Things to do in Detroit around the NFL Draft
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A bird's-eye view of downtown's Capitol Park ahead of NFL Draft festivities. Photo: Samuel Robinson/Axios
Downtown will be packed with events this week as people from across the country visit the city, perhaps for the first time.
What's happening: Several outdoor parties and interactive events are taking place outside the draft footprint:
📺 The Downtown Detroit Partnership will host parties at five downtown parks Thursday-Saturday with live music, vendors and local food trucks and a live feed from the draft.
- Party sites are Grand Circus Park, Paradise Valley Beatrice Buck Park, Capitol Park, Beacon Park and a closed-off portion of Woodward Avenue near State Street.
📺 Columbia Street along Woodward, the space across from Comerica Park maintained by Olympia Development, will host a free event Thursday with a draft broadcast.
- Participating restaurants with food and drink specials include Frita Batidos, Jo Jo's Shake Bar, Sahara and Union Assembly.
🍻 The "pocket park" next to The Siren Hotel on Broadway will have wings, pizza logs, fries, beers and specialty cocktails all day Thursday as part of the hotel's tailgate party.
🌃 Woodward light projection: A cool view of animated football and Detroit icons will be projected on the building façade on the 1200 block of Woodward Avenue from 8-11pm Thursday and Friday nights.
👟 StockX is bringing interactive and immersive pop-up events to the heart of downtown. The experience welcomes guests into the world of sneakers. Take a chance at a life-size "Grail Vault" to win free sneakers, collectibles and site credit.
- From noon-8pm Thursday and Friday and 10am-5pm Saturday at 1528 Woodward Ave.
🏎️ Parker's Alley on Farmer Street will celebrate Detroit vintage, from sports to cars. There will be a pop-up bar, giveaways, a vintage car "photo moment" and more.
🏈 Inside the draft footprint, Bud Light Backyard Bars will sell beer and seltzer, while a "Taste of Detroit" tailgate will offer more than 20 local restaurants in booths and trucks.
- Restaurants include M Cantina, Detroit 75 Kitchen, Kuzzo's Chicken and Waffles, Bangkok 96, Lockeroom Sports Bar, Eminem's Mom's Spaghetti and more.