| Detroit Tourist Attractions |
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| Airport List | Detroit Airport: Car Rental McNamara Terminal North Terminal Parking Picture Taxi Attractions | ||||||||||||
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Detroit Tourist Attractions
Detroit Public Library, Main Branch
Get good and smart the analog way at Detroit’s premier library located in the heart of the cultural center. The price of admission is free. Discover their murals and renowned Burton Historical Collection.
Eastern Market
If you’re itchin’ to get the fixins for meals that run the gamut from mundane to gourmet, this is the place to shop, bargain and barter. Expect the freshest—there’s no reason here to settle for less. Odds on seeing someone you know are unbeatable as thousands flock to the area on Saturdays for this scintillating shopping experience, which comes complete with a buzzing atmosphere akin to the marketplace in old Algiers. There’s also a panoply of restaurants serving the piping hot and tasty in the daytime. Live music clubs for the nighthawks. Buy a flower and give it to a cop.
People Mover
It's one of the best ways to get around and rediscover downtown Detroit. Originally designed as the central focus of a comprehensive southeast Michigan public transit system, the People Mover has run around its 2.9 mile loop on an elevated guideway system since 1987. It takes about 15 minutes, and it stops at 13 key stations in the Central Business District. It is a vital service to utilize now that parking wherever you pull over is no longer an option downtown. Within easy walking distance to any downtown sports or entertainment venue you need, it will save you time and shoe leather. The abundance of restaurants, bars, retailers and points of interest make every trip a new adventure. While you wait (even though there's a train about every three minutes) you can see some of the best public art in the city in the stations. Besides, who else will show you such a good time in downtown Detroit for just fifty cents?
Cranbrook Art Museum
One visit to Cranbrook Art Museum and you’ll start dropping names like Warhol, Saarinen, Eames and de Kooning into your conversation—and actually know who they are. This contemporary art museum has an extensive collection of works by the 20th century’s leading artists while offering eye-opening exhibitions from tomorrow’s up-and-coming talents. Beyond the permanent collections, Cranbrook offers a multitude of traveling exhibits throughout the year that introduce leading-edge artists to the region on a scale not found at other museums in the area. If you like provocative, unforgettable contemporary and modern art, the Cranbrook Art Museum is a must-see.
Cranbrook Institute of Science
Visiting Cranbrook Institute of Science and its realm of exhibits is a little like traveling that yellow brick road, without the flying monkeys. Instead, you’ll see the only other flying mammal—bats. There are over a dozen different types of live furry flying creatures in the Bat Zone plus other nocturnals like the sloth and the impossibly cute bush baby. There are hundreds of other scien-terrific displays on everything from the evolution of dinosaurs (with a full size T. Rex) to how the Earth was formed and examples of just about everything on it. You can learn about lightning and electricity the fun way and launch yourself into space with a trip to the planetarium. Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
Let ’em loose inside this renovated firehouse; your brood will find countless ways to entertain themselves and become junior rocket scientists. Lots of gadgets and widgets to peer into, push, feel, and try to break—a smarter choice than any McDonald’s Playland.
Automotive Hall of Fame
There’s a Bowling Hall of Fame, so why not one for the transportation that got you to the alley on time? Plenty of memorabilia and historical and informational exhibits, but the draw would have to be all the hands-on stuff for the kids. They’ll get to “work” on an assembly line, which is not only fun but educational, preparing the younglings for a lifetime of drudgery.
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
This is the largest museum in America devoted to over 600 years of rich African-American history. The building was opened in 1997 in the Cultural Center with constantly changing exhibits and events including the African diaspora and the civil rights struggle. CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Here’s one for expanding their minds without shrinking your wallet. Great prime-time workshops keep the little tykes away from commercials and video idiocy and direct them towards something more constructive. There are live as well as stuffed critters, and the planetarium offers everything a NASA-curious kid could ever want to see (unless they somehow handed out free lasers and let everyone zap Imperial Stormtroopers).
Detroit Institute of Arts
Rembrandt, van Gogh, Picasso, Gauguin, Rodin, Degas, Cézanne, Rubens—the list goes on, but we’re afraid we might have to pick up these names when we are done dropping them. These are the names best loved by art thieves and collectors alike. One of America’s largest art museums, the DIA has something for everyone; European art, African art, American art, African-American art, and art contributions from every continent except Antarctica. You’ll find the gamut of creation, from the ornate objects and important shards of art history to head-scratching abstracts and contemporary pieces as well. The Rivera mural is a showpiece, and you can get up close and personal. The DIA is also home to Detroit Film Theatre.
Detroit Historical Museum
Everything that made Detroit famous, including cars, jazz, Motown and techno music is here. Visit the turn of the century in the simulated old-time cobblestone street scene downstairs—it’s like Michigan Avenue without the potholes. So get going, you never know when the museum might become history.
Detroit Zoo
Animal attraction is inevitable, and the Detroit Zoo has been filling that need since 1928, an era when the Egyptian-styled concrete pens in the back were first built and Detroit put itself on the zoological map. While a bit of that history remains (check out the giraffe surroundings), the zoo itself has changed. Constantly reinventing itself with attitudes and habitats that are more natural and animal-friendly, our zoo is a mix of the old favorites (Reptile House, Penguinarium) and new stuff (Ape Island, Amphibianville, Butterfly House). Gospel Music Hall of Fame & Museum
You want the real roots of R&B, Motown and rock? This isn’t about soul music—it’s about music for the soul. Past inductees include the Mighty Clouds of Joy, Rance Allen Group, Rev. James Cleveland and Mahalia Jackson. Exhibits include the wall of time, depicting the history of gospel from 1865 to now. Museum founder David Gough is usually on hand to answer questions about his gospel passion. Hallelujah!
Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum
Unlike any “museum” you’ve ever visited, Marvin’s takes you time-tripping back to the days before political correctness ruined good twisted fun. Circus sideshow posters adorn the walls while historical coin-op machines portray torture and dismemberment. Plenty of fun for the kiddies too, with old carousels, rides and games suitable for toddlers, as well as all the newest, coolest video games for the older kids. Great for parties—packages include pizza or hot dogs, chips, drinks and ice cream at the snack bar. Where else can a handful of quarters provide such an array of amusements for the whole family? Marvin’s just might be the eighth wonder of the world. Best of all, admission is free.
Motown Historical Museum
This old house is the former Motown Records recording studio and is now home to memorabilia from the pantheon of stars that made the label the world powerhouse of the R&B/soul industry. Exhibits include a curiously non-padded Michael Jackson cell, a sequined Supremes costume-a-rama, a ’60s recording session, Hitsville USA’s entire roster of gold and platinum records and, of course, one of Brenda Holloway’s gowns. Who’s Brenda Holloway?
New Detroit Science Center
Money may make the world go around but science holds it all together. The great mysteries of the world are explained in lay-kid’s terms at the Science Center. Your kids get to monkey around with all sorts of science displays and gizmos without getting yelled at. Don’t miss the “spark-tacular” Vander Graff generator, which is sponsored by your favorite conglomerate, DTE Energy. There’s a three-story Digital Dome Planetarium that will transport you to the far reaches of space, thanks to the wonders of virtual reality. A 70 mm projection and surround-sound IMAX theater is yet another highlight. Hart Plaza
During the summer the plaza is home to scads of ethnic festivals and the world-renowned Montreux Detroit Jazz, Detroit Electronic and African World festivals. During the winter months, the sunken plaza turns into an ice skating rink and the very pricey Isamu Noguchi fountain acts as a community Maypole. Free showers for everybody in the summer! New Center
The Center was actually “new”, like, 70 years ago. Thanks to some stellar new businesses, it is becoming new all over again. This is home of the Fisher Building, a jaw-dropping beauty built in 1928 with the best architect (Albert Kahn), materials and craftsmen of the time. With the New Center complex completed in 1931, these two buildings harbor some of the best examples of art deco styling in the USA.
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