Detroit Institue of Arts

The DIA has been a source of culture for the Detroit area since 1885. The museum was originally located on Jefferson Avenue but due to the rapidly growing collection, the museum moved to a larger site on Woodward Avenue in 1927. The museum is 658,000 square feet that includes more than one hundred galleries, a 1,150-seat auditorium, a 380-seat lecture/recital hall, an art reference library and a state of the art conservation services laboratory. The Detroit Institute of Arts collection includes over 60,000 works. The very first painting was donated in 1883.

The DIA's collection is among the top six in the United States, which consists of multicultural and multinational pieces of human creativity from prehistory through the 21st century. Some of the DIA's Collections are American Art, Africa, Oceania and the Indigenous Americas, The Arts of Asia and the Islamic World, European Art, General Motors Center for African American Art, The James Pearson Duffy Department of Contemporary Art and thousands of prints, drawings and photographs.

The Detroit Institue of Arts hosts many different exhibitions and events. Also the DIA offers a big variety of activities to bring out the artist in you. It is a great place to meet interesting people and explore your artistic talent. The DIA has drop in workshops, lectures, drawing in the galleries for youth and adults, and a variety of classes. There are courses available for children, adults and families. You can register online at tickets.dia.org. Some classes coming up are: The Potter's Wheel for Adults and Children, Drawing Inspired by Matisse and Picasso, Clay Rainsticks, Clay Jack-O-Lanterns, and Clay Masks. The Detroit Institute of Arts also hosts Family Sundays where families can come and see performances, storytelling, puppet shows, art making workshops and a lot more. Don't forget to stop by CafeDIA or Kresge Court Coffee Stop for meals with a unique art presentation. The DIA is perfect for school fields trip and home-schooled groups where children can come to see, learn and experience art.

The Sunday Music Bar is a series of concerts, free with museum admission, at 1pm and 3pm. While enjoying a coffee, wine or mixed drink, experience exciting performances of acoustic music from many different cultures and genres. Friday Night Live events go on every Friday from 6pm to 10pm with live music, art-making workshops, drawing in the galleries, guided tours and much more. Free with museum admission.

Residents of the Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties have been waved museum admission for supporting the DIA and its educational programs. Also free admission for teachers by requesting an educator's pass.

The Detroit Institute of Arts is committed to providing the highest quality art education programs available. From artists' talks and lectures, to hands-on creative workshops we offer a wide range of programs that provide enjoyable and enriching experiences for visitors with all levels of familiarity with art. Our educational programs, materials and services reflect an audience-centered approach to viewing art and a learner-centered approach to the learning experience. Our educational strategies are derived from four overarching principles: Art is for everyone, learning is a lifelong process, knowledge is based on experience as well as formal study and best practice is based on understanding our visitors and employing effective teaching strategies (DIA mission statement).

Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48202

Phone: (313) 833-7900

DIA Hours

Sunday: 10am - 5pm
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10am - 4pm
Thursday: 10am - 4pm
Friday: 10am - 10pm
Saturday: 10am - 5pm

Detroit Lion's Ford Field

Ford Field home of the National Football League's Detroit Lions was opened in August of 2002. This unique indoor stadium, located in the heart of Downtown Detroit, was designed to incorporate the old Hudson's warehouse (built in the 1920's) to make it one of the industries leading sports and entertainment development. This 1.85 million square foot building includes banquet facilities, restaurants, office space, retail food, food courts, lounge areas and private suites. There are a total of 65,000 seats, including 8,500 club seats that are featured for the wide padded seats and are offered private lounges, upscale food service and preferred parking.

Unlike most indoor stadiums, Ford Field allows a large amount of natural light in because of the huge skylights and large glass windows at the open corners. The windows are frosted to mimic the automotive factories that are located here in Metro Detroit. The playing field and lower bowl were set below street level as to prevent the stadium from becoming overly imposing to the Detroit skyline.

On February 5, 2006, Ford Field hosted the Super Bowl XL as the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Seattle Seahawks. Despite hosting the Super Bowl, Ford Field has yet to host an NFL playoff game. Besides football Ford Field has hosted many other events. Some concerts that held here were Madonna in 2008, Kid Rock's 40th birthday party on January 5, 2011, Taylor Swift on June 11, 2011 and Kenny Chesney. On December 13, 2003, Ford Field hosted the then largest crowd ever to attend a basketball game. 78,129 people packed into the stadium for the Basketbowl, where the Kentucky Wildcats defeated the Michigan State Spartans. The 2010 Frozen Four was held on April 8th and 10th with Boston College defeating Wisconsin to win the championship. This was the only time NCAA hockey has used a football stadium for the championship.

The University of Detroit Mercy and Ford Field hosted the 2008 NCAA Basketball Tournament regional semifinals and final games on March 28th and 30th. Ford Field was also the site of the 2009 Final Four on April 4th and 6th. Ford Field has been the site of several neutral-site regular season college football games, including Michigan State vs. Florida Atlantic in 2010 and Western Michigan vs. Illinois in 2008.

A tradition since 1934, that no other team in professional sports can claim to be apart of, celebrating an American holiday with the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving. When you think of Thanksgiving you think of football and the Lions. Year after year dedicated Lions fans look forward to not only spending time with their families, but they also enjoy sharing that time with the Lions. The game is Nationally televised and the special halftime show is produced annually by sports/entertainment company e2k and funded by United Way. The ten-minute performance features recording artists and local dancers from around the Metro Detroit area.

For tickets and more information on Ford Field or the Detroit Lions visit: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/index.html

Ford Field
2000 Brush St.
Detroit, MI 48226

Phone: (313) 262-2000

Stony Creek Metropark

Stony Creek Metropark extends across Macomb and Oakland counties with 4,462 acres of outdoor recreation to entertain you all year round. Spend the day swimming or boating in their 500-acre Stony Creek Lake. There are many park events throughout the year that are fun to attend like sail boat races, three sessions of golf camp, friday night canoe, sunday critter corner, homeschool scientist and ecological restoration volunteer workday.

Stony Creek Metropark Golf Course is a great place to relax and spend a day golfing. This 18-hole par-72 course has a heavily wooded fairway and it has the perfect up north feel to it. Power and hand carts are available to rent and food and beverages can be purchased on site, including beer and wine. To reserve a tee time call (586) 781-9166.

As well as an 18-hole golf course, Stony offers a 27-hole championship disc golf course. The Buckhorn disc golf course is one of the most challenging disc gold courses in Michigan. Stony hosts a few different disc golf tournaments throughout the summer.

Bicycle or inline skate on Stony Creek's 6.1 mile paved trail that circles the lake. Bicycles can be rented for $5 an hour on weekends and certain days throughout the summer. For mountain bikers, Stony has a 14 mile course of hilly wooded dirt trails.

Spend the weekend with your family and friends camping at Stony Creek. The park offers five different rustic camping weekends throughout the summer and fall of 2012. Call (586) 781-4242 to make reservations for your own campsite. Each campground site is large which gives you that up north feel and has fire rings to provide the perfect campfire experience. Each site is limited to one camping vehicle and two tents.

For an amazing outdoor wedding check out Stony Creek Metropark where weddings are very popular and options are available to fit almost any budget. The woods next to the golf course is a popular spot for wedding ceremonies that is secluded enough to give you that romantic feel. Or you can rent a huge three season tent or shelters that are located throughout the park. Kosch Catering of Rochester is their exclusive caterer that can provide all of your catering needs. For more information call Stony Creek Metropark's front office or stop by.

Stony Creek Metropark has many different activities for families and friends to come and enjoy. Some other activities include: Birding, boat rental, boating and launching, canoeing and kayaking, cross-country skiing, fishing, fitness trail, geocaching, hiking, ice skating, kiteboarding, nature center, paddle boarding, picnicking, running, scouting, snowboarding, swimming and tobogganing.

A Metropark motor vehicle entry permit will give you access to all 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks:
-Delhi Metropark
-Dexter-Huron Metropark
-Hudson Mills Metropark
-Huron Meadows Metropark
-Indian Springs Metropark
-Kensington Metropark
-Lake Erie Metropark
-Lake St. Clair Metropark
-Lower Huron Metropark
-Oakwoods Metropark
-Stony Creek metropark
-Willow Metropark
-Wolcott Mill Metropark

Annual passes are $25, Seniors $15, Daily $5, Joint Permit $48, Annual Boats $30, Senior Boats $15, and Daily Boat Launch $5. Walkers, bicyclists, and inline skaters can enjoy free access to all Metroparks by entering through the park roads and hike and bike trails.

Stony Creek Metropark

4300 Main Park Road

Shelby Township, MI 48316

Phone: (586) 781-4242

Park Hours:

April 1st - October 31st

6 am - 10 pm

November 1st - March 31st

7 am - 8 pm

Golf Course: 

(586) 781-9166

Fox Theater

The Fox Theater opened its doors on September 21st, 1928 after taking 18 months to build and costing about $12 million. There were 400 staff members which included ushers, set designers, matrons and doormen. The Fox Theater was first built to be used as a movie theater as well as performances. When built this brilliant theater was the second largest theater in the world but exceeded all in magnificent. The Fox Theater was designed by Charles Howard Crane. Recognition for the amazing interior goes to Eve Leo, wife of film producer William Fox. Fox was founder of the company which still carries his name today.

The lobby of this huge ten story building was six stories high and half a block long surrounded by giant red marble columns and gold decor. The auditorium was 175 feet wide and 110 feet high. A level of seats in the rear of the balcony was designed for smokers and had specialized fans to carry away the smoke. Another improvement in this theater was the construction of three foot aisles in between rows of seats. This allowed for people to pass by without having to make others who are seated stand.

Various owners kept the Fox open and profitable until the 1970's when the Fox Theater was getting run down with horror and thrill movies not bringing in much profit. But in 1988, new owner Mike Ilitch and his family completed a top to bottom renovation project which cost $12.5 million. This restoration included a new 10-story marquee which is now the new face of the Fox Theater.

Today, the Fox Theater hosts many performances and events. A few that are coming up are Gipsy Kings, Scream Tour, Gotye, Rickey Smiley, Ron White, Kathy Griffin, various ballet companies, and Sesame Street. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster or at Fox Theater Detroit. There are three levels of seating, the Main Floor above the orchestra pit, the Mezzanine, and the Gallery/ balcony.

If you are interested in taking a behind the scenes tour of the Fox Theater check out Olympia Entertainment. This 45 minute walking tour showcases the theaters magnificence and extravagant architectural design. You can learn more about the history of the Fox as well as the legendary acts who have taken the stage, including Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Jerry Seinfeld and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Tours are available by appointment only for groups of 15 or more. Tickets are $6 per person and tours are offered Monday - Friday on non event days. Please call the tour hotline at (313) 471-6677 for more information.

Fox Theater
2211 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, Michigan 48201

Phone: (313) 471-6611