Detroit, located in southeastern Michigan, was founded by the Frenchman Antoine Lome de la Mont-Cadillac in the early 18th century. The population of the city with all the surrounding suburbs is 4.4 million people, although today Detroit itself is home to about 900 thousand people, of which the white population is approximately 10% and is concentrated in the southern part of the city, the rest of the population is poor black city.
Back in the late 19th – early 20th centuries, Detroit was a very large auto-industrial center of the United States, buildings and structures were magnificent architectural monuments, the main square, Washington Boulevard, was illuminated by Edison lamps in the evening. Then this city was called “Second Paris” or “Paris of the West”. But during the Second World War, due to the weakening of discrimination in hiring to Detroit, African Americans began to massively move, which subsequently led to riots and the outflow of the white population to the suburbs of Detroit. Gradually, the auto-industrial “capital” turned into a city of devastation, constant robberies and destruction.
An iconic landmark for the city is the Henry Ford Museum, which houses one of the world’s largest car collections. This museum has a very beautiful design; old photographs and posters are displayed on its walls. In this museum you can see not only cars, but also trucks, airplanes, agricultural machinery and even trains. Henry Ford began collecting his collection back in 1906. Today, the museum named after him is one of the largest of its kind in the world.
The Fox Theater is a unique object. It will be interesting not only for fans of theatrical art to visit it. This luxurious cinema was built in 1928 and at the time of construction was one of the largest and most luxurious cinemas in the country. Even now it amazes not only with its unique architectural style, but also with its exquisite interior design. Luxurious wood carvings, a variety of fine fabrics, exquisite antique furniture and a variety of works of art – the old cinema will enchant with its atmosphere. Now it often hosts theatrical performances and concerts.
The city has a very interesting Oriental Market, which is also considered to be a kind of attraction. In this colorful market you can walk in search of interesting souvenirs and clothes, and also try traditional dishes of national cuisine here. This market is also attractive because you can buy excellent homemade products, including wine.
One of the main symbols of modern Detroit is luxurious skyscrapers. In the very center of the city there is a beautiful complex of high-rise buildings of the Renaissance Center. On the upper floors of these skyscrapers there are several popular restaurants and cafes, the hall of which offers a gorgeous panoramic view of the Great Lakes, and in clear weather you can even see nearby Canada.
If the attractions presented in the city are not enough, you can go to the surroundings, to the Museum of the Great Lakes. This is a very interesting family museum, the exposition of which is entirely devoted to lakes. A significant part of the museum is occupied by an aquarium, which contains the most complete collection of inhabitants of local reservoirs. This museum is located on the island of Bell-Ile, the trip itself promises to be an unforgettable adventure.
In the downtown area, the most significant sightseeing attraction is the Detroit International Riverfront, a beautiful waterfront promenade ideal for walking. Here you can see shining skyscrapers and beautiful parks, the Detroit Riverfront is home to a huge number of entertainment venues, restaurants and shops. The most striking monument of modern architecture is the Renaissance Center. This is a complex of seven beautiful skyscrapers, which together make up a very impressive architectural composition.
Other attractions near the waterfront include the Joe Louis Arena, the Hart Plaza and the Cobo Center, which has become the permanent venue for the annual auto show. Fans of outdoor recreation will be interested in visiting Belle Isle, where a beautiful park was founded. A picturesque island immersed in greenery is connected from the embankment by the MacArthur Bridge pedestrian bridge.
There are also many interesting sights in the central part of the city, including the Fisher Building and the Penobscot Building. It is noteworthy that these skyscrapers are one of the very first in the city, they were built back in the 20s of the last century. There are also more modern architectural monuments in the city center, including the One Detroit Center skyscraper. Among other attractions that will be interesting to see the guests of the city, the Detroit Science Center Museum should be highlighted, which will tell visitors about the most outstanding achievements of modern science. The Detroit Institute of Arts has a rich collection of paintings, and the Detroit Historical Museum will tell visitors about the most significant events in the life of the city.
