How to Watch the Detroit Fireworks: A Beginner’s Guide

The annual Fourth of July fireworks in Detroit are wildly popular. We pulled together a list of tips, tricks and locations to make your visit for the fireworks, one for the books.

Fireworks in Detroit | Photo Courtesy of Instagram fan stevesergent

All along the river, is the Detroit Riverwalk. Visitors and Detroiters alike gather along the path to sit back and take in the show.

This prime location is right in the center of downtown and along the river front for a front row viewing.

This is a gorgeous place to view the show after a family cookout or an afternoon on the beach.

Make a night of the fireworks and book a room in one of the hotels overlooking the river for a comfortable, air conditioned experience. Try the Marriott at the Renaissance Center along the river or the Detroit Foundation Hotel.

While further back from the river, this spot is still centrally located downtown and includes plenty of seating for those who snag a spot early.

Now that you know where to watch, here are a few tips for the evening:

Arrive early, as you’ll be spending time with thousands of your new best friends, but you’ll want to beat them to the best locations for a great view of the show.
Become familiar with the parking options in the area. One suggestion was to park in a garage or surface lot, and then ride the People Mover to one of the stops close to the River. Be ready to pay a parking fee, as well as a fee to ride the People Mover and remember that some streets may be congested or blocked off.
Pack for comfort before and during the show by bringing camp chairs or a blanket, snacks, and drinks (non-alcoholic).
Be patient. Once the show is over, thousands of people have one agenda – to get from their viewing spot to their home – all at the same time. If you allow yourself to relax and enjoy a little people watching, by the time you’re ready to leave, a great deal of the crowd will have dispersed.