Tourism in metropolitan Detroit

Market overviewAttractions
Tourists can ride in a Model T in Greenfield Village atMetro location
The Henry Ford, a National Historic Landmark.Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory
The metropolitan region's tourism industry dependsBelle Isle Park - downtown Detroit
on drawing large crowds to positively impact the localArchitecture of metropolitan Detroit
economy. As the world's traditional automotiveCity and suburbs
center, the city hosts the annual North AmericanAutomotive Hall of Fame
International Auto Show in January, a multi-dayThe Henry Ford - Dearborn
event. Other major multi-day events which reflectCharles H. Wright Museumof African American History
the region's culture such as the Motown Winter BlastDetroit
and the Windsor-Detroit International FreedomCranbrook Educational Community
Festival can draw super sized-crowds of hundreds ofBloomfield Hills
thousands to over three million people. In 2006, theChrysler Museum
four-day Motown Winter Blast drew a cold weatherAuburn Hills
crowd of about 1.2 million people to Campus MartiusDetroit Institute of Arts
Park area downtown. Metro Detroit is one of thirteenDetroit
U.S. cities with teams from four major sports.Detroit Historical Museum
Besides casino gaming, the region's leading attractionDetroit
is The Henry Ford, America's largest indoor-outdoorDetroit Science Center
museum complex, a museum entertainment complexDetroit
with an IMAX theater next to the Automotive Hall ofTheatre in Detroit
Fame in Dearborn. The Detroit Institute of Arts in theDowntown Detroit and New Center
cultural center downtown is another leading attraction.Detroit Zoo
The Detroit Festival of the Arts in Midtown drawsRoyal Oak
about 350,000 people. The Detroit Zoo in Royal OakDomino's Petting Farm
has the nation's largest polar bear exhibit, the ArcticAnn Arbor
Ring of Wildlife. The zoo has a train which encirclesEdsel & Eleanor Ford House tour
the park. Together, The Henry Ford, the DetroitGrosse Pointe
Institute of Arts, and the Zoo attract aboutHenry Ford's Fair Lane Estate tour
2,500,000 visitors annually.Dearborn
Greektown in DetroitKensington Metropark Beach
Another automotive attraction cataloging the historyMilford
of the industry is the Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills.The Henry Ford
Historic tours of the mansions of the auto baronsDearborn
such as Meadowbrook Hall in Rochester Hills, EdselLawrence Fisher House tour
and Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe, HenryDetroit
Ford's Fair Lane Estate in Dearborn, and theMatthaei Botanical Gardens
Lawrence Fisher Mansion in Detroit are available.Ann Arbor
The city's Greektown is a busy entertainment district.Meadowbrook Hall
The city has evolved into a center for the majorMatilda Dodge-Wilson Estate tour
casino resorts - MGM Grand Detroit, Motor CityRochester Hills
Casino, Greektown Casino, and Caesars Windsor justMetro Beach Metropark
across the river in Canada. The metropolitan region'sHarrison Township
potential to attract super-sized crowds should not beLake St. Clair
underestimated. Just across the river, CaesarsMotown Historical Museum
Windsor attracts about six million visitors annually.Detroit
More than fifteen million people cross theRenaissance Center
Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor TunnelDetroit International Riverfront
annually. An estimated 46 million people live within aRussell A. Alger Jr., House,
300 mile (480 km) radius of Metro Detroit. SinceThe Grosse Pointe War Memorial
2000, the city has seen continuous annual increases inGrosse Pointe
tax revenues from its casinos; the city collected andStony Creek Metropark Beach
estimated $178,250,000 in casino taxes alone forShelby Township
2007, with the casino resorts open in 2008. TheUniversity of Michigan
Detroit International Riverfront hosts an eventsAnn Arbor
including the Windsor-Detroit International FreedomWayne State University
Festival in late June with one of the nation's largestDetroit
displays of fireworks and the Electronic Music FestivalAccess
on Memorial Day weekend. The New York TimesMain article: Transportation in metropolitan Detroit
listed Detroit among its 53 world travel destinationsPhoto gallery
for 2008.The Elwood Bar and Grill is officially listed on the
Movie studios in the metro area help establish theNational Register of Historic Places
state as a legitimate contender in theThe R. Hirt Jr., Co. (1893) in the Eastern Market. The
12-month-a-year film business. Detroit Center Studiosarchitect is unknown.
(2009) will debut at the downtown building which wasDetroiter Bar in Bricktown.
the start-up casino for MGM Grand to create digitalCheli's Chili Bar on Grand Circus Park has a across
animation and visual effects. Motown Motion Picturefrom Comerica Park.
Studios (2009) with 600,000 square feet will produceSee also
movies at the Pontiac Centerpoint Business CampusMetro Detroit portal
for a film industry expected to employ over 4,000Detroit celebrities
people in the metro area.Detroit-style pizza
Hospitality infrastructureImages of Metro Detroit
Cruise ships, hotels, and resortsImages of Michigan
Detroit Princess Riverboat charter hosts regularlyMichigan History magazine
scheduled public cruises.List of museums in Michigan
MGM Grand Detroit.2020 Summer Olympics
The Dock of Detroit on Hart Plaza near theDetroit-Windsor
Renaissance Center receives major cruise ships andNotes
tall ships. The Great Lakes Cruising Coalition supports^ [ "Detroit: Economy Major Industries and
passenger ship cruises through a joint U.S-CanadianCommercial Activity"]. Advameg, Inc.. Retrieved
venture to Great Lakes Ports and the St. Lawrence2008-06-12. 
Seaway. Tri-Centennial State Park and Harbor in^ Michigan's Future - (July 10, 2007).Metro Detroit
downtown Detroit offers public docks for boaters.visitors, spending at the highest level since 9
Besides its casino resorts, the Detroit area has tens11.Michigan's Future citing CIC Research Inc. study for
of thousands of hotel rooms. The city's hospitality2006. Retrieved on November 6, 2007.
industry has hosted many major conventions as well^ Metro Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau
as sporting events. The Marriott corporation andstatistics Retrieved on April 4, 2007.
Starwood Hotels (Westin and Sheraton) have a^ Yousseff, Jennifer (March 25, 2009).10-year
significant presence in the region. The area has manytourism plan is on track.The Detroit News. Retrieved
luxury hotels and resorts including the historic Westinon April 10, 2009.
Book Cadillac Hotel which was restored in 2008.^ a b Detroit Case Study. Federal Highway
Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center and theAdministration, U.S. Department of Transportation.
Omni Detroit Hotel at Riverplace have waterfrontRetrieved on April 21, 2009.
views. An example of investment in the city's historic^ Lawrence, Peter (2009).Interview with Michigan's
downtown area is the restored Inn at Ferry Street, aGovernor, Corporate Design Foundation. Retrieved on
collection of Victorian bed and breakfasts in theMay 1, 2009. "Michigan is known as the world's
cultural district near the Detroit Institute of Arts.automotive center."
Downtown Detroit has about 5,000 hotel rooms, with^ "Michigan Cities". Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
4,000 in walking distance of its Cobo Hall conventionRetrieved May 1, 2009. "[Detroit] is the automobile
center. The suburb of Novi has about 5,300 hotelscapital of the world" 
rooms within a 10-mile radius and the suburb of^ Bailey, Ruby L (August 22, 2007). The D is a draw:
Pontiac has about 5,800 within a 10-mile radius.Most suburbanites are repeat visitors.Detroit Free
In 2003, General Motors completed a $500 millionPress. New Detroit Free Press-Local 4 poll conducted
redevelopment of the Renaissance Center as itsby Selzer and Co., finds, "nearly two-thirds of
world headquarters. The east riverfront promenaderesidents of suburban Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb
development was planned at and additional $559counties say they at least occasionally dine, attend
million, including $135 million from GM and $50 millioncultural events or take in professional games in
from the Kresge Fundation. The InternationalDetroit."
Riverfront is linked by the River Walk, a promenade^ a b c Fifth Third Bank rocks the Winter
along connecting the cruise ship dock on Hart Plaza toBlast.Michigan Chronicle. (March 14, 2006).
a series of parks, restaurants, Asian Village, retail^ America's Story, Explore the States: Michigan
shops, and other venues from the Marriott at the(2006). Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village
Renaissance Center to the Omni Hotel at RiverplaceLibrary of Congress
on the historic Stroh's riverplace site. Compuware^ State of Michigan: MI Kids (2006).Henry Ford
CEO Peter Karmanos would played in the financing toMuseum and Greenfield Village
reconstruct the city's historic restoration of Campus^ Corley, Irvin (April 30, 2003).2003-04 Budget
Martius Park which now hosts events such as theAnalysis City of Detroit Memorandum to Graham
Motown Winter Blast in January attracting largeBeal, Director, Arts Department. Retrieved on
crowds.November 10, 2007. "The Detroit Institute of Arts
Shopping and restaurants(DIA) is the second largest municipally-owned
See also: List of shopping malls in Michiganmuseum in the United States and contains an
Somerset Collection South adjacent to the Somersetencyclopedic art collection worth over one billion
Inn in Troy.dollars."
Several restaurant clusters with shopping districts and^ Midtown Model D Media. Retrieved on April 4, 2007.
malls may be found throughout the region including^ a b Mink, Randy, and Karen Mink (July 2001).Detroit
Greektown, downtown, the Renaissance Center,Turns 300 - Detroit 300 Festival. Travel America,
Somerset Collection mall, Troy, Grosse Pointe,World Publishing Co., Gale Group.
Dearborn, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Livonia, Ann^ Metro Detroit Tourism Barometer, (February 2007).
Arbor and other suburbs.Detroit Tourism Economic Development Council.
Metropolitan Detroit has a variety of major shoppingRetrieved on September 18, 2007.
venues such as the upscale Somerset Collection mall^ Cordiano, Joseph (February 15, 2005). Government
in Troy which mall developers consider to be amongof Ontraio invests in a competitive Casino
the nation's top privately held mall properties withWindsor.Ontario Ministry of Economic Development
2004 annual sales of about $600 million and sales perand Trade. Retrieved on October 28, 2007."Casino
square foot at $620 compared to the nationalWindsor attracts around six million visitors each year
average of $341. The Mall at Partridge Creek is anand is a key driver of the local economy."
upscale outdoor lifestyle center located in Clinton^ Trade Point Detroit Windsor. Retrieved on May 24,
Township. Other notable shopping malls in Detroit2009.
include Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights, Laurel Park^ Cities located close to Detroit.Time and Date world
Place in Livonia, Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, which wasclock distances. Retrieved on September 2, 2007.
expanded in 2007 to include Nordstrom; and Great^ Audi, Tamara (September 26, 2007). What
Lakes Crossing, an outlet mall in Auburn Hills which isHappens In Detroit. The Wall Street Journal, B6. "But
among the largest malls in Michigan.the market at issue, as MGM Mirage sees it, includes
A new shopping center, the Shoppes at Gatewaya 300-mile radius of potential overnight clients across
Park, is slated for construction in 2009-10 withinthe region,"
Detroit's city limits. When complete, the outdoor mall^ Michigan Gaming Control Board. Retrieved on April
will provide the city of Detroit proper with its first15, 2008.
full-line department store in nearly a decade.^ Lee, Danny (December 9, 2007).The 53 Places to
The Eastern Market Historic District, a farmer'sGo in 2008.The New York Times. Retrieved on
distribution center in downtown Detroit, is the largestDecember 10, 2007.
open-air flowerbed market in the United States and^ USA Today (February 3, 2009).Film production
has more than 150 foods and specialty businesses.studios coming to Michigan cities.Retrieved on March
On Saturdays, about 45,000 people shop the city's27, 2009.
historic Eastern Market.^ Shea, Bill - (2/3/09). $86 million film studio planned
Political impactfor former MGM Grand casino. Crains Detroit Business.
The city's mayor in the 1990s, Dennis Archer, also a^ Gallaher, John and Kathleen Gray and Chris
former Michigan Supreme Court Justice, supported aChristoff - (2/03/09).Pontiac film studio to bring jobs.
plan which resulted in new casino resorts as aDetroit Free Press.
catalyst for urban development in Detroit. Initially,^ Runk, David, Associated Press (July 11, 2006).Great
Archer's plan was for a casino cluster along the eastLakes cruises offer majestic views USA Today.
riverfront. In April 2005, after an eight-year legalRetrieved on May 29, 2007.
battle over the bidding process, the courts cleared^ Great Lakes Cruising Coalition Retrieved on April 4,
the way for the City of Detroit to permit its2007.
temporary casinos to build all new casino resorts, to^ a b c Gray, Kathleen and John Wisely (March 31,
open in late 2007. The settlement was further2009).Oakland lures, but 2010 auto show stays at
complicated by MGM's acquisition of Mandalay Bay,Cobo.Detroit Free Press. Retrieved on May 2, 2009.
then owner of the Motor City Casino. Upon^ Mercer, Tenisha (October 19, 2005).GM's RenCen
acceptance of the settlement, Detroit entrepreneurrenovation attracts new business back. Detroit
Marion Illitch exercised her option to purchase MotorNews.Retrieved on July 24, 2007.
City Casino, outbidding other partners. The plan for^ Metropolitan Detroit renaissance benefits local
the casino resort locations changed as the citytourism DEGA. Retrieved on July 24, 2007.
decided instead to have the a promenade of parks^ Detroit News Editorial (December 13, 2002). At
along the International Riverfront to spur residentialLast, Sensible Dream for Detroit's Riverfront. Detroit
development, thus freeing the casinos to build inNews.
other areas of downtown. Detroit is the largest^ Groover, Joel (June 1, 2004). Privacy Please. Retail
American city and metropolitan region to offer casinoTraffic Penton Media. Retrieved on September 3,
resorts.2007.
2008 Tour De Troit.^ Trop, Jaclyn (April 1, 2009).$80M open-air Detroit
There are $1.3 billion in new construction projectsmall moves ahead.The Detroit News. Retrieved on
downtown. In 2007, complementing the MGM GrandJuly 8, 2009.
Detroit, DTE Energy announced a $50 million^ History of Eastern Market. Eastern Market
transformation of the area around its downtownMerchant's Association. Retrieved on August 1, 2007.
headquarters into an urban oasis with parks,^ Eastern MarketModel D Media Retrieved on April 8,
walkways, and a reflecting pool. Completion of the2007.
MGM Grand Detroit resort in 2007 has opened new^ McWhirter, Cameron and Darren A. Nichols
prospects for future development downtown with(December 13, 2002). Hurdles will test riverfront
the west riverfront area and the area from MGMvision. Detroit News.
Grand Detroit to the Michigan Central Station. The^ Melmer, David (April 20, 2004). Detroit casinos
question of how to finance a new convention facilitysettle with tribe. Indian County Today. Retrieved on
to accommodate the expanding needs of the NorthSeptember 18, 2007.
American International Auto Show generated media^ Illitch outbids partners for Motor City Casino. The
attention and speculation with Oakland CountyMichigan Daily. Retrieved on Septbember 18, 2007.
Executive L. Brooks Patterson's proposal for a fourth^ The world is coming, see the change City of
casino resort to anchor the convention centerDetroit Partnership (accessed 03-31-2007).
following the example of the Las Vegas Sands Expo^ July 4, 2007 Detroit News Downtown Detroit
convention center which would need approval from aPartnership
state wide referendum. Governor Jennifer Granholm^ Gabriel, Larry (February 21, 2007). When pigs
ultimately signed legislation on July 2, 2009 for afly.Metro Times Editorial. Retrieved on October 28,
nearly $300 million expansion of Cobo Center; the2007.
plan calls for a 166,000 square foot addition. The^ a b c Nichols, Darren A. (July 3, 2009).Granholm
legislation created a five-member board, appointed bysigns bill to expand Cobo Center. The Detroit News.
the governor, the City of Detroit, and Wayne,Retrieved on December 30, 2009.
Oakland, and Macomb counties to oversee the^ Gallagher, John (November, 30, 2009).In Detroit,
operation of the center with the city retainingIdeas for Cobo Not So Far-Fetched. Detroit Free
ownership. The project, which also calls for thePress, Architect Magazine. Retrieved on Dcember 30,
demolition of Cobo Arena in order to expand the2009.
center began October 1, 2009. Redevelopment^ Belle Isle Detroit Department of Recreation.
design concepts include the possible addition of glassRetrieved on September 15, 2007. "Spectacular
walls to connect the complex with the waterfront.views."
Detroit's geographic proximity to Windsor, Ontario^ La Canfora, Jason. "Detroit's Big Party Next Door.
provides for spectacular views and nightlife, alongIn Windsor, Temptation Waits for Players, Fans" (in
with Ontario's 19-and-older drinking age. The politicalEnglish). The Washington Post. Retrieved 2 October
clout of beer-drinking consumers has grown in the2006. 
state, with politicians concerned about a backlash^ Crain, Keith (August 27, 2007).Now we have
from the "beer vote" over a possible increase in thebecome the 'beer' state. Crain's Detroit Business.
beer tax.Retrieved on September 18, 2007.
A strategy entitled Pure Michigan resulted in the^ Great Lakes IT Report. (May 3, 2007,).Michigan's
State's tourism website ranking as the busiest in theTourism Website No. 1 in the U.S. Retrieved on
nation. Metro Detroit "urban destinations" such as TheAugust 10, 2007.
Henry Ford, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the^ Borgstrom, Kirsten (June 19, 2006).Pure
Detroit Zoo were also emphasized in the strategy.Michigan.Michigan.org. Retrieved on November 5, 2007.
This led to support for proposals for increased^ Lane, Amy (August 27, 2007).Tourism Industry
funding in 2008 for the Travel Michigan budget fromseeks $30M in annual funding.Crain's Detroit Business.
Detroit area legislators.Retrieved on November 6, 2007.
Cultural centers^ Midtown Model D Media Retrieved on April 8, 2007.
Detroit Institute of Arts^ DTE Energy Music Theatre Listed as 2004 Top
The Museum of African American History in Detroit.Attended Amphitheatre (1/25/05). DTE Energy Music
The Midtown and the New Center area are centeredTheatre.
around Wayne State University and Henry Ford^ Firsts and facts Detroit Tourism Economic
Hospital. Midtown attracts millions of visitors eachDevelopment Council. Retrieved on July 24, 2008.
year to its museums and cultural centers. Other^ Arts & Culture Detroit Economic Growth
significant cultural centers include those in Dearborn,Corporation. Retrieved on July 24, 2008. "Detroit is
Bloomfield Hills, Grosse Pointe, Rochester Hills, andhome to the second largest theatre district in the
Ann Arbor. The fortunes of region's auto barons andUnited States."
business leaders continue to facilitate philanthropy for^ a b Hodges, Michael H. (September 8, 2003).Fox
museums and cultural centers.Theater's rebirth ushered in city's renewal. Michigan
The Detroit Cultural Center Historic District containsHistory, The Detroit News. Retrieved on November
the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical23, 2007.
Museum, the Detroit Science Center, and the Charles^ Alberta, Timothy J. (April 2, 2009).Detroit Hopes
H. Wright Museum of African American History. Thefor Economic Bounce From Final Four.Wall Street
Detroit Public Library is part of Detroit's CulturalJournal. Retrieved on April 10, 2009.
Center Historic District listed in the National Register^ MLB Attendance Report - 2008.ESPN. Retrieved on
of Historic Places adjacent to Wayne StateMay 25, 2009.
University campus and across the street from the^ Huron Clinton Metro Parks Retrieved on April 4,
Detroit Institute of Arts. Designed by Cass Gilbert,2007.
the Detroit Public Library (1921) was constructed withFurther reading
Vermont marble and serpentine Italian marble trim inA&E with Richard Guy Wilson, Ph.D.,(2000).
an Italian Renaissance style. His son, Cass Gilbert, Jr.America's Castles: The Auto Baron Estates, A&E
was a partner with Francis J. Keally in the design ofTelevision Network.
the library's additional wings added in 1963. CassBridenstine, James (1989). Edsel and Eleanor Ford
Gilbert also designed the United States SupremeHouse. Wayne State University Press. ISBN
Court building in Washington, D.C..0814321615. 
Detroit Institute of ArtsCantor, George (2005). Detroit: An Insiders Guide to
Entering the Detroit Institute of Arts' hallway, visitorsMichigan. University of Michigan Press. ISBN
pass the armor collection of William Randolph Hearst.0472030922. 
Through the entry way is a grand marble court linedFisher, Dale (1996). Ann Arbor: Visions of the Eagle.
along the upper and lower levels with Diego Rivera'sGrass Lake, MI: Eyry of the Eagle Publishing. ISBN
Detroit Industry Murals, commissioned by Edsel Ford.096156234X. 
The French-American architect Paul Philippe CretFisher, Dale (2005). Southeast Michigan: Horizons of
designed the building. The museum is part of theGrowth. Grass Lake, MI: Eyry of the Eagle Publishing.
city's Cultural Center Historic District listed in theISBN 1891143255. 
National Register of Historic Places.Fisher, Dale (1994). Detroit: Visions of the Eagle. Grass
The Institute is among the largest art museums inLake, MI: Eyry of the Eagle Publishing. ISBN
the United States and contains over 100 galleries. The0-9615623-3-1. 
museum houses the 1150-seat Detroit Film Theatre,Gavrilovich, Peter and Bill McGraw (2000). The Detroit
also used to showcase famous collections. Officials atAlmanac. Detroit Free Press. ISBN 0-937247-34-0. 
the DIA have ranked the American paintingsHauser, Michael and Marianne Weldon (2006).
collection third among museums in the United States.Downtown Detroit's Movie Palaces (Images of
Works by American artists began to be collectedAmerica). Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 0-7385-4102-8. 
immediately following the museum's founding in 1883.Hill, Eric J. and John Gallagher (2002). AIA Detroit: The
The collections of the Detroit Institute of Arts includeAmerican Institute of Architects Guide to Detroit
ancient Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Mesopotamian, andArchitecture. Wayne State University Press. ISBN
Egyptian material, as well as a wide range of Islamic,0-8143-3120-3. 
African and Asian art of all media.Meyer, Katherine Mattingly and Martin C.P. McElroy
Entertainmentwith Introduction by W. Hawkins Ferry, Hon A.I.A.
Theatre in Detroit is part of the Broadway theatre(1980). Detroit Architecture A.I.A. Guide Revised
circuit. The Windsor-Detroit casino resorts haveEdition. Wayne State University Press. ISBN
nightclubs, restaurants, and large performance0-8143-1651-4. 
centers for shows. Star performances in the city'sSharoff, Robert (2005). American City: Detroit
theatre district complement major events such asArchitecture. Wayne State University Press. ISBN
North American International Auto Show. There are a0-8143-3270-6. 
number of popular nightclubs including the Necto inWilson, Matilda Rausch Dodge, Debbie Patrick, ed.,
Ann Arbor, the three-level St. Andrews Hall in Detroit,(1998). A Place in the Country: Matilda Wilson's
and the casino resorts.Personal Guidebook to Meadow Brook Hall,
Fox Theatre is a National Historic Landmark nearRochester, MI: Oakland University Press.
Detroit's Grand Circus.Woodford, Arthur M. (2001). This is Detroit 1701-2001.
Live music has been the dominant feature ofWayne State University Press. ISBN 0-8143-2914-4. 
Detroit's nightlife since the late 1940s bringing the cityExternal links
worldwide attention. The metropolitan area has twoDetroit travel guide from Wikitravel
of the top live music venues in the United States:Metro Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau
DTE Energy Music Theatre and The Palace of AuburnThe New York Times listed Detroit on its list 53
Hills The Detroit Theatre District is the nation'splaces to visit in 2008. "The 53 Places to Go in 2008"
second largest after Manhattan's Broadway. Majorcited the new Casino resorts and the Detroit
theaters include the Fox Theatre, Masonic TempleInstitute of Arts as tourist attractions.
Theatre, the Detroit Opera House, and the FisherSouthfield, Livonia, Novi, Bloomfield Hills, Troy
Theatre. Detroit's Orchestra Hall is the home of theRoyal Oak, Warren, Sterling Heights, Flint
Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The city hosts severalGrosse Pointe, Lake St. Clair
annual music events, including the Ford DetroitDearborn, Ann Arbor
International Jazz Festival, the Electronic MusicWindsor, Ontario
Festival, the Motor City Music Conference (MC2), the   Detroit, Michigan    
Urban Organic Music Conference, the Concert ofTaylor
Colors, and the hip-hop Summer Jamz music festival.Lake Erie, Monroe
EventsDetroit Riverv  d  e
CityFest in the New Center with Cadillac Place in theCity of Detroit
backdrop across from the Hotel St. Regis.Architecture  Culture  Detroit River  Economy 
Fireworks at the Windsor-Detroit InternationalFreeways  Government  History  Historic places 
Freedom Festival.International Riverfront  Media  Music 
Major festivals and eventsNeighborhoods  Parks and beaches  People 
TimelineSkyscrapers  Sports  Theatre  Tourism 
North American International Auto ShowTransportation
Cobo Hall - January.See also: Metro Detroitv  d  e
Plymouth Ice FestivalMetro Detroit
Ice sculpture spectacular in January.Topics
Motown Winter BlastArchitecture  Culture  Detroit River  Economy 
Campus Martius Park - January or February.Freeways  History  Historic places  International
Detroit Music AwardsRiverfront  Lake St. Clair  Media  Music  Parks and
Held at The Fillmore Detroit Theatre in April.beaches  People  Skyscrapers  Sports  Theatre 
Downriver Dream CruiseTourism Transportation
Held in Southgate, Lincoln Park, Riverview, andCentral city
Wyandotte.Detroit
Detroit Electronic Music FestivalSuburbsover 80,000
Memorial Day weekend.Canton Township  Clinton Township  Dearborn 
Civil War RemembranceLivonia  Sterling Heights  Troy  Warren  Westland
Held at The Henry Ford on Memorial Day.Suburbs
Detroit Festival of the Arts50,000 to 80,000
Midtown - early June.Dearborn Heights  Farmington Hills  Grosse Pointe 
Motor MusterMacomb Township  Novi  Pontiac  Redford
Held at The Henry Ford on Father's Day weekend inTownship  Rochester Hills  Royal Oak  Saint Clair
June.Shores  Shelby Township  Southfield  Taylor 
Detroit River DaysWaterford Township  West Bloomfield Township
Detroit Riverfront- late June.Satellite cities
Windsor-Detroit International Freedom FestivalAnn Arbor  Brighton  Flint  Howell  Lapeer 
Last week of June.Monroe  Port Huron  Windsor, Ontario
Salute to AmericaCounties in MSA
Detroit Symphony Orchestra performs at The HenryLapeer  Livingston  Macomb  Oakland  St. Clair 
Ford the four nights around on the Fourth of July.Wayne
CityFest sponsored by ComericaCounties in CSA
Held in the New Center area around the Fourth ofGenesee  Monroe  Washtenaw
July.Region
Tall ships at the Dock of DetroitSoutheast Michigan
Hart Plaza - summer.Outlying regions
Ann Arbor Art FairsFlint/Tri-Cities  The Thumb  Northwest Ohio 
Mid-July.Southwestern Ontario
APBA Gold CupSee also: Michiganv  d  e
Detroit Thunderfest hydroplane races.Theatre in Detroit
Meadowbrook Concours d'EleganceVenues
Formal event and classic car show at MeadowbrookBaldwin Theatre Bohemian National Home Bonstelle
Hall in early August.Theatre Century Theatre City Theatre Detroit Film
Detroit Fashion WeekTheatre Detroit Masonic Temple Detroit Opera House
August.Detroit Repertory Theatre Fisher Theatre The
Fash Bash - a major fashion eventFillmore Detroit Fox Theatre Gem Theatre Grande
Coordinated by the Detroit Institute of Arts, typicallyBallroom Greektown Casino Harpos Concert Theatre
at the Renaissance Center in August.Hilberry Theatre MGM Grand Detroit Majestic Theater
Woodward Dream CruiseMax M. Fisher Music Center Motor City Casino Music
Third Saturday in August.Hall Center Orchestra Hall Redford Theatre Senate
Meadowbrook Music FestivalTheatre Studio Theatre
Rochester Hills, July-September.Organizations
Detroit Indy Grand PrixBert's Entertainment Detroit Institute of Arts Detroit
Belle Isle Park - Labor Day weekend.Repertory Theatre Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Detroit International Jazz FestivalGreektown Casino Kresge Foundation Live Nation
International Riverfront - Labor Day weekend.MGM Mirage Mosiac Youth Theatre Motor City Casino
Rochester Art & Apples Festival sponsored byNederlander Plowshares Theatre Co. Olympia
National CityEntertainment Wayne State Universityv  d  e
Weekend after Labor Day.Shopping malls in metropolitan Detroit
Old Car FestivalEnclosed
Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford typically theClass A/B
weekend after Labor Day.Briarwood Mall  Eastland Center  Fairlane Town
Urban Organic Festival linkCenter  Great Lakes Crossing  Lakeside Mall  Laurel
Every fall.Park Place  Macomb Mall  The Mall of Monroe 
America's Thanksgiving Day ParadeNorthland Center  Oakland Mall  Renaissance
November.Center  Somerset Collection  Southland Center 
Theatre in DetroitTwelve Oaks Mall  Westland Center
Spring, fall, and winter.Open-air
Sports and recreationLifestyle Center
Comerica Park in 2007 adjacent to Ford Field.Class A/B
Main articles: Sports in metropolitan Detroit,Green Oak Village Place  The Mall at Partridge
Huron-Clinton Metroparks, and Detroit RiverCreek  Pavilions of Troy (approved)  Shoppes at
International Wildlife RefugeGateway Park (approved)  Southgate Shopping
The area which has hosted several major sportingCenter  Twelve Mile Crossing at Fountain Walk 
events in order to attract large crowds such asThe Village of Rochester Hills  Wonderland Village
Super Bowl XL; in fact, Detroit is the only northernClass C/
city to have hosted two Super Bowls. Ford FieldClosed, under redevelopmentor demolished
hosted the 2009 NCAA Final Four, where NorthArborland Center  Brighton Mall  Great Oaks Mall 
Carolina defeated Michigan State; in April 2007 itLincoln Park Shopping Center   Livonia Mall  Summit
hosted WrestleMania 23. Major League Baseball's 2005Place Mall  Tel-Twelve Mall  Universal Mall 
All-Star Game was held at Comerica Park, as wereWinchester Mall
2006 World Series games due to the Detroit TigersSee also: Tourism in metropolitan Detroitv  d  e
success. The 2005 All Star Game injected $52 millionParks in metropolitan Detroit
into the area economy, while Super Bowl XL injectedDetroit city
$270 million. In 2008, the Detroit Tigers at ComericaBelle Isle Campus Martius Dequindre Cut International
Park reported 3.2 million visitors with a 98.6 percentRiverfront Fort Wayne Grand Circus Michigan State
attendance rate.Fairgrounds Palmer Park Patton Park
The area has a 24,000 acre network of "metroWater Works Park Washington Boulevard
parks" which receives about 9 million visitors annuallyMetro
Outdoor activities in the metro region include downhill600 to 1,500 acres (243 to 607 ha)
and cross-county skiing at Alpine Valley Ski Resort,Addison Oaks Algonac State Park Belle Isle Camp
Mt. Brighton, Mt Holly, and Pine Knob Ski Resort,Dearborn Crosswinds Marsh Independence Oaks
Huron River kayaking and canoeing available throughLower Huron Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area
the Huron-Clinton Metroparks, and fresh waterMetro Beach Metropark River Rouge Park Sterling
beaches such as Metro Beach, Kensington Beach, andState Park
Stony Creek Beach. Golf is an important sporting1,500 to 5,000 acres (607 to 2,023 ha)
activity in the metropolitan area with a variety ofBald Mountain Hines Drive Hudson Mills Huron
courses, country clubs, and resorts. The Detroit RiverMeadows Indian Springs Kensington Lake Erie
International Wildlife Refuge is the only internationalMetropark Pontiac Lake Recreation Area Oakwoods
wildlife preserve in North America, uniquely located inPointe Mouillee State Game Area Stony Creek
the heart of a major metropolitan area. The refugeMetropark Wolcott Mill Willowover 5,000 acres
includes islands, coastal wetlands, marshes, shoals,(2,023 ha)
and waterfront lands along 48 miles of the DetroitDetroit River International Wildlife Refuge Highland
River and Western Lake Erie shoreline.Recreation Area Ortonville Recreation Area Waterloo
Sites of interestState Recreation Area
The beach on Lake St. Clair in the Metro DetroitWaterways
suburb of St. Clair ShoresClinton River Detroit River (Islands) Huron River Lake
The Detroit Zoo's Arctic Ring of Life. The Zoo'sSt. Clair River Rouge St.
Rackham Memorial Fountain.