Belle Isle Park

99 Pleasure Drive, Detroit, Michigan, 48207

Belle Isle Park, a 985-acre island park located in the Detroit River near downtown Detroit, is rich with natural beauty and historical and cultural resources. The park provides spectacular views of Detroit to the North and Canada to the south. It’s home to the James Scott Memorial Fountain, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, the Belle Isle Aquarium, the Ralph Wilson Gateway (which serves as the official southern trailhead for Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail), a golf course and many more cultural and natural attractions. Visitors can also swim at the designated swim beach, ride bicycles, fish, paddle and more.

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

315 E Warren Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

Tuesday & Wednesday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Thursday: 9:00AM - 7:00PM
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Located near Wayne State University, Exhibits explore African-American history from the Middle Passage to the Underground Railroad.

Detroit Historical Museum

5401 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202

Wednesday - Satruday: 10:00AM - 5:00PM
Sunday: 1:00 - 5:00PM

Located near Wayne State University, the museum features interactive & revolving exhibits on the city's history, including recreated streets.

Detroit Institute of Arts

5200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202

Mon: Closed

Tues - Thurs: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Fri: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Sat - Sun: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Museum featuring 100+ galleries with American and global art on display, from ancient to modern eras.

Local Recommendation: Detroit Industry Murals are a series of frescoes (27 panels) by Mexican artist Diego Rivera, depicting industry at the Ford Motor Company and in the city of Detroit.

Detroit Riverwalk/Riverfront

The Riverwalk, parks and greenways are open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
After 6 p.m., all children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian 21 years of age or older.

Along the Riverwalk, there are many monuments and historical markers representing different aspects of Detroit's complex and diverse history, views of Windsor, Ontario (Canada), and the Detroit River. Parking lots and street parking are available around the area.

Detroit Zoo

8450 W 10 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48067

Monday - Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm

Operated by the nonprofit Detroit Zoological Society, the Detroit Zoo is one of Michigan’s largest paid family attractions, hosting 1.3 million guests annually. More than 2,000 animals of more than 200 species call the Zoo’s 125 acres home.

Ford House

1100 Lake Shore Rd., Grosse Pointe Shores, MI 48236

Tuesday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (House opens at 11:00 a.m.)
Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (House opens at 11:00 a.m.)
Sundays, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (House opens at 11:00 a.m.)

Tour Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, a historic estate with lakeside dining, concerts, holiday lights, and family events—just outside Detroit.

Ford House is the historic lakeside estate of Eleanor and Edsel Ford, located in Grosse Pointe Shores along the shores of Lake St. Clair. Built in 1928, this National Historic Landmark was designed to be a place of family, creativity, community, and connection. It served as the beloved home where Eleanor and Edsel Ford raised their children — Henry II, Benson, Josephine, and William Clay — hosted artists and innovators, and nurtured their shared love of design, nature, and culture.

After Eleanor Ford’s passing, she ensured the estate would be preserved and shared with the public. Today, Ford House invites visitors from across Michigan and around the world to experience the beauty of this historic estate and uncover a distinctive chapter in the American automotive story.

The 87-acre estate includes the ivy-covered Main Residence, historic outbuildings, sweeping gardens, and a modern Visitor Center featuring exhibitions, dining, shopping, and spaces for special events. Open year-round, Ford House offers guided tours, seasonal events, educational programs, private rentals, and scenic grounds walks, welcoming guests of all ages to explore, learn, and be inspired.

Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum

461 Piquette Ave, Detroit, MI 48202

Wednesday - Sunday: 10:00AM - 4:00PM

Restored 1940 factory for the Ford Model T featuring historical tours & many original cars.

The Guardian Building

500 Griswold St, Detroit, MI 48226

The Guardian Building is a timeless depiction of creativity and accomplishment, it represents a past era enriched by people who believed in the success of Detroit and its many cultures. The building has been designated a National Historic Landmark, the highest honor given by the National Park Service. This landmark skyscraper is located at 500 Griswold Street in Downtown Detroit’s Financial District. The Guardian is a Class-A office building, owned by Wayne County, Michigan and serves as its headquarters. Built in 1928 and finished in 1929, the building was originally called the Union Trust Building and is considered one of the boldest examples of art-deco architecture.

The Heidelberg Project

3600 Heidelberg St, Detroit, MI 48207

Monday - Sunday: 8:00AM - 7:00PM

The Heidelberg Project is located on Heidelberg and Elba Place streets, between Ellery and Mt Elliott, in Detroit’s McDougall Hunt neighborhood. The outdoor art environment is free and open to the public daily, from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

The Henry Ford

20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI 48124

Mon–Fri: 9 AM – 5 PM
Sat: 9 AM – 3 PM
Sun: 9 AM – 1 PM

The Henry Ford is a globally recognized cultural institution that provides unique educational experiences based on authentic objects, stories and lives from America’s traditions of ingenuity, resourcefulness and innovation.

Imagine if a museum could not only preserve history but also inspire everyone to improve the future. At The Henry Ford, we're more than a museum — we're a force for change, and we empower every individual to make a difference through innovation, ingenuity and resourcefulness. As the stewards of one of the nation's largest museum collections, we enrich millions of lives through the unique learning experiences we offer in places like Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and in programs like Invention Convention Worldwide. The Henry Ford offers perspective and inspiration so that anyone can create a better future and truly make history.

Main Branch - Detroit Public Library

5201 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202

Monday, Thursday - Saturday: 10:00AM - 6:00PM
Tuesday, Wednesday: 12:00 - 8:00PM
Sunday: 1:00 - 5:00PM

Beautiful architecture and art installations inside the main branch of the Detroit Public Library. Pro-tip: check the third floor.

Michigan Central

2001 15th St, Detroit, MI 48216

Monday – Sunday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Michigan Central is a 30-acre technology and cultural hub in Detroit, where leaders, thinkers, communities, and creators come together to accelerate bold ideas and technologies that shape our collective future.

Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit

55 E Canfield St, Detroit, MI 48201

Thursday - Sunday: 11:00AM - 5:00PM

Ex-auto dealership turned cavernous gallery of ever-changing contemporary art exhibits & lectures.