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]

The National Theatre is the only survivor from Detroit's first theater district and the only…read moretheater known to be designed by renowned architect Albert Kahn. The National opened Sept. 16, 1911, as a vaudeville house. Its exterior is a Baroque-Moorish-Beaux-Arts hybrid with a Moroccan or Egyptian flavor. There isn't anything else like it in the city's friendly confines. It's been a long, crazy road for the National, from vaudeville to movies to burlesque to porn to abandonment. There have been several plans pitched to save this neglected gem. Fortunately, it was spared from demolition with the rest of the Monroe Block about 25 years ago. The Civil War-era buildings that lined Monroe have sat undeveloped and vacant ever since. Still, without a developer with a vision, it's likely the National will continue to fall into even greater disrepair and Detroit will lose an irreplaceable piece of its past. For more on the National: http://buildingsofdetroit.com/places/national

I saw the huge black fist sculpture & after reading another one of Bruce's informative reviews…read moreunderstand it's a tribute to the boxer Joe Lewis. This monument represents the power of Lewis' punch both inside & outside the ring. Because of Louis' efforts to fight Jim Crow laws, the fist was symbolically intended as a statement against racism.

"The Fist" is a sculpture tribute to the great legendary boxer Joe Louis, well known as the "Brown…read moreBomber." A gift from the Sports Illustrated magazine to the people of the City of Detroit, it was installed near Hart Plaza in 1986. The 24-foot-long bronze forearm and clenched fist is suspended from a 24-foot-high pyramidal frame and weights an amazing 8000 pounds! Joe Louis was World Heavyweight Champion from 1937 to 1949. His 1938 victory over German boxer Max Schmeling was seen as a symbolic blow to Nazi ideology. There might be other "Fist" monuments in the world. This one is the best. [Round number review 700 of 2025 - 407 in Michigan - 24261 overall]

The Yelp category of "landmark" definitely applies here. This is the Zero Mile Marker for the city…read moreof Detroit. You've no doubt heard of "Eight Mile Road"? Well, it's precisely eight miles from this very spot. After the 1805 fire, Judge Augustus Woodward redesigned Detroit with a radial street plan centered on Campus Martius. The Point of Origin was established as the zero-mile marker for the city's new layout. Look for a round glass porthole in the sidewalk near the Woodward Fountain. Beneath it lies a white stone medallion--Detroit's official zero-mile marker. I've been to the Zero Milestone in Washington DC, the Zero Mile Stone in Norfolk Virginia, Il Panzerotto in MIlan Italy, Kilometre Zero Marker in Madrid Spain and Zero Zero in Lisbon Portugal. Add this to the list! [Review 695 of 2025 - 402 in Michigan - 24256 overall]

On a hot summer afternoon, it was awesome to see this fountain running and being a great…read moreentertainment for kids in the Sun. Horace Elgin Dodge (1868-1920) was a pioneering American industrialist and co-founder of the Dodge Brothers Company, whose mechanical ingenuity helped shape the early automotive industry. Alongside his brother John, Horace built a legacy of innovation and craftsmanship that propelled Dodge into becoming one of the largest automakers in the U.S. by the early 20th century. The Horace E. Dodge and Son Memorial Fountain, located at the heart of Detroit's Hart Plaza, was designed by renowned sculptor Isamu Noguchi and completed in 1978. The fountain's futuristic stainless-steel ring structure and powerful water jets were meant to symbolize Detroit's industrial strength and innovation, honoring the Dodge family's legacy in the automotive industry. It's an impressive and quite unique fountain. Don't miss it when you're in Hart Plaza! This isn't the first Noguchi artwork I've experienced. The Pylon is nearby and I've also seen the Red Cube in Helmsley Plaza New York and the Bolt of Lightning in Philadelphia. [Review 709 of 2025 - 414 in Michigan - 24269 overall]

For his automobile industry contributions, a fountain in his name, and his son, was built known as…read morethe Horace E. Dodge and Son Memorial Fountain. The memorial fountain is one of the must visits for me whenever I visit the city of Detroit for mostly the Detroit Free Press Marathon. I always anticipate finishing up at Huntington Place for the health and fitness expo just so I can see the memorial fountain along with the nearby Monument to Joe Louis, Spirit of Detroit, and Hart Plaza which is where the memorial fountain sits. For me, a visit to the city of Detroit is never complete without visiting Hart Plaza! As for Hart Plaza, it is named in honor of the late Senator Philip A. Hart, a Democratic Senator who is known as the "Conscience of the Senate" for his work on civil rights and the environment. On a nice day, as was my latest visit, there were several activities going on like individuals riding segways around the memorial fountain, and people touring and enjoying the sights within the immediate area. From May to October, depending on the weather you can catch a glimpse of the memorial fountain activated. Along with the memorial fountain, there are a few commemorative statues and monuments in this area which are the Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac Statue, Pylon, Transcending, and the Gateway to Freedom International Memorial to the Underground Railroad. And along with that you also get a glimpse of Windsor, Ontario Canada from a distance. Being that I visit during the time of the Detroit Free Press Marathon, I always park at Huntington Place, which is typically my go-to for parking due to the event. If you have interest in other parking options, there are plentiful of them which also may be cheaper than Huntington Place, but keep in mind that you may have a longer walk. If you are planning to visit downtown Detroit, I recommend including the Horace E Dodge and Son Memorial Fountain to your tour, especially if it is during the summer months because you are likely to see it activated. ~Blessings~ Thomas G

During our week of training at the Dearborn Inn, our organization scheduled Thursday night's dinner…read moreat the Henry Ford Estate (Fair Lane / Home of Clara & Henry Ford). As a novice of woodworking, I was blown-away by the intricate woodwork and finishings throughout the home. The three ladies that lead our tour of the home shared many interesting details about the property, its restoration, and details of Clara and Henry's years at the estate. Many of the restoration stories, like finding a tub for Henry's bathroom or how Clara had a section repainted white were intriguing. Even though much of the home, especially the second floor, is still being restored it was a fascinating experience.

The site here is open for limited hours and is fenced off from the surrounding university and…read moreparkland, which I guess is their right but which nonetheless was annoying for me as a visitor. There wasn't much actually open amongst the majestic-looking buildings while I was there, but the picnic area was hopping. The signage was bilingual-in English and Arabic-and what appeared to be a Yemeni wedding seemed to be taking place. The juxtaposition of the estate of an industrialist (or robber baron, or visionary, or racist, depending on your point of view) with a distinctive immigrant community makes for a striking reflection on Americana. The grounds include some gardens, and a lake with a path around it. Access to the river is limited, but it didn't look like that impressive of a river. The greenery is more worthwhile.

Located on the Riverfront between Hart Plaza and the actual Detroit River, this sculpture faces…read moreCanada. It commemorates the city's role as a major terminal in the Underground Railroad. Created by artist Ed Dwight and unveiled in 2001, the memorial features a dramatic bronze tableau of eight freedom seekers and conductor George DeBaptiste, pointing toward Canada. It symbolizes hope, resistance, and the perilous journey to liberation across the Detroit River. The 10-by-12-foot bronze sculpture also includes quilt square engravings referencing the myth of "freedom quilts" and a lantern motif etched into the base. The memorial honors the diverse coalition - African Americans, white allies, and Native Americans - who helped thousands escape slavery, and it marks Detroit's historic code name in the Underground Railroad: Midnight Created by Ed Dwight, a renowned sculptor known for memorializing African American history, it was unveiled on October 20, 2001 as part of Detroit's tricentennial celebration. On the Canadian side, Windsor hosts a companion sculpture called Tower of Freedom, also by Ed Dwight, reinforcing the shared legacy of resistance and refuge between the two cities. Maybe next time, I'll cross over and check it out. [Review 710 of 2025 - 415 in Michigan - 24270 overall]

I thought it was strange to have a War of 1812 hero in Detroit but yes, Fort Detroit was used in…read morethe War of 1812 which the US was bluffed into surrendering to British troops. All of that to say, "Why is there a monument to Alexander Macomb in Detroit?" Well, Macomb was a hero of the War of 1812. Born here in the city (which was at the time a British-held territory), he joined the United States Army in 1799 and rose to the rank of Brigadier General during the Battle of Plattsburgh and eventually earned a Congressional Gold Medal for "gallantry and good conduct" and eventually a promotion to commanding general of the army in 1828. As a local hero, of course Detroiters are going to honor the man. The statue depicts Macomb standing tall with a wind-blown cape and looking toward the Detroit River. It is allegedly made with cannons captured during the war. It's way impressive and a terrific honor for a local citizen who went on to great things. [Review 17958 overall - 354 in Michigan - 1479 of 2022.]

This is a cool looking statue that we saw while we were in Detroit visiting. I don't really know…read morethe history behind this guy but it looks like a real G this monument he just posted up with his hat cool looking cape and just looking around like what's up y'all so this is a cool looking statue that I'd say check out and get some photos when you're in Detroit