Avanti Michelle Photography

Art aficionados will not want to miss a trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts, one of the most significant art collections in the country. This gigantic museum covers 658,000 square feet and features over 100 galleries filled with everything from ancient Egyptian artifacts to today’s top contemporary works.

The world’s largest institution dedicated to African American culture, the Charles H Wright Museum of African American History serves a dual purpose–it is both a museum of artifacts and an incubator of cultural retention and growth. View a permanent collection of over 30,000 artifacts and archived materials as you explore attractions throughout the seven exhibition areas and immerse yourself in the African American experience.

Surround yourself with the beauty and tranquility of nature when you visit the University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens. The outdoor gardens are open for free to the public, although the conservatory itself requires an admission fee. Outside, you can wander around over a dozen different gardens, including a rock garden and a labyrinth, as well as walk along five different nature trails. And there’s even more on the inside!

What would Motor City be without Henry Ford and his famous automobile? Learn all about the history of this great American production at the Henry Ford, and then pop over to the Ford Rouge Factory Tour for a chance to see and experience the assembly line. Walk through the industrial production area, see historical artifacts and immerse yourself in the multi-sensory theater.