The Detroit Zoological Park is one of the nation's oldest and most stately zoos. Its huge main campus is located on land situated in the suburb of Huntington Woods but owned by the city of Detroit. Renovations of many of the zoo's older buildings and new exhibits have modernized the zoo. Popular exhibits include the new Amphibiville, home of the National Amphibian Conservation Center, a Wildlife Interpretive Center and adjacent butterfly/hummingbird gallery, a chimpanzee exhibit, a penguinarium and a model farm. The grounds are large and a free train is often crowded in summer.
Small's is a very popular bar lodged in the beautiful city of Hamtramck. It is considered as one of the best rock venues by a number of magazines and critics alike. Housed in what was formerly a bank, Small's front room is home to an Art Deco era mahogany bar stocked with an impressive selection of 53 variants of beer and top shelf liquor. You also get one of the best 'Jukeboxes' here which belts out some great tunes. Then there is the back room which has one of the best live rooms in town, where bands have gigs and keep audiences entertained. Besides this, the bar also boasts of a pool table and arcade games arena which adds to the overall fun quotient. You can also expect great acts at this place which is considered to have the best sound system around town. "Small" only in name, this bar promises the best in drinks and entertainment.
View nearly 60,000 amazing works of art at the Detroit Institute of the Arts. 100 galleries are filled with sculptures, paintings, and other artworks that will fascinate. The Thinker, the famous sculpture by Auguste Rodin is placed near the entrance. Permanent collections in the museum include Islamic, Flemish, pre-Columbian, European, African, Asian, and American art. Cultural events are held throughout the year at the auditorium and recital hall.
One of the world's largest museums of African American history and culture, this impressive building opened in 1997 and is named after the local doctor and activist who first established it. With 120,000 square feet (11148 meters) of exhibit space, the Charles H. Wright Museum includes several exhibit galleries, a research library, classrooms and a museum store. The anchor exhibit, “Of the People: The African American Experience,” uses Detroit's own history to tell the story of the African-American experience in the United States. Previously, much smaller incarnations of the museum existed, dating back to 1965.
It is just befitting for the former headquarters of Motown Records Corporation to be a repository of this famous label. Motown Museum is an integral part of Detroit's cultural landscape and the country's musical legacy. Chronicling the most reputed African-American record labels in the nation where musical legends such as The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, Temptations, Funk Brothers and Gladys Knight became stars, it is a true ode to music that inspired generations of music lovers.
This promenade in Downtown Detroit runs along the Detroit River from the Joe Louis Arena to Rivard Plaza. The RiverWalk is a popular destination for various activities including walking, jogging, and rollerblading. The RiverWalk passes through and by a number of area landmarks, including the Tri-Centennial State Park Lighthouse, the Detroit River and Hart Plaza with its Underground Railroad Memorial. It's a great destination for the whole family, and even includes a spouting fountain for kids and people of all ages to play in on a hot day.
Peche Island is an uninhabited island, obtained by The City of Windsor in 1999. The natural park is home to many walking trails and can be reached through a boat. Tours are run on regular intervals, ferry rides give a beautiful view of The Detroit City and it is always fun exploring the various local flora and fauna of the region.
A national historical sight with a majestic structure, Historic Trinity Lutheran Church was built in 1931. If you want to hear the bagpipe and drum corps play outside after services then the best time to visit is during the Freedom Festival. You can avail of the various services provided by the church and also be a part of the various events taking place.
Located on the Wayne State University, this is one of the best galleries in Detroit. Stroll through both levels of this gallery and you'll find contemporary art in every corner. The work often takes unique views and are supposed to be thought-provoking and challenging the boundary of the current art scenario. The gallery always has both local artwork and international talent on display.
As one of the oldest cemeteries in all of Michigan, the Elmwood Cemetery has been around since 1846. The cemetery began on a modest stretch of 42 acres (16.99 hectares), doubling in size over the years to a sprawling 86 acres (34.8 hectares). Lush vegetation and majestic groves of towering trees make this a serene and peaceful place to visit. You can see a special memorial for Civil War soldiers where a flag is flown continuously in their honor. Other notable memorials include famous governors, mayors, abolitionists, prominent businessmen and many others. The beautiful garden which surrounds these graves has been awarded a Level I accreditation by the Morton Arboretum and the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program. To truly recognize the historic significance of the cemetery, go on one of the two free Tombstone Tales Guided Walking Tours.
Founded in 1995, The Canadian Historical Aircraft Association is located in the west end of the city and is dedicated to preserving aircraft that have been significant contributors to aviation history. Not only is the museum home to a Lancaster Bomber, but one can also find a restored Havilland DH.98 Mosquito which was one of the first Canadian-built Mosquito bombers to be introduced in World War II. Other aircraft at the museum include Boeing Stearman and De Havilland Chipmunk. If you are an aircraft or war history enthusiast, visiting the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association will certainly not disappoint.
On the grounds of Historic Fort Wayne, this museum documents the first African-American flying unit, the segregated 99th Fighter Squadron, which served in the US Air Force during World War II. There are wonderful collections of aircraft models and fliers' uniforms, the leather bomber jackets with white scarves. Detroit came to host the museum because former Mayor Coleman Young was a Tuskegee Airman. Visiting hours are by appointment only, so be sure to call ahead.