Detroit, MI

Joe Louis Arena
Named for Detroit's beloved “Brown Bomber”, the former World Heavyweight Champion Joe Louis, this 20,000-seat arena is home to Detroit Red Wings hockey, college Hockey championships, Disney on Ice, and many other sporting and entertainment events

600 Civic Center Drive

313-471-3221

http://www.olympiaentertainment.com/JLA/home.asp

Detroit Science Center
Among the largest science centers in the country, it features 110,000 square feet of scientific exploration, including Michigan’s only IMAX® Dome Theatre; the Dassault Systèmes Planetarium; the Ford Learning Resource Center; the DTE Energy Sparks Theater; the DaimlerChrysler Science Stage; an 8,700 square-foot Science Hall for traveling exhibits; General Motors Motion Laboratory, Dow Foundation Life Sciences Laboratory, Waves & Vibrations Laboratory, Jean and Sam Frankel Matter & Energy Laboratory and Space Laboratory; the SBC Children’s Gallery for pint-size scientists; and a Special Events Lobby; in July 2001, the Science Center completed a $30 million renovation and expansion, so rest assured that you will see and do many state of the art exhibits in a 3-4 hour visit

Mon-Fri 9:30a-2p, Sat-Sun 12:30p-5p

5020 John R Street, downtown

313-577-8400

http://www.sciencedetroit.org

Comerica Park
Opened 2000, this venue fits the profile of new baseball stadiums designed to excite your senses as much, if not more than the ballgame

2100 Woodward Ave, just south of I-75 Fisher Freeway and across the street from the Fox Theatre

tickets 313-962-4000

website

Ford Field
Opened 2002, this domed football stadium adjoining a large warehouse is an architectural marvel worth visiting; features a 7-story atrium is well appreciated by football fans and casual visitors alike; home to the rejuvenated Detroit Lions NFL football team; good seats are often available if you’re in town over the weekend; but as the team improves, tickets will be more expensive to come by; facility also hosts sporting events, concerts, and special events

2000 Brush Street

Tickets 313-262-2003

http://www.fordfield.com

Detroit Main Library
The Burton Historical Collection/Azalia Hackley Memorial Collection in the library, these two collections are hailed as among the country’s most extensive African-American historical collections; Burton Historical Collection traces African American genealogy history for those seeking birth and marriage records and family charts both locally and nationally; Hackley Collection is the oldest source of historical information in the country on the careers of African Americans in the performing arts; its recordings encompass Orchestral Music, Jazz, Negro Spirituals, African Chants, Opera, R&B and Ragtime. Memorabilia and sheet music dating back to the mid-19th century, manuscripts and rare books and photographs are some of the other highlights here

Tue-Wed. Noon-8p; Thu, Fri., Sat. 10a-6p

Hackley Collection 313-833-1460, Burton Collection 313-833-1480

5201 Woodward Ave

http://www.detroit.lib.mi.us

Detroit Zoo
Large open spaces and wonderful outdoor animal environments; don't miss the colorful Mandrill exhibit and Wildlife Interpretive Gallery-- a historic building resurrected as a butterfly/hummingbird garden, coral reef aquarium, theater

Summer hours (Apr-Oct) 10a-5p, Wed until 8p June 19-Aug. 28. Winter hours (Nov.-March) 10a-4p

8450 West Ten Mile Road in

248-398-0903

http://www.detroitzoo.org

Dearborn, MI

Automotive Hall of Fame
Exhibition center for the worldwide motor vehicle industry; features entertaining and enlightening shows about the people who created the cars; activities include designing your own car; The Dedication Center features a 65-foot long mural, a working replica of the world's first gasoline car, a cafe and store; includes an award for Edward Davis, the first franchised automotive dealer in the USA; allow 2 hours to absorb everything worth seeing here; daily 10a-5p from Memorial Day to October 31, closed Mondays rest of year

modest admission fee, children under 5 are FREE

21400 Oakwood Blvd

313-240-4000

http://www.automotivehalloffame.org