Top Things to do in Michigan
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10 Specialty Museums in Michigan That You Shouldn't Miss
Think you need an ocean for a beach? Think again. There are miles and miles of sandy lakefront beaches in Michigan (thanks to the four Great Lakes that border it). The west coast of Michigan has especially nice beaches—try a rental in Muskegon, Grand Haven or Saugatuck. You won’t need a car when visiting Mackinac Island. In fact, they’re not allowed—this lovely Victorian resort town is pedestrian-only.
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1. The Henry Ford
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,501 reviews
“One of the world’s coolest museums” — The New York Times The Henry Ford is Michigan’s premier multivenue cultural destination with three must-see attractions: Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village and the Ford Rouge Factory Tour. At The Henry Ford, you'll experience the history of America — its inventions, people, culture and can-do spirit — and hundreds of interactive ways to explore it, enjoy it and be inspired by it. Park at The Henry Ford’s Welcome Center to visit and buy tickets for all three venues for three hours or three days of experiences. Or purchase a membership for a full year of FREE unlimited visits to Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and Greenfield Village, plus discounts, special events and more. We are conveniently located in Dearborn, Michigan, which is just outside of Detroit.
Reviewed By tamul - Waymart, United States
Fantastic, se one visit but this time with our 5 year old grandson. He had a blast....worked a assembly line for children,help build a model T,Star Trek ,planes,cars,trains,engines the list goes on and that’s just the museum. Trip to the ford plant, two fantastic movies and then watch f150 being built. Greenfield Village ride in a Model T, 1931 bus, horse pulled taxi...visit a farm, Wright brothers home, Thomas Edison’s inventions, early 1900’s baseball game the list just keep going
2. The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 538 reviews
Experience the Original Model T Factory Visiting the Piquette Avenue Ford Plant is a unique experience-it's the oldest auto plant open to the public anywhere in the world. Almost unchanged since Henry Ford's day, the plant is a three-story New England-style mill building. Each floor is divided into sections by the original metal fire doors, complete with the shadows of Henry Ford's "Positively NO Smoking" stencils. The old plank floors are worn from the 12,000 Model Ts built on them, so wear appropriate shoes for your visit. The plant is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a designated National Historic Landmark and a Michigan State Historic Site. Walk the worn wood floors and touch the brick walls where Henry Ford and his team of automotive pioneers developed the car that led to an automotive and social revolution. See Henry Ford's office as it was in 1908 when he was on the cusp of fame. And learn why it still matters today. See a selection of rare Detroit-built cars from the first decade of the 20th century and learn their fates.
Reviewed By HughC239 - Toronto, Canada
From the outside its a small, somewhat unassuming museum but the magic lies inside with the superb tour guides who bring the place to life with their impressive knowledge of the stories, vehicles and history of Henry Ford, the Ford motor company, the Piquette plant and the birth of the auto industry. By far our favourite and most memorable tourist attraction during our visit to Detroit. We left with a profound new respect for Henry Ford and all that he accomplished. Kudos to the hardworking and dedicated staff at this little gem.
3. Ziibiwing Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 73 reviews
Reviewed By duanel539
A fabulously creative, authentic and artistic diversion from the ordinary in Central Michigan. Having lived in the Central Michigan area on and off my entire life I was more than (Mt.) pleasantly surprised to find we had a first rate and world class historic Native American Museum right in our own back yard. The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe has done a fine job creating an interesting, unique and historically accurate facility, all while providing it in a fun family atmosphere. I would, have and will continue to recommend, The Ziibiwing Center to all those interested in learning more about the history of the area and it founding forefathers.
4. Greenfield Village
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,506 reviews
One of The Henry Ford’s three must-see attractions, Greenfield Village is an 80-plus acre outdoor living history museum with six historic districts. Stand in the very lab where Thomas Edison had his light bulb moment and the workshop where the Wright brothers began their quest to reach for the sky. Take a ride in a real Model T or explore our working farms. Meet and observe world-class artisans at their craft. Immerse yourself in a place like no other — a place where America’s can-do spirit will inspire you to go out and get it done. Park at The Henry Ford to visit and buy tickets for Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village and the Ford Rouge Factory Tour. Or purchase a membership for a full year of FREE unlimited visits to Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and Greenfield Village, plus discounts, special events and more. We are conveniently located in Dearborn, Michigan, which is just outside of Detroit.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Greenfield Village is the first outdoor museum of its type in the United States, an outdoor living history museum section of the Henry Ford complex in Dearborn, Michigan. Dedicated in 1929 and opened to the public in 1933, it features nearly 100 historical buildings that were moved to the property from their original locations and arranged in a village setting with the intent of showing how Americans have lived and worked since the founding of our country. It includes buildings from the 17th century to the present, many staffed by costumed interpreters who conduct period tasks like farming, sewing and cooking. There also are craft building such as pottery, glass-blowing and tin shops that provide demonstrations while producing materials used in the village and for sale. The museum covers 240 acres but only 90 are used for the village while the rest is forest, river and pasture for sheep and horses. Visitors an ride through the village in authentic Ford Model Ts, a 1931 Ford Model AA bus, horse-drawn omnibuses and a trail pulled by a steam locomotive. Among the attractions are Noah Webster's Connecticut house, the Wright Brothers' bicycle shop and house, a replica of Thomas Edison's Merlo Park laboratory in New Jersey, Henry Ford's birthplace that is furnished as it was in his mother's time, Ford's garage where he built the Ford Quadricycle, Harvey Firestone's family farm from Columbiana, Ohio, and the the Logan County, Illinois, courthouse where Abraham Lincoln practiced law.
5. Mineral Museum of Michigan
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 179 reviews
Reviewed By DonaldR729 - South Boardman, United States
I've visited Seaman Mineral Museum several times, and every time I see new things and new displays; really amazing things, especially the Copper Country rocks and minerals. The Fluorescent mineral display is world class. Don't miss this Museum.
6. GM Heritage Center
7. The Lingenfelter Collection
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
The Lingenfelter Collection is closed to all general public. Please check back to our website for any future public charity open house dates. Thank you
Reviewed By 19JustinW - Highland, United States
Outstanding collection of high end performance vehicles and unique limited production. Closed collection, that is open on occasion to the public for charity events. If you are even slightly interested in cars, search the calendar and plant to attend their next event.
8. Detroit Historical Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 447 reviews
The Motor City Exhibition, where visitors see how a Cadillac is assembled, is just one of the many interesting displays at this museum dedicated to telling the story of Detroit.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
The Detroit Historical Museum is to Detroit what the Chicago History Museum is to Chicago. Located at 5401 Woodward Avenue in Detroit's Cultural Center Historic District in Midtown Detroit, it chronicles the history of the Detroit area from cobblestone streets to 19th century stores to the automobile assembly line to toy trains to fur trading in the 18th century to Motown music to Detroit's development as a major industrial center and the Automobile Capital of the World. The original museum opened in 1928 in a one-room suite on the 23rd floor of the Barlum Tower, now the Cadillac Tower. The current museum was dedicated on July 24, 1951, the 250th anniversary of Detroit's founding. Today, it houses over 200,000 items. Among the most interesting exhibits are The Motor City exhibition, which traces Detroit's development in the auto industry and includes an operating assembly line; the Frontiers to Factories exhibit, which depicts Detroiters at work in the city's first 200 years, from 1701 to 1901, as it grew from a French fur trading post to a major industrial giant; and The Streets of Old Detroit exhibit, a recreation of the old cobblestone streets and shops and stores dating to the early 1900s. Also Doorway to Freedom: Detroit and the Underground Railroad, which allows visitors to simulate the journey of a runaway slave traveling through Detroit to Canada. And Detroit: Arsenal of Democracy, which explores the city's role in World War II. If you've never visited Detroit before and you don't have much knowledge about the city's history, the Detroit Historical Museum is sure to give you a good education.
9. Motown Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,088 reviews
This old Detroit home belies the greatness that was born here: the Motown Sound. But one step inside Hitsville, USA, the original house where Berry Gordy lived and recorded the Motown hits, and you'll catch the beat and spirit of this booming music era. Photos, costumes, artwork, music and other memorabilia take you back to simpler times.
Reviewed By GlobeTrotting738505 - Quakertown, United States
The Motown Museum lives up to most of the other reviews, and then some! If you get the chance, make sure you check out this place. However, make sure you make a reservation well in advance, especially if you have limited time to visit. We were lucky enough to get a time slot for the next day, but most people reserve much earlier. Our tour guide, Carolyn, made an excellent tour even better with her knowledge, enthusiasm and just plain energy!!! Hopefully, you'll be lucky enough to get her as your guide if / when you go.
10. Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 309 reviews
The Kalamazoo Valley Museum features exhibits on science, technology and the history of Southwest Michigan. The Museum is currently open limited hours with registration. Please visit our website for more information and to register.
Reviewed By monicah149
How many places are FREE anymore? This place has something for everyone in the family - history, hands-on activities for the kids, rotating exhibits to always bring you back, and a planetarium. Every time we go, we discover something new. A favorite place for our multi-generational family
