Metro Detroit

See

One major destination is The Henry Ford in Dearborn, whose main attractions are the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, a National Historic Landmark. The Henry Ford is America's largest indoor-outdoor museum complex with an IMAX. Great for families, the museum entertainment complex has the world's largest car collection and features Model T rides, an old-fashioned railway, and many of America's historic treasures including Edison's original laboratory, the Wright Brother's Bicycle Shop, JFK's limousine, Abraham Lincoln's chair from Ford's Theatre, and many other things. Tour some of "America's castles," the historic mansions of the 'auto barons' and even a 'media mogul', including those Henry Ford's Fairlane, the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House on the lakefront in Grosse Pointe, Meadow Brook Hall (Dodge-Wilson) in Rochester Hills, the Lawrence Fisher mansion (General Motors) in Detroit, and the Cranbrook House in Bloomfield Hills.

The Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak is world renowned, beautifully landscaped, and highly recommended. Among the many outstanding exhibits, the zoo features an underwater glass tunnel showcasing the arctic ring of wildlife with the world's largest polar bear exhibit. The zoo contains the full complement of wildlife exhibits and is encircled by an old-fashioned train ride.

The Detroit area is known for its arts and culture as well as its architecture and regal estates. The Detroit Institute of Arts in Midtown Detroit contains over 100 galleries of fine arts from the world-famous artists and is one of the largest collections of prominent art in the United States and is highly recommended. Another important art collection resides at the Cranbrook Art Museum in Bloomfield Hills the site of Cranbrook House and many large estates. Cranbrook is a National Landmark. A cruise along Lake Shore Drive in Grosse Pointe will also reveal many regal mansions. Downtown Detroit contains many skyscrapers and theatres including the National Landmark Fox Theatre which features Broadway performances. Seeing a theatre performance in Detroit is highly recommended.

There are great full-service hotels and resorts throughout the city and metropolitan area. It's best to stay on a hotel that is near the locality or places planned for the itinerary. The Westin Southfield is an example of a central, full-service hotel for someone needing to cover the entire metropolitan area.

Itineraries

• Tour the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House and grounds in Grosse Pointe for about two hours. Take some scenic lakefront photos. Afterward, cruise Lakeshore Drive heading toward downtown Detroit along Jefferson Avenue. You'll pass the restored monument known as the Hurlbut Memorial Gate at Jefferson Avenue and Cadillac Blvd along the way. There should be time to stop and park at the Renaissance Center just before you dine to satisfy curiosity and see the riverfront. From the Renaissance Center along Jefferson Ave., take a right on Woodward Ave. and head toward Grand Circus Park. Splurge and pay to park next to the stadium for an easy exit so after the grand finale fireworks after an evening ball game. Before the Tiger's evening baseball game, dine at the Hockey Towne safe across from Comerica Park. This is a full day.
• Optional: Following a daytime activity or game, plan to dine downtown. For first time visitors, dine atop the Renaissance Center at Coach Insignia, or at Andiamos inside, and ride the People Mover around for some scenic views and stop in Greektown for the evening nightlife. Best to make reservations when dining at the Coach Insignia atop the Renaissance Center on a game day. The Omni Riverplace is a great choice for dining as is the Westin Book Cadillac.
• Visit the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village for a whole day of fun inside and out. Check the internet for special events at the Henry Ford. Dine in Greenfield Village for lunch and at the Dearborn Inn for dinner afterward and/or visit the rooftop lounge at atop the Hyatt Regency Dearborn.
• Visit the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak during the day. In the evening, head to Somset Collection Mall in Troy for dining and shopping. Visit Royal Oak restaurants and bars in the evening.
• Visit the Detroit Institute of Arts during the day. Take a break. Dine at the Whitney House Mansion in Midtown or the museum cafe, head to one of the Casino resorts and night club in the evening.
• Visit one of the metro area beaches, Kensington, Detroit Metropolitan Beach, or Stony Creek Beach and play golf.
• Tour Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester Hills, also known as the Dodge-Wilson mansion, head to the nearby enclosed Great Lakes Crossing outlet mall in Auburn Hills for shopping. Dine at the Rainbow Forest Cafe inside the mall. The Royal Park Hotel in Rochester is a great place to stay.

Do

Detroit offers an array of events with some of the highlights listed. This is only a small list of some key activities and events to enjoy and even though they are listed here, their info is brief. Make sure to check out the city articles for more.

• Beaches, Canoeing, Kayaking, and more Metro Detroit's popular destinations include Metropolitan Beach in St. Clair Shores, Stony Creek Beach, and Kensington Beach. Detroit's Huron Clinton Metro Park system is a great source of fun. Enjoy canoe trips on the Huron River .
• Car Racing at Flat Rock Speedway, Michigan International Speedway, Milan Dragway, and Waterford Hills Racetrack.
• Casinos The four major casinos include, MGM Grand Detroit, Motor City and Greektown, and Casino Windsor. Check for performances.
• Concerts, and more Detroit is the birthplace of American electro/techno music, with Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, and Derrick Mays all hailing from the area. Although other cities around the world have picked up Detroit's torch and carried it further in some ways, Detroit is still a great place to dance and see the masters at work.
• Cruise Ships, the Great Lakes Cruising Coalition The Dock of Detroit receives major cruise lines on the Great Lakes. Adjacent to the Renaissance Center on Hart Plaza. Local tours include Diamond Jack's River Tours. Chartered tours are also available.
• Detroit's Night Life includes a multitude of clubs throughout the metropolitan area.
• Detroit's Vibrant, Underground Arts Scene Detroit is home to over 80 galleries, with artists hailing from around the world. Artists are attracted to Detroit due to its abundance of raw, under-utilized industrial space and its inspiring environment of pre-depression era buildings. Detroit's public information campaign, "The World is Coming, Get in the Game" features an online tour of this arts scene.
• Detroit's Music Scene The Detroit sound is the sound of the world. It is shaped by Detroit's unique past, its cultural diversity, its energy and its future. Detroit's public information campaign, "The World is Coming, Get in the Game" features an online tour of this music scene. Unlike many cities, Detroit has no central entertainment district (Greektown only partially counts) and many up-and-coming groups play at venues scattered throughout the area. Website Motor City Blog lists music events happening in the Detroit area.
• Golf Metro Detroit has many award-winning golf courses. Try Detroit's Metro parks , St John's Resort in Plymouth, and more.
• Horse Racing Hazel Park Raceway, Northville Downs, and Windsor Raceway.

• Old Car Festival Antique and classic car collector's show in Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford in Dearborn the weekend after Labor Day.

• Waterparks, including Belle Isle Waterslide, Waterford Oaks, Red Oaks, Four Bears Water Park & Entertainment Complex.

Eat

Metro Detroit has a multitude of great restaurants to explore. See individual city articles for more. The area is famous for such delights as Vernor's ginger ale, Sanders Candy and Dessert Shops (Birmingham, Grosse Pointe, Livonia, and Novi) known for chocolate butter cream bumpy cakes, and Vince and Joe's Gourmet (Clinton Township and Shelby Township) with all sorts of wonderful desserts.