Drive to Detroit: A Visitor's Overview
Lance Rinker
Drive to Detroit is a series that prepares fans for Motor City Madness. Each article will take fans behind the scenes of a team’s journey or preview what fans can expect when they arrive in Detroit.
Ranked as the No. 2 city in the world to visit by Lonely Planet, Detroit's revitalization process is making headlines across the country and globe. From March 2-6, while enjoying the 2018 Little Caesars Horizon League Basketball Championships, fans can experience first-hand what the city and surrounding areas have to offer, including attractions and entertainment for all ages. Below is a broad overview of some of Detroit's most heralded areas and must-see attractions.
Additional information can be found at VisitDetroit.com.
Photos courtesy of Bill Bowen.
The District Detroit
State-of-the-art Little Caesars Arena, the home of Motor City Madness, opened in September and is located in the heart of The District Detroit — a 50-block, mixed-use development led by the Ilitch organization that unites eight world-class theaters, five neighborhoods, and three professional sports venues in one vibrant, walkable destination. Home to the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Pistons and Detroit Lions — The District Detroit represents the greatest density of professional sports teams in one downtown core in the country.
Campus Martius Park
Located in the heart of downtown, Campus Martius Park is Detroit’s official gathering place and award-winning signature public space. The 2.5-acre park is a year-round outdoor venue with gardens, performance stages, food trucks, and an ice rink in the winter. Visitors interested in receiving a tour of Detroit have several options nearby, inlcuding Destination Detroit, Show Me Detroit Tours, and Detroit Tour Connections.
Greektown
Visit Detroit’s celebrated Greektown, and become immersed in history. With its rich tradition of old-world charm and modern-day excitement, one can eat, laugh, toast and dance. Visitors intersted in arts and history can visit locations such as Greektown Preservation Society, Gem Theatre, and the Library Street Collective art gallery.
Corktown
Dating back to the mid-1800s, Corktown is Detroit’s oldest surviving neighborhood and highlights facets Detroit's rich musical and arts heritage, as well as some of Detroit's most appetizing restaurants, including renowned Slows Bar BQ. Corktown is home to Beehive Recording Company, which records singles for Detroit artists for free.
Belle Isle
Sitting in the international waters of the Detroit River, between the U.S. and Canada, Belle Isle is 2.5-miles long and 982 acres. The park, larger than New York City’s Central Park, was actually designed by Central Park’s landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. Almost a third of the island is a wooded home to many birds and small animals. Visit the electric eel at the Belle Isle Aquarium, the oldest in the country. Feed the fallow deer at the Belle Isle Nature Center, where a fully accessible, nature-themed playground recently opened. Immerse yourself in the lush landscapes of the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory. Take in serene views of the Detroit and Windsor skylines at the island’s Sunset Point. Or get schooled on the region’s maritime history at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum.
Midtown
A mixed-use business district and cultural center, Midtown is home to The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), which offers over 100 galleries with art from ancient to modern times, the Motown Museum, and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the world's largest institutions dedicated to the African-American experience. The Wright Museum provides learning opportunities, exhibitions, programs and events based on collections and research that explore the diverse history and culture of African-Americans and their African origins.
Eastern Market
The largest outdoor farmers market in the nation, Eastern Market, founded in 1841, encompasses more than 43 acres. It is a large hub for the Michigan food industry, featuring farmers, retailers, wholesalers and vendors. Other attractions include Feet on the Street Tours, Eastern Market Antiques, and Detroit Segways.
The Henry Ford – large indoor and outdoor history museum complex and a National Historical Landmark in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn
250 acres of innovation, the Henry Ford is a large indoor and outdoor history museum complex and a National Historical Landmark in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn. The museum encompasses more than 300 years of history and 26 million artifacts. Discover America — its culture, inventions, people, and can-do spirit — with hundreds of hands-on ways to explore it, enjoy it and be inspired by it. The Henry Ford, home of the Automotive Hall of Fame, is a TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award winner.
Detroit Zoo
An animal lover's paradise, the Detroit Zoo is situated on 125 acres with many naturalistic habitats. Major exhibits at the Detroit Zoo include the Arctic Ring of Life, Australian Outback Adventure, Great Apes of Harambee, National Amphibian Conservation Center, Holden Reptile Conservation Center, Penguinarium, and Butterfly Garden.
MOTOR CITY MADNESS
The 2018 Little Caesars Horizon League Men’s & Women’s Basketball Championship will take place March 2-6 at state-of-the-art Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Tickets can be purchased now at campus box offices or at HorizonLeague.com.
Drive to Detroit series
1: The District Detroit
2: College Hoops Invades Little Caesars Arena
3: #HLWBB garners national acclaim as league play tips off
4: A Visitor's Overview