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    Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum

    4.1 (112 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum Photos

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    Vending machine snack area
    Phillip Y.

    On way back to Indianapolis, we opted to visit here instead of Detroit science museum or Toledo zoo. We made right decision since slot of activities for both toddler daughter and our kindergarten son. There are 5 levels but the 4th and 5th floors are really small footprints. Most of activities on first 3 floors with elevator A to first 3 floors and elevator B to top 2 floors. Water table on 1st floor which we spent a lot of time. Robot suction arm was on 2nd floor that my son spent a lot of time. Snack vending machine around corner to eat and drink for break. Also the gift shop was huge with lots to choose from at all price ranges. We had ATSC reciprocal membership so it was free for our family. No parking lot so had to use street meter which was $5-6 for 2 hours.

    Daniel C.

    I love coming to the Ann Arbor hands on museum! Me and my child both love all of the exhibits. The only thing that I wish that they had was a food court. They do have vending machines that offer beverages

    Kimberley S.

    A wonderful museum for anyone! All ages! It's great to spend a day! So many things to do! A great family day!!!

    Sammar F.

    The museum for kids is absolutely adorable and incredibly entertaining. My children had an absolute blast and an unforgettable experience. I am thrilled that they had a dedicated play area for toddlers, which my two-year-old adored. There are countless activities and attractions that cater to the interests of children.

    Water area in preschool room.
    Breanne K.

    We like this museum! We have an annual membership, which at $100 for kids, parents, grandparents, and two guests is a steal! The kids have a great time when we are here. They love the water play and the preschool area. Here are the problems, some of the exhibits are completely broken with missing pieces. The map is SO confusing. I still don't know where the country store place is, at all. I think I saw a staff member once, maybe twice, if you're lost it's up to you to figure it out. It's pretty dirty, and I didn't see anyone cleaning during the whole time we were there. Overall, it's worth it if you have a large family and get the family plus membership. But truly, we go because there is not many other places to go when it's cold out in our area. It's not our top choice.

    Water station
    Aditi P.

    Love bringing my toddler here. I love burning a few hours and having a mini break for myself while enjoying my kid be amused for hours. So many education, child developmental and fun activities! I myself play too and if I lived closer, I'd easily purchase a membership!

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    5 months ago

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    11 months ago

    It's a great place and a lot to do but only wish it had a little cafe or more seating to eat something

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    1 year ago

    One of my favorite places to go as a child! SO many fond memories and fun rooms/activities to do :)

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    This place is amazing! The staff is great! It's always changing. It's clean and fun. I love the gift shop too the prices are fair!

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum

    Review Highlights - Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum

    You're even allowed to bring food/beverages in and there's a seating area where you can eat lunch/feed the kiddos.

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    Cobblestone Farm and Museum - A view of the front yard of the house, and the fountain.

    Cobblestone Farm and Museum

    4.2(9 reviews)
    3.1 mi

    Great place to have a wedding or a big family get toghter. Plenty of space and very pretty landscaperead more

    A few minor downsides first: The museum's website isn't terribly informative about when the museum…read moreor the general complex of buildings is open. I spoke to a park employee when I was there and still wasn't able to get a straight answer. I did find out that if you want to set up a program for kids where they learn about pioneer life, including churning their own butter, then you have to make arrangements ahead of time, and that makes sense. It seems you can wander the grounds and look at the barn and the gardens and the outside of the various buildings from dawn to dusk in good weather. I'm still not clear on whether the museum has regular hours or if you have to call ahead to arrange a tour, though. The nice park employee I spoke to, though, did give me a full tour of one of the auxiliary buildings, between the museum and the barn. They have a really nice hall here that's often rented for weddings and wedding receptions, and they have a whole album of photos you can look at to see people who have used it before. The reception hall is up a flight of stairs, but they have an elevator for handicapped access. I loved this place and plan to go back to explore some more. I may have to borrow a friend's kid for a day and take him or her to one of the programs because they sound like a lot of fun.

    Photos
    Cobblestone Farm and Museum - A wary goat stares out of the barn at Cobblestone Farm's barn.

    A wary goat stares out of the barn at Cobblestone Farm's barn.

    Cobblestone Farm and Museum - A view of the back of the house/museum.

    A view of the back of the house/museum.

    Cobblestone Farm and Museum - A small log cabin behind the main house and the barn at Cobblestone Farm.

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    A small log cabin behind the main house and the barn at Cobblestone Farm.

    Ypsilanti Historical Museum - Stained glass artwork that was moved from the city's "Ladies Library" to the historical museum for safekeeping.

    Ypsilanti Historical Museum

    5.0(4 reviews)
    7.3 miDepot Town Ypsilanti

    Our tour guide, Cheryl gave us a lot of interesting information. We enjoyed our time with her.read more

    I have lived in Ypsilanti since January of 1999 and just now got around to exploring the Historical…read moreMuseum. These can be very dry and educational (in the bad, boring way), but Ypsi's museum does a great job. Part of it, I think, was the enthusiasm of our tour guide. She told us something cool about each room and pointed out a few nifty artifacts in each as well. However, the home, which was originally built by Asa Dow in the 1860s, would probably be fun to explore without a guide as well. Downstairs, you can view the formal parlor or the less formal family parlor, the dining room, and the kitchen. Upstairs, rooms are dedicated to a variety of displays, from musical instruments, to the tool room, to the children's room, full of porcelain-headed dolls and toys. Some of my favorite bits of the museum included the elaborately built and tricked out traveling carpenter's kit and a huge stainglass window that actually originally was at the city's "Ladies Library." The tour guide told us they had trouble protecting the stained glass from vandals and so moved it into the Dow house. The best thing about the museum is that it's free, though donations are accepted. I spent an hour there getting the tour, but would love to go back with a friend and explore it for another hour or two some time.

    Photos
    Ypsilanti Historical Museum - A "walking" spinning wheel at the Ypsi Historical Museum.

    A "walking" spinning wheel at the Ypsi Historical Museum.

    Ypsilanti Historical Museum - The exterior of the Dow house that holds the museum and archives.

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    The exterior of the Dow house that holds the museum and archives.

    African American Cultural & Historical Museum - There is an upstairs!

    African American Cultural & Historical Museum

    4.7(3 reviews)
    3.0 mi

    ****They moved locations to 3261 Lohr Road, Ann Arbor, MI. ****…read more Yesterday, we visited The African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County (AACHM). My husband found it and what a gem it is! They are currently showcasing art by sophomores in a local high school (Huron HS). Their project was to showcase African American history and they did it through art themes of Unity, Peace amidst Chaos, Community, Adversity, Music, Adinkra symbols, Struggle, and Honor. I was amazed at their artistic skills and depth of interpretation of their feelings. The most exciting part is this Museum offers a tour of part of the Ann Arbor Underground Railroad Sites and Black History! We can't wait to do this! I love and am always so encouraged to see the resilience African Americans have shown in calamity and the hope they showcase that can only be found in God's strength. The employee was very nice and helpful! I highly recommend coming here to learn!!

    Excuse me, but how is it that no one has reviewed this yet??? It is one of AA's gems…read more The foundational exhibit of this organization is actually not a place, or a thing, but an experince. They do a Journey to Freedom bus tour where you visit undergroud railroad spots (complete with crawling into hidden rooms) includng the building where Michigan abolishionists oporated a hidden press to publish anti-slavery newspapers. The tour includes spots Yspi and Pittsfield Township where the stationmasters are buried as well. They have tours of the historic home where the musuem is located as well, though this is decidedly less dynamic. I heard from a student that when she was in high school the musuem did a whole program for them at the school for AA history month, this seems to the musuem's main baliwick, other than the bus tours. Recently the musuem has been hosting jazz dinners, I think as a fundraiser. I haven't been but a friend went and said it was "lovely."

    Photos
    African American Cultural & Historical Museum - Their library area

    Their library area

    African American Cultural & Historical Museum
    African American Cultural & Historical Museum - Inside was nicely air conditioned

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    Inside was nicely air conditioned

    Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum - childrensmuseums - Updated May 2026

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