Coventry may not be the most attractive city in the West Midlands but it does have an interesting history. 
Badly bombed during the Second World War, undoubtedly the reason to visit is to see a poignant reminder of the cost of conflict and the spirit which helped the city be re-born. Here you can see the remains of the ruined Cathedral and the new one built in its place.  
The new one, designed by Sir Basil Spence, caused controversy but it's well worth visiting. 
Much of the city was flattened in November 1940 when 449 German bombers dropped 500 tons of explosives and 40,000 bombs on Coventry. When the city was re-built after the war the phoenix was symbolically added to the coat of arms to recognize the process of regeneration. 
Sadly, many of the small streets and timber houses which add character to the city were pulled down in the post war rush to re-build. A huge ring road (which is still very confusing for visitors) was built around the city and many have been unflattering about the decisions which were made in those post-war years. 
Changes are being made but perhaps not at the rate of neighbouring Birmingham. 
But to get a flavour of how Coventry once looked, pay a visit to Spon Street, where medieval buildings have been restored and include a museum with a collection of pubs, bars and restaurants.

Essentially an industrial city, it's home to the car. Alvis, Daimler and Jaguar were just some of the famous names built in Coventry. Its claim to be home of the care is justified as at one time or another more than 130 car manufacturers have been in the city. 
Although the industry has massively declined it's still home to a Jaguar plant and a nearby plant run by Peugot, it's worth visiting the Museum of British Road Transport  to see one of the largest displays of British road vehicles in the world.

This is also the home of the Lady Godiva legend - the 11th century woman who agreed to ride through the streets of Coventry naked on horseback if her husband, Leofric, the Earl of Mercia, would lower taxes.  The story is now thought to be a myth but she still serves Coventry well, with a week long Godiva Festival held every year.

St John's Church was a prison for hundreds of the Duke of Hamilton's troops during the Civil War of 1647. But the prisoners could expect no sympathy from the locals as they were loyal to the parliamentary cause. Hence, they completely ignored the prisons, giving rise to the phrase "sent to Coventry".