Stuff to do in Detroit City

A December 2003 trip to Detroit by Betty Viaggiatrice

Quote: Despite the reputation and limited listings in the guidebooks, there are interesting things to do in Detroit.

Stuff to do in Detroit City

Overview

Quote:

Growing up in the almost Detroit suburbs, I had little appreciation for the cultural and interesting activities in Detroit. However, taking my boyfriend home to see the parents, I had to find things to show him and things to do rather than just watching the big TV. Therefore, the top cultural activities are: Hockeytown (the Red Wings -- if you can get tickets), Detroit Institute of Arts, Greenfield Village, the Henry Ford Museum, and bowling, bowling, bowling.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

Detroit, as the Motor City, has very very limited public transportation options. Therefore, the only way to get around is to drive.

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Detroit Institute of Arts

Attraction

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The best thing about the DIA is the Diego Rivera mural. It was commissioned by the DIA in the '30s with the instructions to paint something that relates to the industrial heritage of the city. It's my favorite thing in Detroit, culturally speaking.

The rest of the gallery has a relatively generic set of paintings (although, bizarrely, some interesting German Expressionism) and temporary exhibitions (when we visited, it was the DaimlerChrysler Contemporary Art Collection). It is currently under renovation, but the museum is still open and the Rivera murals are still accessible.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 30, 2003

Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, Michigan 48202
(313) 833-7900

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Music in Detroit

Attraction | "Where to find music"

Quote:

Detroit is a great music city and tons of bands play locally, from the new and edgy to the old school. Check out who's visiting at this website.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 30, 2003

Music in Detroit

Detroit, Michigan

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Detroit Historical Museum

Attraction

Quote:

The Detroit Historical Museum is most interesting for fans of the auto industry and industrial history in general. The museum traces the beginnings of Detroit's role in the industry and the changes that have occurred since the beginning of the 20th century. It's relatively interactive, so good for kids, and very interesting from an industrial history perspective.

Also excellent is Detroit Through the Years, where exhibits show Detroit in the 1840s, 1870s, and 1910s, including the appropriate street paving.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on December 30, 2003

Detroit Historical Museum
5401 Woodward Ave
Detroit, Michigan 48202
(313) 833-1805

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The Henry Ford, Museum and Greenfield Village

Attraction | "Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum"

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Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum look at industrial history. Greenfield Village includes loads of interesting buildings (although I haven't been in about 20 years). The Henry Ford Museum obviously has tons of history about cars, but also industrial history, such as power turbines, and domestic history, such as pre-fab houses. Novelty items include the limo in which JFK was shot and the chair in which Lincoln was shot.

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on December 30, 2003

The Henry Ford, Museum and Greenfield Village
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
Dearborn, Michigan 48124
(313) 271-1570

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Joe Louis Arena

Attraction | "Hockeytown"

Quote:

When you step off the plane, it's obvious that this town is mad for ice hockey. If you can get tickets to a Red Wings game, go. See the fans in their red and wings and scream "Let's Go Red Wings."

It IS Detroit.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 30, 2003

Joe Louis Arena
600 Civic Center Drive
Detroit, Michigan 48226
+1 313 396 7600