There’s so much to do and see in Detroit, Michigan! Whether you’re visiting or playing tourist in your hometown, there’s more to discover here. Check out these five things in Detroit.
1. Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is the largest museum of its kind, boasting top-notch exhibits that celebrate the stories and accomplishments of African Americans. The permanent exhibit, “And Still We Rise: Our Journey Through African American History and Culture,” takes visitors on a journey through over 20 galleries showing the horrors of slave transport, the Underground Railroad, and the hope of emancipation. If you’re in town in August, check out the African World Festival, hosted by the museum. It features music, art, and dance performances, as well as food and more.
2. Eastern Market
Named for the market that thrived here in the 19th century, Eastern Market shows off the architecture of a booming American city of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These days, vendors offer everything from antiques to tacos to locally produced meats, coffee, and fresh seasonal produce during an open-air market on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, as well as some Thursday evenings.
Take a break at a hip cafe and grab a Coney Island hot dog or barbeque. Check out live Motown and jazz at Bert’s Warehouse Theater.
3. Motown Museum
Explore Detroit culture and history at the Motown Museum. Stand in Studio A, the original studio where The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, and Diana Ross and the Supremes recorded. The museum also features objects from Motown history, including rare photos, the stage costumes worn by famous Motown artists, and other fascinating artifacts.
4. Diamond Jack Riverboat Cruise
Cruise the Detroit River on a Diamond Jack Riverboat. A two-hour sightseeing tour between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, Canada, gives passengers a narrated view of historic sites on the Detroit River and views of the Detroit skyline. Look out for the Ambassador Bridge, which links the United States and Canada, as the boat passes beneath it.
5. Detroit Institute of Arts
With more than 100 galleries covering 658,000 square feet, the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) has one of the most significant and largest collections of art in the country. Located in Midtown Detroit, the museum features work that spans ancient Egypt to contemporary art. The building itself is worth the trip: featured on the National Register of Historic Places, the museum was designed by architect Paul Philippe Cret and is made of a main white marble building flanked by northern and southern wings.
While you’re there, check out the murals by famous Mexican muralist Diego Rivera in the atrium. Rivera and his wife, Frida Kahlo, a noted painter in her own right, lived across the street from the DIA when the mural was created. The 27-panel mural was completed in 11 months and pays tribute to Detroit’s labor force and manufacturing industry of the 1930s. The atrium housing the Rivera murals is truly a sight to behold. There is a lot more to take in around Detroit, from the food scene to the arts and shopping, but these five experiences are a great place to start.
Image via Flickr by paul bica used under CC BY 2.0
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