Some say that Detroit has gone on to hard times after recently declaring civil bankruptcy. Though this cannot rightfully be denied, it cannot be denied either that the home of Motown and the heart of automotive industry in the US still has things to offer to visitors. Becoming more and more a haven for artists there is a great art scene developing in the lower rent studios and art spaces around the city. A few different things to do in Detroit include.

Detroit Institute of the Arts
5200 Woodward Avenue
Dating back to 1885 the Detroit Institute of Arts is a massive complex that includes 100 galleries, an 1,150 seat auditorium and a 380 seat lecture hall. With an extensive and well praised permanent collection that includes works such as Vincent Van Gogh’s “Self Portrait” and Diego Rivera’s “Detroit Industry.” The institute also regularly uses its auditorium to host different Friday night concerts as well as once a month brunches with Bach! Visitors to the institute compare it favorably with art galleries around Europe and the US in far larger cities. What is highly lauded is ipads being given to patrons so they can use them to learn more about the art they are viewing. The museum is closed on Monday and Tuesdays and is open from 10 am to 5 pm the remaining days. Admission costs $8 dollars for adults.

Motown Historical Museum
2648 West Grand Boulevard
From 1959 to 1972 Detroit’s Motown record label was a virtual hit making machine. With recording artists under their label such as the Supremes, the Temptations and the Jackson Five Motown helped create an entire genre of music that permanently changed the American music landscape. Now the Motown studios have been altered into a museum to commemorate this trend setting label. The original interior has been kept the same and tour guides can now walk people through Motown delivering tales of the studio in its hay day and the different stars that walked its halls. Perhaps, though the greatest moment to be enjoyed is actually walking into the recording studios where so much hit music was created. The Motown museum can be found on West Grand Boulevard in the Boston Edison Historic District, it is open from 10 am to 6 pm and admission costs around $10 dollars. The museum is closed on Mondays.

A city like none other Bangkok has an intriguing mixture of old world Asian heritage and modern, sometimes seedy, diversions. Each year, thousands upon thousands of visitors descend upon this city to enjoy its monuments, parties, and temptations. For those not as interested in Bangkok’s legendary party scene there are so many different museums and wonderful old buildings to visit. Things for all personality types are here to do, you just need to know where to look. A few more things to do in Bangkok include.

Grand Palace
Th Na Phra Lan | Bangkok, Thailand
The Grand Palace was built in 1782 as the home of the Kings of Siam. The palace is am immaculate structure that possesses several wonders that include its European and Thai fused architectural style and the 18 inch Emerald Buddha. All first time visitors to Thailand must see the Grand Palace, though other tourists warn that it is often heavily crowded and there are scam artists working. The palace complex is open from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm daily except when it is hosting special events. The cost of admission is around $11 US dollars.

Siam Paragon
1 Pathum Wan | Bangkok, Thailand
Once you have enjoyed the more traditional fairs of Bangkok perhaps you fancy a day of shopping. Especially on a hot afternoon the air conditioned halls of the Siam Paragon shopping centre may be calling to you. There is pretty much everything here with all types of restaurants, plenty of jewelry shops, interior design shops, clothes shops and any kind of shop you can think of. The mall even has an aquarium in it, as well as a great food court.  Travelers say it is easy to spend an entire day at this massive mall. The mall hours are from 10 am to 7 pm and it can be found out metro BTS SIAM station.

Siam Ocean World
991 Rama 1 Road | Bangkok
Located inside the Siam Paragon is the Siam Ocean World aquarium which has more than 30,000 different sea animals. Some of the aquarium’s locals include penguins, jellyfish, and even hammerhead sharks. The aquarium has plenty of special options as well like taking a fish spa, or a glass bottom boat rides, and even – if you have the nerve for it – swimming with sharks. Perhaps these add ons are a little expensive, so if you are on a budget it may be wise to skip out on those. Regular admission costs about $20 US dollars.

Ottawa is a lovely planned city that was designed to house the government of Canada and satisfy tourists. Okay, perhaps the latter is a by product of great city design, but never the less there is much to see and do in Ottawa. It’s nearly impossible to miss the iconic parliament buildings and the equally impressive Rideau Canal. Beyond those sites the city boasts many varied museums, galleries and restaurants. A trip to the national capital of Canada is assured to grace visitors with a deeper perspective of Canadians as well as the pleasure of a lovely city. Things to do in Ottawa include.

Rideau Canal
Before becoming one of Ottawa’s central attractions the Rideau Canal enjoyed a storied history in the nation’s capital. Constructed between 1826 and 1832 the Canal was initially intended as precaution against any further American invasion. The War of 1812 between Canada – then a British colony – and the United States highlighted that the American’s had intended to cut off the St Lawrence River to stymie communications and commerce for the Canadians. The Rideau Canal developed a link between Montreal, Ottawa, and Kingston that spans several hundred miles and would have allowed commerce if the American were able to do this. In contemporary times the Canal has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Ottawa’s most beloved features.
Snaking through the center of Ottawa the Rideau Canal enjoys varied usages depending on the season. In the summer time it is filled with boats and becomes the center of several summer time parties that culminate with the Rideau Canal Festival. In the winter the canal becomes a mammoth skating rink that spans 4.8 miles. If it gets cold out the length of the ice is lined with hot cocoa and snack stands. Visiting the Rideau Canal is always free, but if you require skate rental that will cost around $15 dollars.

National Gallery of Canada
380 Sussex Drive, Ottawa
Housed in a building considered a work of art in its own right the National Galley of Canada is a must for all art lovers out there. Easily recognizable by its proximity to Parliament Hill, as well as by the massive spider sculpture in its entrance, the National Gallery attracts legions of visitors each year. Inside you will find works by such renowned master as Da Vinci, Picasso and Michelangelo. This being Canada, there are also works by several Canadian master as well such as Antoine Plamondon and Benjamin West. Each year several varied exhibits are put on. The National gallery is open each day between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m every day in the summer and Tuesday through Sundays in the winter. Entrance to the permanent collection is $9 dollars, while visiting the special exhibit and permanent collection costs $15 dollars.