Located within Belle Isle Park,this is the oldest aquarium in the United States. Opened in…read more1904,this historic venue features freshwater and marine fish. The building features a unique green tile ceiling which is worth a visit just to see it! Admission is free but a 5.00 donation is suggested. A typical visit lasts 15-30 minutes. Parking is free.

Belle Isle Aquarium is such a charming little surprise. It feels like stepping into a time capsule…read morein the best way. Yes, there are fish and tanks to check out, but honestly, half the joy is just admiring the architecture. The tile work, the arched ceilings, all the tiny details... it's beautiful and full of history. It's an easy, low-pressure stop where you can wander, take it all in, and not feel rushed. For anyone with little kids, heads up that some tanks sit a bit high, so you may end up lifting them to see--but even then, they're still wide-eyed and excited. It's short, sweet, and totally worth the visit. Such a special little gem, I'm really glad we stopped in.

We love the Outdoor Adventure Center! We visit once a week when they open, which keeps my…read more2.5-year-old entertained and active. It can get busy with school field trips, so we prefer going early. There's a cafeteria, so you can pack a lunch and eat there, though they only sell a few snacks in the gift shop. We have a membership, and it's definitely worth it! Highly recommend this place!

I see the staff say good morning every morning on the news and finally got to visit on a field…read moretrip. I was with the littles, young elementary school aged kids, and they absolutely had the best time. This place was adorable, packed with so much for young kids to touch, see, experience, play with and play on and we were able to get through and do most of it. They loved the tree, the camp site, the plane, the kitchen, the waterfall area, the bunk beds, the fish, and fishing simulation, the driving simulations, this was a magical place for them. Since we had limited time and a big group, I did not get a chance to try the driving experiences, but it is only $5 admission. The only thing I wish they would have as a parent, and maybe this feasible for them would be to have a cafeteria where they actually sold food and drinks. You have to bring your own food and if you have a water bottle, they put it away for you since nothing is allowed on the attractions.

During our week of training at the Dearborn Inn, our organization scheduled Thursday night's dinner…read moreat the Henry Ford Estate (Fair Lane / Home of Clara & Henry Ford). As a novice of woodworking, I was blown-away by the intricate woodwork and finishings throughout the home. The three ladies that lead our tour of the home shared many interesting details about the property, its restoration, and details of Clara and Henry's years at the estate. Many of the restoration stories, like finding a tub for Henry's bathroom or how Clara had a section repainted white were intriguing. Even though much of the home, especially the second floor, is still being restored it was a fascinating experience.

The site here is open for limited hours and is fenced off from the surrounding university and…read moreparkland, which I guess is their right but which nonetheless was annoying for me as a visitor. There wasn't much actually open amongst the majestic-looking buildings while I was there, but the picnic area was hopping. The signage was bilingual-in English and Arabic-and what appeared to be a Yemeni wedding seemed to be taking place. The juxtaposition of the estate of an industrialist (or robber baron, or visionary, or racist, depending on your point of view) with a distinctive immigrant community makes for a striking reflection on Americana. The grounds include some gardens, and a lake with a path around it. Access to the river is limited, but it didn't look like that impressive of a river. The greenery is more worthwhile.

This is one of the must see buildings on the historical detriot tourist list! The Guardian Building…read moreis one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. It was completed in 1929 during the city's automotive boom. It is also often referred to as the Cathedral of Finance. It's a breathtaking Art Deco design inside and out. Make sure to take time to appreciate the detail, that makes it so special. The bold colors, the amazing tile work, and vaulted lobby are stunning. It history and beauty makes it so much more than "office building". We lucked out and found street parking but would have paid for a garage. It is absolutely worth stepping inside to look around. Website: www.guardianbuilding.com

It opened in 1929 as the world's tallest masonry structure. It was a cathedral of finance, a 40…read morestory red brick building with green & white accents. The interior is a colorful explosion of marble, mosaic & murals that draws from the Aztec, Art Deco & local influences.

The Ford Rouge Factory tour is an excellent experience and one worth taking if you are a car…read moreenthusiast or simply a history buff. If for nothing more, you can appreciate this tour for its showcase of manufacturing history. After all, the Ford vehicle is the father of automotive history. On the tour you'll learn about much of the owner's early labor standards and America's rich automotive industry history including defining moments like the establishment of labor unions, integrating technology on the assembly line, and community engagement. What makes this tour special is the building is not just a museum, but a real working truck factory located at the Ford Motor Company's Dearborn Truck Plant. On the tour you'll be able to view the vehicle assembly area. I recommend purchasing tour tickets online to see if discounts are available. Overall, a very good tour worth taking.

An interesting, EPCOT-like factory tour…read more Bought a combination for the Ford Rouge Factory Tour and the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. My favorite part of the tour was talking to the security guard who gave more insight into the assembly line. Took a 15 minute bus ride from the museum to the factory. Check the schedule as the buses do run on time. The factory tour has five stations. A movie, a laser Ford truck assembly show, the observation deck, the factory, a smallish room filled with a collection of Ford cars over the past century. The movie glossed over the beginnings of Henry Ford's inventions with an emphasis on the creation of an assembly line to cut down the time to build a car from 12 hours to 93 minutes. The moving part assembly line in Highland Park was super efficient. By breaking down the process to 84 steps and having stationary workers build each car, it really streamlined the process. This dropped the price of the Model T from $850 in 1908 to $260 in 1925 making the luxury vehicle affordable for an average family in America. Workers were paid $2.50 a day, but as the company became more profitable (and many workers were quitting due to boredom with monotonous tasks) the wages were increased to $5 a day. Ford had many conflicts with the Automobile Unions (UAW). Fights were physical and bloody. Graphic images released in the news in the 1930s turned public opinion against Ford. In the 1940s, he held out signing a Union contract until his wife Clara Ford threatened to leave him unless he signed a contract to stop the bloodshed. The 1941 UAW gave the workers the best benefits and wages at the time. The "assembly" laser 360 movie show was very EPCOT-like. Interesting, but not informative. The guide at the observation deck was very good. This is one of two places where photos were allowed. The elevated walk over the assembly line was self guided. Since they are very behind on construction, shift work is done on the weekends. Interesting to see the F-150s being assembled station by station. Spoke to a security guard who gave us insight into the safety gear needed, the energy efficient design of the building and how strikes and the union still advocate for workers salaries, working conditions and benefits. Otherwise, it would have been more like walking through another area with labels but limited explanation. No photos allowed here. The building is very interesting. No air conditioning, but the high ceilings allow heat to rise and the green roof with living plants make the building more climate controlled and energy efficient. Teams work in groups of 8 at each station. Lunch breaks are taken at the same. Key to know if you want to see the assembly line in action. The latest strike brought back more benefits. Workers wear eye protection and hearing protection. So interesting to learn more after asking questions. The last part of the self guided part of the tour brings you back to the main building for a view of cars like the Model A, the Thunderbird and the Mustang. Make sure to check the schedule to get a bus to go back to the Museum after the Ford Rouge Factory Tour is completed. An interesting tour, but not the best factory experience that I have taken.

The train depot is truly a labor of love for the two founders…read more While it's in a small building, the displays do an amazing job of taking up space in a useful way. They really pack 10 pounds of punch into a 5 pound can. The place is in a small building that sits in Huroc Park, which should help to drive the visitors. It's really an undiscovered gem.

The Automotive Hall of Frame is one of my favorite experiences here. There are just so many cars…read moreand different areas represented. Spent the day in Dearborn. Located next to the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation.

A really fun museum to learn about all automotive-related history of those people that shaped the…read moreindustry. Angela was highly knowledgeable about the history and she was gracious with her time showing us a few of her favorite displays. This museum is not related to the Ford museums, even though it's in the complex, and at the time of our visit I love how less crowded it was.

This is one of the best galleries I've ever been to in Detroit, and Honestly the entire Midwest…read more The exhibitions are well thought out, beautifully executed and represent a really interesting range of artists and works. The staff is constantly amazing me with their hospitality, I've met four employees so far and they are all shining stars. The four legged ones have great opinions of the art. And the roomba is not a character to be overlooked, the floors are spotless! The gallery manager is well versed and easy to communicate with, often going above and beyond for the artists that he works with. 10/10 guy, you should ask him about the bean. This is THE place to go for contemporary art in the city.