The Michigan Science Center is Detroit's hands-on science museum, in the Cultural Center in Midtown within walking distance of the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Wright Museum. Its floors are filled with interactive exhibits on motion, energy, the human body, space and technology, designed so that visitors press, pull, build and test rather than read. The center has a planetarium and a large-format theater, so a visit usually combines exhibits with a show about space or nature, and it regularly brings in special exhibitions, including a dinosaur exhibit with a Tyrannosaurus focus. For families with children from toddlers to teenagers, it is among the most reliable indoor stops in the city, and it works as a rainy-day plan that the whole group can enjoy at once. A separate area is aimed at younger children with simple play-based activities. Adults who like science often find themselves lingering longer than the children. The center is part of the cluster of Midtown museums, so it combines easily with the art and history institutions nearby.
Planning the visit
Allow two to three hours for the exhibits, and add time if you want a planetarium or theater show, which are timed and usually need a separate or combined ticket. Check the center's visit page for current hours, because opening days change by season and school calendar, and for the schedule of shows, special exhibitions and any timed entries. Weekday mornings are the quietest, particularly during the school term, when school groups arrive in the middle of the day and weekends fill with local families.
What to see
Head first to the biggest interactive floors, then fit in a show while the children recover. The special exhibitions rotate, so look at what is on before you go, and spend time at the demonstrations if one is scheduled. Younger children enjoy the early-learning area, while older ones tend to gravitate to the technology and engineering exhibits. Many exhibits are physical, so allow room for children to experiment, and keep an eye on small ones in busy periods.
Getting there and combining
The center is in Midtown, along the same stretch as the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Wright Museum and the Detroit Historical Museum, and the QLine streetcar and rideshares make the trip simple. There is parking nearby. A good family plan is the science center in the morning, lunch in Midtown and the Detroit Institute of Arts in the afternoon for the Rivera murals. If you are visiting in winter, it is also the most comfortable of the Midtown options for the youngest members of the group.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided museum of hands-on science exhibits, plus timed planetarium and theater shows and rotating special exhibitions.
Best time
A weekday morning during the school term, or any day when the weather is poor.
How long
Two to three hours, plus time for a show.
Tips
Check the show schedule when you arrive, book timed shows early, and combine the visit with the Detroit Institute of Arts nearby.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families with children of any age, and anyone who likes to touch and test things rather than read about them.
- Families
- One of the best rainy-day choices in the city, with areas for toddlers and for teenagers.
- Couples
- Fine for curious adults, but better as a family stop than a date.
- Pair with
- The Detroit Institute of Arts, the Wright Museum and a Midtown lunch.
- Time needed
- Half a day with a show.
Good questions
What is there to do at the Michigan Science Center?+
Hands-on exhibits on science and technology, planetarium and theater shows, rotating special exhibitions and a play area for younger children.
Do I need to book shows separately?+
Shows are timed, so check the visit page for ticket options and times, and book early on busy days.
Is it good for toddlers?+
Yes. There is a dedicated early-learning area designed for children under five, in addition to the main exhibits.
Where is it?+
It is in the Cultural Center in Midtown, close to the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Wright Museum, and the QLine runs along Woodward nearby.
How long should I allow?+
Two to three hours for the exhibits, and more if you add a planetarium or theater show.
