The Guardian Building, constructed in 1929, is one of the most recognizable landmark buildings in the Detroit skyline. Bestowed as a United States Historic Landmark, this stunning piece of architecture towers more than 490 feet (149 meter) over Detroit's heart. The opulent Art Deco structure has 36 floors with interiors that are actually just as impressive as the façade. It's home to many financial firms and hence it has rightly earned the epithet 'Cathedral of Finance'. Irrespective of how busy one's schedule is, locals as well as tourists find time to step-in and admire the colorful beauty of this architectural marvel.

The preservation of this theater is one of Detroit's proudest achievements. The 5048-seat palace of the arts, arguably the most opulent in the nation when it opened in 1928, was designated a national landmark in 1989 after a USD11,000,000 refurbishment by new owner Mike Ilitch. The oldest, continually operating theater in the United States features a 10-storey marquee, a six-storey lobby with a two-ton chandelier and 300,000 glass jewels in its interior. The exotic presentation of lions, gold fixtures and jaw-dropping grandeur harkens back to the flamboyant era of movie houses. The Fox is now busy with concerts, family-oriented shows and a wide variety of other offerings. It's the anchor of the Theatre District and perhaps Detroit's greatest civic treasure.

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.

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.

For those looking for a break from their urban surroundings, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory offers visitors a beautiful little slice of nature not easily found in Metro Detroit. One of Belle Isle Park's multiple attractions, this conservatory — first built in 1904 — spans over one acre (0.4 hectares) and features an 85 foot (25 meters) high dome. Five distinct sections house a diverse and colorful collection of tropical plants, flowers, cacti, fernery and more, making it an excellent destination for photographers. From the Japanese water garden to the outside sculpture garden, there is an ethereal magic flowing throughout these grounds, which is why it makes for a great day visit for couples, families or just solo-explorers looking for some quietude.

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.

The former home of auto magnate Lawrence P. Fisher is an ostentatious, eclectic Art Deco mansion with acres of formal gardens, pools and fountains. There are hand-painted leather walls and plenty of gold and silver leaf. In 1975, it was resorted as the Bhaktivedanta Center of Krishna Consciousness. A fine arts gallery features Indian art. Individual and group tours are offered by appointment. Temple services run from dawn to late at night. The temple also serves free vegetarian food, thereby completing the whole Indian experience.

Experience what life was like for an American in the the 18th and 19th Centuries at this fun-filled attraction. The Greenfield Village shows historical everyday activities and you can explore seven districts to learn about history in a unique and engaging manner. Visit Thomas Edison's Menlo Park and see this inventor's actual workshops and even see some of his old creations. Discover what life was like on a 1880s working farm or visit Railroad Junction to see a steam-powered train. You can even take a ride in a resorted Model T!

Located in Dearborn, the Henry Ford Museum showcases the fascinating history of American innovation. You'll find a 1909 Ford Model T on display, as well as the bus that Rosa Parks made a stand on in 1955. See a kitchen from the 1930s, a locomotive, and other interesting historic memorabilia. The range of items in the museum is wide, featuring interesting pieces relating to manufacturing, transportation, entertainment, and technology.

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.