Many first-time visitors to Detroit are surprised by one aspect.

It's the level of museums and cultural facilities. The strong image of the city as an automotive industry hub often leads to underestimating its offerings, but in reality, it boasts some of the most notable history, art, and science museums in the United States.

If you want to understand the history of the American Industrial Revolution, African American music, and the civil rights movement, few cities are as fascinating as Detroit. It was one of the top five cities in the U.S. until 1950, which adds to its significance.

The first place I recommend is the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. Located about 20 minutes west of downtown Detroit in Dearborn, it is overwhelming in scale. It's not just a car museum; it's a massive exhibition space showcasing the history of American innovation.

Here, you can see the actual limousine that President John F. Kennedy was in when he was assassinated, the bus that Rosa Parks made famous during the civil rights movement, artifacts related to President Lincoln, early aircraft, and steam locomotives. Even those who aren't interested in cars can easily spend several hours here.

The adult admission fee is typically around $35 to $40, while children's tickets are about $27 to $30. Parking is an additional cost, estimated at around $9.

Right next door is Greenfield Village, which cannot be missed. This outdoor history park spans over 80 acres and features actual buildings from American history that have been relocated and restored. It showcases more than 90 historical structures, including Thomas Edison's Menlo Park laboratory, the Wright brothers' workshop, and buildings related to Henry Ford.

Admission is about $30 to $35 for adults, and you can receive discounts if you purchase a package ticket with the museum. To fully explore both places, you'll need to set aside an entire day.

Returning to downtown Detroit, the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) awaits.

It is regarded as one of the top art museums in the country, housing over 65,000 works of art.

Particularly, Diego Rivera's "Detroit Industry Murals" is a must-see. This piece depicts the production process in an automobile factory across an entire wall, and seeing it in person is an overwhelming experience that far surpasses photographs.

The admission fee is about $20 for adults, and additional costs may apply for special exhibitions.

If you are interested in history and social issues, I also recommend the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Known as the largest museum dedicated to African American history in the U.S., it covers a wide range of topics from slavery to the civil rights movement and modern African American culture.

The general admission fee is about $15 to $20, and free admission is sometimes offered on specific Sundays. It's a good idea to check the official website before visiting.

If you are traveling with children, the Michigan Science Center is a great choice. It features many hands-on exhibits in space, physics, engineering, and medicine, making it popular among family visitors.

Admission is about $18 to $25 for adults and $15 to $20 for children, with separate fees for IMAX films or special exhibitions.

The advantage of cultural tourism in Detroit is that it goes beyond just viewing exhibits. You can experience the history of the automotive industry, the civil rights movement, Motown music, and the footprints of American innovation all within one city.

Many people think of Detroit merely as an automotive city, but in reality, it is one of the cities where you can deeply experience American history and culture. With so much to see, it's difficult to visit all the major museums in just a day or two, so for those who enjoy cultural travel, it will likely be a much more satisfying trip than expected.