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Things to See & Do
Sites to See |
MUSEUMS & MAJOR ATTRACTIONS ANN ARBOR HANDS-ON MUSEUM Let ’em loose inside this renovated firehouse;
your brood will find countless ways to entertain themselves and become
junior rocket scientists. Lots of gadgets and widgets to peer into, push,
feel, and try to break—a smarter choice than any McDonald’s Playland. AUTOMOTIVE HALL OF FAME There’s a Bowling Hall of Fame, so why
not one for the transportation that got you to the alley on time? Plenty
of memorabilia and historical and informational exhibits, but the draw
would have to be all the hands-on stuff for the kids. They’ll get
to “work” on an assembly line, which is not only fun but educational,
preparing the younglings for a lifetime of drudgery. ARAB AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM The first floor with its splendid architecture
and décor showcases the Arabic civilization’s impact in science,
math, medicine and astronomy. Upstairs there is a “Coming to America”
display which details the history of Arab American immigration through
exhibits and displays of historical artifacts. CHARLES H. WRIGHT MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN
HISTORY This is the largest museum in America devoted
to over 600 years of rich African-American history. The building was opened
in 1997 in the Cultural Center with constantly changing exhibits and events
including the African diaspora and the civil rights struggle. CHILDREN’S MUSEUM Here’s one for expanding their minds
without shrinking your wallet. Great prime-time workshops keep the little
tykes away from commercials and video idiocy and direct them towards something
more constructive. There are live as well as stuffed critters, and the
planetarium offers everything a NASA-curious kid could ever want to see
(unless they somehow handed out free lasers and let everyone zap Imperial
storm troopers). CRANBROOK ART MUSEUM CRANBROOK INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE Visiting Cranbrook Institute of Science and
its realm of exhibits is a little like traveling that yellow brick road,
without the flying monkeys. Instead, you’ll see the only other flying
mammal—bats. There are over a dozen different types of live furry
flying creatures in the Bat Zone plus other nocturnals like the sloth
and the impossibly cute bush baby. There are hundreds of other scien-terrific
displays on everything from the evolution of dinosaurs (with a full size
T. Rex) to how the Earth was formed and examples of just about everything
on it. You can learn about lightning and electricity the fun way and launch
yourself into space with a trip to the planetarium. DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS After six years of renovations, the $160 million
DIA makeover is over. The structure is not only easier to negotiate, it
is easier on the brain to those of us who might be artistically challenged.
Throughout the gallery are informative labels that make it easier for
the neophyte to understand what they are looking at, with high tech video
game-type kiosks that engage John Q. by putting some hands-on fun in a
hands-off world. You can also play detective, with a card that contains
bits and pieces of a work that you match up to the works on the wall,
kind of a fine-art version of “Where’s Waldo?” Fun and
games aside, this is about the collection. One of America’s largest
art museums, the DIA has a little something for everyone: Old Art, Modern
Art, European Art, African Art, African-American Art, American Art, Native
American Art, A-list painters and sculptors, you get the idea. Signature
pieces from Rembrandt, van Gogh, Picasso, Gauguin, Rodin, Degas, Cézanne,
Rubens, Dali, Warhol—the list goes on, but we’re afraid they
might make us pick up these names when we are done dropping them. You’ll
find the gamut of creation, from the all-important shards of art history
to the meretricious possessions of royalty. While no longer controversial,
the showpiece Rivera mural is the must see and now, hear—just part
of the user-friendliness of the New DIA. DETROIT HISTORICAL MUSEUM Everything that made Detroit famous, including
cars, jazz, Motown and techno music is here. Visit the turn of the century
in the simulated old-time cobblestone street scene downstairs—it’s
like Michigan Avenue without the potholes. So get going, you never know
when the museum might become history. DETROIT ZOO Animal attraction is inevitable, and the Detroit
Zoo has been filling that need since 1928, an era when the Egyptian-styled
concrete pens in the back were first built and Detroit put itself on the
zoological map. While a bit of that history remains (check out the giraffe
surroundings), the zoo itself has changed. Constantly reinventing itself
with attitudes and habitats that are more natural and animal-friendly,
our zoo is a mix of the old favorites (Reptile House, Penguinarium) and
new stuff (Ape Island, Amphibianville, Butterfly House). There are big
exotics, (cats, hippos, rhinos, apes) as well as farm animals and a huge
playground for the wee ones. The habitat with the biggest buzz is The
Arctic Ring of Life, where from within an underwater glass tube, you observe
the antics of a polar habitat filled with seals and those cuddly white
bears. Check out the Australian Outback Adventure and get face to face
with ‘roos and wallabies. There is also the Wild Adventure Simulator
ride—a virtual reality ride that manages to be both thrilling and
educational. GOSPEL MUSIC HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM You want the real roots of R&B, Motown
and rock? This isn’t about soul music—it’s about music
for the soul. Past inductees include the Mighty Clouds of Joy, Rance Allen
Group, Rev. James Cleveland and Mahalia Jackson. Exhibits include the
wall of time, depicting the history of gospel from 1865 to now. Museum
founder David Gough is usually on hand to answer questions about his gospel
passion. Hallelujah! HEIDELBERG PROJECT We were somewhere around Barstow on the edge
of the desert when the… Make a right off northbound Gratiot on
Heidelberg and when the landscape resembles something out of Fear and
Loathing you have arrived at one of the most amazing examples of outsider
art anywhere on the planet—Tyree Guyton’s amazing and controversial
polka-dotted art brut neighborhood. Guyton replaced neighborhood blight
with color, form and cool beauty using society’s discards and a
paintbrush. This is not an experience for words—you have to be there
in person, immerse yourself in it—this surrealistic experience will
bring out emotions that can’t be captured in photos. A true treasure
of Detroit. Bring your out-of-town friends: if they are into art, they
will be blown away; if they aren’t, they still will be. The HENRY FORD - America’s Greatest History Attraction
The museum is really a study in Americana,
from everyday life to the inventions that shaped the world as we know
it. Historically important artifacts (like Thomas Edison's) are perfectly
preserved as well as amazing slices of everyday life. And it is not all
turn of the century; there are modern displays like Lamy’s diner
and the Dymaxion House which are more recent examples of our vanishing
heritage. The latest permanent exhibit, Liberty and Justice For All, celebrates
American freedom, from Lincoln’s chair to the famous, painstakingly
restored Rosa Parks bus. Once in the outdoor village, you’ll find
yourself in an authentic reproduction of an 18th-century American town,
complete with blacksmiths and general stores and some bicycle makers named
Wright. The best food in any attraction, the Eagle Tavern often utilizes
the bounty from the museum’s working farm and even the snack kiosks
have better food than many restaurants. The Rouge Tour leaves by bus from
the Henry Ford and will give you a chance to see how an automotive plant
works. The largest IMAX theatre in Michigan shows the finest in two- and
three-dimensional movies. The Henry Ford has made history...fun! MARVIN’S MARVELOUS MECHANICAL MUSEUM Unlike any “museum” you’ve
ever visited, Marvin’s takes you time-tripping back to the days
before political correctness ruined good twisted fun. Circus sideshow
posters adorn the walls while historical coin-op machines portray torture
and dismemberment. Plenty of fun for the kiddies too, with old carousels,
rides and games suitable for toddlers, as well as all the newest, coolest
video games for the older kids. Great for parties—packages include
pizza or hot dogs, chips, drinks and ice cream at the snack bar. Where
else can a handful of quarters provide such an array of amusements for
the whole family? Marvin’s just might be the eighth wonder of the
world. Best of all, admission is free. MOTOWN HISTORICAL MUSEUM This old house is the former Motown Records
recording studio and is now home to memorabilia from the pantheon of stars
that made the label the world powerhouse of the R&B/soul industry.
Exhibits include a curiously non-padded Michael Jackson cell, a sequined
Supremes costume-a-rama, a ’60s recording session, Hitsville USA’s
entire roster of gold and platinum records and, of course, one of Brenda
Holloway’s gowns. Who’s Brenda Holloway? Only the in-est of
the out crowd knows for sure. MICHIGAN SPORTS HALL OF FAME If you want something big, free and open 24
hours a day (besides the county jail), try the second floor of Cobo Hall,
where you can wander around the clock, gazing at Detroit’s legendary
jocks NEW DETROIT SCIENCE CENTER The great mysteries of the world are explained
in lay-kid’s terms at the Science Center. Your kids get to monkey
around with all sorts of science displays and gizmos without getting yelled
at. Don’t miss the “spark-tacular” Vander Graff generator,
which is sponsored by your favorite conglomerate, DTE Energy. There’s
a three-story Digital Dome Planetarium that will transport you to the
far reaches of space, thanks to the wonders of virtual reality. A 70-mm
projection and surround-sound IMAX theater is yet another highlight.N PEWABIC POTTERY World famous as the Cadillac of the kiln. Over
100 years old, Pewabic was one of the most important contributors to America’s
Arts & Crafts movement and still remains on the cutting edge of ceramics.
Once you see the price tags on these glorious wares, you’ll keep
a sharp eye on your clumsy kids in the museum, but odds are they’ll
be so enthralled with the wonders of pottery that they’ll be good
boys and girls. Hands-on workshops (including classes for children) teach
the basics. TOLEDO ZOO As one of the nation’s top zoos, they
host close to a million visitors a year. You will enjoy the historical
buildings housing the Aviary, Reptiles and Aquarium while strolling the
beautiful grounds. Animal attractions include Siegfried and Roy’s
rare white lions, as well as cheetahs, lions and snow leopards. Check
out the Arctic Encounter, featuring underwater seal viewing and a polar
bear exhibit including a kid’s den where the tykes can get face
to face with cute polar bear cubs. The Toledo Zoo is host to numerous
educational displays too, like the fantastic Butterflies display and Amazing
Amphibians, where you’ll hear the call of frogs as you learn about
their adaptations and diversity. You’ll be glad you paid them a
visit—the Toledo Zoo is closer than you think.
© 2008 Guide to Detroit, LLC |