clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
A paved path in a field. In the distance are several skyscrapers, including a tall one made mostly of glass.
The Riverwalk offers many potential spots for crying.
Michelle Gerard

Detroit's top 10 places for crying in public, mapped

It's ok. Let it out.

View as Map
The Riverwalk offers many potential spots for crying.
| Michelle Gerard

It's rough out there, friends, and sometimes you have to feel your feelings in public. If you're on the verge of an ugly cry, don't worry. There are plenty of places in the city to sit and let it all out.

We picked some places that are better for warm weather and a few options for winter. We know that there are many, many places to cry in public around the city, but we chose 10 of our favorites to let you know that you're not alone. Everybody hurts. Sometimes.

Note: Locations are arranged west to east.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Merrill Fountain at Palmer Park

Copy Link

Looking for a place to find some quiet and reflect on the past? This fountain in Palmer Park is beautiful and it doesn’t run anymore, so you’ll be providing all the waterworks. Have a seat. Think about what it must have been like back in the day, or what you were like back in the day. Let the tears flow.

Other parks you might want to check out would be Lafayette Park, AB Ford Park, and Clark Park.

A post shared by Hannah Mills (@hellofromhm) on

Historic Fort Wayne

Copy Link

If you want to be alone, you can definitely do that at Historic Fort Wayne. Get lost as you’re surrounded by battlements and barracks at this unique destination. And here, you’re about as close to Canada as you can get. Wave to our friends across the river while you wipe the tears away.

The QLine

Copy Link

Is the endless debate about regional transit wearing you down? Hop aboard Detroit’s streetcar. Go up and down Woodward, watching the DDOT and FAST buses pass by. If it’s not rush hour or during a big event, there probably won’t be many others around you. And maybe it’ll even get delayed giving you more time to process your feelings.

Another good option would be the People Mover.

Photo by Michelle & Chris Gerard

John K. King Used & Rare Books

Copy Link

It’s easy to get lost wandering through John K. King Used Books. Here, you’ll find a book on any subject in the world. Maybe grab some poetry, or a tragedy—whatever feels right. Plus, when someone is crying while holding a book, people just think they’ve read something especially profound.

Photo by Michelle & Chris Gerard

The sea of parking lots behind Fox Theatre

Copy Link

Feeling nostalgic about Detroit’s past? Wander behind the Fox Theatre and gaze at the vast sea of parking lots, which once held so many buildings—and hope. Think about other big cities and marvel at how much surface parking Detroit can handle. It’s probably best not to do this during a sporting event, FYI.

Foxtown, July 2017
Google Street View

The Riverfront near the demolished Joe Louis Arena

Copy Link

Down near the former hockey arena, at the end of the Riverwalk, there's a circular structure where you can often see one or two people sitting. Depending on the day, you can usually some quiet time to shed some tears. Also, near the empty side of Joe Louis Arena, you think about how wasteful it is to build and then demolish sports stadiums. Such is life.

The top deck of the Z-Lot, looking east

Copy Link

Everyone might be having fun at the Belt Alley below, but you can see some great skyline views from this parking structure. High altitude mixed with nice views give crying a plausible deniability. Don’t want to pay for parking? Just walk in and take the elevator to the top.

Under Hart Plaza

Copy Link

If you have some loud crying to do and you want to be alone, but heard, head down under Hart Plaza. The rough hardscape of this public space matches the rough contours of your tortured soul. And maybe you’ll get lost in the otherworldliness of the place and forget your hardships altogether.

Elmwood Cemetery

Copy Link

No one will wonder why someone’s crying in a cemetery. Detroit has many huge, sprawling cemeteries—reminders of our history and past. Perhaps the nature itself can help you feel better, and Elmwood Cemetery is a certified arboretum.

Photo by Michelle & Chris Gerard

Belle Isle Conservatory

Copy Link

The Belle Isle Conservatory is one of our favorite places to take in nature. It's also a good place to feel your feelings. If the weather's nice, there are a few benches outside in the gardens. If it's too cold for that, there are also a few benches inside. Hey, maybe the oxygen will help you feel better!

Loading comments...

Merrill Fountain at Palmer Park

Looking for a place to find some quiet and reflect on the past? This fountain in Palmer Park is beautiful and it doesn’t run anymore, so you’ll be providing all the waterworks. Have a seat. Think about what it must have been like back in the day, or what you were like back in the day. Let the tears flow.

Other parks you might want to check out would be Lafayette Park, AB Ford Park, and Clark Park.

A post shared by Hannah Mills (@hellofromhm) on

Historic Fort Wayne

If you want to be alone, you can definitely do that at Historic Fort Wayne. Get lost as you’re surrounded by battlements and barracks at this unique destination. And here, you’re about as close to Canada as you can get. Wave to our friends across the river while you wipe the tears away.

The QLine

Is the endless debate about regional transit wearing you down? Hop aboard Detroit’s streetcar. Go up and down Woodward, watching the DDOT and FAST buses pass by. If it’s not rush hour or during a big event, there probably won’t be many others around you. And maybe it’ll even get delayed giving you more time to process your feelings.

Another good option would be the People Mover.

Photo by Michelle & Chris Gerard

John K. King Used & Rare Books

It’s easy to get lost wandering through John K. King Used Books. Here, you’ll find a book on any subject in the world. Maybe grab some poetry, or a tragedy—whatever feels right. Plus, when someone is crying while holding a book, people just think they’ve read something especially profound.

Photo by Michelle & Chris Gerard

The sea of parking lots behind Fox Theatre

Feeling nostalgic about Detroit’s past? Wander behind the Fox Theatre and gaze at the vast sea of parking lots, which once held so many buildings—and hope. Think about other big cities and marvel at how much surface parking Detroit can handle. It’s probably best not to do this during a sporting event, FYI.

Foxtown, July 2017
Google Street View

The Riverfront near the demolished Joe Louis Arena

Down near the former hockey arena, at the end of the Riverwalk, there's a circular structure where you can often see one or two people sitting. Depending on the day, you can usually some quiet time to shed some tears. Also, near the empty side of Joe Louis Arena, you think about how wasteful it is to build and then demolish sports stadiums. Such is life.

The top deck of the Z-Lot, looking east

Everyone might be having fun at the Belt Alley below, but you can see some great skyline views from this parking structure. High altitude mixed with nice views give crying a plausible deniability. Don’t want to pay for parking? Just walk in and take the elevator to the top.

Under Hart Plaza

If you have some loud crying to do and you want to be alone, but heard, head down under Hart Plaza. The rough hardscape of this public space matches the rough contours of your tortured soul. And maybe you’ll get lost in the otherworldliness of the place and forget your hardships altogether.

Elmwood Cemetery

No one will wonder why someone’s crying in a cemetery. Detroit has many huge, sprawling cemeteries—reminders of our history and past. Perhaps the nature itself can help you feel better, and Elmwood Cemetery is a certified arboretum.

Photo by Michelle & Chris Gerard

Belle Isle Conservatory

The Belle Isle Conservatory is one of our favorite places to take in nature. It's also a good place to feel your feelings. If the weather's nice, there are a few benches outside in the gardens. If it's too cold for that, there are also a few benches inside. Hey, maybe the oxygen will help you feel better!