Detroit, Michigan Attractions
The Detroit Historical Museum
5401 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, 48202
313-833-1805
All of the history of Detroit is all presented here. Come and see what made
Detroit famous. The exhibit on The Motor City allows you to travel from the
assembly line to current graphic design technology.
The Detroit Institute of Arts- DIA
5200 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, 48202
313-833-7900
This fifth largest art museum in the country holds collections including
American Art, Ancient Art, and European Art, to name just a few. Especially for
the kids, the museum holds specials activities on the weekends including
storytelling, making your own puppets, and much more.
Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall
3663 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI, USA
313/576-5100
Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall hosts the Chamber Music Society of Detroit and
the Detroit Symphony. A $60 million expansion of Orchestra Hall has created the
Max M. Fisher Music Center with new meeting facilities and educational space.
Detroit Repertory Theater
13103 Woodrow Wilson Ave., Detroit, MI, USA
313/868-1347
The Detroit Repertory Theater is one of the city's oldest resident theater
companies.
Detroit Zoo
8450 W. 10 Miles Road
Royal Oak 48067
248-398-0900
Debuting in 1928 as the first zoo with roam-free areas, the Detroit Zoo is still
going strong. The Arctic Ring of Life is a favorite. Some other exhibits include
domestic farm animals, the Rackham Memorial Fountain, and the Elephant House. If
you become a little tired from all the walking, there is a miniature railroad
that can take your family from one part of the zoo to another for a nominal fee.
Fisher Theater
3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI, USA
313/872-1000
Touring Broadway shows and nationally known entertainers appear at the Fisher
Theater
Gem Theatre
333 Madison Ave., Detroit, MI, USA
Phone: 313/963-9800
Across the street is the relocated Gem Theatre, which used to stand across from
the Fox but was moved to a new site near the Opera House to make way for the new
Detroit Tigers ball park.
Hart Plaza
Jefferson Ave at Woodward Ave
Detroit
313-877-8077
Named after the late Senator from Michigan Philip A. Hart, Hart Plaza is a
wonderful place to take to your family for a break on your busy vacation. Sit
back, relax and watch the water from the fountain -- you can't miss it -- it's
the centerpiece of the plaza known as Isamu Noguchi. If you are lucky enough to
visit Detroit on Labor Day weekend, take in the world's largest jazz festival,
Ford Montreux Detroit Jazz. Other outdoor events at the plaza include the
African World Festival and the Budweiser Downtown Hoedown.
Henry Ford Estate Fair Lane
4901 Evergreen Road
Dearborn 48128
313-593-5590
A few miles outside of Detroit rests the home of Henry Ford and his wife Clara.
This 56-room mansion on 72 acres is a National Historic Landmark. The hydropower
powerhouse, built in 1915 with the help of Thomas Edison, currently supplies
electricity throughout the mansion. Public tours show the many fascinating
features of the mansion including Ford Discovery Trail, vegetable garden, pony
barn, skating house and much more. This is an attraction that the whole family
will find is definitely worth seeing.
Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village
20900 Oakwood Boulevard
Detroit 48121
313-271-1620
There are two separate parts to this museum, the Henry Ford Museum and
Greenfield Village. On display in the Henry Ford Museum are kitchens from past,
jewelry, things made in America from the 18th to the 20th century and, of
course, automobiles in America (and these are just a few of the displays).
Greenfield Village offers the family glimpses of different lifestyles from
around the country. You can stop in the Phoenixville Post Office, or visit Henry
Ford's birthplace. It's a great history lesson for the whole family.
Matthaei Botanical Gardens
1800 N. Dixboro Road
Ann Arbor
734-998-7067
Discover natural wonders from around the world across the 350 acres of the
Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Well-marked signs along the five-mile trails will
educate you and your family about the thousands of plants at the Garden.
Motor Sports Hall of Fame
Novi Expo Center
43700 Expo Center Drive
Novi, 48050
810-349-7223
Car lovers, this place is for you! Designed for all ages, from newcomers to the
sport to veterans, the Sports Hall includes everything from Indy cars to
open-wheelers, from driving simulations to mind-boggling automotive displays.
Motown Museum
2648 West Grand Boulevard
Detroit, 48208
313-875-2264
Take a tour of the original place where Motown music was born back in the
1960's. See the recording studio where The Supremes and many other Motown
superstars recorded. Find out why this is called "Hitsville, USA"!
Museum of African American History
315 E. Warren Avenue
Detroit, 48201
313-494-5800
Of particular interest is the exhibit entitled Of the People: The African
American People. Feel the history and culture of the African American experience
come alive.
Pewabic Pottery
10125 East Jefferson Avenue
Detroit, 48214
313-822-0954
This National Historic Landmark is home to one of the last operating Arts and
Crafts potteries. Some samples of the work completed are on display in the
gallery. They also offer one-day workshops that your family might want to
attend, but call ahead to confirm dates and times.
Spirit of Ford
1151 Village Road
Dearborn, 48124
313-317-7474
Located just outside Detroit. Here, visitors will discover the Spirit of Ford.
At the Spirit of Ford, learning and fun come together. The hands-on exhibits
allow you to build a car, make a commercial, learn about recycling in car
manufacture, and much more. The museum was designed to foster the knowledge of
how cars are designed, tested, engineered and manufactured.
University of Michigan Exhibit Museum of Natural History
1109 Geddes Avenue
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
734-764-0478
Throughout the many floors of the museum there are numerous displays including
evolution, the fossils and skeletons of dinosaurs, the environment of Michigan
and the Great Lakes, anthropology, biology, and of course the planetarium. To
keep the children busy and happy, go on a family scavenger hunt and then take in
the planetarium to see the stars.
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