Detroit Institute of Arts
In 2024, the DIA was named the best art museum in the country by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, and there’s no question why. It houses more than 65,000 pieces of art dating back to the earliest civilizations in the world.
Some of the iconic pieces include a Vincent Van Gogh self portrait, “The Window” by Henri Matisse, paintings from Monet and more.
The most iconic piece is Rivera Court, where the Detroit Industry Murals are located. It’s a collection of frescoes painted by Diego Rivera focusing on the industries of Detroit. The Detroit Culture Pass gets buy-one-get-one admission.
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
The Wright is named after Dr. Charles H. Wright, who wanted to create a place for African American history and culture. He opened the International Afro-American Museum in January 1966. Now, the museum is 125,000 square feet in Midtown.
The museum is focused on preserving African American culture, and there are dozens of permanent and visiting exhibits with hundreds of programs, including one on the Tuskegee Airmen, the ring of genealogy and more. You can also get discounted admission with our Explore Detroit pass.
The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village
One of the most well-known museums in Michigan, The Henry Ford showcases American History going back centuries with some incredible artifacts that you can see up close. With more than a dozen exhibitions on display, there is plenty to choose from.
Major artifacts you can see include presidential limousines like John F. Kennedy’s limo, the bus Rosa Parks was riding in, the chair Abraham Lincoln was sitting in when he was shot, and one of the largest steam locomotives in the world.
Right next to The Henry Ford is Greenfield Village, a sprawling historical village with historical homes and buildings. There, you can go inside some of them, and also ride in a Ford Model T!
Our Explore Detroit pass will get you buy one venue, get a second venue at 50% off.
Detroit Historical Museum
The Detroit Historical Museum is part of an area with several museums, including the DIA, the Wright and the science center. The museum chronicles the life and times of the Detroit region, and has plenty of exhibitions.
Inside, you’ll learn all about Detroit, and on the bottom level, you can go back in time and walk through the streets of old Detroit to see what the city used to look like back in the day. The Detroit Culture Pass gets you 20% off admission.
Motown Museum
Known as Hitsville USA, the museum is the home of the world-famous Studio A for Motown Records. It’s the place where Marvin Gaye, The Temptations and more recorded.
The museum is also undergoing a massive expansion that is set to open in the summer of 2026, which will include a 40,000 square-foot space with interactive exhibits, a theater and more.
Arab American National Museum
Right in Downtown Dearborn, the Arab American National Museum is the only museum in America dedicated to Arab American contributions.
Exhibitions at the museum cover the Arab world and the history of Arab Americans, and show off their history and culture and work in the United States.
Michigan Science Center
Right near the other museums, MiSci is a STEM engagement hub that focuses on science, and also has an IMAX Dome, a 4D theater, a planetarium and an 8,700 square foot exhibit hall with more than 200 hands-on exhibits. You can get buy-one-get-one-free admission with our Explore Detroit pass.
Michigan Central Station
While it isn’t a museum per se, Michigan Central Station is an iconic building in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood. Ford Motor Company purchased the station in 2018 and spent nearly $1 billion restoring it over six years before it opened in June 2024. A hotel is coming to the station, there are some shops, and there are events throughout the summer. See more of the history behind Michigan Central Station here.
