One of my favorite activities to do when visiting a new city is to visit the local museum(s). Even if I have visited the city multiple times, as in this case, I still like to pay a visit to see what new collections or exhibitions are on display. This trip to Detroit was no exception. The Detroit Institute of Arts (also referred to as DIA) is a culturally and artistically rich establishment that I think really compliments the city’s rich history. The museum was founded in 1885 and has been at its current Woodward Avenue location since 1927. The museum has gone through some expansions and renovations since its inception with the latest expansion reaching completion in 2007.

The footprint of the DIA is expansive, covering 658,000 square feet which includes over 140 galleries, a 1,100+ seat auditorium, a lecture/recital hall that seats over 300, an art reference library, a stunning café that provides a restful reprieve as you peruse the galleries full of art, and a state-of-the-art conservation department. It is an extensive structure, but can be viewed and appreciated within the span of a few hours.

The collection held within the walls of the DIA is considered one of the most diverse collections, showcasing American, Modern and Contemporary (my personal favorite), European, Native American and African American art. Arguably their most famous piece would be Vincent van Gogh’s Self-Portrait, the first Van Gogh painting to enter a U.S. museum collection, according to the museum’s website.

I have seen this piece a few times at this museum and it never gets old.