good views in Detroit

[Det74]

Where are the best ones? Specifically up high like rooftops and the like?

[waz]

This i one isn't up high, but the view from the western tip of Belle Isle is pretty special

[EGrant]

The Z garage has a great view, and you shouldn't get much trouble for going up there and snapping some pics.

Otherwise, with the redevelopment of all the buildings downtown, there really aren't a ton of easily accessible [[abandoned) skyscrapers to visit. It's much harder now, with all the security and cameras.

[401don]

Years ago when I was a youngin visiting a new city I would take the elevator to the top floor of any tall hotel and just look out the hallway windows. Much harder to do that these days as most elevators require cards to activate them.

[hybridy]

top of packard plant has amazing view SW to downtown. top of the train station too - unfortunately these spaces are not as accessible as they were only a few years go

[preserve]

The view from the Sky Bar, 23rd floor, was spectacular, especially at night. Hope it can reopen when the renovations are completed.

[TKshreve]

Still a fan of the cityscape coming over the rouge river on I-75N near Zug Island. Doesn't smell great, but you can see the city in all it's majesty from that vantage.

[EastsideAl]

Still a fan of the cityscape coming over the rouge river on I-75N near Zug Island. Doesn't smell great, but you can see the city in all it's majesty from that vantage.

The eastern end of Ford Rd., particularly on a clear sunny day, is another great spot. Got some fine telephoto pictures from there back in the days of actual film.

Of course, the greatest ground-level spot of all is Dieppe Park in Windsor. Which allows for a full panoramic view of the skyline in a way that makes Detroit nearly unique among US cities.

From up high, the best spot by far was the now closed bar/restaurant at the top of the Ren Cen hotel. You could come close to duplicating that view from a high floor room in the Marriott, but that's a little pricey. If you can manage to get invited, or talk your way into, one of the 2 Ren Cen office towers fronting on Jefferson, the cylindrical glass enclosed staircases on the north side of those buildings offers some great up high views of downtown and surrounding areas.

[mtburb]

Still a fan of the cityscape coming over the rouge river on I-75N near Zug Island. Doesn't smell great, but you can see the city in all it's majesty from that vantage.

I can insert a couple more good spots: BASF Park and northbound Biddle Avenue at Saint John's Street, both in Wyandotte; and East River Road on Grosse Ile.

As for high-level views, if you know someone who works in the Guardian Building and have some free time during non-working hours, there are a few outdoor balconies with great views.

For example, this southwest-facing view, on a very clear day, you can see in the horizon, from left to right, Fermi [[out of view), the two stacks of Trenton Channel, the two stacks of Monroe's power plant [[which is technically closer to Toledo than Detroit) and even some taller buildings in Toledo proper.

In the foreground is Windsor, towards the horizon from there are the Downriver suburbs.

[Ray1936]

Always loved the view of old City Hall. I was much younger then, of course.

[EastsideAl]

Always loved the view of old City Hall. I was much younger then, of course.

Then there's the view FROM City Hall. Although, looking at the dirt streets, I'm guessing that this may be from a year or two before your time Ray.

[TheEnergizer]

I remember taking the elevator in the Penobscot to around the 34th floor and enjoying the view of the river. I think that was also the best view of the artistic detail of the Guardian Building at the top.

Also, about a decade ago, I went up the David Stott for kicks, and the elevator got stuck for about 5 seconds. I freaked out.

[casscorridor]

Fisher Body Plant roof

[Det74]

thank you all for your replies!

[Zacha341]

Cool pic Ray. I always like how the windows have those fabric awning shades to block out the sun in some windows as there was no central air conditioning!

[Gsgeorge]

Not many views in Detroit of the city... Here are a few I can think of, along with a couple of "deep perspective" views that can only be appreciated in person or with a telephoto lens...

1. "The Hill" in Milliken State Park on the Riverfront
2. Belle Isle: Western tip, Belle Isle Beach
3. The Z-Lot Parking Deck
4. Motor City Casino: Iridescense
5. Opera House Parking Deck/Opera House Rooftop Deck
6. Greektown Parking Deck
7. People Mover: Financial District to Joe Louis Station

Inaccessible to public:
1. Fisher Building Balconies
2. Penobscot Building Balconies
3. Guardian Building rooftop
4. Fisher Body 21 plant
5. Packard Plant
6. Park Shelton rooftop deck
7. DAC rooftop deck
8. Republic Services Landfill on Lapeer Road and I-75

Deep perspective views:
1. River Rouge Bridge [[traveling I-75 North)
2. Ambassador Bridge
3. Woodward Avenue traveling South over 8 Mile Road
4. Northwestern Highway traveling south between Middlebelt and 13 Mile
5. I-696/I-75 interchange [[traveling east on I-696)
6. Davison East to I-75 South ramps
7. I-96 south to I-94 east ramp
8. Lapeer Road southbound at Dutton Road [[also Dutton Road between Bald Mountain & Squirrel)
9. 401 Highway at Windsor city limits [[Canada)

Windsor:
1. Centennial Park
2. Dieppe Gardens
3. Malden Park - not super well known, panoramic view from top of hill
4. Bert Weeks Memorial Garden
5. Coventry Gardens
6. Windsor Sculpture Park under the Ambassador Bridge
7. McKee Park
8. Caesar's Windsor
9. Hiram Walker Distillery

[softailrider]

Still a fan of the cityscape coming over the rouge river on I-75N near Zug Island. Doesn't smell great, but you can see the city in all it's majesty from that vantage.

Totally agree, just wish you could stop and really take it in instead of driving by at 70MPH.

[downtowngarybrown]

yes Z is great and east to get to.