Not only does Detroit boast the top art museum in the country, it is home to countless galleries, artist collectives, and public art displays. Here are some of the most unique:

The Heidelberg Project

In 1986, Tyree Guyton, along with family members and area children, began painting bright polka dots on Heidelberg Street’s abandoned houses. Guyton’s neighborhood had suffered a dramatic downturn in the decades following 1967’s unrest, and his response was to turn it into art. He built installations with discarded items like stuffed animals, televisions, car parts, and bicycles. The found art masterpieces met with controversy and officials ordered several houses demolished. However, the Heidelberg Project has become a treasured part of the city, attracting international visitors while the surrounding neighborhood transformed into a safer community.

Hamtramck Disneyland

Dmytro Szylak immigrated to the United States from Ukraine in the 1950s. He took up art after retiring from the auto industry and the result is another popular attraction in the city. For 30 years, Szylak built towering structures between and above two garages in his yard, creating a whimsical folk art assemblage of windmills, carousels, and jet planes. While this installation has also faced controversy, Hamtramck leaders soon supported it. Szylak passed away in 2015, but his creation lives on thanks to a local art collective’s support. To see Hamtramck Disneyland, venture into the alley bounded by Klinger and Sobieski Streets, north of Commor. The Heidelberg Project and Hamtramck Disneyland are embedded in active neighborhoods, so visitors should remember to respect residents and private property.

Dabls Mbad African Bead Museum

Head down Grand River Avenue near West Grand Boulevard and you can’t miss the dazzling exterior facade of the Dabls Mbad African Bead Museum. Founded by Olayami Dabls, it is part art installation, part bead store, and part museum. The beads come from different African cultures and represent more than beautiful accessories. Dabls teaches the complex meanings behind them as well as their cultural significance. One of the buildings was recently demolished, but outdoor exhibits and the museum are still alive and well. Visitors can enjoy bead and jewelry workshops and tours by appointment.

The Spirit of Detroit

This sculpture of a human figure sits outside the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, holding a sun-like sphere in one hand and a family in the other. Marshall Fredericks created the iconic bronze piece in 1958. It has since become part of Detroit’s official logo and even the distinctive light green color appears in Detroit’s branding. The statue displays extra spirit when it’s playoff time, wearing giant jerseys to support Detroit’s sports teams.

Monument to Joe Louis

Joe Louis moved to Detroit as a youngster before becoming the world heavyweight boxing champion for an unprecedented 11 years. In 1938, Louis faced a Nazi-backed opponent, handily defeating him in the first round. The victory forever endeared Louis to his hometown and made him a national hero - a significant feat for a Black man in a racially divided country. Outside the ring, Louis served in the army during WWII, received the Legion of Merit in 1945, and supported war relief efforts on the home front. In his post-boxing career, he honed his golfing skills at Palmer Park before integrating the Professional Golf Association. The 24-foot “Joe Louis fist” hangs on Jefferson Avenue across from Hart Plaza. See it up close for full impact.