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Downriver Driving Tour
Tour Overview
 Detroiters refer to the suburbs south of the City
bordering the Detroit River and leading to the mouth of Lake Erie as "Downriver."
Heading south out of downtown, the smokestacks of River Rouge and
Ecorse cast an ominous shadow over the City, and one is reminded of the heavy
industrial base here. However, just
beyond the Rouge River Bridge, you will enter the clean and friendly communities
of Wyandotte, Trenton,
and Grosse Ile, where time seems to ease by at a more relaxed pace. Wyandotte and Trenton are "all-American" towns with blue-collar
roots, while Grosse Ile possesses a modest air of exclusivity. These cities offer outstanding views of the
Detroit River and of well-traveled Great Lakes freighters.
Downriver is worth a visit anytime of year, but it comes alive
particularly in the summer months with riverfront street fairs and an influx
of pleasure boaters. Come find out
what makes Downriver distinctly different than the other suburban areas and
why it is such a well-kept secret, even to many natives of metro Detroit.
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Tour Map
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Wyandotte
Vicinity of
Biddle and Elm
Website
 Wyandotte was named after
the Wyandot Indians who forged trails on their journeys to Detroit that now
serve as the main thoroughfares through town.
Throughout the 1800s, the city was an iron-making and shipping powerhouse. In fact, the first steel plant in the U.S.
to use the Bessemer steel manufacturing process was located here. In addition to numerous factories,
industrialists built impressive homes in Victorian, Tudor, and Italianate
styles, some of which still exist today (visit the Wyandotte Historical
Museum located in the MacNichols Home for more information). Aside from great history, Wyandotte draws
many visitors to its quaint downtown offering a number of unique restaurants,
cafes, parks, and a riverfront golf course.
Residents and visitors alike flock to Wyandotte's riverfront for
frequent concerts and festivals in addition to great freighter views.
Trenton
Vicinity of
Jefferson Avenue and West Road
Website
 Trenton was
also a part of the industrial base that helped Downriver prosper. One of the driving forces of this
prosperity was McLouth Steel, occupying a commanding location on the Detroit
River and generating a large portion of the steel used in the automotive
industry. Sadly, McLouth closed its
doors in 1996. However, Trenton
continues to thrive with other major companies carrying on the manufacturing
tradition. But, as with the other
Downriver tour stops, the best part of Trenton is the riverfront. Trenton's simple but growing downtown draws
boaters and visitors alike to enjoy street festivals and views of its Grosse
Ile neighbor directly across the water.
Grosse
Ile
Island in the
Detroit River accessed by Grosse Ile Parkway or Bridge Road
Website
 Purchased from the Potowatami Indians in 1776, Grosse
Ile is the largest island in the Detroit River. It actually consists of two main islands
separated by a canal and several minor outlying islands. Grosse Ile has a number of beautiful
riverfront mansions, including the former home of late automobile sunroof
inventor and presidential advisor Heinz Prechter. Add to this two golf course country clubs
and an abundance of pleasure boats and you begin to see what sets Grosse Ile
apart from the rest of Downriver. Take
a drive around the perimeter of the island to experience the great views
experienced by its residents every day.
Tour
Map
Number of Destinations: 3
Overall Tour Time: 1/2 day - 1 full day
More
Information
Interested
in more riverfront and maritime-related tours? Click on the following…
Grosse Pointe & Nautical Mile
Lakes
Area
Riverfront
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