Detroit Top Attractions

Detroit Institute of Arts
The surprisingly low-key Detroit Institute of Arts houses one of the largest fine arts collections in the USA. The museum is dominated by a number of murals by Diego Rivera, who was commissioned to produce frescos on the Detroit motor industry. The collection encompasses a wide diversity of genres and includes works by Rembrandt, Matisse, Picasso, Van Gogh, Degas and Francis Bacon.

5200 Woodward Avenue
Tel: (313) 833 7900.
Website: www.dia.org
Admission charge.

Charles H Wright Museum of African-American History
The Charles H Wright Museum of African-American History was the vision of a black doctor who wanted a centre to document and preserve black history, life and culture. Once a travelling museum housed in a mobile home, it has grown into the world's largest museum dedicated to African-American history. Its exhibits focus on many aspects of black history, from the initial journey from Africa to the Underground Railroad, jazz, Malcolm X, Dr Martin Luther King, and the Harlem Renaissance. A must see.

315 East Warren Street
Tel: (313) 494 5800.
Website: www.maah-detroit.org
Admission charge.

Motown Historical Museum
Motown (short for Motor Town) was born in Detroit in these two simple houses that now form the Motown Historical Museum. See the recording studio (complete with worn floor from toe-tapping) where legendary musicians like The Supremes, Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson developed the unique sound. Also on display are a number of personal items like the US$800 loan given to founder Berry Gordy to produce his first record.

2648 West Grand Boulevard
Tel: (313) 875 2264.
Website: www.motownmuseum.com
Admission charge.

The New Detroit Science Center
The stars at this planetarium are even bigger than the ones at Motown Records. The Digital Dome Planetarium has Digistar technology and Sky-Skan automation, which allows the audience to take a virtual trip through the rings of Saturn or any other universe destination. This is the main attraction, although the centre also has a variety of hands-on exhibits, demystifying subjects like matter and energy, waves and vibrations, life sciences, ecosystems and motion.

5020 John R Street
Tel: (313) 577 8400.
Website: www.sciencedetroit.org
Admission charge.

Automotive Hall of Fame
No trip to the ‘Motor City' would be complete without a visit to this museum. Opened in 1997, the strikingly designed Automotive Hall of Fame celebrates the achievements and innovations of the leading figures of the world's auto industry. Interactive exhibits and displays recount the history of the automobile, especially as shaped by the individuals who brought it to the world - Ferdinand Porsche, Soichiro Honda and many others.

21400 Oakwood Boulevard, Dearborn
Tel: (313) 240 4000.
Website: www.automotivehalloffame.org
Admission charge.