Hart Plaza

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Hart Plaza is a public space located in downtown Detroit, Michigan, on the Detroit River.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

The plaza was named after former Detroit Mayor Albert Cobo and was opened in 1975. It is a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike, offering a range of activities and sights to see.

One of the main attractions of Hart Plaza is its location on the riverfront, providing stunning views of both the Detroit River and Windsor, Canada. Visitors can stroll along the riverwalk, take a riverboat tour, or even rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore the water themselves.

The plaza also hosts many events throughout the year, including the Detroit Jazz Festival, the Movement Electronic Music Festival, and the annual fireworks display on the Fourth of July. There are also several sculptures and pieces of public art on display, including the Spirit of Detroit statue and the Joe Louis Fist monument.

Interesting facts about Hart Plaza include the fact that it was designed by Isamu Noguchi, a renowned Japanese-American artist and landscape architect. It was also the site of the original home of the Detroit Red Wings hockey team, before they moved to the Joe Louis Arena in 1979.

The best time to visit Hart Plaza depends on the visitor's interests. For those interested in attending events, summer is the busiest time with the Jazz Festival and Movement Festival taking place in August. The fireworks display on the Fourth of July is also a popular event. However, for those looking for a quieter visit, spring and fall may be better options.

       

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
View more

Featured Parks