The Detroit Historical Museum is a multi-floor history museum at 5401 Woodward Avenue in Midtown Detroit, Michigan. It’s operated by the Detroit Historical Society, covering the culture, industry, and communities of the Detroit region. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, transport, accessibility, and practical tips for planning a visit.
Updated May 2026. Current adult admission is $15. Several third-party guides incorrectly state that the museum has free general admission, or list the previous adult price of $10. The museum reinstated paid admission in November 2019. Residents of Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park can activate a free Detroiter membership online for unlimited free admission.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours (Wed–Sat) | 10:00am–5:00pm |
| Opening hours (Sunday) | 1:00pm–5:00pm |
| Closed | Monday and Tuesday |
| Adult admission | $15 |
| Honored Guest admission | $12 (with ID: seniors 65+, students 13–17 and college, active military, first responders, educators) |
| Children 6–12 | $8 |
| Children under 6 | Free |
| Detroiter membership | Free for residents of Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park |
| Address | 5401 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202 |
| Parking | Museum lot on Kirby St; $10 per car |
| Nearest transit | QLINE Ferry St stop; SMART bus on Woodward Ave |
| Typical time needed | 2–3 hours |
Detroit Historical Museum opening hours
The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm and Sundays from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Late-opening and free-admission events are scheduled periodically throughout the year; check the Events calendar at detroithistorical.org before visiting.
The museum runs a programme of Quad Anniversary Celebrations throughout 2026, marking several significant Detroit and American historical milestones. Special lectures and events tied to this programme are listed on the Events page and may affect gallery access on specific dates.
Detroit Historical Museum ticket prices
General admission tickets cover all permanent and temporary exhibitions. No exhibition carries an additional charge.
| Ticket type | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $15 | — |
| Honored Guest | $12 | ID required at desk: seniors 65+, students 13–17 and college students, active military, first responders, educators |
| Children 6–12 | $8 | — |
| Children under 6 | Free | — |
| Family discount | $1 off per ticket | For households with 5 or more paid admissions |
| Detroit Historical Society members | Free | — |
| Detroiter membership | Free | Open to residents of Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park. |
Honored Guest tickets (discounted rate) can only be purchased at the admissions desk; they are not available online. Adult and children’s tickets can be purchased online in advance.
The museum participates in Michigan Activity Pass, a programme accessible through Michigan public libraries that provides free or reduced admission. It also participates in Blue Star Museums, giving free admission to active-duty military personnel and their families during the summer period.
Ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated 19 May 2026.
How to get to the Detroit Historical Museum
The Detroit Historical Museum is on Woodward Avenue at Kirby Street in Midtown Detroit, adjacent to the Detroit Institute of Arts and within the Wayne State University cultural campus.
By QLINE: The nearest streetcar stop is Ferry Street, one stop north of the museum. The QLINE runs along Woodward Avenue between downtown and New Center; see qlinedetroit.com for fares and schedules.
By bus: SMART bus stops are at Woodward & Kirby, Cass & Kirby, and Woodward & Warren. SMART operates FAST express service on Woodward Avenue from the suburbs; plan routes at smartbus.org.
By bike: A MOGO bike-share station is located outside the museum at Kirby and Woodward.
By car: The museum is approximately 15 minutes from downtown Detroit and 30 minutes from Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) in normal traffic. Use GPS address 5401 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202.
Parking at the Detroit Historical Museum
The museum’s own car park is on Kirby Street, between Woodward and Cass Avenues, directly south of the museum entrance. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The cost is $10 per car, paid by scanning your ticket on exit using the touchscreen kiosk. Parking is not included in the admission ticket price.
Three free EV charging stations are available in the lot on a first-come, first-served basis. Accessible parking spaces are available in the lot. Visitors can also be dropped off on Kirby Street at the museum entrance. The museum advises that the lost ticket rate is $10, and vehicles entering in the evening and exiting after 4:00am are charged for two days ($20).
How long to spend at the Detroit Historical Museum
Allow 2 to 3 hours for a self-guided visit covering the permanent exhibitions and one or two temporary galleries. The museum spans three floors with a lower level, first floor, and second floor. A downloadable floor plan is available. Docent-led tours are available but require advance booking and carry an additional fee; call 313-833-1801 to arrange.
Accessibility at the Detroit Historical Museum
The Detroit Historical Museum is a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC), with staff trained by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. A sensory guide is available.
Mobility: All floors are served by lift. Front doors have automatic-open buttons. Bathrooms and water fountains are wheelchair accessible. Adult-sized wheelchairs are available on free loan at the front desk (ID required). Note that the Meier Clock is not accessible by wheelchair. Accessible parking spaces are in the museum lot, and drop-off is available on Kirby Street.
Sensory needs: Free sensory bags (sunglasses, fidget tools, noise-cancelling headphones) and weighted lap pads are available at the Kirby Street entrance desk (ID required for loan). The IBCCES Accessibility App can help visitors plan their visit in advance.
Hearing: Hearing assistance devices are not currently available. Closed captions are provided on most digital content in the permanent galleries.
Families: The entire museum is stroller accessible. Nursing and bottle-feeding are welcome throughout the public areas. Baby-changing tables are in all multi-toilet restrooms. Families feeding solid food to infants should use the Grand Truck Depot on the lower level; food is not permitted in the galleries.
What to see at the Detroit Historical Museum
Streets of Old Detroit is the museum’s signature permanent exhibition, occupying the lower level. It recreates cobblestone streetscapes from three periods of Detroit history — the 1840s, 1870s, and 1900s — with period storefronts and interiors. The exhibition is walk-through and immersive.
America’s Motor City traces Detroit’s central role in the global automotive industry. Its centrepiece is the Cadillac body drop — a working replica of a 1987 Clark Street assembly plant sequence, demonstrating the moment a car body is lowered onto its chassis. The exhibition also covers the development of the assembly line, labour history, and Detroit’s relationship with the car industry across the 20th century.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book discounted tickets at the desk | Honored Guest tickets (seniors, students, military, first responders, educators) are only available at the admissions desk and cannot be purchased online. Bring valid ID. |
| Detroiter membership is free and instant | Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park residents can activate a free membership before visiting. It provides unlimited free admission for one adult and all children in the household. |
| The museum is closed Monday and Tuesday | This is the most common planning error for first-time visitors. Check the calendar on the official website for any special opening events outside standard hours. |
| Prepay parking online | The museum lot is $10 per car. EV chargers in the lot are free but fill quickly. |
| Check the exhibitions calendar | Temporary exhibitions change. Verify which exhibitions are current at detroithistorical.org/exhibitions before visiting, particularly if travelling specifically to see a named show. |
Frequently asked questions about the Detroit Historical Museum
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Detroit Historical Museum free? | No. General admission is $15 for adults and $8 for children aged 6–12. Children under 6 enter free. Residents of Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park can obtain a free Detroiter membership. Some special evening events offer free admission; check the Events calendar. |
| Is the Detroit Historical Museum open on Sundays? | Yes, but with reduced hours. The museum opens at 1:00pm on Sundays and closes at 5:00pm. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | Advance booking is not required but is available online for adult and children’s tickets. Honored Guest tickets (senior, student, military, first responder, educator rates) must be purchased in person at the admissions desk with valid ID. |
| Is parking included with admission? | No. The museum lot on Kirby Street costs $10 per car, payable separately. It is not included in any ticket type. |
| Is the Detroit Historical Museum suitable for children? | Yes. The museum is fully stroller accessible and is a Certified Autism Center™. The Streets of Old Detroit and America’s Motor City exhibitions are both interactive and suited to a range of ages. Children under 6 enter free. |
Things to do near the Detroit Historical Museum
- Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) – One of the largest art museums in the United States, directly across Woodward Avenue from the Detroit Historical Museum; the DIA collection includes Diego Rivera’s Detroit Industry Murals and a world-class collection spanning ancient to contemporary art. Admission applies separately.
- Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History – The world’s largest institution dedicated to African American history and culture, approximately five minutes on foot from the Detroit Historical Museum at 315 East Warren Avenue.
- Michigan Science Center – A hands-on science and technology museum for families, approximately five minutes on foot from the Detroit Historical Museum at 5020 John R Street.
- Ford Piquette Avenue Plant – The birthplace of the Model T Ford, a National Historic Landmark approximately 1.5 miles north of the museum; offers guided tours of the original factory floors where early Ford vehicles were produced.
- Dossin Great Lakes Museum, Belle Isle – The Detroit Historical Society’s second museum, on Belle Isle in the Detroit River, approximately 20 minutes by car; covers Detroit’s maritime heritage with ship models, a restored pilot house, and views of the river.
What to visit tomorrow: other history museums within two hours
- The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Dearborn – One of the largest indoor-outdoor history museum complexes in the United States, approximately 20 miles west of Detroit; includes the museum, Greenfield Village, and the Ford Rouge Factory Tour. Allow a full day.
- Motown Museum (Hitsville U.S.A.), Detroit – The original recording studio where Motown Records produced its defining catalogue; approximately two miles north of the Detroit Historical Museum at 2648 West Grand Boulevard, with guided tours of the historic studio spaces.
- Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit – Five minutes on foot from the Detroit Historical Museum; a major standalone destination and a natural complement to a Detroit history visit.
- Michigan History Museum, Lansing – The state’s official history museum, approximately 90 miles west of Detroit via I-96; covers Michigan’s complete historical arc from indigenous peoples to the present, with free admission.
- Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio – A major encyclopedic art and design museum approximately 60 miles south of Detroit via I-75; noted for its glass collection and free general admission to the permanent collection.
