One of Detroit’s most popular tourist destinations, the Motown Museum — Hitsville U.S.A — preserves the legacy of Motown Records, and is a necessary pilgrimage for any fan of the sweet Motown sounds. Located in the house where it all began, the Motown Museum features historical exhibitions that include photos, artwork, music, costumes and memorabilia, and artifacts from the Gordy family collection. See where it started in 1959, and visit the surrounding neighborhoods and attractions that inspired Motown music and continue to give Detroit its unique, musical character.

Before you hit the Hitsville U.S.A. museum, hit Midtown's Majestic Café, part of the Majestic Theatre complex. The Majestic Café serves American comfort food with a modern spin, which should put you in the mood for spinning old Motown records. For even more inspiration, check out the Detroit-themed music nostalgia head to Hard Rock Café downtown.

Following your tour of the museum, Detroit’s Angelina's Italian Bistro features house-made, hand crafted pasta dishes, and highlights Motor City Brewing Works and other Detroit breweries and local Michigan wines. Detroit Seafood Market is also nearby, and features some of the best seafood in the city; located in the historic Harmonie Park/Paradise Valley district.

Other attractions include driving tours of the Boston-Edison neighborhood where visitors can see Berry Gordy's Motown Mansion. The Boston Edison Association has compiled a list of historically significant locations in a driving tour. For shopping, don't leave the Motown Museum without browsing through the gift shop, or head over to Pure Detroit at the Fisher Building to see the historic art deco grandeur and pick up a souvenir. And the Fox Theatre downtown is where Motown artists used to perform in the Motor Town Revue.

For those interested in a hotel close to the Motown Museum there is the Hotel St. Regis near the Fisher Building. The Hotel St. Regis is among Detroit’s most recognizable landmarks, and has played host to everyone from Martin Luther King Jr. to Mick Jagger. Downtown, check into DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Detroit Downtown, which is the restored historic Fort Shelby. The building features a modern interior alongside a sense of history, right in the heart of the city.

The Motown Museum is one of Detroit's most popular tourist destinations, attracting thousands of visitors every year, from all across the globe. The museum’s mission is to “preserve the legacy of Motown Record Corporation and to educate and motivate people, especially youth, through exhibitions and programs that promote the values of vision, creativity and entrepreneurship.”

Do you have a favorite Motown song or artist? What do you remember most about that Detroit sound?