A trip to Detroit (Michigan) will certainly appeal to all lovers of outdoor activities — at any time of the year there is a place to go and something to do. The largest metropolis of the state is replete with all kinds of attractions for every taste. Perhaps this is the only city in the United States that has become famous for both the automotive industry and art. Numerous museums will appeal to connoisseurs of the automotive industry, art galleries will appeal to connoisseurs of beauty, and walking through luxurious shady parks will surely appeal to families with young children. The list of things that every tourist should do in Detroit is huge, which means get ready for the fact that the trip will take at least a week.
It is best to get acquainted with the history of the automotive industry at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, the Automotive Hall of Fame or during an exciting tour of the Ford Piquette Avenue plant. The best places to relax with children are the Detroit Zoo, the SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium, the Michigan Science Center and the Bolshoi Circus Park. Music fans can recommend a trip to the Motown Museum, and connoisseurs of painting — to the Detroit Museum of Art. And there is something to see everywhere — after all, it is never boring in Detroit, even in bad weather.
Downtown (Detroit Downtown)
The center of Detroit is deservedly considered the best place to visit — this is where you should start exploring the city and sightseeing. Downtown is a whimsical mixture of ancient architecture and modern skyscrapers, made in the Art Deco and postmodern style with elements of Neo—Gothic. There is a lot of space here — park and pedestrian zones. And not very busy traffic on the central streets only reinforces this impression.
The list of the most interesting attractions of Downtown Detroit includes the original recreation area on Campus Martius Park, the magnificent Wayne County Building, a group of Renaissance Center skyscrapers and the Detroit International Riverfront. And also — Hart Plaza. This is an ideal place to admire the skyscrapers of Detroit and take pictures against the backdrop of numerous sculptures and monuments erected in honor of outstanding Americans.
Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
It is impossible to visit Motor City and not get acquainted with the achievements and legacy of the most famous automobile magnate of the USA — Henry Ford. Here are samples of machines produced by his corporation from 1865 to the present day. Several thematic exhibitions reveal the history of the automotive industry of the United States and provide an opportunity to see many rare models with the Ford logo. Today, the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation offers visitors one of the largest collections of cars in the world.
Among the presented equipment there are not only cars, but also the first American trailers, steam locomotives, agricultural machinery and airplanes. Of particular interest is the exposition with the original cars from the motorcades of American presidents — John F. Kennedy, Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan. The decoration of the halls is distinguished by a stunningly beautiful decor. Old advertising posters and unique photographs are hung everywhere on the walls.
Belle Isle Park
Belle Isle Island Park is one of the most visited places in Detroit. It is picturesquely spread out in the center of the Detroit river, and its lush greenery contrasts sharply with the atmosphere of the metropolis. Here you can not only relax with children, for whom there are playgrounds, but also see several noteworthy tourist attractions of Detroit. Among them are the oldest aquarium in the country, the William Livingston Memorial Lighthouse, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory and the free Dossin Great Lakes Museum.
The most interesting place for kids in Belle Isle is a specially equipped playground with animals. Friendly animals can be fed, and some can be petted. Squirrels, marmots and several species of birds are not afraid of people and take food from them with pleasure.
Detroit Historical Museum
The Detroit Historical Museum is located on the corner of Kirby and Woodward Ave. It is considered one of the best in the city and is dedicated to an eventful past. The museum is located in Midtown and consists of several thematic exhibitions. Here you can see how the first Cadillacs were assembled, learn about the origin of brewing traditions in Detroit and admire the panoramas of the city’s construction. Several expositions tell about the very first years after the founding of Detroit and about Michigan’s participation in the Civil War. Interactive stands with interesting information and large screens broadcasting preserved video chronicles are installed in the halls of the museum.
Eastern Market
The Farmer’s Oriental Market occupies about 6 blocks. You can get here from the embankment on foot along the picturesque section of the former Dequindre Cut Greenway railway. Such a walk will be one of the coolest and funniest things you can do in Detroit. This is a very picturesque route, decorated with original sculptures, frescoes and graffiti.
The market is open on Saturdays and offers visitors not only farm products, but also works by local artists and handicrafts. Another reason to visit this area is a visit to the popular Wasserman Projects art gallery. Exhibitions and various events with the participation of famous artists, artists and artisans are regularly held here. In addition, the gallery cooperates with the best museums in the city, creating stunning exhibitions.
The Heidelberg Project
The amazing and very funny quarter of The Heidelberg Project is easy to find — it is located about 2 km from the Eastern Market. This strange place will appeal to fans of avant-garde and street art. Once it was a dysfunctional area, where it is dangerous to be even during the day. Many houses were abandoned, and the sidewalks were covered with garbage.
In 1986, the quarter began to transform — through the efforts of artist Tyree Guyton and his assistants, it turned into an original and vivid example of modern street art. The walls of dilapidated houses sparkled with bright colors and were decorated with unusual installations collected from all kinds of garbage and junk. Now The Heidelberg Project is a huge open-air art gallery. The composition is constantly being updated and supplemented — a whole community of enthusiasts is working on this, attracting children to art in order to develop their creative potential and teach them to take care of the environment.
Comerica Park
Comerica Park is a world of attractions with a Fly Ball Ferris wheel and a Comerica Bank carousel. A variety of activities for children are often held here, and adults can try craft beers or have a snack at the Big Cat outdoor restaurant. In the evenings, fireworks are often arranged in the park — usually concerts or performances of artists end with them.
Despite such a large amount of entertainment, the main attraction of Comerica Park is considered to be a retro stadium. It is the home ground of the Detroit Tigers baseball team from the Major Leagues. It holds more than 40,000 spectators and is the most popular arena in Oregon. Sports fans should take into account that two more interesting stadiums are located next to the park — the Ford Field baseball arena and the Little Caesars Arena hockey field.
The Wright Museum
The Charles Wright Museum of African American History is entirely dedicated to the culture, traditions and everyday life of Africans. For half a century, an unprecedented collection has been collected here, containing more than 35,000 artifacts and various objects, as well as many real stories of people from all over the world. The exposition occupies several floors, and its study will take more than one hour.
At seven thematic sites, you can learn about people from the African continent who have become famous. Among them are the former slave Harriet Tubman, who devoted her life to fighting for the rights of blacks, the writer and publicist Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey and many others. There are also inventions by Elijah McCoy, masks from Nigeria and Ghana, archaeological finds and numerous works of art. A visit to the Wright Museum is a great solution if you don’t know where to go and what to do in Detroit on a rainy day.
Detroit RiverWalk
A walk along the Detroit waterfront is one of the best entertainments in good weather. It starts near the Ambassador Bridge and stretches to Gabriel Richard Park — the length of the walking route with a bicycle path is about 9 km. During the walk, you can visit the water wonderland in Mount Elliott Park, take a ride on family rides or have fun at the Adventure Center. An evening promenade along the waterfront is one of the best things to do in Detroit. The Downtown skyscrapers, flooded with lights, are especially beautiful at dusk.
In addition to a berth for cruise liners, a passenger terminal and a marina for private yachts, the Detroit RiverWalk includes several cozy parks, many shops, restaurants, cafes and other public places. The Detroit Waterfront is the venue for a variety of annual events, among which Jazz Fest, Motor City Pride, electronic music festival Movement and the international exhibition of cars and equipment North American International Auto Show are especially popular.
Fisher Building
The Fischer Building skyscraper has the fame of the largest and most frequently photographed art object in the city. It was built in 1928 and is now the largest surviving building by architect Albert Kahn. The skyscraper has 30 floors, and its facades are decorated with limestone, granite and several types of marble. In 1989, the Fisher Building was listed as a National Historic Landmark. Inside the building are the broadcast studios of several popular radio stations and the offices of the Department of Education, as well as the Fisher Theater with 2,089 seats, where Broadway productions take place
In the list of cool things that a tourist should do in Detroit, a visit to the Fisher Building must be in the first positions. The building, built in the Art Deco style, is very beautiful from the outside. And if you go inside, then a few spectacular photos will surely remain as a memento of the trip.