Campus Martius Park

Love this place whatever the time of year. The maintenance crew is awesome, the space is ever changing throughout the year to compliment the seasons. It’s a great place for people watching, taking a break from work or hanging out on a date, with friends or family…whatever the occasion. Centered around restaurants, food trucks and bars. It’s a very beautiful and welcoming outdoor space that I frequent a lot when coming downtown.

Beautiful accessible relaxing ! This view is from what I think used to be the beach bar/ restaurant. It’s a great place to sit. The food options are limited but we had a delicious plate of pulled pork nachos(fake cheese but so good) and a salad with all kinds of good stuff in it- can’t remember the name- it’s a little pricey for the quality of food and service but you could sit there all day and just look out the window and enjoy! so it’s kind of worth it. We enjoyed our time there.

We came to this little gem this past weekend and what a fantastic central park it is! My wife and I enjoyed a couple alcoholic beverages while our son had a Faygo. The drinks aren't the cheapest but still cheaper than some restaurants or bars. $8 for a beer wasn't bad but $12 for an alcohol Slushie seemed steep. But the environment is fantastic and our son loved playing in the sand. Central to downtown Detroit. Will be back next time we're visiting Detroit. 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Such a beautiful and lively place right in the heart of the city! The vibe is amazing — perfect for relaxing, people-watching, or just enjoying some sunshine. Great food nearby, live music sometimes, and the fountain just adds the perfect touch. Always a good time here!

Okay, Detroit dwellers and visitors, let's talk about a true gem in the heart of the city: Campus Martius Park. This isn't your average patch of green; it's a dynamic, ever-evolving urban oasis. What makes it so unique is how it completely transforms with the seasons. I've seen it bustling with a summertime beach vibe, complete with sand and splash fountains – a total surprise in the middle of downtown! Then comes fall, and it's all cozy with beautiful foliage and a perfect backdrop for a stroll. Winter turns it into a magical wonderland with an ice-skating rink and twinkling lights, creating such a festive atmosphere. And now, as spring breathes new life into the city, it's a vibrant spot to just sit and soak up the energy. Whether you've spent the day exploring Detroit's rich history and culture or you're clocking out after a long workday, Campus Martius is the ideal place to unwind. Grab a coffee, find a bench, and just breathe in the city's pulse. It's a testament to thoughtful urban planning and a real asset to Detroit's downtown core. If you need a dose of urban tranquility that shifts with the year, this is your spot.

Very beautiful and well designed park in the middle of Woodward Ave. One of the best parks of this country!

Park had a beach and a beautiful fountain. Easy access to a restaurant. Had a lovely visit here.

Another must-see place in Detroit. Lots of restaurants and seating. Great place for families and kids or romantic getaways.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

I always love going home and seeing what all they have done with the downtown area. Campus Martius is beautiful, well the area is beautiful. If you work downtown, and can walk there, you are in a great place! They have a restaurant and a few bars as well as a stage. It has great views and it is walk-able to many of the other things downtown (it takes no time at all to walk to someplace else from there like the Belt, the shopping area down Woodward, or to Greektown). During the summer, they have a "beach" bar with sand and during the winter they have ice skating, they have really developed this area and I love everything that they have done.

I have family in the area and so whenever I visit them, I also like to visit this area as well. I have visited in the Winter and the summer and I have to say that this place is especially magical in the Winter.

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.

Thanksgiving Eve at the Park. The place was packed. Ice skating was a bonus. Very well run and organized. Great for family!

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! :)

Nice park in Downtown Detroit! Free, relaxing and clean environment to hangout with loved ones!

This is a nice park, located in the heart of downtown Detroit. There is metered street parking nearby, but if you want to splurge and spend unnecessary money, you can park at an overpriced garage. The Park is located near the Joe Louis Monument and right behind the Michigan Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. It is a historic park dating back to 1850 originally. The park re-opened in 2004 and holds the distinction of being the first-ever winner of the prestigious, international Urban Land Institute Urban Open Space Award. The park has a bunch of outdoor seating, a fountain and a beach area, which I thought was the coolest. The park is not huge. It is just over 1 acre, however, that have pack a lot in that space. In addition to what I already mentioned, it has two performance stages, sculptures, various gardens and a seasonal ice skating rink. This is a really nice park, that has a number of restaurants including Park Cafe (The most prominent), Texas de Brazil, and Shake Shack. The park is a nice place to just chill. it definitely fulfills its "promise to be Detroit's Gathering Place in the immediate downtown community and for the entire city and region."

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.

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!

Great quick stop for a family really any time of year. A must if you're visiting Detroit. Always good shopping, meals, snacks, entertainment. Highly recommend!

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.

Beautiful and serene during the winter months! Enjoy ice skating, dining, and take in the beautiful trees. Use the Q line for easy transportation without having to move your car around. Campus Martius is a great, Central Park to enjoy some of what Detroit has to offer. Make sure to take a stroll nearby to the Cadillac Lounge or down Woodward!

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.

horrible the staff sere awfully rude, skates were dull, mine wouldnt even buckle up. 70 dollars down the drain.

Ice Skating , hot cocoa, out door shopping! What a great weekend! There are so many fun activities to do downtown! My family and I went ice skating and the city is so beautifully decorated for the Christmas Season! The line was long to rent ice skates, but it moves super fast!

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.

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.

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.

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.

What a great place in downtown Detroit. Christmas time is alot of fun because they set out the ice skating rink, light up the huge Christmas tree, they have cute shops set out in Cadillac Square, hot chocolate, sleigh rides, food trucks, you name it. The city has come such a long way from where it was 10 years ago to now. In the summer time, they fill sand in one part for sand volleyball, there are tables and chairs to enjoy dining outside, a shipping container restaurant/bar, outdoor movies, and food trucks. I started working downtown and didn't realize all that Campus Martius or Downtown had to offer until recently and I'm sad I've missed out on so much stuff over the last few years i've lived in Michigan!

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.

Was a little disappointed while visiting here. They were out of ingredients to make every drink I wanted. My friend ordered a huge drink thinking she had time to finish it only to be told they were about to close. We should have been told that before ordering. The drink was strong though and kool environment until the music ended. If visiting Detroit again not sure we would come back here.

You just need to come to Campus Martius around Christmas time when all the lights and decorations are up. This is right in downtown Detroit and people who are not from around here would find it hard to believe. It's just so magical that time of year. The ice rink is a fun family activity there as well.

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!

Absolutely great job on everything done there for Christmas. The tree is beautiful. Really nice ice rink. Plenty of places to sit. Nice little shopping area. Really nice place to sit have drinks and play table games. (Cadillac Lodge). The park is decorated to the nines. Hats off to the people responsible for all this . An absolute must to see.

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.

Pretty hip and posh spot in the D.... when the world thinks of Detroit, they think dirty, devastation, dangerous, dastardly or don't go! Seeing this park and all it has to offer was refreshing! I felt a mystical power of positivity that made me immediately think I need to spend more time here! There were folks ice skating, dining in the eateries and a newness in experience leaving me desiring more! Rent some ice skates, dine or just hang out. Beautiful decor for the winter season. I hear there is movies in the park in the warm months as well as other activities. Can't wait to come down to exclusively hang here, not just chance walking through as I did upon discovery!

This is a fantastic area of the city. Very eventful and clean. During the spring/summer, the park is turned into a beach, boozy slushies included. With the food trucks just across the street this is the perfect place to come for lunch and listen to the live music that typically plays on a daily basis. They have excellent restaurant options within the park and within walking distance. The fountain is a great focal piece as well.

Cadillac square beer garden was such a cool find in Detroit! Outdoor shops in mini greenhouse settings. Food trucks, draft beer and lots of seating! The restrooms are awesome and very clean!

I took a quick stroll through this small village of adorable independent shops. The glass enclosed stores offer a variety of things, each a little different from the next. Sadly, most of them were not open, at 2:30 on a Friday. One shop I was able to go in was Zarkpa's. It was located in the Rotating Local Vendor's location. The owner, Tracey was helpful and inviting. She had accessories, clothing and some nice skincare products. I'll definitely return.

Very pretty area! I was expecting to see more around the park in terms of shopping or more trees but it was still nice to see Campus Martius Park for the first time. There's plenty of restaurants around but I would have liked to see more shopping around the area!

A few years on since my last review and Campus Martius has really picked up steam, hosting a variety of special events throughout the year now. The winter is now just as fun, and activity packed, as the summer. We recently spent the day here, ice skating, dining at Parc, and exploring the holiday market down there. It was awesome. The holiday market is a delight. Glass encased pop up shops from the likes of local t-shirt manufacturers, specialized food, and even shops in Somerset mall each have their own small glass terrarium like building lining Cadillac Square. they're filled with their best selection of gifts for guests to purchase. The selection in each is small but combined with all the shops, there's a ton to see here. There are also food trucks, and a warming tent/lounge with a delightful cocktail bar, cozy seating (with plenty of blankets) and TVs throughout to watch special sporting events should they be on. They limit the number of guests in there during peak times (so it never gets overly crowded) so be prepared to possibly wait in line to get in. It seems kind of annoying but I promise, once you get in you'll be glad they run it that way. There's plenty of seating inside and it's much easier to navigate. The holiday lights and Christmas tree are also delight and the ice skating rink and snacks via the Fountain are a nice treat as well. One if the kiosks also sells s'mores kits which makes for a fun activity for kids. My cousin and I had a great time toasting marshmallows on the firepits and enjoying a sweet treat on a chilly afternoon. If you like holiday excursions, this is an absolute must to add to your list from this year on.

I love this park. It's easily one of my favorite places in the city. Food, drink, games, tables and chairs, fountains and water features, the beach, flowers, Parc, truly a great place to go everyday downtown. You can easily enjoy yourself for free.

I'm originally from Michigan and I enjoy driving down to Detroit to check out Campus Martius around the Holiday. It's so festive and amazing. Ice Skating, winter events and a big Christmas tree. I think it's great that people come out to these events even though it's in Detroit. It's like a mini New York in the winter. Went down the day before Thanksgiving this year because I just got back in town to visit and they changed it up a bit. It's been about 3 years since I've seen Campus Martius. My dog enjoyed it as well.

This is a great city of the city park bringing Woodward to the front and making this a great spot to chill and meet with friends!

Came for the winter fest. A very family friendly place. Many things to do from skiing, playing bags, shopping, eating, sight seeing, and more. A load of fun. They had multiple shopping vendors and food trucks. I'd highly recommend this to anyone in the area traveling or locals.... so much to do downtown during this time.

Campus Martius Park is our favorite go to place during the holiday. We just love the Christmas atmosphere

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

We decided to take the kids down here and go ice-skating. It was a little cold but absolutely beautiful and quite packed. Skate rental wasn't too long, and there's plenty to do. Great affordable experience for a family. Only one incident of some teenagers cussing loudly in front of my kids and being too rough on the ice and almost knocked my son over and then laughed about it when I said something. I ended up letting security know that they were being a little bit too rough and rowdy with all the kids around and I wasn't the only parent that was getting pissed off. Other than that we had A great time. There's plenty of food and drinks downtown, plenty of places to sit and little arts and crafts places to shop from. Downtown is definitely come along way and it's absolutely beautiful now!

I was there on a work assignment for Auto Show 8/7-8/8. Nice area besides a mini box truck was stolen as the tent company packed tents in the back of it at 2:00am. The area was barricaded to vehicles but open to pedestrians to walk but not in work zone.

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!

When I walked by this area, I just fell in love. It was just so clean and cute. RI minded me a little bit of those small parks scattered around NYC in manhatten where you can sit and relax outside. They have tons of outdoor seating and even a fake sanded beach area with beach chairs. I could see myself coming here, relaxing, and enjoying good weather when it was nice out (too bad I don't live there). Great family friendly, relaxation area. They have food trucks where lots of people who work nearby come to grab lunch and enjoy the outdoors

Such a great park! Its small is size, but will you'll leave with big smiles. An urban beach in the summer, and a skating rink in the winter! This place is always buzzing with activity. During the summer there is a bar area to enjoy a few adult bevs. Fountain Bistro is in the park too if you'd like to sit for a meal. You really feel like you are in the center of the city here. It is a great place to sit and enjoy the atmosphere!

Campus Martius, the Red Square of the People's Republic of Gilbertistan, is the geographic point of origin for the Detroit street grid-- as well as a lively venue for summer concerts, eatin', drankin', and hanging out. Catch the party loyalists (Quicken FoC staff) as you listen to a band play in the summer months, go ice skating in the winter, sit with a cup of coffee and ponder the meaning of existence. Great place for kids and always welcoming.