Detroit is known as the Automotive Capital of the World for a reason. The Henry Ford, also known as the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village or the Edison Institute, explores the city’s rich history and contributions to the world of transportation. This indoor and outdoor museum complex showcases many significant items that influenced the Industrial Revolution, shaped American history and changed the world.
Bibliophiles rejoice! John K. King Books in downtown Detroit boasts four above-ground floors and a basement full of rare and used books for the public to peruse and purchase. The largest independent bookseller in the state, this enormous collection (over 1 million books) accounts for most of the store’s business–but true book collectors will want to make an appointment to view the rarer antiques next door.
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.
What better place to host the North American International Auto Show than Motor City? This annual international event was first held at Beller’s Beer Garden in 1907. Today, you can find car collectors and enthusiasts at the Cobo Center in early January, admiring some of the latest models and enjoying sneak previews from industry leaders.