Touring Detroit: A City Built on American Dreams

Contributed by Guild Member Visit Detroit

With swagger in its step, Detroit has earned its reputation as a place that locals are proud to call home – and there’s plenty to back up its bold attitude. It’s a city where dreamers become innovators, where creators shape the culture, and where visitors have every opportunity to follow their passions. Discover why Detroit has all the amenities for groups and learn what sets the city apart from all the rest.

Artistic Expression

From bright street art splashed on exteriors to renowned festivals, it’s no surprise that Detroit is an incubator of modern creativity. The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) has cemented the city’s reputation as a world-class art hub. Considered one of the top six art museums in the entire country, the DIA holds more than 65,000 diverse works of art – everything from van Gogh to Diego Rivera, including a vast collection of African carvings and centuries of Indigenous artifacts.

Past meets present at The Shepherd in Little Village, a Romanesque-style church that has been a local landmark for over 100 years. By repurposing a historic space into a community art center and gallery, the project itself is a work of art. Take a stroll around the sculpture garden and public park created from converted lots and alleyways.

Musical Influences

While the world-famous Motown Museum is pausing its tours as part of an ongoing expansion, the iconic space will continue to host special events and retail operations. Get a feel for the legacy of Hitsville, U.S.A., where The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross & the Supremes, Smokey Robinson, and countless others made their musical mark on the world.

Live music has always been the heartbeat of Detroit, where storied venues like the Fox Theatre and Cliff Bell’s carry on traditions of jazz, blues, and rock. As the birthplace of Detroit techno and early punk, the rhythm still pulses in nightclubs and venues all over the city. The visionaries behind the Detroit Opera House bring together spellbinding performances that celebrate diverse voices under the roof of a historic venue.

Legacies of Black American History

As the last stop before Canada on the Underground Railroad, Detroit was a beacon of hope in the abolitionist era, and later played a critical role in the Civil Rights movement. Learn more about its history at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, one of the premier institutions dedicated to preserving African American history and culture.

Look for sites throughout the city commemorating freedom fighters, like The Gateway to Freedom marker at Hart Plaza, and pay a visit to the Detroit Historical Museum for its permanent “Doorway to Freedom” exhibit.

For Sports Enthusiasts

Sports fandom runs strong in Detroit, and cheering on the home team is a perfect way to bond. Catch the Detroit Red Wings striking the puck or watch the Detroit Pistons shooting hoops at Little Caesars Arena. Fall Sundays are for Detroit Lions games at Ford Field, and the Detroit Tigers take over Comerica Park for baseball season. Soccer fans are in for a treat in nearby Hamtramck where Detroit City FC plays the pitch. Whoever you root for, it’s almost always game day somewhere in the city.

Celebrate the Outdoors

At the center of it all is the Detroit RiverWalk, widely known as one of the most attractive and dynamic riverfronts in America. This transformative space is perfect for walking, biking, or riding a Segway, and guided tours offer a local’s perspective on all of the nearby highlights – like the vibrant Eastern Market, where some of the purveyors have been around for just as long as the century-old market.

The beauty of Detroit is that there’s so much more to explore than urban attractions. Right on the river is Belle Isle Park, a 985-acre island park that opens out with spectacular views of Detroit to the north and Canada to the south, and the Belle Isle Aquarium – the oldest aquarium in North America – is within easy reach.

Group-Friendly Outings

Don’t miss these other Detroit highlights that welcome groups of all sizes:

• Ever heard of fowling? This oddball combination of football and bowling is always a great time at Fowling Warehouse.
• Experience the river from aboard Detroit Princess Riverboat, a classic freshwater cruise with unbeatable skyline views. A cruise can accommodate groups of up to 100 people.
• Head through the Woodward Corridor to Hudson’s Detroit, a modern landmark that has redefined downtown with shopping, dining, and entertainment.
• The Detroit metropolitan area is home to the largest concentration of people of Middle Eastern heritage, and the Arab American National Museum in nearby Dearborn is the only museum of its kind in the world. 
• Important stories are preserved and honored at The Zekelman Holocaust Center in Farmington Hills, featuring testimonials, artifacts, and an extensive library.
• It wouldn’t be a tour of Detroit without paying homage to the city’s automotive heritage. Visit the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum, once Henry Ford’s factory that’s known as the birthplace of the Model T.

Make your group trip a success in Detroit. Click here for more inspiration and to begin planning your trip.