Not many people may know that Detroit in Michigan has much to offer to those who love visiting museums. There is in fact a wide range of excellent museums boasting great architecture in and around the city. Apart from great auto museums which one would expect to see in Detroit, given its status as a Motor City, there are indeed many cultural delights in the city in the form of art or heritage museums. Many of these museums are highly ranked in the list of best museums in America. If you are in Detroit and have some time to afford, do not miss visiting one or many of the museums available throughout the city. Read on to find the best museums in Detroit, Michigan.
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1. Motown Museum
Detroit’s music legacy is what this museum will offer you. Housed in a blue-and-white house in Detroit, this museum is famous for being the former home of Motown Records label founder, Berry Gordy Jr. Apart from some restoration work that was conducted in this museum, much of the space that visitors get to see remains untouched. There are many exhibits featuring artwork, some famous costumes used by celebrities in the past, photographs, as well as other memorabilia. Guests who come to this museum can also visit Studio A. This famous studio is where some memorable hit songs by the Jackson Five, the Temptations, Diana Ross, and so were recorded. Parking is available on the street.
Motown Museum
Address: 2648 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48208, USA
Website: Motown Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am – 6pm (closed on Mon)
Price: From 10 USD
2. The Henry Ford Museum
Located in Dearborn, the Henry Ford museum is a monument where America’s culture and inventions are housed. This museum is noted as one of the best museums in the country and is almost a national treasure. The museum is filled with artifacts of national importance and also materials that tell stories of America’s significant moments. Come check America’s treasures in this one monument.
Henry Ford Museum
Address: 20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI 48124, USA
Website: Henry Ford Museum
Opening hours: 9:30am - 5pm (daily)
Price: General admission: 24 USD; Seniors (62+) 22 USD; Children (5 - 11): 18 USD
3. Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit
The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) is a non-profit art museum located in a prominent position in Detroit’s cultural centre. This is where one sees a great blend of contemporary art like visual arts, literary arts, and music. MOCAD is a prime establishment that helps in expanding culture and cultural knowledge among people. The museum is housed in what used to be an auto dealership.
Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit
Address: 4454 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
Website: Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit
Opening hours: Wed, Sat - Sun: 11am – 5pm; Thur - Fri: 11am - 8pm (closed on Mon and Tues)
Price: 1 - 5 USD
4. Detroit Historical Museum
The Detroit Historical Museum is situated in the cultural centre of the historic district of Midtown Detroit. The museum is the house which details the entire history of Detroit. It illustrates the cobblestone streets that the city is known for, the 19th-century stores, toy trains, and so on. When the museum opened in the Barlum Tower, several prominent Detroiters started donating artifacts to the collection. Today, it has about 200,000 items. With such an extensive collection, this museum is definitely a must-visit.
Detroit Historical Museum
Address: 5401 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
Website: Detroit Historical Museum
Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 10am – 5pm; Tue - Fri: 9.30am - 4pm (closed on Mon)
Price: Free
5. Detroit Institute of Arts
The Detroit Institute of Arts is one of the must-see museums in the city. It opened during the post–World War I period and has evolved since. The museum houses the Beaux Arts building which alone has more than 100 galleries. There are works by many prominent artists, especially the African-American ones. The museum also contains a cafe where visitors can hang out at.
Detroit Institute of Arts
Address: 5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
Website: Detroit Institute of Arts
Opening hours: Tue - Thur: 9am - 4pm; Fri: 9am - 10pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 6 - 14 USD
6. Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
For an eye-opening experience, one museum worth visiting is the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Founded back in 1965, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is the prime institution which has been largely devoted to providing the African American experience to its visitors. For those interested in the African American history and culture, this is the place to visit. Here, one will get to see much documentation and exhibits which have been preserved over the years. These serve to educate the public on the history, culture, and life of the African American people.
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Address: 315 E Warren Ave, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
Website: Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 9am - 5pm, Sun: 1pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: Adults (13 - 61): 8 USD; Adults (62 +): 5 USD; Youth (3 -12): 5 USD, Members and children under 3: Free
7. Ford Piquette Avenue Plant
Ford Piquette Avenue Plant is known to be the oldest automotive factory building ever built in the world. This place is of particular importance as it has been added to the National Register of Historic Places back in 2002. This plant was where the company Henry Ford had assembled several car models. This was also the first factory that assembled more than 100 cars in a single day. To date, this museum remains as an ideal opportunity to view the automotive world as it existed during the days of Henry Ford.
Ford Piquette Avenue Plant
Address: 461 Piquette St, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
Website: Ford Piquette Avenue Plant
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 10am - 4pm (closed on Mon & Tues)
Price: Children under 12: Free; adults: 12 USD; 65 years and over: 10 USD; Students with ID: 5 USD; Group Tours (10 minimum): 8 USD each
8. Michigan Science Centre (MiSci)
The Michigan Science Centre is a museum dedicated to science and is located in the heart of the city. It opened as a non-profit organisation and then bought over the assets that were owned by the Detroit Science Centre. A significant aspect of the science center is that Michigan’s only Chrysler IMAX Dome Theatre is housed inside there. The science centre is also home to the Dassault Systèmes Planetarium, the DTE Energy Sparks Theatre, and the famous Chrysler Science Stage.
Michigan Science Center (MiSci)
Address: 5020 John R St, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
Website: Michigan Science Center
Opening hours: Tue - Thur, Sat: 10am - 5pm; Fri: 10am - 7pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 16 - 24 USD
9. Arab American National Museum
If you are interested in knowing more about the history and life of the Arab Americans, then this is the museum to visit. The Arab American National Museum (AANM) is perhaps the only institution which has dedicated itself to educating the public much about the life, culture, and history of the Arab Americans. When you walk through the museum, you will get to work on several of the interactive exhibits which are on display. If you are interested in knowing more about the Arab Americans and hear their voices and contributions to the country, this is the place to visit.
Arab American National Museum
Address: 13624 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI 48126, USA
Website: Arab American National Museum
Opening hours: Wed - Sat: 10am - 6pm; Sun: 12pm – 5pm (closed on Mon & Tues)
Price: From 4 USD; free for children under 6
10. Dossin Great Lakes Museum
This is a museum which offers visitors a fascinating insight into the massive role that Detroit has played in both maritime and national history. There are lots of hands-on exhibits and restorations that have been conducted in the museum. The museum is situated in the beautiful location of Belle Isle Park. There are many permanent exhibits which visitors will find of interest. Check out some unique models of sailing ships and vessels used. Head to the restored Gothic Room and be transported to the golden age of Great Lakes cruise ships. Kids especially will appreciate the opportunity to captain his or her own ship. Visitors can get information on the design and purpose of freighter ships if they are interested. Visitors can also try and dock the ship by playing the in-built video simulator. People of all ages are guaranteed to enjoy this trip to the museum.
Dossin Great Lakes Museum
Address: 100 The Strand, Detroit, MI 48207, USA
Website: Dossin Great Lakes Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 9.30am - 4pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: Free
Museum hopping in Detroit
Given the vast number of museums in the city of Detroit, one who is interested in history will never get tired of the visiting them. While the common misconception is that museums are boring and stuffy, the list above hopes to offer a refreshing perspective. There are 10 various options above and you can take your pick when choosing which museums to visit.
History
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