Things to do and places to go in Detroit, Michigan are the focus of topics in this guide.
Given the history and size of the city, it should be no surprise that Detroit is home to a large number of attractions and events. Included in the types of resources that may be found here are website representing Detroit art galleries, theaters, libraries, museums, and historical places, as well as sports and entertainment venues, whether operated by the city or another governmental entity, a school district or university, a community service organization, or as a private, for-profit business.
For example, Detroit is home to several art galleries, including, but not at all limited to, the David Klein Gallery, the Detroit Artists Market, and Dumouchelle Art Galleries, to name just a few. Theaters in Detroit may include movie theaters, or cinemas, as well as theaters hosting live productions, and theatre groups.
Among the many theaters or theatre companies in Detroit are the Bel Air Luxury Cinema, the Detroit Public Theatre, the Detroit Repertory Theatre, the Detroit Theater, the Fisher Theater, the Fox Theatre, the Garden Theater, the Masonic Theater, Meadow Brooks Theater, Redford Theater, the Senate Theater, and Theatre Bizarre, although there are many others.
The Detroit Public Library is the second-largest library system in Michigan, by the number of volumes it carries, and the fourth-largest public library system in the United States. Besides the main library on Woodward Avenue, the library system as twenty-three branch locations across the city.
There are dozens of museums, historical places, and monuments in Detroit, including the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Detroit Historical Museum, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, the Hellenic Museum of Michigan, the Motown Museum, and several other dedicated museums, as well as historical places, some of which are still in use.
Given the long history of the city, it should be no surprise that it includes several memorials aspects of its past, or to people significant to Detroit.
The 10-story UAW-Ford National Programs Center was designated as a memorial to American casualties of the Spanish-American War and World War I in 1921. In 2014, UAW-Ford purchased the building from the city after leasing it as a training center for twenty years, but the historic markers and monuments remain.
Displayed in the island of one of the city's busiest intersections is a monument to Joe Lewis, one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time. Although born in Alabama in 1914, he moved to Detroit in 1926. Sculpted by Robert Graham in 1986, the monument weighs eight thousand pounds.
Sports teams and programs, at all levels, are in place in Detroit, from the Detroit Tigers, the Detroit Lions, the Detroit Red Wings, and the Detroit Pistons, to the Eastside Diamond Hoppers, the Motor City Firebirds, the Detroit City FC, and the Detroit Bordercats, as well as several collegiate sports teams, Varsity High School teams, and youth sports programs. Skating rinks, bowling alleys, and golf courses would also be appropriate for this category.
Websites representing concerts, festivals, and other events held in Detroit are also suitable for this category.
Recommended Resources
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Situated in Detroit’s Cultural Center, the museum was founded in 1965, and currently features the largest permanent exhibit of African-American culture in the world. The non-profit institution serves as a museum of African-American artifacts and as a place of cultural retention and growth. Its location, hours of operation, a calendar of events, and membership information are put forth, and information about its educational programs and activities are included.
http://www.maah-detroit.org/
Founded in 1921, the DHS opened the Detroit Historical Museum in 1928, operating it for twenty years before changing its focus to fundraising and marketing, transferring ownership of the museum to the city, while raising funds for the Detroit Historical Museum, Historic Fort Wayne, and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum for five decades. Currently, the DHS once again operates its original museum, as well as the other two, although the city manages re-enactments and activities.
https://detroithistorical.org/
The DIA features one of the largest art collections in the United States, boasting more than a hundred galleries covering 658,000 square feet, with another 58,000 to be added in an expansion project. Its hours of operation, admission fees, and online ticket sales are available, and its art collections and exhibitions are highlighted, along with a calendar of upcoming events, art education resources, and an online shopping area. Membership information is presented.
https://www.dia.org/
Begun in 1980 by Robert McCabe and the Detroit Renaissance, the annual event is managed and produced by the Detroit International Jazz Festival Foundation, a non-profit formed in 2006. Its history and a schedule of events are published to the site, and a full program book is available for sale, along with other promotional items. Participating musicians are highlighted, and registrations may be accomplished online. Corporate sponsors are acknowledged.
https://www.detroitjazzfest.org/
Competing in the National Football League, the Detroit Lions are a professional football team based in Detroit, Michigan, and playing its home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit. Its website features game schedules, team rosters, photos, video, and team news. Season memberships, ticket sales, digital ticketing, and mobile entry, NFL ticket exchanges, and ticket back terms and conditions are posted, and an online shopping area sells team apparel and promotions.
https://www.detroitlions.com/
The DPL was created in 1865, at which time it was located in one room of the old Capitol High School on Griswold Street. As the population of Detroit grew, so did the library. Currently, its main branch is on Woodward Avenue, and it has six branch facilities (Campbell, Edison, Jefferson, Parkman, Redford, and Wilder), as well as a mobile library. Its locations, research facilities, children’s programs, books, and other media, as well as services are highlighted.
https://detroitpubliclibrary.org/
This Metro Detroit visitor’s guide features several self-guided photographic tours highlighting places to see in the larger Detroit region. Available tours are sorted by location, under the major headings of the city, suburbs, and southeast Michigan, with more specific locations beneath each of these. Alternatively, the tours may be browsed by type, which includes architecture, art and culture, automotive heritage, downtown, entertainment and nightlife, and so on.
http://www.experiencedetroit.com/
Situated in downtown Detroit, Michigan, Ford Field is a domed football stadium that is home to the Detroit Lions, as well as the annual Quick Lane Bowl college football game, MHSAA championship football games, the MHSAA State Wrestling Championships, and the MCBA Marching Band State Finals, and other events. General stadium information is offered, along with a schedule of events, premium seating, and online ticket sales, as well as directions and parking tips.
https://www.fordfield.com/
founded by Esther Gordy Edwards in 1985, the Motown Museum occupies and commemorates Studio A, where Berry Gordy established Motown Records in 1959. The site gives directions, hours of operation, admission costs, and information on group tours, facility rentals, and the museum store, as well as telling the history of Motown Records, biographical data on Berry Gordy and the Gordy family, featured artists, and membership information.
https://www.motownmuseum.org/
Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit
MOCAD is a non-collecting contemporary art museum, housed in a 22,000 square foot building that was once an auto dealership, that hosts art exhibits, as well as musical, literary, and artistic events throughout the year. Hours, admission costs, and visitor policies are discussed, and a calendar of scheduled events and educational programs are put forth. Membership levels, benefits, and fees are listed, and an online store offers promotional materials.
https://mocadetroit.org/
Housed in an old warehouse, among other industrial buildings, on East Milwaukee Street in the Historic Milwaukee Junction district of Detroit, Michigan, near the intersection of Ik94 and I-96, the gallery hosts art shows and exhibits, costume events, live music, and musical shows with DJs, a calendar of events is published to the site, which includes a gallery of photographs and booking information, such as venue specifications and a booking application.
https://tangentgallery.com/
Opened as a movie house in 1925, the historic venue is situated in the heart of the Detroit entertainment district, and has been renovated to accommodate concerts and special events. Several photos of the structure are put forth, and its history is told. An event planning section includes venue information and an event planning request form. Besides regular ticket pricing, premium seating packages are available, offering a private entrance, prime seat locations, private bar, and concierge.
https://www.thefillmoredetroit.com/
University of Detroit Mercy Libraries/IDS
Featuring the McNichols Campus Library, the UDM Dental Library, and the UDM Instructional Design Studio, the site also includes photos and information on the University Archives and digital special collections, and links to the student, faculty, community, and alumni hubs. The hours of access to the campus library and IDS are posted, although access to the dental library is restricted. The telephone number for all three are posted, however.
https://libraries.udmercy.edu/
Wayne State University Library System
The WSU Library System includes Arthur Neef Law Library, Purdy/Kresge Library, Reuther Library, Shiffman Medical Library, and Undergraduate Library, each of which is featured here, with addresses, hours of operation, phone numbers, floor maps, and staff directories. Through the website, students can access article databases, the library system catalog, electronic journals, research guides, and other resources, including reservations.
https://library.wayne.edu/
Wayne State University Recreation and Fitness Center
Featuring the Mort Harris Recreation & Fitness Center, Matthaei Center, and the Doris J. & Donald L. Duchene, Sr. Athletic Facility, the RFC is featured here, including the hours of operation, fitness schedules, open recreation, badminton, and volleyball hours for the Recreation & Fitness Center, as well as the features of the Matthaei Center and the Athletic Facility, including contacts. Faculty, staff, alumni, and others may become members on payment of a fee.
https://rfc.wayne.edu/
