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EXPERIENCE DETROIT
Attractions
& Self-Guided Tours
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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
Related Tours
Resources &
Links
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Wyandotte [A]
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.
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 Trenton
[B]
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.
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Grosse Ile [C]
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.
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Tour Map
Number of Destinations: 3
Overall Tour Time:
1/2 day - 1 full day
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Click
Me to Rent a Car!!!
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Related Tours
Grosse
Pointe & Nautical Mile
Huron River Drive
Lakes Area
Riverfront
Thumb
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Resources &
Links
City of Wyandotte
City of Trenton
City of Grosse
Ile
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