Experience art in the great outdoors when you visit the Heidelberg Project in the city’s east side. A project begun by artist Tyree Guyton and his grandfather, Sam Mackey, this project has drawn the interests of artists and non-artists worldwide and sparked hope in the impoverished Heidelberg Street by using bright paint and salvaged items to transform dilapidated houses into colorful works of modern art. This unique attraction is definitely one of Detroit's must-see destinations.
Bibliophiles rejoice! John K. King Books in downtown Detroit boasts four above-ground floors and a basement full of rare and used books for the public to peruse and purchase. The largest independent bookseller in the state, this enormous collection (over 1 million books) accounts for most of the store’s business–but true book collectors will want to make an appointment to view the rarer antiques next door.
Learn about the rich history of this metro area at the Detroit Historical Society as you study 300 years worth of artifacts. Located in Midtown Detroit’s Cultural Center Historic District, this 80,000-square-foot museum has been around since 1928, making it both America’s largest and oldest museum dedicated to a metropolitan history. The exhibits and attractions here are both interesting and engaging.
The world’s largest institution dedicated to African American culture, the Charles H Wright Museum of African American History serves a dual purpose–it is both a museum of artifacts and an incubator of cultural retention and growth. View a permanent collection of over 30,000 artifacts and archived materials as you explore attractions throughout the seven exhibition areas and immerse yourself in the African American experience.