Detroit Places of Interest
Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History
The largest museum dedicated to African American history in the world, the Charles H. Wright Museum features over 30,000 artifacts and materials from African American culture housed among seven exhibits. The 22,000-square-foot And Still We Rise Exhibit features 20 galleries that chronicle the journey from prehistoric Africa to the Underground Railroad to the men and women who fought for freedom and justice in present-day Detroit. The stunning artwork in the Stories in Stained Glass Exhibit showcases notable musicians, dancers and freedom advocates from African American history.
The museum also hosts several annual events such as the African World Festival and educational performances and activities during Kwanzaa. The museum offers various venues for private events including a 317-seat theater and two large galleries.The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from 1 PM to 5 PM. Admission is $5 for children ages 3-12, $8 for adults and $5 for seniors ages 62 and older. Admission for children under 3 is free. Pay parking is available at the Cultural Center lot behind the museum. For more information: 313-49-5855
The Henry Ford Museum
Located in Dearborn, Michigan, about 6 miles from downtown Detroit, the Henry Ford Museum is the largest indoor/outdoor history museum in the United States. The museum features a variety of unique exhibits and experiences relating to numerous American history topics. At the With Liberty and Justice For All Exhibit, guests can see the Montgomery City bus on which Rosa Park famously refused to give up her seat, while the Heroes of the Sky Exhibit features a replica for the Wright Flyer. True to its name, the museum pays special attention to automobiles, including the Automobile in America Life Exhibit, a showcase of numerous cars including the first Ford Mustang and the last car produced in the Model T series. Other attractions on the museum complex include an IMAX theater and Greenfield Village, which preserves numerous historical structures such as Thomas Edison's laboratory and the bicycle shop where the Wright brothers built their first plane.
The Henry Ford Museum is open daily from 9:30 AM to 5 PM. Greenfield Village is open daily, April 15 to November 2, from 9:30 AM to 5 PM and Friday through Sunday, November 3 to December 28, from 9:30 AM to 5 PM. Museum admission is $10 for children ages 5-12, $14 for adults and $13 for seniors and active military. Greenfield Village admission is $14 for children ages 5-12, $20 for adults and $13 for seniors and active military. Admission for children under 4 to either attraction is free. Reduced rates are available for combination ticket packages. For more information: 800-835-5237
Motown Historical Museum
"Hitsville USA" was the name given to Motown Records' first headquarters when purchased by owner Berry Gordy in 1959. Aptly named, the headquarters served as the recording studio for such hits by artists Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, The Jackson 5 and many more. Today, Hitsville USA serves as home to the Motown Historical Museum. Visitors can get a glimpse into Motown's rich history through artifacts such as photos, clothing artwork and memorabilia from the era. Other exhibits include the original Studio A recording studio and Berry Gordy's apartment upstairs. Guided tours are available.
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM. The museum is open, July to August, Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and children 12 and under and $8 per person for groups of 20 or more people, when booked in advance. For more information: 313-875-2264
Detroit Restaurants
Bastone Restaurant
The delicious cuisine and extraordinary ambiance at Bastone would make the Beligan city after which it is named proud. Its art deco exterior gives way to high ceilings, wood floors and white tiles that convey a sense of European sophistication. Menu items range from pan-seared sea scallops with potato hash cake to Belgian Waterzooi, a traditional stew made from chicken, lemon cream sauce, fingerling potatoes and vegetables. Bastone's beer selections are brewed on-site, and include both American and Belgian styles, such as Nectar des Dieux Triple and Great White Wit. Bastone offers private dining areas and party menus.
Bastone is open Monday through Thursday from 11 AM to 11 PM, Friday and Saturday from 11 to 12 AM and Sunday from 12 to 10 PM. Lunch entrees range from $9 to $12, and dinner entrees range from $13 to $23. For more information: 248-544-6250
The Rattlesnake Club
Nestled on the riverfront in downtown Detroit, the Rattlesnake Club delivers both elegant dining and some of the most breathtaking views in the city. Guests can gaze upon the Detroit skyline and riverfront as they dine on menu favorites such as roasted wild Alaskan halibut, maple-cured chicken breast and sweet pea and fennel risotto. Numerous wine selections, named among Wine Spectator's "Award Winning Wine Lists," complement the gourmet dishes. The restaurant's private dining room seats up to 100 guests.
The Rattlesnake Club serves lunch Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The club serves dinner Tuesday through Thursday from 4:30 to 10 PM and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 to 11 PM. For more information: 313-567-4400
Sweet Lorraine's Café and Bar
Voted as one of Michigan's Top Ten Favorite Restaurants by the Zagat Guide for Michigan, Sweet Lorraine's fanciful, colorful décor hints at the fun, fresh and modern items awaiting diners on the menu. Favorites include gorgonzola fondue, chicken kebab salad and maple-cured salmon with Michigan dried cherry salsa, while daily specials feature ethnic-inspired selections. Vegetarians have plenty of options as well, such as the Barcelona vegetarian paella and the veggie burger with tomato-corn salsa. However, as chef and owner Lorraine Platman has a background in pastries, the café's decadent desserts such as Russian cheesecake and blueberry cobbler are not to be missed. The wine list, recipient of Wine Spectator's "Award of Excellence," features over 25 wines by the glass. Sweet Lorraine's offers group accommodations for 12 to 45 people as well as customized menus and catering.
Sweet Lorraine's is open Monday through Thursday from 6:30 AM to 11 PM, Friday from 6:30 AM to midnight, Saturday from 7 AM to midnight and Sunday from 7 AM to 11 PM. The bar is open Sunday through Thursday until midnight and Friday and Saturday until 1 AM. Lunch entrees range from $12 to $19 and dinner entrees range from $16 to $25. For more information: 313-223-3933
The Whitney Restaurant
Featuring an award-winning menu in the setting of an American palace, the Whitney Mansion delivers a truly one-of-a-kind dining experience. Originally built as a 19th century estate by lumber baron David Whitney, Jr., the three-story building has been converted into a stunning restaurant. Decadent menu options include seared gulf shrimp with crispy polenta, "Old Detroit" strip steak and roasted potato and creamed leek pierogi with braised apples. A variety of private dining rooms are available to comfortably fit up to 350 guests.
The Whitney serves lunch Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 AM to 2 PM. It serves dinner Tuesday through Thursday from 5 to 9 PM and Friday and Saturday from 5 to 10 PM. Sunday brunch is served from 11 AM to 2 PM. Lunch entrees range from $7 to $15 and dinner entrees range from $19 to $39. For more information: 313-832-5700
Other Detroit Attractions and Activities
Belle Isle Park
Three miles east of downtown in the Detroit River sits Belle Isle Park, the largest island park in the United States at 982 acres. In view of the 58-foot-tall marble lighthouse, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy running, biking, fishing and boating at the park. Picnic shelters and playgrounds are also available, as are baseball, soccer and football fields and track and tennis courts. Golfers can fit in a quick game at the island's nine-hole golf course and driving range. The park is also home to various attractions including the Ann Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, a 13-acre greenhouse and botanical garden, maritime museum Dossin Great Lakes Museum, which reopened in 2007 after $100,000 in renovations, and the Belle Isle Nature Zoo. Belle Isle Park is open daily from 6 AM to 10 PM.
Detroit Casinos
The MotorCity, MGM Grand and Greektown casinos offer visitors exciting gaming options, from slots to poker to table games. The 70,000-square-foot, four-story MotorCity features live entertainment, while the MGM Grand, recently opened in 2007, boasts over 4,000 slots and video poker. Greektown Casino is undergoing a major expansion project in 2008, resulting in 100,000 square feet of gaming space, a 1,100-seat theatre, 400-room hotel and two new restaurants. For more information on MotorCity: 866-752-9622 For more information on MGM Grand: 313-393-7777 For more information on Greektown: 313-223-2999
Detroit Historical Museum
Founded in 1928, the Detroit Historical Museum is dedicated to preserving the intriguing history of the Detroit area, from its origins as a French frontier town to the 1920s economic boom when the city established its reputation as an automotive capital. Artifacts such as classic automobiles, vintage clothing and sports memorabilia are found throughout over 10 exhibits, such as "The Streets of Old Detroit," a replica street block of early 20th century Detroit. New artifacts include seats, a turnstile and other items from Tiger Stadium, former home of Detroit Tigers Major League Baseball team, which is scheduled for demolition in 2008.
The museum is open Wednesday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 3 PM, Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from 12 to 5 PM. Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for seniors and students ages 5-17. Admission for children under 4 is free. Museum parking is $3 per car. For more information: 313-833-1805
Detroit Princess Riverboat Cruises
Visitors relish the two-and-a-half hour lunch and dinner cruises aboard the elegant, five-deck Detroit Princess riverboat. Originally built as a gambling boat to sail on the Mississippi River, the Detroit Princess now makes daily trips along the Detroit River for up to 1,500 guests. Dinner cruises feature themes such as "Retro Disco Dancing Party," "Margarita Party, "Motown Musical Revue" and "Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre," depending on day. Lunch cruises and the Sunday dinner cruise feature live easy listening entertainment. The Detroit Princess is available for private parties.
Lunch cruises run Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 AM to 2 PM. Dinner cruises run Monday through Saturday from 7 to 9:30 PM and Sunday from 4 to 6:30 PM. Tickets for lunch cruises cost $39.95. Tickets for Monday through Thursday and Sunday dinner cruises cost $49.95. Tickets for Friday and Saturday dinner cruises vary in price based on theme. For more information: 877-338-2628
Greektown
Beginning in the 1880s by Greek immigrants settling in Detroit in search of jobs, Greektown is a historic district bursting with restaurants, lounges, shops and attractions among stunning Victorian buildings. So lively it is often referred to as "Detroit's Downtown," the district is home to the Greektown Casino, the Atheneum Hotel and over 20 restaurants, many of which feature Greek-inspired cuisine. Visitors can stop by the renowned Astoria Bakery for delicious treats, from European pastries such as cannoli and rum truffles to traditional Greek baklava, or enjoy live music at Fishbones Rhythm Kitchen, the district's largest restaurant and home to the world's largest indoor waterfall. The Second Baptist Church of Detroit, the oldest African-American Baptist church in Michigan, is also found on the streets of Greektown.
Joe Louis Arena
Joe Louis Arena is home to the Detroit Red Wings, three-time Stanley Cup winners and the pride of the city since 1932. Named after former heavyweight champion and Detroit native Joe Louis, the $57 million arena remains one of the few in the National Hockey League without a corporate sponsorship name. Guests to the arena can enjoy an always exciting Red Wings game, though it has also hosted NBA, WNBA and WWE games as well as concerts. Joe Louis Arena offers group accommodations among 86 premium suites and the 181-person private seating section. The Red Wings season runs October to April. For more information: 313-965-3099
Detroit Hotels
- Doubletree Guest Suites Fort Shelby/Detroit Downtown
- Courtyard Detroit Downtown
- Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
- Doubletree Hotel Dearborn
- Hilton Garden Inn Detroit Downtown
- MotorCity Casino Hotel
- Omni Detroit Hotel River Place
- Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport
Detroit Unique Venues
- Dearborn Hills Golf Course
- The Leland House
- The Masonic of Detroit
- The Roostertail
Detroit Attractions
- Belle Isle Park
- Charles H. Wright Musuem
- Detroit Historical Museum
- Detroit Science Center
- Greektown
- The Henry Ford Museum
- Joe Louis Arena
- Motown Historical Museum
