Detroit, Michigan is the Motor City and for good reason. There are more cars, trucks and SUVs manufactured in Detroit than all other cities in the US combined. Other major industries in Detroit and the surrounding cities include paint manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and garden seed. A number of non-vehicle manufacturers call Detroit their corporate headquarters – Little Caesar’s pizza, Domino’s pizza, Kmart and AT&T. Detroit is the tenth largest city in America with a population of about 1 million residents within the city limits and four and a half million in the metropolitan area. Potato chips are a favorite food among the 4.5 million metro residents, Detroit is the largest consumer of the crunchy treat. Musical Chairs
Motown may have earned its nickname by being the capital of cars, but Motown is famous for music. The sound of Motown music is a distinctive marriage of soul with drums, bass, tambourine and a conversational tone similar to gospel music. Hitsville, USA – Motown Historical Museum
While these two houses may have started as, well, just two houses, they became an image of Americana. In 1959, Berry Gordy, Jr. purchased the modest houses on West Grand Boulevard and opened Motown Record Corporation. Walk through history of Motown music Tuesday through Saturday between 10 am and 6 pm. Call (313) 875-2264 or visit the link at the bottom of this article for more information. While in Detroit, you might run into a number of famous musicians from Detroit -
Madonna, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Eminem (born Marshall Mathers), Kid Rock (born Robert James Ritchie), Bob Seger, Ted Nugent, Jack and Meg White (the White Stripes), Aaliyah, Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker, Diana Ross Transportation Tours
Automotive Hall of Fame
Take a time machine through automotive history at the Automotive Hall of Fame. Look ahead to cars of tomorrow as well. The AHF is open everyday, save a few holidays, from 9 am to 5 pm. Allow at least two hours to see everything the AHF has to offer. Call (313) 240-4000 for directions. Henry Ford Estate
This house is not a house – it really is a landmark. This mansion was built in 1915 with 56 rooms for Henry Ford, the automobile manufacturer founder, and his wife Clara. In addition to incredible rooms, you’ll be able to tour Ford’s personal garage and view his vehicle collection. You will also see massive generators installed with the help of Thomas Edison; they still generate electricity. This automotive historical home is located in Dearborn, about 15 minutes outside of Detroit. Call 313-593-5590 or visit the website below for more information. Henry Ford Museum
Henry Ford was more than a man, he was the inventor of the American car. The Henry Ford Museum celebrates vehicles from the past by putting them on display for you to admire. The bus Rosa Parks took a stand on, the limousine President John Kennedy was shot in, the first Ford Mustang and the 15 millionth Model T are all on display. You can call 313-271-1620 for more information. Explore History
Detroit Historical Museum
Leave your Blackberry at the door and step back to the 19th century at the Detroit Historical Museum. More than 200,000 relics dating the regions 300 year history are on display throughout the museum. Additionally, there are no less than eight temporary exhibits showing year-round. Call (313) 833-1805 for hours, events and directions or visit the web address, below. Contacts and Information
Hitsville, USA. (313) 875-2264. 2648 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit. www.motownmuseum.com Automotive Hall of Fame. (313) 240-4000. 21400 Oakwood Boulevard, Dearborn. www.automotivehalloffame.org Henry Ford Estate. 313-593-5590. 4901 Evergreen Road, Dearborn. www.henryfordestate.org Henry Ford Museum. 313-271-1620. 20900 Oakwood Boulevard, Dearborn. www.thehenryford.org Detroit Historical Museum. (313) 833-1805. 5401 Woodward Avenue, Detroit. www.detroithistorical.org