Heidelberg Project
Located in one of Detroit's poorest neighborhoods known as Black Bottom, Tyree Guyton founded the Heidelberg Project in 1986. It is an outdoor museum that consists of a two block area with houses that are decorated to look colorful and intriguing. Guyton started the project to take the neighborhood from a hard core inner-city neighborhood to a safe place where visitors are welcomed.
Pewabic Pottery
The ceramics museum, gallery, studio, and workshop have changing contemporary exhibits.
Detroit International Riverfront
Detroit's riverfront is a 5½-mile 8.8 km promenade along the Detroit River running from the Ambassador Bridge to Belle Isle, encompassing a multitude of parks, restaurants, retail shops, skyscrapers, and high rise residential areas. The path is located directly on the river and is 62 feet 18¾ m wide in most places, with separate lanes for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Pavilions, fishing piers, and benches are located at intervals along the path. The east RiverWalk connects various riverfront developments, including Hart Plaza, the Renaissance Center, GM Plaza and Promenade, Tri-Centennial State Park, Stroh River Place, Chene Park, and Gabriel Richard Park.
Architecture
Lafayette Park
Mies van der Rohe Historic District, better known as Lafayette Park, is a large park and complex of apartments designed by Mies van der Rohe just east of downtown. With their simplicity, clean proportions, and cladding of tinted glass and aluminum, the apartment buildings of Lafayette Park are classic examples of Mies van der Rohe's International Style.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church
The church is known as the Assumption Grotto Church, due to the popularity of the grotto, completed in 1881, which was built as a replica of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France. The church complex includes the grotto, a 1929 church, a rectory, convent, and cemetery. The complex is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Manoogian Mansion
Located outside Indian Village on the Detroit River, the Manoogian Mansion is the traditional home of the mayor of Detroit. The mansion has Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture with a Spanish Mission Revival Style influence including a terra-cotta tile roof.
Belle isle
Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory
This greenhouse and botanical garden covers 13 acres 53,000 m2. Built in 1904, it is the nation's oldest conservatory, designed by Albert Kahn, and rebuilt 1952-1954 with aluminum replacing its original wooden beams. It was named in honor of Anna Scripps Whitcomb in 1953, who left her 600-plant orchid collection to the city. Rare orchids were saved from Great Britain during World War II and transported to the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory.
Dossin Great Lakes Museum
This historical maritime museum features exhibits such as one of the largest collections of model ships in the world, and the bow anchor of the legendary Edmund Fitzgerald. Free admission, open on weekend 11am - 4pm.
Belle Isle Aquarium
Before the 105-year-old Belle Isle Aquarium closed in 2005, it was the oldest operating aquarium in the United States. Designed by Albert Kahn, the building itself is good-looking. The basment of the aquarium served as a speakeasy during Prohibition. Now open on Saturdays.
Belle Isle is the largest island park in the United States with 982 acres 3.9 km²; 2.42 sq mi. The island has several sites and attractions. It is the largest island in the Detroit River and offers good views of the city's skyline. It is open all year long and is home to the Detroit Yacht Club, the Detroit Boat Club, a Coast Guard post, and a municipal golf course. The city maintains a Nature Center where visitors are able to traverse wooded trails and view wildlife natural habitats. The island includes a half-mile 800 m swimming beach.
Historic neighborhoods
Indian Village
A number of architecturally significant buildings built in the early 20th century make up Indian Village. Architectural styles seen in these houses include Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, and Mission/Spanish Revival. The neighborhood is not related to Indians or Native Americans.
Poletown
Bordering the city of Hamtramck, Poletown was settled by polish immigrants in 1871. The community is centered around St. Albertus Catholic Church. The neighborhood experienced an influx of immigrants in the 1920s, but fell on hard times as freeway construction and urban renewal projects destroyed the neighborhood. Today, much of the neighborhood is gone. However, neighboring Hamtramck is home to a large Polish population and is famous on Fat Tuesday for its pÄ czkis pronounced poonchkis. Despite the neighbourhood being quite ruined, for those of you who like grit, this would be a cool area to hit up. It has falling apart homes, rotting shops, old warehouses, and empty lots.
Eastern Market
The largest public market in the United States, the Eastern Market receives about 45,000 visitors every week. The most obvious reason to visit this place is to buy unique foodstuff. One can basically find any type of food here. The Eastern Market is a "must-see" when visiting Detroit.