Day One: All About Art
Fitting in a day of art in Detroit can be overwhelming-there's much to see! Start off at Pewabic Pottery on East Jefferson near the Detroit River. Founded in 1903 during the Arts & Crafts Movement, Pewabic is famous for its tile and pottery in unique glazes. Here, you can learn about the pottery and it's role in the history of Detroit, the growth of the Arts & Crafts movement in America and the development of ceramic art. Be sure to bring some cash-the store is brimming with beautiful work by local and national artists.
Move from fine art to that of a more freakish nature at your next stop: the Heidelberg Project. The work of artist Tyree Guyton, Heidelberg is a fantastical, often disturbing, outdoor art environment covering a two-block square on Detroit's east side. See abandoned homes, cars and vacant lots adorned with thousands of colorful polka dots, stuffed animals, old dolls and other discarded materials. Initially created to call attention to urban blight, the mission of the Heidelberg Project today is to provoke thought, promote discussion, inspire action and heal communities.
Your next destination is Midtown and the Detroit Institute of Arts. With 60,000 works, it possesses one of the largest, most significant art collections in the nation. You can come face to face with Vincent van Gogh's Self Portrait, Auguste Rodin's The Thinker, and Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry murals, which convey the raw power and energy of this complex city. Afterward, pop over to the new Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) located in a former auto dealership. An increasingly popular hipster hotspot, MOCAD features an ongoing array of exhibitions and events at the forefront of contemporary culture. Check out the gift shop for specialized art and culture publications and limited edition artists t-shirts and other functional objects.
Ok, so you've fed your soul, now it's time to feed your stomach. In Midtown, there are some awesome options. Try the Cass Café for burgers and beer, Twingos for charming French cuisine, or hit the Art Deco-themed Union Street for more classic American fodder. All are typically filled with the urban hip, so put on your cool before you go.
After lunch, it's time for more art. This time, bring your checkbook. Midtown is home to an increasing number of great galleries that feature important local and national artists. These include G.R. N'Namdi, the Detroit Artist Market, CPOP and Dell Pryor. Afterward, head north for one last stop: Cranbrook. Located on a stunning campus in Bloomfield Hills, the Cranbrook Art Museum features contemporary works by Eames, Warhol and more. It also has a beautiful sculpture garden that is the perfect place to wind down after an absorbing day of art.
Day Two: Detroit Culture
A day in Detroit is not complete without taking in a bit of the local culture. Begin in Dearborn at the Arab American National Museum. This soaring, three-story museum is the first of its kind in the world, and is a great place to discover (or rediscover) how Arab-Americans have enriched the economic, political and cultural landscape of our life.
Next, head back to Midtown and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the world's largest institution dedicated to the African-American experience. Don't miss the acclaimed interactive, multi-level core exhibit: And Still We Rise: Our Journey Through African American History and Culture, and be sure to gawk at the museum's most notable architectural feature: a soaring glass dome that is two feet wider than the State Capitol dome.
For more on history, head a few blocks west to the Detroit Historical Museum. The museum chronicles more than 300 years of life in this region. You can wander through old cobblestone streets, visit 19th century stores, observe an auto assembly line in action, and play with toy trains or at a fur trading post from the 1700s. Whatever your historical passion, you'll find it here.
Lunch is now a necessity. Keeping in the cultural theme, head to Mexicantown to Los Galanes, Lupita's or Evie's Tamales for the most authentic burritos, enchiladas and tamales in the area. Or try El Comal for more Central American cuisine like pepusas with fried plantains. If you're itching for a souvenir, pop into Xochi's Gift Shop or Algo Especial.
After a morning of museums, it's time for some fresh air. Head east to Belle Isle, the largest city-owned island park. Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, the genius behind New York's Central Park, Belle Isle features a soaring 85-foot carillon tower, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, Scott Memorial Fountain, Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, as well as a nature center, athletic fields, fishing piers and more. Beautiful and elegant, Belle Isle is particularly stunning in the off-season when it's not overflowing with barbeques and beach balls.
To round off your day of culture, hit Hamtramck for dinner at one of the many ethnic restaurants. Grab a platter of pierogis at Polish Village Café or Polonia, an Indian feast at Aladdin's or Ghandi's, or a bowl of noodles at Thai Bangkok. Afterward, take in a play at the local Planet Ant Theater, or zip over to the theater district for larger scale performances.
