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Historical Attractions in Southeast Michigan
Music, barns, art, cars, arcades and more! Here's the Metro Parent family guide to the best museums and other spots where kids and parents can get a taste of history.
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Governor Warner Mansion and Museum
- Address: 33805 Grand River Ave., Farmington
- Phone: 248-473-7275
- Hours: 1-5 p.m. Wednesdays and first Sundays, March-December. Extended hours during the July Founders Festival: 1-5 p.m. Friday, noon-8 p.m. Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday. Tours, conducted by docents, are given during hours of operation or by arrangement.
- Admission: Free
Former home of Michigan governor Fred Warner, this Victorian Italianate structure is filled with historic artifacts, memorabilia from 1850 through 1920 and includes approximately three acres of surrounding gardens.
Arab American National Museum
- Address: 13624 Michigan Ave., Dearborn
- Phone: 313-582-2266
- Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday, Tuesday and major holidays.
- Admission: $6/adults, $3/students and ages 6-12, free/under 5 and on Sundays
Visit the first and only museum in the United States devoted to Arab American history and culture. Throughout the year there are performances, films, children's craft classes and cultural presentations.
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Address: 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit
Phone: 313-494-5800
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday and major holidays.
Admission: $8/adults, $5/ages 3-12, free/under 3
This mecca to African American culture packs many activities and exhibits into its 125,000 square feet. The A is for Africa exhibit is perennial fun for kids. Also watch for monthly family events, ongoing temporary exhibits – and explore the 22,000-square-foot interactive core area that moves through 20 galleries.
Edsel & Eleanor Ford House
- Address: 1100 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Shores
- Phone: 313-884-4222
- Hours: April-December: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday. January-March: 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday; special holiday tours.
- Admission: House tour: $12/adults, $8/ages 6-12, free/ages 5 and under. Behind the Scenes tour: $15; free for 5 and under. Garden and Grounds tour only: $5; free for ages 5 and under.
Guided tours of the Albert Kahn-designed house take about an hour. Then, guests may explore the grounds and outer buildings including the Powerhouse, Play House, Pool House (open seasonally) and South Cottage exhibit and Different by Design Garage Exhibit. There's also an iPod touch tour of the grounds, giving a narrated tour filled with home movies of the Ford family, their home and interviews. Situated along Lake St. Clair, the estate spans 87 acres of gardens and grounds.
Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit
- Address: 4454 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Phone: 313-832-6622
- Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday-Friday. Closed Monday, Tuesday, major holidays and in between installments. Tours: 1 p.m. Wednesday, 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday.
- Admission: Free; donations accepted
Cuddled between the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Detroit Institute of Arts, Wayne State University and the College for Creative Studies, this 22,000 square foot spot boasts cavernous spaces suited to exhibit contemporary art. Look for musical, literary and artistic events throughout the year, plus its third Sunday free family activities (during active exhibits).
Shalom Street
- Address: D. Dan and Betty Kahn Building, Jewish Community Center, 6600 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield
- Phone: 877-742-5663
- Hours: Monday-Thursday and Sunday; call for hours. Closed Friday and Saturday.
- Admission: $5/person, $18/family
Dramatic programming accompanies 30 exhibits at this interactive learning playground for kids, covering a 4,500-square-foot space. It often hosts new creative exhibits and kids workshops (call for current details) honoring Jewish traditions.
