Summer Road Trip: Detroit

Detroit's long list of things to do and its organized freeway system make it one of the best destinations for a holiday vacation. Grab your keys and head out to have one great summer road trip to this beautiful Michigan city!

Joining tours is still the best way to start a trip to get acquainted with a new place. It is also a good opportunity for you to take a break from the wheel as soon as you get to Detroit. The Detroit People Mover is a good start for you to discover the city's downtown area. The ride takes you to thirteen stops, including some of the popular attractions located downtown. Make the most of this short driving hiatus by stopping at the Greektown, the Renaissance Center and the Joe Louis Arena, which are all accessible via the Detroit People Mover.

Music enthusiasts have a specific Detroit attraction in their itinerary for this summer road trip: the Motown Historical Museum. Motown Records is largest independent music label in the world that has produced big stars such as Stevie Wonder, the Jackson Five, Rare Earth and many more. Go back in history as you browse through the galleries of musical legends and visit the world-famous Studio A where numerous hits were recorded.

For those who are traveling with kids, there are lots of great attractions and activities in Detroit that you can check out. Drive yourselves just a few minutes from Detroit to Royal Oak and head to the Detroit Zoo, which offers kids (and adults) the chance to be face to face with both backyard and wild animals. The zoo's highlights are the Penguin Aquarium and the Polar Bear Exhibit. Next, drive to East Grand River Avenue to have a little down time with the kids and enjoy an incredible and creative puppet show at the Detroit Puppet Theater (also known as PuppetART). For the months of July and August, the theater features the classic Sleeping Beauty "on stage". The Detroit Puppet Theater also hosts puppet-making workshops to Detroit residents and visitors, and has exhibits of the most unique puppets they have created. The New Detroit Science Center is always a hit to the curious minds. It has an interesting way of introducing and/or educating science to children. The center's interactive exhibits, the theater and the planetarium will definitely make them ask questions with answers they will be eager to learn. Summer is Major League Baseball season, and there is a trip to the Commerica Park should definitely be included in your list of things to do in Detroit for this road trip. Join the Detroit crowd as they cheer on the Tigers. If there is no game scheduled during your visit, let the kids enjoy themselves with a carousel or a ferris wheel ride, or by running around the bases.

The Ford Detroit International Jazz Festival happens every summer on Labor Day weekend. Celebrate it this year with thousands of other jazz fanatics at the Hart Plaza on August 29th until September 1st. Hundreds of artists perform during this four day-music filled event, which is certainly one of the best ways to conclude your Detroit summer road trip.