Michigan History Museum Visitor Information

Michigan History Museum Visitor Information

Hours | Admission | Location | Parking | Amenities | Family Activities | Photography | Accessibility | Pets

Michigan Library and Historical Center building, viewed from the circle drive off Kalamazoo Street.The Michigan History Museum offers five levels of permanent and changing exhibits that tell the story of Michigan's past from pre-contact through the late 20th century. Exhibits include interactive computers, audio-visual presentations and hands-on elements. Please allow at least 90 minutes for your visit.

Hours

The Michigan History Museum is open seven days a week:

  • Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.

The Michigan History Museum is closed on official state holidays and several other days throughout the year. Please visit our Holiday Closing Schedule for complete information.

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Admission

The following shows individual admission charges for visitors to the Michigan History Museum.

  • Adults (18+) - $6 
  • Seniors (65+) - $4
  • Youth (6-17) - $2
  • Children up to 5 years - Free

Sunday admission is free for all visitors. You can save on admission and museum store purchases when you become a Michigan History Center member.

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Location

The Michigan History Museum is located in the Michigan Library and Historical Center building Downtown Lansing, two blocks west of the State Capitol Building. 

Our address is:

702 West Kalamazoo Street
Lansing, MI 48915

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Parking

The Michigan Library and Historical Center parking lot will be closed from 6 p.m., August 16, until 6 p.m., August 17, for line striping. Public parking is available on the north side of Allegan Street, east of the Hall of Justice and Vietnam Memorial. Please note that the MLHC north entrance has stairs. Our circle drive for drop-off/pick-up and accessible parking spaces are still available from the Kalamazoo Street entrance.

Visitor parking is located south of the building, with a $1 hourly fee (maximum $8) on weekdays. Weekend parking is free. Buses park for free every day; please see instructions below. Visitors should use the Kalamazoo Street entrance, turning onto the circle drive to enter the visitor parking lot.

Additional public parking is available north of the building across Allegan Street (east of the Hall of Justice and Vietnam Memorial). However, the north entrance of the Michigan Library and Historical Center building is not accessible to those who cannot use stairs.

Tips on using the automated parking system:

  • This is a no cash, no coins system.
  • Swipe your Visa, MasterCard or Discover card to lift the entrance gate. You will not receive a spitter ticket - the system has logged your credit/debit card information with a time-stamp of your entry. Your card will not be charged at this time.
  • To exit the lot, insert the same credit/debit card you used to enter the lot. Your parking fee will be calculated and charged to the card provided; the gate will lift, allowing you to exit.

Bus drivers: When you arrive, pull forward close to the entrance gate. Laser sensors will note your arrival and the gate will be opened from a remote location. This may take a moment, so please be patient. Buses never need to use a credit/debit card to open the gate. If there is a problem, please press the button on the gate for assistance. Park in the areas designated for bus parking. When exiting the lot, please follow the same procedure as when entering. The exit gate is located across the lot from the entrance gate.

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Amenities

While visiting the Michigan History Museum, the following amenities are available:

  • The Museum Store gift shop
  • Wireless access to the Internet
  • Cafeteria-style food service
  • ATM
  • A nursing room
  • A sick room

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Family Activities

From hands-on/minds-on programs to individualized self-guided activities, the Michigan History Museum is a place where families make discoveries and enjoy good times together. Get a membership for your family for free admission to the museum.

Check out our family programs and download fun activity guides to use during your visit:

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Photography

Personal photography without flash for private use is permitted in the museum and on the grounds. Photographs may not be published, sold or otherwise distributed for commercial purposes.

Photography for weddings and other special events is allowed in the museum during regular open hours with advance permission. Please contact us in advance to schedule a time. Download our non-commercial photography policy agreement (PDF) for more information.  

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Accessibility

The Michigan History Museum is located inside the Michigan Library and Historical Center. Designated disability parking is available at the south (wheelchair-accessible) entrance of the building.

A wheelchair may be borrowed (subject to availability) by museum visitors. All museum exhibit spaces are wheelchair accessible.

In addition:

  • Videos and touch-screen computers in the third-floor exhibits offer a caption option.
  • With at least two weeks' notice, every attempt will be made to provide sign language interpreters.

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Pets

Pets accompanied by and under the control of their human friends are welcome on the grounds of this site. Pets may not enter any building. However, service animals are always welcome. 

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For More Information

Please email us at MHCinfo@Michigan.gov or telephone 517-335-2573.

 

Updated 08/16/2019