read more
1 year ago
Beautiful spot to relax and enjoy a nice drink and the beautiful sunshine in Detroit. Beautiful beach theme with umbrellas and tables to enjoy the day ! Great drinks and food at reasonable prices ! A must for you to stop at. read more
7 years ago
This park is AMAZING! I'm having city envy over this park, Detroit. I've had the pleasure of visiting during varying seasons of the year and seeing how this park is vibrant and bustling year-round. From twinkling Christmas lights with pop up shops and an ice skating rink in the winter to a pop up beach with lawn chairs, shade and yoga in the warmer months, it's clear that they're killing it at activating this space for all ages and interests. A few other standouts at this park are the lush landscaping, shade, centerpiece water fountain, Parc restaurant, tables and chairs and sandbox items for the kiddos during the summer months. From this park you can easily hop on the Q-line on Woodward and make your way to other popular Detroit stops like the Detroit Art Institute, Fox Theatre and more. Programming is clearly listed at multiple spots in the park showing off how they offer multiple free community yoga classes weekly including a dog-friendly class! This is what peacemaking dreams are made of. read more
3 years ago
Wow! What a great and exciting place to see. There are so many things you can do around Campus Martius Park. One of the most exciting is ice skating, and they even have a cute little shop area for drinks and food. Next to the rink is a nice dining area as well. If you walk around you can pay for carriage rides and walk through a beautifully lit walkway, that leads to large wooden swings. All of the decorations are absolutely beautiful, especially the penguin! The Campus Martius building is beautiful on the inside with one of the largest indoor waterfalls, and glass designs. Inside is access to the famous Hard Rock Restaurant, and a few other food areas on the first floor. There are plenty of shops and exciting things to see downtown, but the heart of the city is one of the best and a must see! Always a great time to come here for a night of fun. read more
Campus Martius Park is a great place to visit whether during a festival or event or just to take time and have lunch or sit with friends and talk. We especially like going ice skating there during the winter months. Whether during the day or in the evening the place is decorated in a lively and holiday fashion. The lines to rent ice skates usually move along quickly. It's a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise at the same time. From a historical point of view this crossroads has had its share of historical events which include the mustering of Union Troops, having them sign up and ship off to the east during the Civil War. There is a large monument commemorating the end of the Civil War and celebrating the heroes in all the departments of the military. It is quite impressive and should not be missed. It is one of those places that gives an immediate connection to the past while making room for a view of the future. read more
8 years ago
Every time I visit downtown Detroit there is always something happening on the weekends, especially here at Campus Martius Park. Last year, we were able to attend the Detroit Free Press its Wine and Dine Experience. I get to see Martha Stewart and a bunch of local chef. This year it will be on September 15. The park will be surrounded by kiosks of sponsored restaurants & bars giving away samples of their specialty dishes. Last Sunday, there was a Spanish-English Drama Group entertaining the crowd. Some people prepare to sit down casually by the grass. While the rest will be sitting under an umbrella. There's a fancy looking restaurant where you can enjoy sipping a glass of wine and savoring the appetizers while pretending to listen to a conversation ;-). The park is where you can literally people watch them pass by. We park on the side street. Free parking on Sundays till 6am the next day. The qline is also a good way to commute from the park up to the DIA likewise. We also tried renting the BIRD, a motorized scooter for 15 cents a minute. Download the app and good luck finding an available scooter on the weekends. Hassle free also to rent a bike. There are some hot spots you pick one or return one every 30 minutes or they charge you extra. For sure it is more than $8 for the whole day rent. Lots of new restaurants, clothing and convenience stores sporading downtown Detroit. Great place to meet new people, experience new craving and new activity from the booming downtown. Here we are in a shade by the fountain, drinking a cup of refreshing lemonade, while people watching one fine day. read more
Came down on a Saturday afternoon, parking was pretty easy to find. The ice skating rink was up as was the Christmas tree. We came down for the pop up shops and had a great time. There was a lot to see and do. If you get an opportunity to go to Detroit go for that. Well worth it. read more
Had fun last night ice skating and seeing the big Christmas tree. The skate rental line was super long when we arrived around 7:00pm on a Friday. But we waited. Took about 40mins to get our skates. It was $10/ adult and then $5/ pair of rental skates. So we paid total $30. When we arrived to the ice rink, we realized how much smaller it was in person. In pictures, it looks like a normal size ice rink. But its like half the size of that. But in any case, we still went on the ice and enjoyed ourselves. After about an hour, we went to the Artic Snack tent. Got some hot chocolate, hot dogs and a pretzel with cheese. Everything was $5 or less so great prices. After warming up with hot chocolate, we went back on the ice for another hour. read more
This place is a spectacular place to spend your lunch hour I truly enjoy the sights and sounds of Detroit sitting here and people watching and just taking in summertime . This heart of downtown gem is peaceful just to sit and eat lunch along with the food trucks and the smells of local eateries I love working downtown read more
There's not a lot to be said, but this really is the one of the hearts of Detroit. Everything goes on down here. You can come at any time and there is an event of some sort going on. Right now it is home of ice rink and Cadillac Lodge. There are tons of fabulous restaurants and bars surrounding the area and within walking distance. Beautiful area. Detroit at it's finest! read more
13 years ago
It's that time of year again...and with that comes tradition. Since they recreated it in 2004 it has since become more widespread and popular. The skating rink is an average size but with the popularity spreading, they are going to have to find a way in widening/extending to accommodate people who are willing to spend an average of $10 w/rented skates and rink admission. The Waiting rental skate lines are long and the staff seem confuse in what to do next. Guess I have no room to complain about the cheap skates, but time to upgrade. It's been almost 10 yrs, time to bring in the new. As for the on lookers waiting for their love ones skating, they definitely need to keep the chairs and tables out from their summer gatherings. Come on Detroit, out with the old and in with the new!!! read more
8 years ago
People laughing, skating, and making memories with their friends and family! Campus Martius is a magical place and especially on a beautiful, snowy day in the D! There are Restaraunt a like Parc, and many Pop-up Shops...super sleek and cool. There are bikes to rent or you can stroll around and look at the cool sites. This is a prime location, sophisticated, classy, safe, and vibrant. A must see when coming to the Detroit. read more
12 years ago
One of my favorite places in the heart of downtown! So easy to get to from any place you're at. Close to Hard Rock Cafe and Greektown, Campus Martius Park is a great place for friends, groups, and strangers meeting for the first time -- no matter the season! I've been here countless times for ice skating in the winter and even to see small concerts in the summer months. Come during the winter months and you'll be welcomed with a beautiful ice rink, Christmas lights, and even a cafe for your winter taste buds. You can even make s'mores near a bonfire! During summer you can sunbathe as they turn the park into a "beach." I recently stopped by to skate with a friend on a chilly Saturday morning. The place was empty, as we did come bright and early. However, that made the experience even more enjoyable. The rink does get pretty packed on the weekends but having the whole place to ourselves was lovely. Employees were in good spirits nonetheless. I highly recommend stopping by if you're downtown! Grab lunch at a nearby shop and you'll be good to go! Enjoy! read more
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More info about Campus Martius Park
800 Woodward Ave
Detroit, MI 48226
Downtown Detroit
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(313) 566-8250
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http://downtowndetroitparks.com
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