Advertisement
Michigan History Center

Michigan History Center

Michigan History Center
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
The Michigan History Center fosters curiosity, enjoyment and inspiration rooted in Michigan's stories. Home to both the Archives of Michigan and the Michigan History Museum, the Michigan History Center offers experiences for visitors of all ages and interests. There is no admission charge for the museum on Sundays. There is no admission charge for the Archives of Michigan. The Archives are open 1:00 - 5:00 pm Monday-Friday, and 10:00 am - 4:00 pm on Saturday.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles225 reviews
Excellent
154
Very good
62
Average
6
Poor
3
Terrible
0

momma_of_kitties
Midland, MI158 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2014 • Couples
They are doing some renovations in the place right now, but you can still see most of the museum. If you have one of the Michigan park passes on your car, you get a discounted admission of only $4 per person instead of $6. This has a very nice history of Michigan over 3 floors and has been updated since my last visit there as a child in the early 1990s.
Written July 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

cork1959
Scotts, MI47 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2014 • Solo
A three-story museum at a minimal cost ($6 adult). One receives such a diverse exposure to Michigan, which includes music, autos, labor unions, civil rights, lumber, mining, wars, homes, rural life, exploration and settlement, schools, trade, etc. Many of the exhibits are not contained, which means one can enjoy being "up close and personal." Docents are available for any questions.
Written May 31, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Earle M
Parma, MI8 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apart from the spectacular Straits Bridge,enjoy unrivaled wildlife and natural beauties in its 700-mile stretch from the shores of Lake Erie and borders with Lakes Huron, Michigan and Superior to the Porkies.
Written March 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bill L
Buffalo, NY276 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2019
One of the best state history museums in the nation. Michigan's history is covered in a well designed three stories of interesting exhibits with relics of the past well displayed. two blocks from the beautiful capitol building.
Written August 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Geoffrey E
St. Catharines, Canada619 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2018 • Friends
This gives an overview of Michigan from the ice age to the recent past. The initial room on Aboriginal history is very well done. I would have liked more on the auto sector. Be careful of the parking - the gate didn't work for us and so we were quite delayed getting out.
Written February 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sheryl C
Mackinaw City, Michigan, United States70 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2014 • Friends
The standards are high in this museum. It is a beautiful building. The state library is on one side, the state museum on the other side. It was built with great care and is visitor friendly. Peaceful atmosphere. Very informative.
Written December 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ronald E
Lansing, Michigan, United States29 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2014 • Couples
I visited several times during winter months to use Michigan Archives for genealogical research. Very friendly and helpful staff, nice room for research, access to many on-line sources.
Written September 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MCLansing
Lansing, MI8 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2013 • Friends
Friendly staff, great displays. Liked the through the decades display. It was fun to see things and reminisce1
Written September 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Robert S
Florence, KY107 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2014 • Couples
I was impressed at how abundant Michigan is in lumber, minerals, mining, shipping and manufacturing. I was also impressed with how much Michigan contributed to manufacturing aircraft and military equipment during WW II. There were easy to understand displays of early settlement, geology, weather and animals too. There is a lot to see.
Written August 28, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rose S
Ferndale, MI88 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2013 • Friends
Whether you are learning about the history of the State, just curious or exploring in Lansing, this is place tells you all about Michigan's wonderland.

Know going in that there is a lot to absorb and it is all totally worth it. Do not rush your visit. There is a cost for all age groups while Sundays are free. Call for hours. Lot parking is available and there is a charge so have singles. There is a dollar bill changer on the 1st floor.

There are three floors and two mezzanines. Explore them all.

The second floor Mezzanine is great for kids as it has a one room schoolhouse, which really were still operating in Michigan until 1965. Of course, Amish schoolhouses are still one room and have about 3-4 teachers.

The second floor feature George Sidman's Congressional Medal of Honor, the sword of Guv Lewis Cass and other important artifacts. What's really unique about this floor is that it shows the various road and early highway styles of Michigan, according to the very knowledgeable guard. The road is plank and then becomes an uneven paved road.

Showcased are Michigan's first inhabitants, brave souls and gifts/medallions that were given to them. The fascinating Civil War display which also portrays women spies. Of course, you'll see the letter thanking Michigan for its pivotal role in the Civil War, particularly at Gettysburg. There's a Territorial Church and the Woodward Diorama.

On the 1st floor is a topographical map which arches up to the second floor. Pieces of gypsum, limestone, coal and oil are on view and can be touched.

The State tree, White Pine, is in the center of the building surrounded by glass. It's really an awesome architectural marvel. Our state was decimated by the lumber barons and the climate changed from that of a rain forest to what it is today.

There is also a special exhibit gallery which frequently changes.

On the Third Floor there are era rooms depicting the 1920s and a speakeasy, the Great Depression, railroad depot, WPA mural, Battle of the overpass bloody shirt, and the original Pearl Harbor Newspaper.

There's also a State Archives -- I didn't have time to explore it though. There's stairs and elevators.

If you get hungry there is a dining area and also a pop machine.

Of course, who can pass up a gift store, which has quite unique items like the UP and "D" key chains, necklaces in walnuts, State stuff and more. This store has the largest on-site collection of books for sale about Michigan in all categories.

Take time to see this. It's a fun way to learn. Oh, did I mention that it is just 2 blocks from the Capitol?
Written July 6, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

…
Showing results 1-10 of 219
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

Michigan History Center - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

All Lansing HotelsLansing Hotel DealsLast Minute Hotels in Lansing
All things to do in Lansing
Spas & Wellness in LansingZoos & Aquariums in Lansing
RestaurantsFlightsVacation RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesRental Cars