Detroit Institute of Arts Tours and Activities

With over 60,000 permanent pieces worth more than a billion US dollars, and a programme of first-rate special exhibitions, the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) is one of the most prestigious in the country. Visitors flock to this vast museum, located in the city's midtown Cultural Centre Historic District, to admire sculpture, artwork and historical artifacts from all over the world.

The building that houses the DIA is a work of art in itself. The purpose-built 1920s structure, with its Italian-Renaissance architecture, is a Beaux-Arts wonder. Once inside you'll be struck by the magnificent frescos lining the walls of the marble grand court, painted by Mexican artist Diego Rivera as a tribute to Detroit's labourers. Now considered masterpieces, they caused controversy when first unveiled due to their depiction of the working man.

The DIA is home to some of the finest works by several of Europe's masters. Head to the European galleries to see work by Degas, Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso, Rembrandt and Caravaggio. The American Wing showcases home-grown talent such as Childe Hassam and John Singer Sargent, and features glass, pottery and furniture dating back to the 1700s. There are more national treasures to be found in the General Motors Centre for African American Artists, one of the first such centres in the US.

Head to the Department of the Arts of Asia and the Islamic World to explore thousands of artifacts from the Middle and Far East, including clothes, statues and scrolls. The abundance of cultural riches continues throughout the DIA, with collections dedicated to art from Africa, the Indigenous Americas and Oceania.

Fans of modern works should check out the fantastic Department of Contemporary Art, while those with an interest in photography, drawings or prints will also find galleries dedicated to these media.

It would be hard to do justice to this museum in less than a day, so an early start is recommended. Rest your legs at one of the DIA's two cafés, and grab a memento in the museum shop. If you're here on a Friday, stay after hours for an evening of workshops, guided tours and live music, all of which are included in the ticket price.

Catch a Detroit SMART bus to the DIA from downtown. You can drive, but all the nearby lots and garages charge for parking. The museum charges a small fee, and is open Tuesday through Sunday.