Detroit has a deep history here in America, from the industrial revolution to the center for Ford Automotive in Dearborn. The city is host to some surprisingly good art and cultural museums, besides the obvious automotive museums here in Motor City. To explore the history and art of the Detroit area a little more, we have put together a list of some of the must-see museums in the Dearborn and Detroit metro areas.
The Henry Ford Museum
20900 Oakwood Boulevard, Dearborn, MI
313-855-5048
Hours:
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Mon – Fri 9 am – 5 pm
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Sat 9 am – 3 pm
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Sun 9 am – 1 pm
Starting right here in Dearborn, we love the Henry Ford Museum and its partner Greenfield Village. Packed full of historically significant objects, including the bus on which Rosa Parks defied segregation, the chair in which Lincoln was sitting when he was assassinated, and Thomas Edison’s laboratory. If you’re in Motor City for cars though, there’s the first car Ford ever built, and you can ride in a Ford from 1923.
Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI
(313) 833-7900
Hours:
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Closed Mon – Tues
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Wed – Fri 9 am – 4 pm
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Sat – Sun 10 am – 5 pm
The Detroit Institute of Arts is one of the world’s finest art museums; its huge collection of art from across the globe features everything from Egyptian statuettes and suits of armor to paintings by Monet and Van Gogh. Set in 100 galleries, not forgetting Diego Rivera’s Detroit Industry frescoes in the central court of the museum, you’ll need multiple visits to truly appreciate it all.
Detroit Historical Museum
5401 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI
(313) 833-1805
Hours:
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Thu – Sat 10 am – 5 pm
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Sun 1 pm – 5 pm
The primary museum from the Detroit Historical Society has been around in one form or another since 1928 when it occupied a single room in a downtown skyscraper. Since then, it has grown significantly, with exhibits depicting over 300 years of Detroit history, demonstrating how it evolved from a French fur trading post into a major industrial center.
Michigan Science Center (MiSci)
5020 John R. Street, Detroit
(313) 577-8400
Hours:
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Update: TEMPORARILY CLOSED
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While this is closed at the moment, it is a must-see and should reopen shortly!
If you prefer your museum a bit more hands-on, MiSci is a far more interactive experience, with live stage shows, a 4D theater, and lab activities and exhibitions with which to get involved. There’s also an IMAX® theatre, a planetarium, and After Dark events for those over the age of 21 to enjoy the museum with a drink or two.
What are your favorite Detroit Museums? Tell us in the comments!