Showing 1-11 of 11 results
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Campus Martius
Campus Martius is a communal hot spot downtown, with an outdoor ice rink in winter, and eating areas, concerts and films in summer.
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Detroit Institute of Arts
Several museums cluster in the area known as the Cultural Center, by Woodward and Warren Aves. Cream of the crop is the recently expanded Detroit Institute of Arts, lauded for its American collection. The centerpiece is Diego Rivera's mural Detroit Industry, which fills an entire room and reflects the city's blue-collar labor history.
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Detroit Zoo
Opened in 1928, the Detroit Zoo was one of the first to have barless animal exhibits, developing a system of moats and other natural barriers to keep hungry lions, tigers and bears away from grandma and the kids. The Penguinarium is great fun but the Arctic Ring of Life with its 'polar bear tube', where the huge white creatures swim overhead is hard to beat.
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Greektown
Busy Greektown has restaurants, bakeries and a casino. Early each day, the large halls at the Eastern Market fill with a melting pot of bartering shoppers and vendors. Specialty shops, delis and restaurants surround the site.
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Heidelberg Project
Welcome to the Heidelberg Project, the brainchild of street artist Tyree Guyton, who wanted to beautify his run-down community. Polka-dotted streets, houses covered in Technicolor paint blobs, strange sculptures in yards - this is no acid trip, but rather an art installation that covers an entire neighborhood. Get here by taking Gratiot Ave northwest to Heidelberg St; the project spans from McDougall to Mt Elliott Sts.
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Henry Ford Museum
Few could ignore the historical impact of one of earliest artifacts of the 20th century: the first ever Henry Ford automobile. The museum remains much as Ford originally planned and is - surprise! - a massive shrine to the automobile and its impact on America. The Wienermobile used in 1936 by Oscar Meyer hot dogs is a particular knockout.
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Motown Museum
The Motown Museum is a string of unassuming houses that became known as 'Hitsville USA' after Berry Gordy launched Motown Records here with an US$800.00 loan in 1959. Stars that rose from the Motown label include Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight and Michael Jackson.
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Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit
The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit opened in 2006 in an abandoned, graffiti-slathered auto dealership. Heat lamps hang from the ceiling over peculiar exhibits that change every few months. On summer Saturdays, it hosts art films drive-in style in its back parking lot.
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People Mover
The People Mover looks like the monorail in the classic Simpsons episode. As mass transit, its 3-mile loop on elevated tracks around downtown is pretty impractical. As a tourist attraction, it's cheap (50ยข) and provides great views of the city and riverfront.
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Renaissance Center
Downtown, the glossy Renaissance Center , GM's headquarters, is a fine place to grab a bite (in the Wintergarden), peruse vintage cars (on the lower level) or embark on the riverfront walkway. You can take the path to Hart Plaza, the site of many free, summer-weekend festivals and concerts. While there, check out the sculpture of Joe Louis's mighty fist.
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Wright Museum of African American History
At the Wright Museum of African American History, the full-scale model of slaves chained up on an 18th century slave ship will no doubt leave you chilled. This pioneering museum, with an ever-changing schedule of exhibitions, is unlikely to leave visitors unmoved.
Showing 1-11 of 11 results
