Cullen Family Carousel, Detroit, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

The Cullen Family Carousel is a carousel on the Detroit RiverWalk, at 1340 Atwater St in Detroit, Michigan. It sits on the city's riverfront, where a stretch of former industrial waterfront has become a public place for walking, sitting and watching the water. It is a friendly, easy stop for families and for anyone following the RiverWalk.

The story behind it

The carousel belongs to the larger story of the Detroit RiverWalk. For much of the twentieth century, Detroit's riverfront was dominated by industry, docks and storage yards. Over the past couple of decades the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and its partners have worked to open the shoreline to the public with paths, parks and plazas, so that residents and visitors can reach the water on foot.

The carousel is one of the attractions that gives the riverfront a playful side. It is named for the Cullen family, a reflection of the private giving that helped shape public spaces along the river. The fine details of its construction are best checked on site or with the riverfront's own information, but its role is clear: it gives the RiverWalk a place where people stop, linger and have fun.

What to look for

• The carousel animals themselves, which are the heart of the ride, so take a moment to see how each one differs from its neighbours.
• The river beside you, where you can watch passing boats and look across the water toward Canada on the far bank.
• The RiverWalk path running past the site, which shows how the old waterfront has been turned into a continuous public promenade.
• The Detroit skyline in the near distance, including the towers of the Renaissance Center, which make a strong backdrop for photographs.

Tips for your visit

• Allow about 15 to 30 minutes if you only want to see the carousel and take a look at the riverfront, longer if you plan to ride or stroll further along the water.
• Check current opening hours and the operating season before you go, as rides at outdoor attractions can change with the weather and time of year.
• Late morning or late afternoon is pleasant for a relaxed walk, and the light on the river is especially good toward the end of the day.
• The carousel is close to other parts of the RiverWalk, so it pairs easily with a longer walk along the water rather than a stop of its own.

See it on a quest

You can reach the carousel on foot as one stop on Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows in Riverwalk, Detroit. It is a self-guided walk with a mystery theme, played on your phone. The app tells you about each place as you arrive and sets a puzzle based on what is around you, so you look at the riverfront more closely than you would on a casual stroll. One ticket covers the whole group, and you can start whenever suits you, with no guide and no set departure time.