Midtown (also know as Cultural District) is nestled between the Cass Corridor, Theater District, New Center Area and Wayne State Univeristy. This area houses the heart of Detroit's cultural life. The Detroit Public Library, The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) and the Horace H. Rackham Education Memorial Building are the structures that display the most spectacular architecture of the time. The Detroit Public Library is a marble Italian Renaissance designs and was built by Cass Gilbert from 1915 to 1921. The DIA was created in the Beaux Arts style and was designed by Paul Phillippe Cret in 1921 to 1927. Finally, the Rackham Education Memorial Building is a made of limestone and was created by the firm of Harley, Ellington and Day in 1941. The three structures were built during the City Beautiful movement of the early twentieth century. After the Rackham building was built, Midtown added a few other notable structures such as the Detroit Historical Museum, the International Institute, the Society of Arts and Crafts Art School, the Detroit Science Center and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

Midtown offers one of the most prestigious orchestras in the world, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, who perform at Orchestra Hall. If Bach and Beethoven crowd are not your bag, head across Woodward Avenue to the Majestic Theater complex, one of the best underground rock venues in the world. The complex houses the Magic Stick, where you can see the best local acts as well as national tours, the art deco Majestic Theater, a restaurant, a pizzeria and the hip Garden Bowl. Be sure into stop next door at the CPOP Gallery.

Official Website: The University Cultural Center Association


View Larger Map