Overview

Replacing the beloved old Olympia Stadium in 1974, Joe Louis Arena did not inspire immediate affection. Views are good even from the most distant of its 19,275 seats, but the architecture is uninspiring. Deck parking is available nearby, but the arena itself is jammed between the river and a freeway, and its exterior is confusing and indistinct. Named after the Detroit-born boxer of the 1930s, it's the home of the National Hockey League's Detroit Red Wings but is also used for collegiate hockey, concerts of every variety, wrestling, circus and even Disney on Ice shows. The People Mover stops at its door, so you can park elsewhere downtown and get here quickly.