Best of Detroit

Belle Isle [1]: Situated on the Detroit River, between Windsor, Ontario, and the Motor City, Belle Isle has long been a treasured spot for visitors and area residents alike. Highlights include a zoo, a swimming beach, a conservatory, a golf course, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, four fishing piers, and numerous historic edifices.

Greektown [2]: One of several ethnic enclaves in the Detroit metropolitan area, this historic neighborhood invites visitors to experience Greek culture at its best. Here, you’ll find the long-standing Pegasus Taverna, the rousing Opa! Fest [3], and, nowadays, a flashy casino.

The Cultural Center [4]: Art and culture lovers flock to this part of Midtown, which boasts two art museums, three history museums, a new science center, an anthropology museum, several well-preserved Victorian structures, plus nearby theaters and art galleries.

Hamtramck [5]: Founded at the turn of the 20th century, this village has long lured Polish immigrants and other Europeans. While the neighborhood is more culturally diverse these days, visitors can still come here for Polish sausages, European baked goods, and traditional artwork.

The Henry Ford [6]: At this one-of-a-kind complex, visitors can view Henry Ford’s childhood home, Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park laboratory, President Kennedy’s limousine, Rosa Parks’ bus, and a working 19th-century farm. From here, you can also hitch a ride to the Ford truck assembly plant for an informative walking tour.

Woodward Dream Cruise [7]: Begun in 1995 as a small fundraiser for the Ferndale community, this annual mid-August parade down Woodward Avenue, from Ferndale to Pontiac, has become the world’s largest one-day automotive event, luring 1.5 million people and 40,000 classic cars from around the globe.

Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge [8]: Established in 2001, North America’s first international wildlife refuge includes islands, marshes, coastal wetlands, and waterfront terrain along the lower Detroit River and western shoreline of Lake Erie. Though public access is limited, the Lake Erie Metropark unit is popular among hikers, bird-watchers, anglers, and cross-country skiers.