Chris' Nature Nook

Originally a central point of early Detroit lost in the reconfiguration of roads and traffic, the famous Campus Martius Park was re-established as a Renaissance City focal point in 2003. Located in the heart of downtown, this urban park was designed to resemble New York City’s Rockefeller Center with its sculptures, monuments, fountains, bistros, patches of greenery and skating rink hemmed in by towering buildings and other downtown attractions.

Swing by the largest jazz festival in North America! The Detroit Jazz Festival has changed names, and sponsors, over the years, but it continues to bring in huge crowds over Labor Day Weekend. Spend some time at this premier jazz event and you’ll see why–five stages, 100 acts, fireworks, artists meet-ups and, best of all, free admission.

Love basketball? Come by the Palace of Auburn Hills to see the Detroit Pistons rule the court. Treated like royalty by their loyal fans, this sports team has won three championships since joining the NBA in 1948, most recently in 2004, and has numerous conference and division titles under their belt. Wear a patriotic combination of red, white and blue to support this All-American team!

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.