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Best Family-Friendly Museum Exhibits In Detroit

Detroit is one of the oldest and most culturally-significant cities in all of the United States. From the major museums at its core, to the many independent institutions that specialize in specific areas of culture and art, Detroit has plenty to offer. All of these exhibits will be perfect options for a weekend or evening visit with the family.
Detroit Institute Of Arts
5200 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 833-7900
www.tickets.dia.org

For the first time since the city of Detroit emerged from the depths of bankruptcy in 2014, the Detroit Institute of Arts will hold its first major exhibition since avoiding any cuts or sale of artwork during the city's tough financial crisis. This first exhibit will focus on the time that world-famous artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera spent in Detroit in the first half of the 20th century. This exhibit is perfect for families as much of the work accentuates what is beautiful and the people and places of Detroit during one of the city's most interesting times. This is certainly not an exhibit to be missed.

Detroit Children's Museum
6134 2nd Ave.
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 873-8100
www.detroitk12.org/childrens_museum

Detroit Public Schools prides itself on striving to provide the best education for all of the children within their system. Even during tough times, the DPS has maintained and even helped grow the Detroit Children's Museum. This museum was founded in 1917 and is the third oldest children's museum in the country. Open to Title 1 children on Detroit Public Schools, families are welcome to accompany their children to visit the nearly two million different artifacts within the museum as well as a massive planetarium. There's even a Great Up North room focusing on the northern region of Michigan to teach inner-city children abut the beautiful nature all around Michigan.

Family Days At The Henry Ford
20900 Oakwood
Dearborn, MI 48124
(313) 982-6001
www.thehenryford.org

On select days throughout the summer in 2015, the Henry Ford Museum in nearby Dearborn holds their Target Family Days, sponsored by the major retailer. On these days, absolutely every exhibit, feature, and attraction at the museum is free for the entire family and everyone is encouraged to come along. The Target Family Days also feature live music, hands-on activities for children, food, and more. Even when it's not a family day at The Henry Ford, it's always a great place to take everyone and learn about a huge part of Detroit's contribution to the industrial revolution including visiting historic Greenfield Village.

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Dossin Great Lakes Museum
100 The Strand
Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 833-5538
www.detroithistorical.org

Located right on the western shoreline of beautiful Belle Isle, nestled just off Detroit's coast in the river, is the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. Not only is this museum one of the many attractions located on Belle Island itself, but it is also one of the most popular. Families can explore many of the incredible artifacts recovered from all over the Great Lakes, including many of the fantastic boats and ships that have sailed on these waters. For children, a full-size replica of the helm of a Great Lakes freighter is also on hand to allow kids to use their imaginations and pretend that they are aboard one of those gargantuan ships they've seen across the horizon along the shore. Definitely a great way to spend a summer day.

Ann Arbor Hands-On Children's Museum
220 E. Ann St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 995-5439
www.aahom.org

When it comes to entertaining the children in your family, there is perhaps no better museum in all of Metro Detroit than the well-known Ann Arbor Hands-On Children's Museum. Located in downtown Ann Arbor, there are hundreds of individual exhibits that all members of the family can enjoy. Children will have an incredible time being able to interact with all of the museum's many thought-provoking exhibits. Focusing on science and the natural world, this museum not only entertains but helps young children explore and learn about the world in a safe and fun environment.

Related: Best Parks In Detroit

Michael Ferro is freelance writer and a graduate of Michigan State University where he majored in Creative Writing and received the Jim Cash Creative Writing Award. Born and bred in Detroit, he currently resides in Ypsilanti Township. Additional writing can be found at Examiner.com.
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