Detroit stands at the crossroads of American innovation and artistry, and its museums reflect both its industrial pulse and its rich cultural layers. Travelers to the city will discover institutions that run the gamut from world-class art collections to hands-on science museums, each capturing a piece of Detroit’s legacy and dynamic spirit. Whether you’re strolling through the grand galleries of the Detroit Institute of Arts, exploring interactive family favorites like the Michigan Science Center, or delving into the music heritage highlighted at the Motown Museum, you’re never far from a new perspective on the appreciating the city’s history, legacy and continual reinvention.

Navigating Detroit’s museum landscape is easy, with many must-see sites conveniently clustered in the city’s vibrant Midtown district. Plan ahead for guided tours at iconic destinations like the Motown Museum, or check local schedules for special events and traveling exhibits. It’s easy to pair a museum visit with nearby sights, such as the leafy expanse of the Detroit Riverwalk or the city’s resurgent shops and cafes, making every excursion both educational and enjoyable. 

This guide rounds up some of the city’s great museums, from long‑standing landmarks to newer community-driven spaces. Together, they provide a clear view of Detroit’s artistic ambition and the everyday stories that give it depth. Whether you’re in town for a weekend or crafting a longer itinerary exploring the city’s distinctive neighborhoods and culture, this is a good starting point.

Personal note: I adhere to a very broad definition of what constitutes a museum.

Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA)

The Detroit Institute of Arts is one of the country’s top art museums, home to more than 65,000 works spanning centuries and continents. Its collection features masterpieces by Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Matisse, alongside the iconic Detroit Industry Murals by Diego Rivera. The Rivera Court is remarkable, with floor-to-ceiling murals that tell the story of Detroit’s industrial rise. Beyond the Rivera Court, visitors can explore African, Asian, and Islamic art, making the museum a global journey under one roof.

Touring the DIA can take a few hours or an entire afternoon, depending on how deeply you explore the galleries. Don’t miss the special exhibitions, which change regularly and offer something new on every visit.

Top Highlights of the DIA

• Diego Rivera’s Detroit Industry Murals – Explore Rivera’s sweeping frescoes that capture Detroit’s industrial strength and innovation.
• Vincent van Gogh’s Self-Portrait – A striking example of Van Gogh’s introspection and unique style.
• Ancient Egyptian Artifacts – Journey back in time with a collection of fascinating Egyptian pieces.
• Check for Special Exhibitions – The DIA frequently hosts temporary shows, so check the schedule before your visit.

Location: 5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, Michigan | Official Website

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is one of the largest institutions dedicated to African American history and culture in the world. Its permanent exhibition, And Still We Rise, takes visitors on a journey from the roots of African civilizations through the Middle Passage, slavery, and the Civil Rights Movement, highlighting the resilience and achievements of African Americans. The museum’s Ford Freedom Rotunda, topped with a soaring glass dome, is a striking centerpiece, while the Ring of Genealogy honors notable African Americans with bronze nameplates embedded in a sweeping terrazzo design.

Exploring the Wright Museum can easily fill a few hours. Each gallery immerses you in different periods and experiences, with multimedia displays, interactive stations, and occasional e-guides that make the history engaging and accessible. Plan for some time to take it all in; this is not a quick walk-through museum. You may find it an emotional experience

Top Highlights of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

• And Still We Rise – An expansive permanent exhibition tracing African American history from Africa to modern times.
• Ford Freedom Rotunda – A 100-foot glass dome symbolizing hope and enlightenment.
• Ring of Genealogy – A 37-foot terrazzo tile installation honoring notable African Americans.
• Rotating Exhibits – Temporary displays of African American art, culture, and contributions, which change every few months.

Location: 315 East Warren Avenue, Detroit, Michigan | Official Website

Detroit Historical Museum

The Detroit Historical Museum brings the city’s rich history to life, from its founding to its rise as an industrial powerhouse. Visitors can wander through exhibits that recreate Detroit streets from the 1840s, 1870s, and 1900s in the Streets of Old Detroit, giving an authentic view of how the city has changed over time. Other displays showcase Detroit’s automotive history, the fur trade era, and local culture, offering a comprehensive look at the city’s evolution.

Touring the museum is a multi-hour experience. Exhibits are interactive and detailed, so plan to spend time reading, exploring, and stepping into history. Families and history buffs alike will find something engaging, from model trains to immersive cityscape recreations. The museum is fully accessible, though some exhibits may involve stairs or narrow spaces.

Top Highlights of the Detroit Historical Museum

• “Streets of Old Detroit” Exhibition – Walk through recreated city streets from the 1840s, 1870s, and 1900s.
• Motor City Exhibition – Discover Detroit’s rise as the automotive capital of the world.
• Glancy Trains – A family-friendly favorite, featuring historic model trains and interactive setups.

Location: 5401 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan | Official Website

Motown Museum (Hitsville U.S.A.)

For music enthusiasts, the Motown Museum, affectionately known as Hitsville U.S.A., is a must-visit. This is the house where Berry Gordy Jr. founded Motown Records in 1959. And the rest, as they say, is history – music history. Visitors can step into Studio A, the legendary recording room where countless hits were made, and explore Gordy’s apartment to see how the label got its humble start.

The museum is packed with memorabilia from Motown legends like Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, and Marvin Gaye, offering a nostalgic journey through the sounds that shaped a generation. Tours usually take about 1–2 hours, and guides share personal stories and behind-the-scenes insights that make the experience even more memorable. If you came of age in thed 1960-1970s, this museum is like to be a favorite – it was for us!

Top Highlights of the Motown Museum

• Studio A – The original recording studio where Motown hits were made.
• Berry Gordy’s Apartment – See where the founder lived and worked, offering insight into Motown’s humble beginnings.
• Motown Memorabilia – A collection of costumes, instruments, and personal items from Motown artists.

Location: 2648 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan | Official Website

Michigan Science Center

The Michigan Science Center turns learning into an adventure, making science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fun for visitors of all ages. The museum is packed with hands-on exhibits, live stage demonstrations, and a planetarium that brings the universe to life. One standout feature is the Chrysler Science Stage, where daily shows use fire, electricity, and motion to demonstrate scientific principles in exciting, unforgettable ways.

Families can also catch a film at the IMAX Dome Theater, one of the largest in the Midwest, for immersive experiences on science and nature. With so many interactive displays and live demonstrations, a visit to the Michigan Science Center can easily fill a half or full day, and makes a great option for families on a rainy day.

Top Highlights of the Michigan Science Center

• Chrysler Science Stage – Watch live experiments with fire, electricity, and motion.
• IMAX Dome Theater – Experience larger-than-life films about science and nature.
• Planetarium – Explore astronomy and the wonders of the universe.
• Hands-On Exhibits – Interactive stations that spark curiosity and make learning fun.

Location: 5020 John R St., Detroit, Michigan | Official Website

Dossin Great Lakes Museum

Located on Belle Isle, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum dives into Detroit’s maritime history and its connection to the Great Lakes. Visitors can explore one of the world’s largest collections of scale model ships, each meticulously crafted to showcase the grandeur of Great Lakes vessels. A highlight is the William Clay Ford Pilot House, where you can step inside and try your hand at “steering” a massive freighter. It’s almost like experiencing life on the water firsthand. Other exhibits explore early shipbuilding, commercial trade, and Detroit’s role as a major freshwater port, making the museum a fascinating stop for families and history enthusiasts alike.

Top Highlights of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum

• Scale Model Ship Collection – One of the world’s largest collections, showcasing the grandeur of Great Lakes vessels.
• William Clay Ford Pilot House – An interactive exhibit where visitors can “steer” a freighter.
• Maritime Exhibits – Displays that narrate the history and significance of the Great Lakes to Detroit.

Location:100 Strand Drive, Belle Isle, Detroit, Michigan | Official Website

Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

Located in Dearborn, the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation is one of the largest indoor history museums in the United States. Though the museum itself is indoors, it is part of a larger 250-acre campus that includes Greenfield Village (see below) next door. The museum showcases how American ideas, inventions, and industry shaped the modern world. From towering locomotives to the presidential limousine that carried John F. Kennedy, its vast collection spans transportation, technology, and social history.

Walking through the exhibits feels like flipping through the chapters of America’s story. You can step inside the bus where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat, marvel at the massive Allegheny steam locomotive, and explore innovations in aviation, automotive design, and everyday life. The museum balances big moments in history with small details that connect visitors personally to the past.

Plan to spend several hours here; most visitors dedicate a full day, especially if pairing the museum with Greenfield Village. We’ve visited twice, and still haven’t seen everything there is to see. Our favorite exhibits to date include the presidential limousines (especially the one President Kennedy was riding in when he was assasinated), Presidential memorabilia (President Lincoln’s chair from Ford’s theater), historically significant artifacts like the bus that Rosa Parks was riding when she refused to surrender her seat, an exhibition of racing cars, and an exhibition of the history or road trips. 

Top Highlights of the Henry Ford Museum

• Rosa Parks Bus – Step inside the vehicle that sparked the Civil Rights Movement.
• Presidential Limousines – A collection of iconic cars used by U.S. presidents from Roosevelt to Reagan.
• Wright Brothers Aviation Exhibit – Explore the dawn of powered flight and early aviation history.
• Agricultural Engines and Tractors – Discover how technology transformed American farming.
• Historic Americana – See artifacts like Lincoln’s Ford’s Theatre chair and mid-century neon signs.

Location: 20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, Michigan | Official Website

Greenfield Village

Next to the Henry Ford Museum (see above), Greenfield Village is an open-air history museum that lets you step directly into America’s past. Spread across 80 acres, the village is divided into seven historic districts filled with working farms, preserved homes, and hands-on demonstrations. Costumed interpreters bring each space to life, whether it’s glassblowing, blacksmithing, or running a print shop. You can also climb aboard historic rides, from horse-drawn wagons to Model Ts and a full steam train.

Visiting Greenfield Village is a full-day experience, with enough to keep you busy for hours. Seasonal programs like Holiday Nights and Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village make repeat visits worthwhile, with each event transforming the grounds into something new.

Top Highlights of Greenfield Village

• Historic Homes – Tour Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park lab, Henry Ford’s birthplace, and the Wright Brothers’ workshop.
• Working Farms – See agriculture in action with live demonstrations.
• Historic Rides – Ride a Model T, take a steam train, or hop on a horse-drawn wagon.
• Artisans – Watch trades like glassblowing, printing, and blacksmithing up close.

Location: 20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, Michigan | Official Website

Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD)

For contemporary art, the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) offers an ever-changing experience. Housed in a converted auto dealership, the raw, industrial setting makes the perfect backdrop for art that’s constantly pushing boundaries. Unlike traditional museums, MOCAD doesn’t keep a permanent collection or display permanent exhibits. Instead, all exhibits are temporary and rotate frequently, so no two visits are ever the same.

Expect to find experimental exhibitions, thought-provoking video installations, and community-driven events that reflect Detroit’s forward-looking spirit. One month you might walk into a massive multimedia installation, the next it could be an intimate performance or live music set. It’s as much a cultural hub as it is an art museum, often blending visual art with music, lectures, and workshops. 

MOCAD operates on a suggested $5 donation for general admission (though free admission is offered if you can’t pay), which feels like a bargain given the quality and scale of the work on display. 

Top Highlights of Contemporary Art Venues

• MOCAD – Experimental exhibitions from local and international artists.
• Rotating Installations – Unpredictable, immersive, and always changing.
• Cultural Programming – Talks, performances, and community events that bring Detroit’s art scene to life.

Location: 4454 Woodward Ave, Detroit, Michigan | Official Website

Belle Isle Aquarium and Conservatory

Though technically not a museum, the Belle Isle Aquarium and the neighboring Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory are two notable cultural spots, so I’m including them in this list.

The aquarium, designed by famed architect Albert Kahn, first opened in 1904, making it the oldest public aquarium building in the United States. After closing in 2005, it was restored and reopened in 2012, and today it retains much of its historic character. Inside, you’ll find tanks filled with freshwater species from the Great Lakes alongside exotic fish from around the world. It’s not huge, I’d allow an hour(ish) for a visit, but it’s packed with character. Keep an eye out for the axolotls (a paedomorphic salamander). It’s sort of ugly, but still a visitor favorite.

Right next door, the glass-domed conservatory offers a completely different experience. Built in 1904, it houses rare plants from across the globe and provides a warm escape during Detroit’s colder months. In summer, the surrounding outdoor gardens are in full bloom, making the area a year-round destination. Together, the aquarium and conservatory capture Detroit’s mix of history, architecture, and natural beauty. 

Top Highlights of Belle Isle Aquarium and Conservatory

• Belle Isle Aquarium – The oldest public aquarium in the U.S., showcasing both local and exotic aquatic life.
• Conservatory – A striking glass-domed greenhouse filled with global plant species.
• Albert Kahn Architecture – Historic design that’s as much a draw as the exhibits themselves.

Location: 900 Inselruhe Avenue, Detroit, Michigan | Official Website

Pewabic Pottery

Founded in 1903, Pewabic Pottery is both a National Historic Landmark and a piece of Detroit’s cultural identity. Housed in a Tudor Revival–style building designed by William Buck Stratton, Pewabic is world-renowned for its iridescent glazes and handcrafted tiles that decorate some of the city’s landmarks, including the Guardian Building and Comerica Park.

A visit here blends history, artistry, and hands-on creativity. Downstairs is a beautiful shop stocked with mugs, bowls, ornaments, and, of course, Pewabic’s signature tiles, each piece reflecting the pottery’s arts-and-crafts heritage. Upstairs, a free museum tells the story of Pewabic’s founders, the evolution of its techniques, and the installations that have carried its work far beyond Detroit. You can also see artists at work in the studios, and if you plan ahead, sign up for a workshop to try your hand at making your own tile or ceramic piece.

Events bring the pottery to life, especially the annual Pewabic House & Garden Show, which combines live demonstrations, special releases, and community celebration on the historic grounds. 

Top Highlights of Pewabic Pottery

• Historic Studio & Kilns – Explore the Tudor Revival building and learn about Detroit’s pottery legacy.
• Ceramic Exhibits – See both historic collections and contemporary works.
• Hands-On Workshops – Try wheel throwing or make your own Pewabic-inspired tile.

Location: 10125 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, Michigan | Official Website

DNR Outdoor Adventure Center

This often-overlooked space introduces visitors to Michigan’s wildlife, ecosystems, and conservation efforts. Located along the Detroit River in a renovated historic warehouse, the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center brings Michigan’s forests, rivers, wetlands, and Great Lakes habitats into an accessible, indoor setting. The center combines interactive exhibits with live animals and educational displays, creating a hands-on learning environment for all ages.

The center is family-friendly and fully accessible, with elevators for strollers and wheelchairs. 

Top Highlights of the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center

• Wildlife Exhibits – See animals native to Michigan up close.
• Interactive Habitats – Hands-on exhibits that bring forests, rivers, wetlands, and lakes to life.
• Educational Programs – Seasonal classes, workshops, and events for children and adults.

Location: 1801 Atwater St, Detroit, Michigan | Official Website

Guardian Building Tours

Known as Detroit’s “Cathedral of Finance,” the Guardian Building is an Art Deco masterpiece that doubles as both an architectural landmark and a museum of design history. Completed in 1929 and designed by Wirt C. Rowland, the building showcases intricate tile work, murals, and ornate craftsmanship that reflect Detroit’s industrial boom and cultural ambition. The Guardian Building is also a National Historic Landmark, celebrated for its preservation and striking interior design.

Guided tours reveal the stories behind the building, its architects and artists, and the economic and cultural context that shaped its creation. Visitors can admire the colorful Pewabic tile mosaics, elaborate ceilings, and historic elevators, while also gaining insight into the transformation of spaces like the old vaults. 

Top Highlights of Guardian Building Tours

• Art Deco Interiors – Marvel at Pewabic tiles, murals, and ornate design elements.
• Historical Context – Learn how Detroit’s industrial rise shaped the building’s creation.
• Guided Tours – Expert guides reveal hidden details, stories, and design secrets.

Location: 500 Griswold St, Detroit, Michigan | Official Website