A Trip Along the Canals of Detroit Is Like No Part of Michigan You’ve Ever Seen Before

It may surprise many that there are canals that exist within the city of Detroit. A canal system in an urban environment is more common in a place like Venice in Italy or perhaps areas along oceans in the American south like in Florida. There are canals to be seen elsewhere in Michigan along the state's inland lakes.

But Detroit? Detroit, indeed. The city's canal system is centered on the city's Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood. They're inlets from the Detroit River near were Lake St Clair narrows into the Detroit River near the border with Grosse Pointe Park. The city describes the area as

👇🏼BELOW: Glide Along the Canalways of Detroit in Pictures👇🏼

Jefferson Chalmers on the east side boasts more than 160 acres of waterfront parks, boat launches, fishing access and outdoor recreation opportunities. The canal communities of Harbor Island, Klenk Island and Fox Creek are well-kept, one of the city’s hidden gems.

Each of the canals feature homes backed right up to the water.

A video was shared on YouTube showing a 25 minute boat ride along the canal system. The journey begins where Fox Creek begins at Jefferson Blvd. The canal backs up to houses along Ashland Street and is right along Alter Road - the last street before Detroit meets the Grosse Pointes.

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Each of the canals are interconnected and have an outlet to the Detroit River at Mariner Park.

Many who viewed the video were either amazed that such a canal system existed in Detroit or recognized the sights along the canal.

I never knew they existed. Wow! What history this city has.

That's incredible...had family stay over that way and it flipped me out driving past this

Thank you for the tour. I'd have never guessed these places existed.'