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 Automotive>Experiences 

From museums to driving tours to the world's largest car cruise, Detroit's rich automotive history appeals to car buffs and novices alike. Test drive one of these automotive experiences.

EVENTS and attractions

  • Automotive Museums - A plethora of car museums abound in Detroit, including:
  • Ford Rouge Factory Tour - Go behind the scenes of one of the world's largest automotive complexes. The newest attraction at the Henry Ford also offers a virtual reality theater adventure, the world's largest living roof, and a glimpse of the new factory where the Ford F-150 is made. To experience this, visit henryford.org/rouge
  • The Piquette Plant - the real factory where Henry Ford created the idea for the assembly line. To experience this, visit tplex.org
  • Automobile Heritage Tours - Driving and walking tours trace Detroit's automotive history, including Preservation Wayne Auto Heritage Walking Tour. To experience this, visit preservationwayne.org And for more information on the MotorCities-Automobile National Heritage Area, visit experienceeverythingautomotive.org
  • Auto Baron Estates - The history and evolution of Detroit's love affair with the automobile can be seen today in the elaborate auto baron Estates, namely:

    • Edsel & Eleanor Ford Home: The 60-room home sits on a 90-acre estate on Lake Shore Drive in Grosse Pointe Shores. Now a conference center and open for tours, the house is among the last of Grosse Pointe's great mansions. Designed by Albert Kahn in 1930 for $3 million, it is reminiscent of the Cotswold cottages of England. The public tour includes a view of the gallery where Henry Ford and his wife, Clara, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Much of the original furniture survives. To experience this, visit fordhouse.org
    • Meadow Brook Hall: The 100-room Meadow Brook Hall on the Oakland University campus in Rochester was the home of Matilda Dodge Wilson, the auto baroness who built the $4 million estate. She was the multimillionaire widow of auto magnate John Dodge, who bequeathed the 1,600-acre estate to Michigan State University to begin Oakland University. The mansion with 39 chimneys was built mostly by American craftsman with American materials and was finished in 1939. Public tours are available. To experience this, visit meadowbrookhall.org
    • The Henry Ford Estate: The $2.5 million Fair Lane mansion on Evergreen in Dearborn was Henry Ford's 15th and final residence. Built in 1914, the home was donated to the University of Michigan. The house includes an adjacent four-story powerhouse that Ford designed himself and used as a combination laboratory, hobby shop and dance hall. Ford died in the home on April 7, 1947. To experience this, visit umd.umich.edu/fairlane
  • Woodward Dream Cruise - The Woodward Dream Cruise takes place on August 20, 2005, along a 16-mile strip on Woodward Avenue. The cruise has grown into the world's largest one-day automotive event. It attracts more than 1.5 million people and 40,000 muscle cars, street rods, custom, collector and special interest vehicles. To experience this, visit woodwarddreamcruise.com
  • North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) - The NAIAS takes place January 15-23, 2005, in Detroit's Cobo Hall. It is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world, drawing more than 800,000 visitors annually. To experience this, visit naias.com
  • Concours d'Elegance - a celebration of classic and antique vehicles on the grounds of Meadow Brook Hall, August 3 - 7, 2005. Concours d'Elegance is now a week of activities, which includes an Automotive Art Exhibition, Press Previews, Fashion Show, Automotive Art Auction, Gala Banquet, and, of course, the outdoor exhibition featuring approximately 280 of the world's most prized automobiles. To experience this, visit meadowbrookconcours.org
Greenfield Village

Greenfield Village

Ford Rouge Factory Tour

Ford Rouge Factory Tour

Ford Rouge Factory Tour

 

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