Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit (must see)

The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), located in Midtown Detroit, is one of the United States' premier art institutions, renowned for its extensive and diverse art collection. Spanning 658,000 square feet, the museum houses over 100 galleries, showcasing an encyclopedic collection that traverses the globe and covers thousands of years of artistic expression. A major renovation and expansion in 2007 added 58,000 square feet to its already impressive structure.

The DIA is home to over 65,000 works, placing it among the top six museums in the United States. Notably, the Diego Rivera Detroit Industry frescoes, a masterpiece of 20th-century art, grace the museum’s central marble court, while the main hall features an armor collection donated by William Randolph Hearst. The museum’s American art collection ranks third in the country, featuring iconic works from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries alongside contemporary pieces.

The museum’s historic building, designed by architect Paul Philippe Cret, is a visual landmark, with its white marble exterior flanked by elegant north and south wings. It resides in Detroit's Cultural Center Historic District, a site listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Inside, visitors can explore an array of amenities, including an art reference library, a conservation laboratory, and performance spaces such as a 1,150-seat theater and a 380-seat recital hall.

The DIA is a cultural hub, attracting approximately 677,500 visitors annually. It hosts major art exhibitions and was named the No. 1 art museum in the United States by readers of USA Today in 2023. Situated just two miles from downtown Detroit, the museum is an integral part of the city’s vibrant cultural fabric, offering an unparalleled art experience to locals and visitors alike.