Detroit: 10 Things to Do

The auto industry remains central to Detroit's economic and cultural identity. To understand the industry's rise, take the Ford Rouge Factory Tour in Dearborn, Mich., less than a 20-min. drive southwest of Detroit. The factory that Henry Ford built along the Rouge River was the scene of the Battle of the Overpass, a key moment in the rise of American unions. You'll get a peek at a Ford F-150 truck's assembly line and a set of classics like the 1965 Ford Mustang. If you've got a half hour to spare, watch two short films about the plant's history. In the summer, it's smart to get a reservation for the tour.

Ford's not the only game in Dearborn. This suburb of Detroit is the country's Middle Eastern capital, and there are plenty of Lebanese and Yemeni restaurants and bakeries, especially along Michigan and Warren avenues. Try Al-Ameer on Warren.

• 1. The Henry Ford
  20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn, Mich. 48124; 800-835-5237 42.3031087-83.2331085 thehenryford.org
• 2. Al-Ameer Restaurant
  12710 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn, Mich. 48126; 313-582-8185 42.3442769-83.1671867 alameerrestaurant.com
• 3. Detroit, Mich.
  42.331427-83.0457538