infinity detroit river cruise

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The Charities

The Infinity and Ovation crew values the work undertaken by charities that benefit and help our community grow and thrive.

Together with our media partner, Hour Detroit Magazine, we’ve played a key role in raising visibility, and much appreciated funds, for several new, emerging, and existing Metro Detroit-based nonprofits during our Summer Cruise Series season.

This year, we are partnering with organizations that touch a variety of causes from advocacy groups to cultural institutions.

While we earmark a portion of each ticket price to benefit these worthy groups, we also hope you’ll join us in the spirit of giving by making an additional donation. There’s easy to follow instructions when you purchase your tickets.

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Wednesday, September 4, 2019

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Fan-favorite themes plus a fresh lineup of elevated concepts set sail this summer in immersive experiences only our Ovation yacht can offer. Enjoy impeccable service, carefully curated cuisine, top-shelf open bar and Detroit’s most celebrated entertainment. It’s the ultimate escape from the everyday.

The Cruises

This collection of excursions promises nights (and afternoons!) to remember in a well-appointed backdrop like no other.

Celebrate sultry summer with panache, yachting ‘en blanc’ at Summer Cruise Series’ inaugural white party. Get your requisite pure white outfit clean, pressed and ready to go for this glamourous bash. Prepare to dine on an elegant menu, inspired by white, right down to lavish cocktails and tasty treats.

WHEN: Wednesday, August 26, 2020

2020 Summer Cruise Series Lineup

2020 SPONSORED BY

© Infinity and Ovation Yacht Charters

400 Maple Park Blvd. Ste. 404      |        St. Clair Shores, MI 48081       |       586.522.4578       |        InfinityAndOvation.com

Summer Cruise Series Guests

We are thrilled to announce that Summer Cruise Series 2021 will be unveiled on June 16th! 

Celebrate with friends and family or showcase appreciation to your employees and clients aboard one of the 3 themed cruises this season.  

We cannot wait to see you aboard!

STEVEN RYBICKI,  PRESIDENT 

Infinity and ovation yacht charters.

COMING SOON

2022 Summer Cruise Series Line-Up 

Click Any Event For Cruise Details and Ticket Purchases

Wednesday, July 21

Wednesday, August 11

Wednesday, September 8

Featuring fan-favorite themes, fresh concepts, and more.  Check back in early spring for the season’s full schedule.

© 2022 Infinity and Ovation Yacht Charters

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586.778.9060 

400 Maple Park Blvd. Ste. 404,   St. Clair Shores, MI 48081

2024 Cruise Lineup

Tuesday, July 2

Thursday , July 25

Tuesday , July 30

Wednesday , August 7

Tuesday , August 20

Wednesday , September 11

The health and safety of our guests and that of our team members remain our top priority.

Step aboard our custom-built modern yachts and discover stunning skyline vistas along Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River. Each bespoke excursion offers elevated dining, luxury amenities, and the unrivaled service and attention to detail that distinguishes us as Michigan’s premier wedding venue, and corporate event, yacht charter experience. 

Schedule your private tour today, and prepare to depart from the ordinary.

Book a Private Event

Nights like these call for legendary looks. Dress according to your cruise theme and put on a stylish show. Please keep in mind denim of any sort (jeans, shorts or jackets) is prohibited, along with sneakers, tank tops and baseball hats. You may want to bring along a wrap or a jacket in case the cruise gets breezy.

6:00 p.m. – VIP  Captain's Club Boarding

6:30 p.m. –   General Boarding

7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. –  Cruising 

9:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. –   Dockside Afterglow

Our 2024 Cruise Lineup

Tuesday, July 25

Wednesday, August 30

Tuesday, September 19

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"...Cruising down the Detroit River during a summer evening is one of the best possible ways you can experience Detroit."

– RACHEL K. –

Each cruise promises an inspired experience along the international waterway complete with stunning skyline views, top-notch entertainment and a themed menu curated by our award-winning culinary team and event producers.

Wednesday , May 29

Sunday, June 16

Tuesday, June 18

Wednesday , June 5

Event Times (Evening)

11:00 a.m. – VIP  Captain's Club Boarding

11:30 a.m. –   General Boarding

12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. –  Cruising 

2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. –   Dockside Afterglow

Event Times (Detroiter Brunch)

General: $155; VIP $175

Wednesday , July 17

General: $175; VIP $195

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Infinity & Ovation Yacht Charters

Michigan's most unique special event venue. Michigan's premier yacht charter company providing Detroit's most entertaining yachting experience for weddings, corporate parties and special events. Join us for an unforgettable experience cruising Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River.

Infinity & Ovation Yacht Charters 48081

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Discover detroit's premier riverboat dining and entertainment experience celebrating 20 years on the detroit river.

2024 marks a significant milestone for Detroit Princess as we proudly celebrate two decades of cruising the Detroit River. We are so grateful to our community, this incredible city we call home, and the supportive corporate community that has played a pivotal role in our journey.

Planning an event in Downtown Detroit? From intimate gatherings to grand celebrations, the Detroit Princess Riverboat is the perfect venue for any size event, accommodating from 1 to 1000 guests with ease. Our riverboat is ideal for various private events, including corporate functions, weddings, family reunions, birthday parties, or just a fun night on the Detroit Riverwalk. To schedule your unique event, please call us at (313) 631-2628 or visit our Charter Cruise section to fill out our information request form. For exclusive offers and special pricing, visit our General Information page HERE to join our mailing list for last minute cruise specials and special pricing!

For reservations, directions, or information please call or email CJC Cruises and the Detroit Princess Riverboat at: Phone: (313) 631-2628 or (877) 338-2628 Email: [email protected]

Great Views!

Providing a wonderful view of the Detroit and Windsor skylines.

Multiple Entertainment Options

Motown shows, Murder Mystery Dinner Theater, Live Bands, DJ's, and more!

Cruise Dates

Many cruise dates and options available!

Bar Service Available

Several fully-stocked bars on board for purchase of hand poured cocktails, a quality wine selection and domestic/craft beers during public or private cruise events!

All Aboard!

Discover the ideal venue for your private events in downtown detroit.

Elevate Your Event on Detroit's Iconic Riverboat

Transform your special occasions into unforgettable experiences with the Detroit Princess Riverboat. Our venue is not just about the unique setting; it's about creating moments that last a lifetime.

Picture your dream wedding on the scenic Detroit River, where elegance meets romance. Our dedicated team will ensure every detail reflects your vision, from the decor to the dining.

Corporate Events

Impress your colleagues and clients with a corporate event venue that combines business and pleasure. Our spaces are perfect for conferences, team-building events, or casual networking sessions.

Celebrations

Family reunions, birthdays, holiday parties – whatever you're celebrating, we make it extraordinary. Our riverboat venue offers a festive and inviting atmosphere, perfect for making memories.

Customized Experiences<

We understand that each event is unique. That's why our staff is committed to personalizing your occasion, offering flexible options to suit your specific needs.

Every cruise season, we're here to assist you in planning an amazing and memorable experience. Let the Detroit Princess be the backdrop to your next great event, where the beauty of Downtown Detroit adds to your special day. Contact us to start planning today!

- Captain Scott

Come see the best views of Detroit!

Check out our upcoming cruises!

Sunset dinner cruise, lunch cruise, join us aboard.

Buy tickets for a cruise or create your own party!.

Infinity-Ovation Yacht Charters

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Infinity-Ovation Yacht Charters - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Infinity & Ovation Yacht Charters

Description

Venue Fee* $$$

Max Capacity Infinity – 130 strolling; Ovation – 300 strolling

* Prices vary based on guest count and additional details.

Distinctive Features: Outdoor, Corporate, Waterfront, Unique

For the past 25 years, Infinity and Ovation have perfected the art of luxury cruising along the international waterway of Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River.

The Infinity is an expansive 117-foot bi-level vessel trimmed in warm bamboo and accented with stainless steel. Designed for leisure and comfort with ample dining space, Infinity is equipped with a state-of-the-art gourmet galley kitchen, and an extended bow deck for intimate seating. Infinity’s Admiral’s Salon features a relaxed and refined lounge and bar, and a modern, spacious open-air sundeck. Infinity is perfectly suited for parties of 25 to 130.

Tri-level in stature, Ovation is outfitted with sumptuous dark wood interiors; her clear span design provides uninterrupted views of her surroundings. Ovation’s main deck offers a full-length dining salon, and gourmet galley kitchen. The second deck’s entertainment space features a full-service bar, cocktail lounge, private suite and an outdoor aft deck. The yacht’s third level is an extensive open-air sundeck/dance floor with a full-service bar and pilothouse. Ovation invites up to 300 guests to relax in comfort or dance under the stars.

Board Infinity or Ovation St. Clair Shores at Jefferson Beach Marina, or at three different Detroit docking locations including the Waterview Loft at Port Detroit. Each location features dockside space for pre- and post-event festivities. On-site parking, inquire about valet service.

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Infinity & Ovation Yacht Charters - 400 Maple Park Blvd #404, St Clair Shores, MI 48081, USA

Your Horizons

Imagine an event that starts with mixing and mingling overlooking the detroit skyline and water—then continues aboard a yacht cruise on the river. it’s a one-of-a-kind event experience that’s only possible from waterview loft and infinity and ovation yacht charters., experience & excitement.

Waterview Loft and Infinity and Ovation Yacht Charters are the exclusive way to take your wedding, social event, fundraising gala or corporate reception to the next level. Nowhere else in Detroit or the Great Lakes can you experience an event that combines celebrations in a waterfront urban loft with a cruise on custom-built yachts. Greet your guests at Waterview Loft to meet or socialize, indoors or dockside. Then invite everyone aboard a beautiful yacht for a strolling dinner or late-night snacks. Or embark on your adventure at Infinity and Ovation’s home dock in St. Clair Shores, then cruise along the Detroit River and continue your festivities at Waterview Loft. The options for creating a distinctive yacht experience are limitless.

What Guests Say

Planning an event, fill in the form below. all fields required..

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• Event Budget * Event Budget $10,000-$20,000 $20,000-$30,000 $30,000-$40,000 $40,000+
• Date * MM slash DD slash YYYY
• Type of Event * Type of Event Wedding Corporate Fundraiser Social Birthday Bat/Bar Mitzvah School Not Listed

Diamond Jack Detroit River Tours

Diamond Jack’s sightseeing tours are a great way to take in many popular and interesting attractions along the Detroit riverfront. Facilitated by one of our knowledgeable tour guides, each public tour includes detailed narration highlighting various points of interest and historic landmarks along the Detroit river.

Private Tours: Book Now for Spring/Summer 2024

At Diamond Jack’s River Tours, we pride ourselves on offering an exciting and affordable way to entertain your family, friends, and colleagues. For a one-of-a-kind riverboat experience on one of the busiest waterways in the world, you can make the Diamond Queen or Diamond Belle your own for a few hours or for a whole day. Give us a call to find out more. All aboard, Detroit!

Entertain Your Small Group On Board! Reserve for 2024 Now

Organizing a corporate party can seem like a daunting task, but with the help of Diamond Jack Detroit River Tours, you can be sure that any event will be a memorable one! Our private boat tours are a great way to see the sites of the Motor City at an affordable price. Make your next corporate party a successful one and call Diamond Jack’s River Tours today.

Diamond Jack Thanks You for a Fantastic Sailing Season!

Diamond Jack Riverboat Tours Summer Schedule Begins May 4, 2024! All Aboard Detroit!

2024 Public Tour Prices (per person)

Adults (13-59) – $25 Seniors (+60) – $20 Children (6-12) – $15 Children (5 and under) – $5

Handicapped accessible No wheelchair access for restrooms Snacks and beverages available on board No personal food/beverages to be brought on board

Check Out Our Special Summer Coupon Deal! Get Coupon

2024 Tour Times Boat Departing Times from DETROIT CULLEN PLAZA

Departure times for all dates shown below are: 1:00 PM 2:30 PM 4:00 PM 5:30 PM Arrive 30 Minutes Early for Boarding!

Diamond Jack Riverboat Schedule: May 6-28 — Saturdays & Sundays only --> May 4-26 — Saturdays & Sundays only May 30 - June 2 — No Tours During Grand Prix June 6 through September 1 — tours run Thursday through Sunday September 7-29 — Saturday & Sunday only *Departure times and routes subject to change  

Diamond Jack's does not accept reservations for its public river tours. All public tours are first come, first served. Masks are optional. No passports are required. Pay onboard. Boarding begins 30 minutes prior to departure. Please check with your host for the accurate dock location when attending private groups and charters.

Public Tour Dock Location 1340 Atwater, Detroit, MI 48207

Dock Directions

Tours & Charters

Detroit River Sightseeing Tours

Private Group & Event Charters

Reserve a spot for your Family Reunions, Corporate Party, School Field Trip, or fundraiser! We have hosted thousands of tours on the Detroit River with our fleet of distinctive charter boats. A Private Charter Tour is the perfect unique venue for your family, friends, co-workers or students. We look forward to cruising with you!

Public Sightseeing Tours

Diamond Jack's public sightseeing tours are a guided tour of popular and interesting attractions along the Detroit River. Our sightseeing tours allow people and groups to explore significant attractions in the region while enjoying a boat ride along the Detroit River. Our knowledgeable tour guides will give detailed narration of the various points of interest along the river.

Who is Diamond Jack?

Diamond Jack’s is a family-owned and operated riverboat tour business. We have been offering entertaining and affordable cruises to the residents of Detroit and its surrounding areas since 1991. Diamond Jack’s runs public sightseeing riverboat tours along the Detroit River and hosts private events on our two private charter boats.

We’re glad that you’re here! Diamond Jack's has deep roots in the Motor City, is a Pure Michigan company and a proud member of the Detroit community. Our goal is to showcase the city and state we love in a unique way. When you cruise with Diamond Jack's you’ll see Detroit from a whole new perspective. If you have a group or would like to charter one of our boats any day or night of the week, just call us at (313) 843-9376, or send us an email. We’ll get back with you right away.

Thank You for making last season a success! We appreciate your sailing with us! We look forward to seeing you again for your next private charter or public sightseeing tour.

Diamond Jack's River Tours

Charter Tours

Reserve a spot for your Family Reunions, Corporate Party, School Field Trip, or fundraiser! We have hosted thousands of tours on the Detroit River in our two charter boats. A Private Charter Tour is the perfect unique venue for your family, friends, co-workers or students. We look forward to cruising with you!

For any questions and to book now, use the button below to call us at (313) 843-9376 weekdays from 9AM – 4PM.

Contact Diamond Jack's

Our Address

PO Box 707, Lincoln Park, MI 48146

Office Hours: Monday—Friday: 9:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.

(313) 843-9376

Venue highlights

Venue details

Ocean/Waterfront View, Cruise Ship/Yacht, City/Skyline View, Outdoor

Guest capacity:

Accommodates up to 300 guests

Ceremony / Reception

Indoor / Outdoor

400 Maple Park Boulevard #404 St Clair Shores, MI 48081

Description:

Why have a waterfront ceremony when you could be on the water? Known as one of Detroit’s most unique wedding venues, Infinity and Ovation Charters allows soon-to-be-wed couples to begin their lifetime of love with a memorable river-cruise celebration. Each yacht is sumptuously appointed, complete with stylish salons and open-air sundecks that create a sense of timeless elegance while still standing apart from the traditional wedding venue. Couples can treat themselves -- and their guests -- to an unforgettable experience as the yachts cruise along Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River, all while enjoying lavish cuisine and flawless service. All-inclusive reception packages combine yacht charters with a distinctive menu and beverage selection, as well as other premier features from some of Metro Detroit’s best wedding vendors. Despite their romantic and alluring appeal -- reminiscent of distant beachfront destinations -- these two lovely charters come at an affordable price. Infinity and Ovation Charters provide couples with a picture-perfect location for their distinctively Michigan wedding day!

Additional details

Service options, venue notes.

Our expert Charter Specialists will work with you to provide the best wedding package tailored to your guest count and budgetary needs. Wedding packages range from $10,000 to $35,000 and include 3.5 hours of event time, strolling menu, premium open bar service, custom wedding cake, florals, linens, and disc jockey entertainment. Ceremony packages start at $750 with reception rental. Package minimum are based on a guest minimum of 75. Add additional guests at $85 per person. Additional hours are available. Please inquire directly with the venue. Rental fee includes exclusivity of the yacht.

Amenities and Restrictions

- Wedding planning services

- Dance floor

- Tables and chairs provided

- Linens, silverware, glassware provided

- Venue set up and clean up

- Day-of coordinator

- Full kitchen facilities

- Valet/shuttle service provided

Restrictions

- All food and beverage handled by venue

- Food & beverage minimum

- Venue must approve all decorations

- Wheelchair access limited

- No rice, birdseed, confetti, etc.

- Catering provided by venue

- Amplified music OK indoors and outdoors

- Smoking in designated areas only

- Alcohol must be provided by venue

- Music must end by 1:00AM

Infinity And Ovation Yacht Charters

Venue highlights, starting at $13,515 for 50 guests.

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10 destinations that hit their absolute peak in summer

Where to travel across the U.S. this summer for glorious weather and joyous vibes.

Hawaii, California, Portugal — some places are fabulous to visit all year round. But not everywhere can be so lucky.

Take, for example, the Midwest.

Your coolest summer

• 7 ways to keep your pets cool
• 28 books for your summer reading list

For much of the year, this cluster of the country gets hit with harsh winters, severe springs and over-too-fast falls. But come summer? The Midwest bursts to life with festivals, lake days and firefly-flecked nights.

Nowhere is this more true than Chicago, where residents pour outside to patios and parks at the first sign of warmth. By June, the beaches along Lake Michigan, which sit steps from skyscrapers, are filled with visitors and locals.

“It’s truly magnetic,” said Helen Nguyen, founder of Preserve Travel , who has lived there for the past three years.

The Midwest is not the only part of America to experience this peak summer phenomenon. Here are 10 places across the country (and Canada) that appreciate the extra sunshine the most.

Arctic air swirls through Chicago with a vengeance in the winter, and the whipping cold keeps its grip on the city through the spring. Locals are rewarded with a summer so glorious you can feel the energy in the air.

“Everyone’s out,” Nguyen said. “The city feel so alive.”

There are free events and activities all summer long, from fireworks at Navy Pier every Wednesday and Saturday, to music festivals and museum days .

But for all-time summer vibes, head to the ballpark to eat a Chicago dog and see the Cubs or the White Sox play.

San Juan Islands, Wash.

A jewel of the Pacific Northwest, the San Juan Islands “are truly something special,” said Mark Williams, co-author of the LGBTQIA+ travel book “Out in the World.”

During the warmer months, the Salish Sea is teeming with Chinook salmon, orcas and kayakers. Three main islands connected by ferry celebrate the artistic community with gallery walks (San Juan and Lopez islands), an arts festival (San Juan Island) and studio tours (Orcas and Lopez islands).

Farmers spotlight their produce, including a pear discovered by an Orcas Island grower, at markets and farm-to-table establishments.

For a wisp of winter without the cold, climb to the top of Mount Constitution on Orcas Island. The islands’ highest point affords views of Vancouver, the mainland and the snow-capped peaks of Mount Baker and Mount Rainier.

New Buffalo, Mich.

Michigan is rife with Great Lakes beaches: on Mackinac Island and in Saugatuck and Grand Haven, for example. But Nguyen sends clients to another favorite, just 70 miles from downtown Chicago. In New Buffalo, visitors can lounge on the sand overlooking Lake Michigan, go sailing or hike in nearby parks.

The area has reasonably priced vacation rentals — and llama farms — as well as charming bed-and-breakfasts like Goldberry Woods , an inn on an organic farm where guests can stay in luxury suites, cottages or one of two vintage campers.

Santa Fe, N.M.

While its Southwest neighbors struggle with extreme heat, Santa Fe keeps relatively cool in the summer. Lindsay Messina, co-founder of Fioraé Luxury Travel , says visitors can expect average highs in the 80s.

All summer long, the city teems with art shows, live music, outdoor movies, artisan markets, and beer , food and wine festivals. Once the sun goes down, look up; Santa Fe is a premiere stargazing destination.

The region’s celestial beauty is best appreciated outside the city from one of New Mexico’s “dark sky parks,” certified by the International Dark Sky Association . Or you can hop on Santa Fe’s new StarGazer train. During the two-hour tour, train riders have access to an outdoor open-air flatbed car for an unobstructed view.

In August, the 102nd Santa Fe Indian Market features jewelry, pottery, textiles, paintings, sculptures and other creative works by more than 1,000 artists from at least 200 Native American tribes. Indigenous musicians will also perform on stages in Santa Fe Plaza; models will strut their stuff in a fashion show; and food vendors will sell fry bread, Frito pies and Pueblo stews.

Milwaukeeans eat frozen custard all year, but during the summer, they don’t need an ice pick to consume the eggy cousin of ice cream. (During the recent filming of “ Top Chef ,” the judges lapped up Leon’s .)

Custard is best enjoyed by the water. In Milwaukee , visitors can choose among three rivers or Lake Michigan. Bradford Beach, the city’s largest public beach, is a hot spot for volleyball and migratory birds. Since 2020, it has offered free use of beach wheelchairs.

Traveling south, visitors can choose among smaller sunbathing spots such as McKinley Beach before hitting Henry Maier Festival Park . The 75-acre fairground hosts nonstop events, including the annual Summerfest , which takes place over three weekends and features 600 musical acts.

Boise, Idaho

Even with the extra hours of daylight, you’ll need several days to fully explore the Boise River Greenbelt , the city’s main recreational artery. The 25-mile pathway runs from Lucky Peak State Park , a watersports hub on a dammed lake, to Garden City.

At the northern terminus, you can river surf or stand-up paddle on a man-made wave at Boise Whitewater Park. The paved route overlaps with the Urban Wine Trail, a collection of wineries and meaderies with tasting rooms.

Several stops along the Boise Idaho Potato Trail are also accessible from the greenbelt. The restaurants, breweries and other eateries put an innovative spin on the spud. The state’s primary crop appears on pizza and as an ale, a doughnut and an ice cream creation that looks deceptively like a baked potato.

Portsmouth, N.H.

Angela Hughes, owner of Trips & Ships Luxury Travel , recommends the centuries-old seaport town for “its unique blend of historical charm, cultural richness and scenic beauty.”

Sightseeing cruises putter around the Piscataqua River, a liquid state line shared with Maine, and the Isles of Shoals , a nine-pack of islands six miles off the coast. For history buffs, the Strawbery Banke Museum is like a Yankee Williamsburg, with costumed “roleplayers” and artisans demonstrating traditional crafts.

The guided tour calendar for the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshir e fills up during the summer, or if you prefer to walk at your own pace, follow the map to the two dozen downtown sites.

In Prescott Park, theater fans can discover high-caliber productions at the Players’ Ring , but without the sweaty Broadway masses.

Minneapolis

Freezing rain. Unforgiving wind. Sleet. Ice. These are some of the words that describe a Minneapolis winter.

Minnesotans embrace the cold, but ask locals about the summer, and you’ll get descriptors like “heaven,” “priceless” and “magical.”

“There can be an infectious buzz about it,” said Minnesota native and St. Paul resident Kyle Potter, editor in chief of Thrifty Traveler .

Potter points to the city’s many breweries and restaurants designed with summer in mind, with massive patios overlooking the Mississippi River or garage door walls that get rolled up as soon as the temperatures allow. And, of course, there’s the Minnesota State Fair to round out the season with a bang, or at least a bucket of chocolate chip cookies .

For a true taste of Minnesota summer, “get a rental car, drive two-ish hours north and go see Lake Superior,” Potter said, recommending stops in Duluth or Grand Marais to jump into the frigid waters or explore them by canoe.

“But you don’t have to go far at all,” Potter added. “Just within city limits, within half of an afternoon you can knock out three of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes.”

Camden, Maine

After spending the winter months getting buried under snowstorm after snowstorm, Maine transforms into the poster child for the quintessential East Coast summer.

Most visitors flock to Portland for the piping hot food scene or north to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. For less traffic, try Camden on Penobscot Bay along Maine’s MidCoast.

The town has cool restaurants and wine shops , quaint ice cream stands and plenty of places to buy lobster-themed paraphernalia. Stay in one of Camden’s many historic inns or rough it at a campsite in nearby Camden State Park, which is within walking distance of the town.

Quebec City

The provincial capital of Quebec is often touted as an alternative for Paris. The dupe is especially important this summer, when the City of Light hosts the Olympics (and a horde of additional visitors).

Similar to its European counterpart, the city’s outdoor cafes, gardens and parks flourish in the warmer months. A section of the St. Charles River trail, which runs from Lake Saint-Charles to the Old Port, switches from cross-country skiing to inline skating and cycling.

On the St. Lawrence River, shuttles transport visitors to such attractions as Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, a cathedral touted as the oldest pilgrimage site in North America.

For a dip, the Promenade Samuel-De Champlain recently opened a section called Station de la Plage, which features an Olympic-size infinity pool with a sandy beach along the river banks.

Did we miss your favorite summer city? Share your tip in the comments.

Where to go

Our favorite destinations: These 12 destinations are at the top of our wish list for where to go this year, without crowds.

Travel like a local: Residents share their favorite places in our top city guides: New Orleans , Rome , Tokyo and Mexico City .

National parks: Explore tips from locals for visiting Yosemite , Glacier and Everglades .

Tales from the road: Trace a route along the southern coast of Puerto Rico . See how jamón gets made in the heartland of Spanish pork .

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635th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment

635-й зенитно-ракетный полк

Military Unit: 86646

Activated 1953 in Stepanshchino, Moscow Oblast - initially as the 1945th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment for Special Use and from 1955 as the 635th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment for Special Use.

1953 to 1984 equipped with 60 S-25 (SA-1) launchers:

• Launch area: 55 15 43N, 38 32 13E (US designation: Moscow SAM site E14-1)
• Support area: 55 16 50N, 38 32 28E
• Guidance area: 55 16 31N, 38 30 38E

1984 converted to the S-300PT (SA-10) with three independent battalions:

• 1st independent Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion (Bessonovo, Moscow Oblast) - 55 09 34N, 38 22 26E
• 2nd independent Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion and HQ (Stepanshchino, Moscow Oblast) - 55 15 31N, 38 32 23E
• 3rd independent Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion (Shcherbovo, Moscow Oblast) - 55 22 32N, 38 43 33E

Disbanded 1.5.98.

Subordination:

• 1st Special Air Defence Corps , 1953 - 1.6.88
• 86th Air Defence Division , 1.6.88 - 1.10.94
• 86th Air Defence Brigade , 1.10.94 - 1.10.95
• 86th Air Defence Division , 1.10.95 - 1.5.98

Diana Ross, Eminem, Jack White and Many More Light Up Detroit’s ‘Concert From Michigan Central’

By Caryn Rose

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When your all-star Detroit concert opens with none other than Miss Diana Ross gliding down the stage catwalk in an enormous cloud of orange chiffon singing “I’m Coming Out,” you are setting the bar high from the jump — especially if you’re kicking off an event with Eminem , Jack White , Jelly Roll, Common and many others.

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But six years ago, the Ford Motor Company decided to save the building, and now, after years of painstaking renovation and restoration, the building has reopened as an “innovation hub.” In theory, the concert is in celebration of the station’s revival — but in reality, it was a declaration: Detroit isn’t back, says the sizzle reel — it never left. (The concert, called “Live From Detroit: The Concert At Michigan Central” and produced by Oscars and Super Bowl Halftime veteran Jesse Collins, will air on NBC as a one-hour primetime special on June 9 starting at 7 p.m. ET/PT.)

Big Sean performed at the 2018 groundbreaking ceremony where Ford declared their intentions, and he was back tonight, visibly stoked to be on stage in front of the old train station, and his set reflected that: 2024’s “On Up,” a song about his son, along with “Blessings” and closing with “Bounce Back,” an absolutely relevant Detroit almost-anthem. This was followed by a tribute to 79-year-old local hero Bob Seger featuring Melissa Etheridge, Fantasia, and Jelly Roll. Etheridge’s smoky alto worked well on the low-key “Mainstreet,” but Fantasia’s turned up for a Tina Turner-esque rendition of “Shakedown,” Seger’s 1987 contribution to the “Beverly Hills Cop II” soundtrack. And Jelly Roll’s “Turn the Page” perfectly captured the original’s pathos. The three finished the tribute with a joint version of “Old Time Rock and Roll” — a predictable but energizing cap on their set.

Veteran rapper Common appeared with Slum Village in tribute to J Dilla in a segment that was introduced by the late, pioneering hip-hop producer’s mother, Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey. Dilla passed in 2006 but his stamp on hip-hop is indelible and continues to unfold in current artists influence and his absence are still very real to his friends, fans, and collaborators, as evidenced by the emotional performance tonight. 

Introductions tonight were handled by an array of popular local celebrities, sports figures, politicians —Governor Gretchen Whitmer made an early appearance before concluding with a verbal mic-drop, “Big Gretch, out!” — and Ford executives. Throughout the night, the train station’s iconic facade was creatively utilized as a backdrop, illuminated with lighting, special effects and tasteful implementations of pyrotechnics. The production was staged by Jesse Collins Entertainment, known for their work on large spectacles from the Super Bowl halftime show to countless awards shows. There was a clear roof over the stage just in case — the day before, a tornado had touched down in a nearby suburb during dress rehearsal — but Thursday night the problem wasn’t rain, it was wind so strong that the production could not fly the speaker columns or the video screens until the last few acts. Even with those challenges, the sound was stellar throughout Roosevelt Park, the grounds in front of the station where the free event took place in front of a crowd of approximately 20,000.

Techno City got its props during the set change before Jack White when DJ Skyy Jetta performed a tribute to genre pioneers the Belleville Three. Detroit is widely considered to be the birthplace of techno, and the genre’s history isn’t an afterthought here. Jetta’s brief but innovative set kept everyone moving as the anticipation for the end of the night approached. 

The always color-coordinated White, who grew up not far from where he was now performing, turned Michigan Central blue as he told the audience he was going to play some songs that were written “a few blocks from here.” After opening with “Here My Train a’ Comin” (OK he didn’t write that one) and “Hotel Yorba,” he was off and running. White is gifted with the ability to fill any space, no matter the size, with wall to wall rock and roll, and his set tonight was colossal. “Seven Nation Army” had the entire crowd singing and clapping along; they could probably hear the noise in the traffic on the Ambassador Bridge that crosses the Detroit River to Canada, just beyond the station. 

Any attendees who thought they were being smart and beating the traffic by leaving after White’s set probably regretted that decision when they got home. The between-set changeover took longer than others because it required making room for the entire Detroit Symphony Orchestra — who were there to accompany none other than Eminem, who executive produced the event. Every phone was held aloft the minute he walked onstage; his name wasn’t part of the official lineup, but attendees fervently believed he would be there anyway. 

Anticipation aside, it was an enormous, emotional performance that began with “Houdini” (and brought back Jelly Roll to sing the song’s sample from Aerosmith’s “Dream On”), “Sing for the Moment,” “Welcome 2 Detroit” — guest appearance by Trick Trick included — before finishing up with “Not Afraid.” This wasn’t any kind of vanity appearance — at the end of a night like this, Eminem hit the stage and delivered with all of his energy and intensity.

“Detroit, we up,” he announced at the end of “Not Afraid.” “We love you. Our city’s up. Let’s fucking go!” There was pyro. There were fireworks.  Michigan Central turned Ford blue, and the crowd headed out towards Michigan Avenue. (Head here for a full recap of Eminem’s set .)

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MLS and its weird history of raccoons: On the field, in the press box and ruining merchandise

There’s a line in nearly every job posting you see these days, a catch-all for employers looking to extract maximum value from their employees: “O ther duties as assigned.”

To those of us who are tethered to desks and chairs, the term doesn’t mean much. To Mark Mello and Ryan Haines — members of the Philadelphia Union’s grounds crew — “other duties as assigned” can sometimes feel like their entire professional existence. 

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“When you have a job such as ours,” says Mello, with just a hint of exasperation, “’a nything and everything’ is in your job description.”

Yet nothing could’ve prepared the two for the “other duty” they would be called upon to perform a few weeks ago during the Union’s match against New York City FC. 

About 20 minutes into the first half, the referee blew play dead as a pitch invader made their way over the ad boards and onto the playing surface. This was not your run-of-the-mill interloper, an overzealous fan seeking a selfie or an autograph. With a mask over its eyes and trotting at a leisurely gate, this invader felt distinctly more… mischievous. 

Ah, the common raccoon. ‘ Procyon lotor’ to the science crowd, ‘trash panda’ to the rest of us. Racoons, once wild creatures, have become ubiquitous in urban landscapes, occasionally wreaking havoc as they root through dumpsters, trash bins and the like. And at Subaru Park — the Union’s home, south of Philly in nearby Chester, Pennsylvania — they’ve made themselves right at home.

“We’re very lucky to be on the banks of the beautiful Delaware River,” says Mello. “We have deer, we have eagles, foxes and groundhogs here around the stadium. We just coexist, that’s our thing. We have plenty of grass for them to munch on outside the stadium. It’s just a fluke one of them made it inside. Maybe they smelled some of the delicious concession food.”

Nobody is sure where this raccoon lived or how it made its way onto the pitch, but the stadium was sent into an absolute frenzy when fans realized what was happening. Players and coaches steered clear of the animal as it cut a path across midfield and streaked towards Philadelphia’s goal. Play-by-play announcer Calum Williams offered an assurance to those tuned in on Apple TV: “We promise you that you are not watching the nature channel right now. We’re told that pest control is on the way to remove a rather adventurous raccoon from the field.”

RACCOON ON THE FIELD!!! MIDWEEK @MLS AT ITS FINEST pic.twitter.com/tO8AJUrkJw — Andrew Wiebe (@andrew_wiebe) May 16, 2024

Pest control, it turns out, was not on the way — not in any qualified sense, at least. The experts who handled this situation were Mello and Haines, along with nearly every other member of the Union’s ops crew. 

“I don’t have nets or anything like that,” says Mello. “So I looked into the stands for anything we could use. I sent somebody over the railing and into the stands to grab a trash can. Our boss John grabbed the other trash can from our shop. It’s what we had. We didn’t know what we were doing. We didn’t know how long it would go on. Our job is just to help make sure the game gets played.”

The raccoon had traversed the length of the field by the time it intersected with Mello, who was now in a full sprint toward it. Mello looked understandably out of steam as he made his best attempt to trap it. 

“I was gassed,” he says. “I ran from the visitor’s bench to the other side and I was just… done. I had to get someone else to carry the trash can because I was simply not built for speed.”

Racoons aren’t, either. But what they lack in pace, they make up for in a form of chaotic resourcefulness that’s made them one of North America’s most adaptable animals.

“Raccoons are a generalist species,” says Laura Dudley Plimpton, a PhD student at Columbia who has spent years researching raccoons and other wildlife that have gained a foothold in urban landscapes. “They are amazing at using an anthropogenic (human-inhabited) area, using the resources in it and populating it beyond what that place can often sustain. That’s why you see really large, often high-density populations of racoons in these urban landscapes — like stadiums.”

Eager to evade capture, the raccoon — who league broadcasters went on to affectionately dub “Raquinho” — continued its lap around the playing surface. By now, the interloper had lost a step and, after a few unsuccessful tries, Union ops personnel finally trapped it between two trash cans. And just like that — after an industrious, crafty four-minute shift on the pitch — they whisked Raquinho away.

Which is where things probably would’ve ended years ago. But in the modern era, when highlights are clipped and instantly shared on social media, the incident began to draw interest. Significant interest, the kind MLS sometimes struggles to generate with their actual product.

Raquinho, along with the Union employees who wrangled him, became a bit of a sensation. By the time comedian Stephen Colbert shared the clip during his monologue on The Late Show , the little raccoon had firmly ingrained itself in the weird, wild history of MLS. 

“I came to grow grass at a high level for professional sports,” says Mello, who feels more than a little uncomfortable with all the attention he received. “People aren’t talking about the grass, they’re talking about what’s on the grass. No matter how you spin it, it’s good for our team. 

“And we’re putting a product out there, too, that can host such a fine animal.”

As for what happened to Raquinho? A Union spokesperson says the animal was turned over to the team’s corporate pest control sponsor and released “off campus”. 

“Rest assured,” said the Union, “our new friend was released unharmed.”

Raquinho might be MLS’ newest raccoon, but he may not be its most famous.

By the time D.C. United moved into RFK Stadium in 1996, the venue was already an aging, concrete goliath, primitive even by MLS standards. United, though, made the most of the place, filling it with some of MLS’ most dedicated fans and winning a mess of trophies in the club’s early days. 

Even when it was open, RFK was a bit of a wildlife sanctuary. There were the run-of-the-mill city dwellers — mice, rats, cockroaches — but there were also stranger residents. The stadium, which sits on the banks of the Anacostia River, had become a bit of an avian sanctuary, with herons, ospreys and kingfishers circling overhead. Occasionally, fans would arrive to find a dead fish in their seat, dropped from the talons of a bird above.

In general, RFK was one giant circle of life. The rats ate the cockroaches, the birds of prey ate the rats and D.C. United’s fanbase took it all with a grain of salt. Until the raccoons came and set up shop. They were in it for the long haul.

Nathan Fry remembers all of this well. As United’s director of merchandising, Fry oversaw the team store, an aging, decrepit space on the stadium’s west side. The store had a drop ceiling, one of those charmless, foamboard grids that curse a ton of American office spaces, and one day Fry noticed something a little concerning: several of those tiles were badly discolored. 

Fry didn’t think much of it at first, assuming it was a run-of-the-mill water leak — the entire stadium, at that point, had become one giant water leak. Slowly, though, he grew suspicious. 

United’s front-office staff began to speculate. Fry and several associates thought it might be “caramel, or some other restaurant thing” leaking from the Capital View Club, a disused space directly above the team store. 

Eventually, Fry got a broomstick and very tepidly pushed the access panel aside, hoping to get a better look. Before he could even stick his head into the void, though, a fully-grown raccoon leaned through the opening to get a better look at the landscape below. The old bandit locked eyes with Fry. And quickly, something else became apparent: this raccoon was not alone. There were maybe a half dozen other critters living in the ceiling.

“That,” says Fry, “is when we realized that what was leaking out of the ceiling and onto our stock was urine. It was raccoon urine.”

These raccoons were newer residents, but those who worked at the stadium had a long history with them. Longtime D.C. United president Kevin Payne, who founded the club and passed away in 2022, would frequently come across them and sometimes hear them in the walls of his office. Payne, and others at the club, recalled arriving at work one day to find a stray cat tangled up in one of the goals on the stadium’s playing field. The cat survived — losing a paw in the process — and was eventually adopted by a stadium employee who named it (what else) RFK.

The cats probably only helped control another wildlife problem at RFK. A whiteboard across the hallway of Payne’s office was full of tally marks — they represented the number of mice and rats the staff had managed to kill. By the time 2010 rolled around, Payne, who was long the primary driver of United’s efforts to leave RFK altogether, was ready to surrender to the wildlife.

“We spent more money trapping animals sometimes than we did on a lot of other stuff,” Payne told The Athletic in 2022. “I would see raccoons everywhere. I remember just really being ready to find a new facility and let them have the run of the place.” 

Fry, though, couldn’t afford to do so. He started by discarding products in the team store which had been ruined by the urine. Fry recalls Judah Cooks, a former United player who had become a coach in the club’s academy system, attempting to pry the product from his hands. Times were lean at D.C. United.

“Despite his best efforts,” Fry says, “he was not allowed to have those jackets.”

As for wrangling the raccoons themselves, this was above the pay grade of any mid-level employee at an MLS club, so Fry, along with D.C. United’s CEO at the time, Mike Williamson, called in some professionals. They rounded up the raccoon, along with its family, which included a couple of babies, Fry remembers. They popped the access panel back on and just like that, RFK had five fewer residents.

Just hours after they were captured, Williamson — who most recently became the CEO of Welsh side Wrexham — was at his home, which backed up to Rock Creek Park, a huge, sprawling expanse of nature in Northwest D.C. Peering out his back window, he spotted a van belonging to the animal control company he had called only hours earlier. They were releasing a family of five into the woods.

“We couldn’t really escape them,” says Fry.

The legend of the RFK raccoons has persisted and D.C.’s fanbase embraced the raccoons as being emblematic of the state of the club as a whole. United, at that point, were MLS’ trash pandas, scavenging through the garbage in search of scraps. 

D.C.’s fans even created a bit of an unofficial mascot out, dubbing him ‘Ronnie Raccoon’. One supporter made Boy-Scout-style pins bearing Ronnie’s likeness. “RFK Nature Club,” they read. In 2022, a few years after United left RFK for Audi Field, the club announced that it would be making Ronnie its secondary mascot.

Audi field, which sits on a plot of land not far from where the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers converge, has its own collection of wildlife. Many of the same birds that patrolled the skies over RFK cruise right over the club’s new home, plucking fish out of the river. Occasionally, fans will still find a fish waiting for them in their seat. And in spirit, Ronnie lives on, serving alongside Talon, the club’s long-time mascot.

Real Salt Lake’s home stadium, America First Park, is among the most scenic venues in MLS. Tucked into the Wasatch Front, snow-capped peaks and red-faced mountains provide a spectacular backdrop. And like any other place where untouched nature and humans meet, there are bound to be some unexpected encounters. Such was the case in 2022 when a young raccoon made itself at home in the stadium’s press box.

RSL had already had its own viral wildlife moment. In 2019, a stray cat made its way onto the pitch at America First during stoppage time of RSL’s Leagues Cup Showcase match against Liga MX side Tigres. The hard-charging feline came within inches of the ball at the near sideline during a promising Tigres attack. RSL head coach Mike Petke wanted play stopped, but the match referee allowed it to continue.

Moments later, Petke unleashed a tirade on that same referee, eventually leading to his dismissal as the club’s head coach. In a very short shift, the feline had put in a few touches and ended the managerial career of an MLS head coach.

RSL’s raccoon still managed to cause his own share of chaos. Real Salt Lake director of communications Trey Fitz-Gerald remembers it well.

“There are things in the building that you don’t always know about,” he says. “Feral animals.”

RSL’s Leagues Cup match against Leon was delayed by a torrential downpour, which had made the field unplayable. Fans had fled to the concourse in search of shelter. Up in the press box, a juvenile raccoon had done the same, working its way into the drop ceiling. All of a sudden, it came crashing down.

“It landed on a countertop where we typically have food, game notes and other stuff for media members,” says Fitz-Gerald, who remembers media members “hooting and hollering” as the raccoon ran up and down the table.

“My immediate reaction to this is like, ‘What the f***?’,” says Fitz-Gerald. “This building is too young to have an RFK situation. I texted our ops crew. I said, ‘We just had a raccoon fall through the roof in the press box, somebody please deal with this’.”

Cold and wet, the raccoon made a move toward the warmth of the popcorn machine on the table. Then it searched for shelter behind a photocopier. The media stood by in shock. In a video, you can hear an RSL staffer imploring those in attendance to “OPEN A DAMN DOOR, PLEASE.” 

The raccoon, only months old, eventually bolted out of the press box and onto a third-level walkway. A huge throng of fans had already taken up shelter from the rain on the concourse below and were treated to drama unfolding above them: a couple of RSL operations staff hopelessly trying to wrangle the interloper with a broom and a trash can. 

Finally backed into a corner, the raccoon scurried over a railing. At this point, facing near-certain capture, the raccoon cast its eyes on the concourse below. Like Richard Kimball in The Fugitive, he took a leap of faith, plunging some 20 feet onto the concourse. 

Fans shrieked in horror and glee. Some gave chase. Eventually, RSL’s ops staff managed to trap the raccoon in a cardboard trash can. Quickly, they whisked it away. The entire scene lasted about 10 minutes, and it would be the most exciting thing anyone would see that night — moments later, the match was postponed.

“If you go a quarter-mile or a third of a mile straight west of our stadium, there is a canal that is part of the Jordan River ecosystem in Utah and that’s where they released the raccoon,” says Fitz-Gerald. “Caleb Turner, who is our beat writer for KSL, he’s leaving the game later that night when we finally canceled it and he sees this family of raccoons down (by where media park), which is close to that riverbed. We’re fairly sure that raccoon was reunited with his family.”

Another happy ending for an MLS raccoon, another animal cemented into MLS lore. None of this is surprising to Plimpton, who has spent years studying the habits of these resourceful creatures.

“Raccoons are notorious for being mischievous,” she says. “That’s one of the reasons they’re so successful. They know how to exploit whatever is around them.

“I had raccoons GPS collared for a while. I tried it on other medium-sized mammals and every one of them handled it great. Raccoons? They tore them off in a day. And traits like that are just inherent in their personality.”

(Top photo: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports)

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Pablo Maurer is a staff writer for The Athletic who covers soccer, with a particular focus on the history and culture of the game. His writing and photography have been featured in National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, Gothamist and a variety of other outlets. Follow Pablo on Twitter @ MLSist

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Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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