Founded in 1701, Detroit has had two major influences on the United States: the music industry as illustrated by its nickname "Motown" and the automobile industry as illustrated by the nickname "Motor City". This is the main location within the United States for automobile production and in 2009 a serious economic crisis hit the industry and the city as a whole quite hard.

One of the biggest tourist destinations inside the city limits is the revitalized Detroit Riverfront. This area actually includes city parks, lines of shops, restaurants, and scenic vistas that stretch over a large area along the river. This is where locals as well as tourists go to walk around, shop, dine out, and relax.

There are also many museums that interest travelers interested in learning about the legacy of the American automotive industry or about different historical events. The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History also draws in a consistent crowd.

For families and those looking for more excitement, there is always the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark, which delivers all of the wet and wild fun of an outdoor water park with the protection of a tall ceiling.

For those lured in by the musical fame of Motown, some must-see attractions include the Motown Historical Museum and the Fox Theater. There are also many other famous venues where music concerts are held almost on a daily basis. This makes the city one of the most frequented U.S. destinations for some of the biggest and most popular bands on tour.

For the most part, local residents have been drawn to Detroit for the massive amounts of jobs created by the automotive industry and tourists have been drawn in by the allure of Motown. Those two industries are the biggest claims to fame for this American city, so the economic crisis in the automotive industry in 2009 was a huge hit to the city's economy.