Location: Detroit
Top Things to do in Detroit
Countries
10 Specialty Museums in Detroit That You Shouldn't Miss
With a vibrant, revitalized downtown, it’s revival time in Detroit. Renowned
as the birthplace of Motown and techno, the city boasts one of the largest
theater districts in America — as well as four pro sports teams, set just blocks apart. The city’s transformation includes a dynamic culinary scene, featuring everything from high-end dining with international tastes to Coney dogs. Visitors also love Detroit’s outstanding shopping, exciting outdoor activities, and world-class cultural attractions.
Restaurants in Detroit
1. International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
2. The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 538 reviews
Experience the Original Model T Factory Visiting the Piquette Avenue Ford Plant is a unique experience-it's the oldest auto plant open to the public anywhere in the world. Almost unchanged since Henry Ford's day, the plant is a three-story New England-style mill building. Each floor is divided into sections by the original metal fire doors, complete with the shadows of Henry Ford's "Positively NO Smoking" stencils. The old plank floors are worn from the 12,000 Model Ts built on them, so wear appropriate shoes for your visit. The plant is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a designated National Historic Landmark and a Michigan State Historic Site. Walk the worn wood floors and touch the brick walls where Henry Ford and his team of automotive pioneers developed the car that led to an automotive and social revolution. See Henry Ford's office as it was in 1908 when he was on the cusp of fame. And learn why it still matters today. See a selection of rare Detroit-built cars from the first decade of the 20th century and learn their fates.
Reviewed By HughC239 - Toronto, Canada
From the outside its a small, somewhat unassuming museum but the magic lies inside with the superb tour guides who bring the place to life with their impressive knowledge of the stories, vehicles and history of Henry Ford, the Ford motor company, the Piquette plant and the birth of the auto industry. By far our favourite and most memorable tourist attraction during our visit to Detroit. We left with a profound new respect for Henry Ford and all that he accomplished. Kudos to the hardworking and dedicated staff at this little gem.
3. Dabl's Gallery
4. Detroit Historical Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 447 reviews
The Motor City Exhibition, where visitors see how a Cadillac is assembled, is just one of the many interesting displays at this museum dedicated to telling the story of Detroit.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
The Detroit Historical Museum is to Detroit what the Chicago History Museum is to Chicago. Located at 5401 Woodward Avenue in Detroit's Cultural Center Historic District in Midtown Detroit, it chronicles the history of the Detroit area from cobblestone streets to 19th century stores to the automobile assembly line to toy trains to fur trading in the 18th century to Motown music to Detroit's development as a major industrial center and the Automobile Capital of the World. The original museum opened in 1928 in a one-room suite on the 23rd floor of the Barlum Tower, now the Cadillac Tower. The current museum was dedicated on July 24, 1951, the 250th anniversary of Detroit's founding. Today, it houses over 200,000 items. Among the most interesting exhibits are The Motor City exhibition, which traces Detroit's development in the auto industry and includes an operating assembly line; the Frontiers to Factories exhibit, which depicts Detroiters at work in the city's first 200 years, from 1701 to 1901, as it grew from a French fur trading post to a major industrial giant; and The Streets of Old Detroit exhibit, a recreation of the old cobblestone streets and shops and stores dating to the early 1900s. Also Doorway to Freedom: Detroit and the Underground Railroad, which allows visitors to simulate the journey of a runaway slave traveling through Detroit to Canada. And Detroit: Arsenal of Democracy, which explores the city's role in World War II. If you've never visited Detroit before and you don't have much knowledge about the city's history, the Detroit Historical Museum is sure to give you a good education.
5. Motown Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,088 reviews
This old Detroit home belies the greatness that was born here: the Motown Sound. But one step inside Hitsville, USA, the original house where Berry Gordy lived and recorded the Motown hits, and you'll catch the beat and spirit of this booming music era. Photos, costumes, artwork, music and other memorabilia take you back to simpler times.
Reviewed By GlobeTrotting738505 - Quakertown, United States
The Motown Museum lives up to most of the other reviews, and then some! If you get the chance, make sure you check out this place. However, make sure you make a reservation well in advance, especially if you have limited time to visit. We were lucky enough to get a time slot for the next day, but most people reserve much earlier. Our tour guide, Carolyn, made an excellent tour even better with her knowledge, enthusiasm and just plain energy!!! Hopefully, you'll be lucky enough to get her as your guide if / when you go.
6. African Bead Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By Travelanna1 - London, United Kingdom
One of the most unusual places I have ever visited. This place is an outstanding place to walk and be surrounded by art. I was very lucky to visit the African Bead Museum on a beautiful sunny day. It meant I could spend loads of time walking around the grounds and really get a feel of the place. It was unfortunate that I had just missed out on a tour of the grounds with the creator but I got to do a lengthy interview with him which gave me a great insight to the significant of beads in African culture and religion. This place is a must go to when visiting Detroit.
7. Dossin Great Lakes Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 134 reviews
Reviewed By BuckeyePaige
What a gem on Belle Isle. The park around the museum is a bit downtrodden but the museum and lakefront itself were just thoroughly enjoyable. Many cool exhibits and artifacts and so much history! Was so pleased to learn more about the history of the Edmund Fitzgerald and its relationship to Detroit and the Great Lakes. Received special attention from the museum manager, Steve, who happened to be walking around the building and grounds......what a knowledgeable man. Check this out!
