Diego Rivera panel at the Detroit Institute of Arts
Midtown is Detroit’s cultural hub. It boasts some of the best galleries and museums as well as a vibrant blend of housing options and covers about two square miles between Downtown Detroit to the south and New Center to the north. Midtown hosts two million visitors annually, with the largest concentration of cultural, educational and medical institutions in southeast Michigan. It has two radio stations, its own symphony, nine theatres, five museums, 35 restaurants and 10 galleries all within two square miles—making it one of the best-knit communities in Detroit.
The Cultural Center Historic District is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It also includes the East Ferry Avenue Historic District, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Scarab Club, the Detroit Historical Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, the main library of the Detroit Public Library system, the Detroit Science Center, Wayne State University and the College for Creative Studies.
Charles H. Wright African American History Museum
The Majestic Theater complex, is home of the Garden Bowl, America’s oldest active bowling alley. It also houses two legendary music hotspots: the Magic Stick and Majestic Theater. For more refined musical tastes, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra performs at the Max M. Fisher Music Center.
Business Incubators
TechTown, Detroit’s research and technology park, is one of the area’s foremost business incubators. It seeks to reignite Detroit’s entrepreneurial culture by providing incubation and acceleration resources including space for lease, coaching, mentoring, educational workshops and access to talent and capital. In the years since its inception, TechTown has developed into an epicenter of high-tech business creation by equipping new companies with the services, support and resources they need to grow and thrive. The 12-block park is poised to become a critical source of job growth in Michigan.
Right next to TechTown is NextEnergy. The $12 million alternative energy incubator founded to encourage the commercialization of emerging energy technologies.
Dining and Shopping
Midtown boasts one-of-a-kind shopping options with either hand-picked or hand-made goods by some of the most creative, discerning merchants anywhere.
If you’re a “foodie,” taking in Midtown is like taking a trip around the world with cuisine options including Italian, Indian, French, Middle Eastern, American, Asian, Greek, Mediterranean, and one of the best bakeries around, Avalon International Breads. With Eastern Market, a natural food market, neighborhood grocers, a hardware store and more, all in the area – those small but important daily livability needs are met.
