This is a huge museum with so many items. Cars, trains, planes, buses, steam engines, furniture &…read moremore. My favorite thing to see in this museum was the ACTUAL bus that Rosa Parks rode in & was able to sit in the spot she sat in. We saw some of the cars that the presidents drove in. So many different innovations.

I'm a bit surprised it has taken me this long to review this museum; it is one of my favorite…read moreplaces in Michigan. I also bring out-of-town guests here, sharing the numerous exhibits with pride. American innovation is the focus of this museum, and the number of exhibits clearly demonstrates the cleverness and ingenuity of Americans. Of course, in Michigan, hundreds of vehicles were on display - from stable coaches, to the first Fords (and other nameplates), to the race cars of today. However, innovation was not limited to "things on wheels". Today, I saw the futuristic Dymaxion home designed by Buckminster Fuller. It was conceived for factory production (after WWII) and included modern kitchen appliances such as a dishwasher. What impressed me was how he designed a system to collect and then recycle rainwater for non-potable uses (washing clothes). Other home-related innovations, outside of the Dymaxion home, were home entertainment. There was also a display of chairs - I honestly don't know how they relate to innovation. I was here specifically to see the Da Vinci exhibit, the inventions from his codex, imagined in wood. Some displays (but not all) allowed guests to take a hands-on approach. It is incredible to see not only the diversity of his thinking but also how it has influenced products today. After seeing just a fraction of his thinking, I am inspired to continue reading Walter Isaacson's biography, which I really should have completed before coming here. Another exhibit of note is Mathematica, an interactive math display designed by Charles and Ray Eames (yes, those Eames). I love math, so I loved their explanation of "random walk", probability/ bell curve, and even the multiplication tables. This time, I did not spend that much time on the aircrafts nor the train - I got to save something for my next visit. Based on the throngs of people here today, I am not the only one who enjoys seeing the treasures at this museum.

What an interesting tour!…read more Pictures are not allowed when walking on the elevated walkway that goes completely around the assembly lines, but it is what it is. The elevated walkway was quite long, and enabled us to watch multiple stations that were involved in the assembly lines of the F-150. I would do this over if given the chance, because we were on a bus tour that had limited time.

What a great tour. I went in a Friday in late November. Assembly operations were running and it…read morewas very cool to see. You start the tour at the Henry Ford, here a 20 min bus ride will take you to the factory. There are 5 stops. A short history movie. A multimedia assembly demonstration, the observation deck, the factory observation platform (about a 1/3 mile walk), and the heritage cars. The return bus leaves every 10-15 minutes. You don't have to stay with your group. There are guides to answer questions. No photos in the assembly plant. Start to finish for me, solo, was about 2 1/2 hours. There is road construction, so our bus trip took us through security, passed the steel mill, engine plant, and under the stamping plant, then out security on the other side. when the construction is finished, I'm sure the bus ride will be 5 to 8 minutes shorter.

I volunteered for our fourth grade class field trip. This was a field trip through history, we all…read morewill always remember. The First Congregational Church in Detroit has transformed its lower level into a living replica of the Underground Railroad. The Flight to Freedom Tour at First Congregational Church in Detroit is a time portal from 2018  to the mid-1800s on a quest for freedom.  Kids were in good hands, the conductor "Bo" has made this journey before.  "My name is Bo and I ain't never lost a passenger," he told the group. "And I ain't going to lose one today." It is a storytelling reenactment of the Underground Railroad, a network of secret tunnels and safe houses slaves traveled to free states between 1840 and 1863. We loved this whole experience and truly felt the emotions of a person who traveled in the dark with only one goal, FREEDOM!!

During our week of training at the Dearborn Inn, our organization scheduled Thursday night's dinner…read moreat the Henry Ford Estate (Fair Lane / Home of Clara & Henry Ford). As a novice of woodworking, I was blown-away by the intricate woodwork and finishings throughout the home. The three ladies that lead our tour of the home shared many interesting details about the property, its restoration, and details of Clara and Henry's years at the estate. Many of the restoration stories, like finding a tub for Henry's bathroom or how Clara had a section repainted white were intriguing. Even though much of the home, especially the second floor, is still being restored it was a fascinating experience.

The site here is open for limited hours and is fenced off from the surrounding university and…read moreparkland, which I guess is their right but which nonetheless was annoying for me as a visitor. There wasn't much actually open amongst the majestic-looking buildings while I was there, but the picnic area was hopping. The signage was bilingual-in English and Arabic-and what appeared to be a Yemeni wedding seemed to be taking place. The juxtaposition of the estate of an industrialist (or robber baron, or visionary, or racist, depending on your point of view) with a distinctive immigrant community makes for a striking reflection on Americana. The grounds include some gardens, and a lake with a path around it. Access to the river is limited, but it didn't look like that impressive of a river. The greenery is more worthwhile.

Mitch was amazing!! Recommend him for this! He understood our needs and explained it all!read more

I see the staff say good morning every morning on the news and finally got to visit on a field…read moretrip. I was with the littles, young elementary school aged kids, and they absolutely had the best time. This place was adorable, packed with so much for young kids to touch, see, experience, play with and play on and we were able to get through and do most of it. They loved the tree, the camp site, the plane, the kitchen, the waterfall area, the bunk beds, the fish, and fishing simulation, the driving simulations, this was a magical place for them. Since we had limited time and a big group, I did not get a chance to try the driving experiences, but it is only $5 admission. The only thing I wish they would have as a parent, and maybe this feasible for them would be to have a cafeteria where they actually sold food and drinks. You have to bring your own food and if you have a water bottle, they put it away for you since nothing is allowed on the attractions.

I brought my almost 4 year old granddaughter here recently. They have a toddler area and a Kids…read moreTown area. The Kids Town area was her favorite with water activities and some interactive exhibits. The toddler area was ok, with some large building blocks and a few other things that she enjoyed. The motion gallery and several exhibits were non-functioning, but for a 4 year old it didn't matter, but it would to older kids. The colorful escalator, the numbers hopscotch and even the small scale Mackinac Bridge were a hit. She LOVED the science show with the gases, fire and exploding balloons although she covered her ears for the 'booms'. Pricing is outrageous I think - $69 for 2 adults and a toddler. What?! I can go to the Outdoor Adventure Center for $5 a head (senior price), and $5 for her. The Nature Center on Belle Isle is FREE. Parking is free but limited, I got the last spot, my bf who met me there had to find street parking. The gift shop was nice and of course on the way out so we ended up with a stuffed animal and some mystery sand adding another $20 to my bill, so $89 for a 2.5 hour visit. OUCH.

What an awesome museum for kids to explore and learn! We had free tickets to come visit and check…read morethis place out and we were not disappointed. The kids were free because they are 2 as well. The parking in the lot next to it was $8 and its gated so it felt really safe. They have a ramp if you have a stroller. They offer stroller parking too. We walked around the main floor and checked out the exhibits. Then we went to the lower level and played in the kids area. The kids loved it. They do clean 12:30pm to 1:00pm. We were able to play for an hour. They loved the water section. There was dancing fruit in one of the rooms and my son was dancing a lot. Another room had soccer balls that he was throwing. They had a pretend kitchen area and a seated area with magnetic blocks. My kids did not want to leave. When we walked out they had a demonstration at the science stage at 12:30pm about fire. That was really cool. They also have IMAX theatre shows. We did not want to participate in that because our kids would just scream. We did go to the dinosaur exhibit on the third floor as well. Overall, it is a nice, clean, and fun museum for kids. We will definitely be back!

Very beautiful building with amazing architecture. The design is so unique. Definitely a must visit…read morefrom Detroit. There's a coffee place, and you can seat around and stay watching for a long time. Ps. Also has public restrooms, which sometimes are hard to find.

This is one of the must see buildings on the historical detriot tourist list! The Guardian Building…read moreis one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. It was completed in 1929 during the city's automotive boom. It is also often referred to as the Cathedral of Finance. It's a breathtaking Art Deco design inside and out. Make sure to take time to appreciate the detail, that makes it so special. The bold colors, the amazing tile work, and vaulted lobby are stunning. It history and beauty makes it so much more than "office building". We lucked out and found street parking but would have paid for a garage. It is absolutely worth stepping inside to look around. Website: www.guardianbuilding.com

I recently had the chance to visit the Detroit Institute of Arts. The museum is a great balance…read morebetween being expansive and still manageable. You can easily spend a few hours here without feeling overwhelmed. What stood out most was the diversity of the collection. From classic European paintings to modern and contemporary works, there's something for every kind of art lover. The layout of the museum is intuitive, and I appreciated how easy it was to move between galleries without getting lost. Staff were friendly and helpful without being intrusive, and the overall atmosphere felt relaxed rather than stuffy. Overall, I'd highly recommend the Detroit Institute of Arts to anyone visiting Detroit or even locals who haven't been in a while. It's a thoughtfully curated, enriching experience that feels both accessible and inspiring.

As a lifelong dilettante of the arts, I have long held the DIA in the highest esteem. I revere the…read morecathedral hush of the galleries, the grandeur of lunching beneath the vaulted glass of the Kresge Court, the solemn historical weight of Rivera's murals, and the operatic extravagance of The Officer of the Hussars, whose horse appears perpetually moments from stealing the entire painting. I am, in short, a woman of superb taste. And then, of course, there are The Nut Gatherers. Now, it is a little-known fact that William-Adolphe Bouguereau's renowned oil painting, The Nut Gatherers, was originally conceived with adult women as its subjects. I happen to know this for a fact because, for a very brief and professionally ill-advised moment, I was one of those women. Allow me to share my personal contretemps. This was during the period in which I was actively exploring new employment opportunities following my regrettable trist with Greenfield Village, a chapter that may or may not have included an order of protection against a certain biotch ex-coworker from the tinsmith shop whose pathological lying was rivaled only by her raging case of oral herpes (see my previous review for further details). The job description for "nut gatherer" was as Delphic as they come, not to mention entirely en français. It promised "live modeling for a classical composition," "physical stamina," and "comfort with prolonged, natural poses." Experience preferred. Discretion required. Wardrobe, it noted coyly, would be "minimal and historically faithful." "Nut gatherer" was not a title I was accustomed to, but I assumed this was simply the romance of translation at work. Surely this was the literal phrasing from the French. Besides, the industry has always found new and creative ways to sanitize its nomenclature: exotic dancer, adult entertainer, webcam model, etc. My curriculum vitae was already extensively "fluffy," shall we say, so I entered the interview supremely confident in my qualifications. I reclined slightly on the wide leather casting couch, crossed one leg with intention, and cleared my throat in preparation for what I assumed would be a frank but professional discussion. Although I studied French for many years, I confess that my fluency had deteriorated into a cocktail of menu-deciphering, shampoo-label translation, and occasional Québécois profanity shouted at ice rinks. Still, I came prepared with questions. How many nuts require gathering? What is the varietal? Are they fleshy? What is the circumference of said nuts? Will I be gathering one at a time or two at a time? Will they be husked or au naturel? Should I be prepared for any crème de noisette clean-up? There was a pause. A long one. Then a polite but visibly alarmed gentleman slid a portfolio across the table. Inside were charcoal studies of hands, baskets, fabric folds, and several extremely wholesome agricultural diagrams. No bodies. No boudoir. No anything remotely resembling what I had been preparing to offer. It was at this moment, I regret to inform you, that I attempted to clarify my enthusiasm. The precise phrasing is not something I will be memorializing in print, but I will say this: it began as an inquiry about whether "full commitment to the role" was encouraged, an anxious sense that I was in danger of losing the part for not adequately demonstrating my range, and ended with a sentence that began with, "Here, it's easier if I just show you..." immediately followed by an all-out yet borderline desperate demonstration of "flexibility." The silence that followed was immediate, total, and devastating. I was escorted out with the efficiency typically reserved for museum patrons who touch the artwork. My termination was not so much delivered as performed, in the hushed, mortified tone one uses when explaining to someone that they have catastrophically misunderstood the assignment. In the end, the artist decided to use children instead of adults for the final painting. The finished work was revered by the masses. Let me tell you some other things that are revered by the masses: Marvel origin stories, compulsory monogamy, "Live, Laugh, Love" decor, and Bud Light. In my learned opinion, the end result was saccharine, jejune even, no more original than a palimpsest and twice as eager to be liked, the visual equivalent of a museum gift shop postcard that reassures rather than challenges. In other words: not fucking sexy. At all. And yet...le sigh. I will still return to the DIA. I will still linger beneath Rivera's murals. I will still lunch in the Kresge Court like a minor European despot fallen on Midwestern times. I will still bring out-of-towners and speak in reverent tones about brushwork and composition, because even when it rejects me, this institution remains magnificent.

The Automotive Hall of Frame is one of my favorite experiences here. There are just so many cars…read moreand different areas represented. Spent the day in Dearborn. Located next to the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation.

A really fun museum to learn about all automotive-related history of those people that shaped the…read moreindustry. Angela was highly knowledgeable about the history and she was gracious with her time showing us a few of her favorite displays. This museum is not related to the Ford museums, even though it's in the complex, and at the time of our visit I love how less crowded it was.

Greenfield Village is incredible! Came here for Holiday Nights with our friends. Pure magic +…read morehistory = Greenfield Village. Parking is easy and free! Bonus. Definitely recommend purchasing tickets in advance since Holiday Nights sells out. We came on a Tuesday before Christmas. Good crowd. I love the wagon rides, Model T rides, ice skating, brass bands, carolers, and more! We started our night by stuffing our bellies. The Philly steak from A Touch of Honey was delicious! We enjoyed some festive cocktails - spiked cocoa and mulled wine. We were able to explore the post office (still active). Individuals had the ability to purchase post cards and mail them domestically and internationally. Next stop was learning about Edison, seeing his original work, and electric cable artifacts that come out once a year. I loved seeing the chemistry lab and learning about how lower manhattan first was lit up. Lots of stops to stand or sit by a firepit, enjoy mini donuts, and more drinks. Highly recommend especially during the holidays.

Ok, so this place was so awesome! I had no expectations that there was as much going on here, as…read morethere was. Apparently, we lucky to go during a slow/off season time, parking was easy! The buildings were fantastic, the history, and employees stationed around were eager to share stories and the history of each place. It also seemed like the employees here were well tenured as the ones whom I asked had worked here for a really long time, and really enjoyed their jobs. So, you can go through this place in a day, but if you really wanted to deep dive into the buildings etc., you would need to plan to spend maybe 2 days here. I am not from the area, so 2 days was not an option, so powering through was THE option for me. Still a great full day of exploring, the few downsides for us on this trip was that a lot of the buildings which I would have loved to see were under maintenance, however I also appreciate that they maintain these buildings so well! Lastly, we picked up the ride pass as we wanted to ride the train and model T, we asked the cashier how long the wait would be for these and she said rides have about a 10-minute wait or so. When we got to the model T, the estimated wait was about an hour and 20 minutes, so we thought we would head over to the Train depot, but the train was closed as they were setting it up for a nighttime event. They refunded us for this portion so really can't speak badly about it. Overall A+ experience.