Cullen Plaza

About This Park

Cullen Plaza is home to many of the Detroit Riverfront's most popular highlights, including the Cullen Family Carousel, an inlaid granite map of the Detroit River, a standing glass sculptured map of the St. Lawrence Seaway, a children’s playscape, playful fountains and lush landscaping.

Also located at Cullen Plaza are the Cullen Café and Tiki Bar and Wheelhouse Detroit, a bike shop offering bike rentals, tours, retail, and service. The popular Diamond Jack's River Tours, which provides public tours and private charters of the Detroit River, docks at Cullen Plaza.

The pavilion building at Cullen Plaza houses public facilities as well as the Conservancy's operations offices and the security command center.

Amenities

Bike Rentals & Cycle Repair
Food & Beverage
Parking
Play Areas
Restrooms
Seating Areas

Related Attractions

Bank of America Playscape at Cullen Plaza

The Bank of America Playscape is located at Cullen Plaza adjacent to the parking lot.

Cullen Café & Tiki Bar (Seasonal)

The Cullen Tiki Bar and Café are located on the Riverwalk at Cullen Plaza. The Café serves up tasty meals and treats right in the heart of the Detroit Riverfront.

Cullen Family Carousel (Seasonal)

Instead of traditional horses, this carousel features creatures indigenous to the Detroit River, such as the egret, snail, frog, heron and sturgeon.

Wheelhouse Detroit

Wheelhouse Detroit, located at Cullen Plaza, offers bike rentals, guided tours, bike repairs and bikes and accessories for purchase. Guided tours of the Detroit Riverfront and other areas of the city cater to every ability level and interest.

Related Events

Intro to the Detroit Riverfront Walking Tour

Whether it's your first time visiting or you're a regular who's excited to learn more, this tour will give you an overview of the history of the Detroit Riverfront and a chance to check out some of its most popular attractions.

Joy Athletics Run Club

A new season means new goals—let’s get after them! Joy Athletics Run Club, a women’s performance-based running collective, is back for Season 3, and we’re ready to lace up, push our limits, and run bold together.

Detroit Riverwalkers

Older Adults, 50+, are invited to participate in this FREE program that encourages wellness through walking on the Detroit Riverwalk.

Dance Fusion

Detroit Youth Sports Showcase

The Detroit Youth Sports Showcase is a free opportunity for youth to try out a variety of sports and outdoor physical activities with partners from across the city.

Riverfront Herbal Walk Series

Learn from local herbalists how to identify and engage with plants.

A Brief History

Cullen Plaza opened in 2007 as the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy’s first park. As a founding partner of the Conservancy, General Motors built and donated the first half mile of the Riverwalk, connecting GM Plaza to this space, which was previously a gravel lot used for aggregate storage.

Formerly known as Rivard Plaza, in 2018 the park was renamed Cullen Plaza to honor Karen and Matthew P. Cullen for their extraordinary philanthropic support of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and in acknowledgment of Matthew P. Cullen’s visionary leadership as its founding and current chairman.