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    Jeremy J.

    Detroit has many statues monuments different things like that for you to see when you're visiting and this is a great one for sure to check out. It's a popular part of town and it's worth checking out in reading about the history of the gateway to freedom and how Detroit played a major role in freeing slaves. Nice tribute

    Annette J.

    Gateway to Freedom is a beautiful monument paying tribute to Detroit's role in the Underground Railroad. This large statue is located right at the edge of Hart Plaza along the Detroit River, right across from Canada where the slaves depicted in the statue are looking hopefully for freedom. Surrounding plaques briefly outline Detroit's participation in the Underground Railroad as well as highlighting several spaces in Detroit that were also instrumental in the passage to Canada. Its counterpart monument, 'Tower of Freedom' (designed by the same sculptor Edward Dwight), is located in Windsor's Civic Esplanade but I have yet to visit that. It's a beautiful location for reflection and remembrance and worth seeking out when enjoying the waterfront or Hart Plaza.

    Anja F.

    Some background to this monument: the sculptor, Ed Dwight, was recruited by NASA from the Air Force to be the first African American astronaut but because of racism, NASA dropped him from the training program and he ended up back in the Air Force. He quit in 1966 and got himself an MFA and began working as an artist. He has over 100 commissioned pieces around the country, mostly of black civil rights and cultural icons. He has a studio in Denver and is still working at the very venerable age of 86. This is a tribute to the escaped slaves who made it to Detroit and managed to cross over to Canada. After the Fugitive Slave Act was passed, just going North wasn't enough. You had to actually flee the country. Detroit was a major stop on the Underground Railroad. (Which fact I did not know.) The monument is placed at the narrowest point of the Detroit River and directly across from it in Windsor is another monument by Dwight called "Freedom Tower" which celebrates those who were able to complete the journey. It features four former slaves, three of whom are looking at Canada and a little girl holding a rag doll looking back at Detroit. Every part of the Underground Railroad had code names. The safe places that allies provided were called "stations", the allies were called "conductors", the slaves were called "passengers" or simply "baggage". Detroit was called the "Doorway to Freedom" or, evocatively, "Midnight". my mother attended a lecture that posited that the quilts made by slaves had codes stitched into them. There is even a North Star pattern. The gates on the sculpture have phrases that must have been directions to aid the escapees as they navigated their way to freedom. (I'm sorry the photos aren't clearer--it was very sunny and I couldn't actually see what I was shooting.)

    Manda Bear B.

    Cool place to visit if you are in the Hart Plaza area and by the water. A lot of status to see within 3-4 blocks of walking! You can see Windsor, Canada from here. Next to the Cruise Boat, on this nice river walk. Don't walk here at night!

    A poignant way to remember

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    Review Highlights - Gateway to Freedom

    (and others) looking for the Windsor installation of the International Memorial to the Underground Railroad.

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    Spirit of Detroit - The Spirit of Detroit

    Spirit of Detroit

    4.6(29 reviews)
    0.2 miDowntown Detroit

    The Spirit of Detroit isn't just a statue--it's the symbol of the city, and honestly, it hits…read moredifferent when you see it in person. Standing front and center downtown, this massive green figure holds a sphere in one hand and a family in the other, representing God and the people--basically everything Detroit stands for at its core: strength, unity, and community. It's one of the most photographed spots in the city, but it's way more than just a photo op. This is the heart of the 313. What makes it even more special is how connected it is to the people. Whenever Detroit sports teams make a run, you'll see the statue repping jerseys. Big moments, big celebrations, big comebacks--the Spirit of Detroit is always part of it. It's not just watching the city grow, it's growing with it. There's also so much history behind it. Installed in 1958, this piece has stood through every chapter of Detroit's story--the highs, the struggles, and the comeback. And through it all, it's remained a constant reminder of what the city stands for. You don't just look at it--you feel what it represents. The location makes it even better. Right near Woodward, surrounded by the movement of downtown, it feels alive. People gathering, taking pictures, passing by--it's always part of the action, just like Detroit itself. But more than anything, it's the pride. Real Detroit pride. The kind you can't fake. The Spirit of Detroit represents resilience, hustle, and heart--the things that make this city what it is. If you're in Detroit, you have to stop here. Not just for the picture, but for the feeling. This isn't just a statue--it's Detroit in its purest form. 313 forever.

    This muscular man near the Detroit River is the Spirit of Detroit. It is cast bronze with a green…read morepatina that could be copper but isn't. He's 26 feet tall and was dedicated in 1958. At the time, it was the largest cast bronze statue since the Renaissance. In his left hand, he's holding a gilded sphere radiating rays, symbolizing divinity. In his right hand, a family, representing human relationships. Behind him, the marble wall is a quote from 2 Corinthians 3:17, "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." He seems to get a few people posing in front of him, mimicking his style and pose. I opted not to do that and waited to get clear pictures. [Review 699 of 2025 - 406 in Michigan - 24260 overall]

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    Spirit of Detroit - Spirit of Detroit

    Spirit of Detroit

    Spirit of Detroit
    Spirit of Detroit - Spirit of Detroit!

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    Spirit of Detroit!

    Ambassador Bridge

    Ambassador Bridge

    3.2(45 reviews)
    1.8 miSouthwest Detroit

    The Ambassador Bridge connects Detroit, Michigan to Windsor Ontario, Canada. It's the second time…read morethat I have been on this bridge and you get a great view of the skyline. It's a nice and smooth ride while you're on the bridge. They check passports entering Canada and coming back into the US. It's a $9 toll each way for using the bridge. Upon leaving Canada they have a duty free store at the border. I didn't find things that were that cheap. I did pick up a candy bar. Last time, I got myself a perfume.

    I've never done the Ambassador Bridge before but have always wanted to since I moved back to…read moreDetroit. It's a long standing part of the Detroit skyline and I finally got to cross it yesterday. The ride was smooth but let me tell you, they have barricades up and it can be slightly confusing as to where to go. I almost followed two trucks to the truck zone! The customs agents are fine and they have a border shop on the Canadian side for purchases of alcohol, purses, jewelry and other items. I think it's all tax free! I love the skyline view when crossing the bridge because you can see the rencen and the updated train station that was reopened over the summer. You can pay cash when entering the US, which is weird because going through the tunnel on the way to the border you could only pay by card. I also enjoyed the large Canadian and American flags huge from above to show which country you're in.

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    Ambassador Bridge
    Ambassador Bridge
    Ambassador Bridge - You can see the end from the site of the GHIB...

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    You can see the end from the site of the GHIB...

    Monumental Kitty

    Monumental Kitty

    3.0(2 reviews)
    2.0 miSouthwest Detroit

    This attraction is pretty much destroyed. It has been around since 2010. I would change the K to an…read moreSH. I looks really bad. If you make it here, you will find the remnants of what use to be the monumental kitty. There is not much to see here. I would recommend passing this place up. It is a shame too. In its hay day, it looked pretty cool and worthy of a quick stop if you were in the area. There has been mentions of rebuilding it, but no solid plans as of yet. If you still want to come here just be aware that the directions may take you on the opposite side of the overpass and you can park and just walk across. How do you know if you are on the wrong side or not you ask. If you are on the side with the baseball field then you are on the wrong side

    You have to respect a cat with a nine foot diameter head built of solid brick. Even Shaquille…read moreO'Neal isn't that sturdy. Word on the street is that the Monumental Kitty works just like the Sphinx: if you don't answer his riddle he gets to eat you. During my latest visit to Corktown I visited him every morning, to feed him by incorrectly answering his riddle. But, selfless cat that he is, he let me live. It's an appropriate symbol of Detroit's fighting spirit and civic engagement that such an inspired sculpture took control of the pedestrian overpass even as the old Tiger Stadium across the I-75 got blasted into rubble. Thanks to the vision and technical skill of North Corktown artist Jerome Ferretti, the efforts of neighborhood volunteers, some funding from local businesses, and a very successful Kickstarter campaign, this nine-foot-diameter cat head is as good as nine-foot-diameter cat heads get.

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    Monumental Kitty
    Monumental Kitty
    Monumental Kitty

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    Gateway to Freedom - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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