Art & Inspiration Help plan a trip to the Henry Ford.

One of my bucket list items is to see the Henry Ford in Dearborn. Today my wife said that she thought I should start planning a trip to see it so I think I need to take the ball and run with it. I've always been a baseball fan so a Detroit Tigers game is a must. Give me some more ideas on what a family should see on a trip from western South Dakota to Detroit Michigan.

 

I went to the Henry Ford this summer as a side trip to Pittsburgh for a family wedding. The 4 hours the wrong way from New England was well worth it. Went to the Ford restaurant near by too. Food was like chain ok food but it was fun. The museum and village are amazing. I'm a dyed in the wool Ford man so seeing the very first cars in the flesh were spiritual experiences. Its an amazing place.
If you want to go to the automotive hall of fame next door its only open like 4 days a week so plan accordingly if that matters to you. I'll definately go again.

 

It's not just cars. The first airplane Matty Laird built and thought himself how to fly it off a park in Chicago is in there. His first factory was powered by electricity he generated himself. The huge steam engine that turned the generators is there on display. The blood stained chair President Lincoln was sitting in when he was shot is there in a glass display case. When you are in the huge museum building that was built in 1929, try to figure out how it's heated.
It's not just about cars.

 

Its true. In alot of ways the cars are secondary there. It really is an amazing place. Ive seen my share of stuff. This place is special.

 

Got to put it on my list

 

I travelled all the way from down-under in 2016 with a friend, lots of things that he saw on his last visit there had been mothballed and replaced by newer displays. Lots of things hidden away and well worth the trip there, a lot more than just the cars. I didn't get to Greenwich Village though due to time constraints. Next time?

 

Greenwich village, the rouge plant tour as well as the Museum itself. Went this past fall with my better half, spent 2 plus days and needed at least a 3rd day. Even she wants to go back to see more.

 

Haven't been there since 1978, so there a lot of changes. I'd really like to see the Piquette Ave Plant, don't know how far away it is. Have fun, kids will enjoy it. Bob

https://www.fordpiquetteplant.org/

 

I was there last fall, last time I was there was 25ish years ago. I'd agree, the museum takes a solid day, Greenfield Village can easily take two or more days, the Rouge/F-150 takes a few hours. Greenfield Village can be as long or short as you want, leave time because you have the opportunity to interact with the docents. If the village isn't overly busy, and you take particular interest in some artifacts, the docents are usually more than willing to give you some extra access, like in the loco shop or running a replica of Ford's first engine. If you arrive around lunch time at Firestone's farm house you can experience the farm hands having a period lunch.

Note some of the 'gift' items are unique to certain attractions so if you see something you like you should get while you can (i.e. post cards in the post office in the village are only available there).

Over in Ypsilanti you can see their 'unique' water tower, the Ypsilanti automotive heritage museum- focuses on Hudsons and Hydramatics, and the Michigan fire equipment museum.

 

Thanks for the input guys. So it looks like at least thee days to take it in. I can’t wait.

 

DO NOT FORGET the Gilmore Car Collection. https://www.gilmorecarmuseum.org/

 

Wow, the distance you will be traveling and the things to do on the way there are endless......I hope you have months to take it in!
The old Gibson guitar plant (now Heritage) in Parsons st. Kalamazoo, Michigan......check for tour days.
The Gilmore Car Museum Hickory Corners, Michigan.
In Detroit. The Ford Piquette Ave. assembly plant check for day/hours open. Ford Highland Park. Ford's Fairlane home. Ford's burial and cemetery. Henry's Boston-Edison home 140 Edison Ave. BTW, lots of interesting folks lived in the Boston-Edison area. Edsel Ford's home 1100 Lake Shore Drive in Grosse Pointe Shores.

If you are so inclined, the old Tiger stadium at Cochrane st and Michigan ave. Ty Cobb lived and walked to the old stadium from 4117 Commonwealth duplex on the right.
Motown museum.

 

https://automobilemuseum.org/ If you got time

 

Ditto on the Gilmore ca museum, excellent. While in Dearborn everyone has already mentioned most things, but don’t miss Fairlane, Fords home. It has a dynamo that was installed by Thomas Edison! Really! While in the somewhat area, allow a couple of days and go to Dayton, Ohio and check out the Air Force Musem. Allow a full day for that! If your like me and like history and transportation, you’ll love that.
Also , I can’t remember where they are, but Henry built little hydro electric plant on some rivers near Dearborn, eand ran them in the winter and middle of the Summer to take advantage of the farmer’s , in the area, down time. In those plants they built the small parts, like speedometers and things like that. I toured them,.some 25/30 years ago. Very interesting, I guess they are still there.

On the way back, drop South and take in Speedway’s Museum! They have to make me leave that one! Lol





Bones

 

X2 on the Dayton aircraft museum, of all the planes the exCole Paylan WWI SPAD looked like a Hot Rod of the air. The B-17 was fantastic. Bob

 

I live so close to the Greenfield Village, I could hear the fireworks display they just had about an hour ago.....
Merry Christmas!......

 

See if the hydroplanes are still competing on the Det river for your trip, quite the show. View at the Rooster Tail.
Greek town is always a good eating experience. I used to like the Parthenon. Late nights really worked there.
I think there is a Casino on Bell Isle these days as well.
Lots of small bars brewerys and restaurants to explore.
Take at least a day or two for greenfield village to see most of it. Check for special events.
Or plan for the Woodward cruise event.

 

Take a side trip to Ft Myers to see Henry Ford's House..a lot of stuff about Edison and Goodyear

 

I’ll PM ya...I’d love to show ya around my hometown...I’m assuming your coming in the Summer..I can get ya times in to all the Automotive history stops near by.

 

Did the trip over to USA in 2018 and brought the Hudson over. Part of the trip was to get to Detroit and see the Museums. Did the Henry Ford and that took all day, then onto the the Rouge Factory to see the assembly of the F trucks. As luck would have it the line was closed as a supplier had a fire and no parts coming through. Still interesting just didn't see the trucks moving down the line. Piquette Ave was closed on the only day we had available. Maybe next time.
Also went out to Edsel and Eleanors house at Grosse Point and that is worth it. Henry's house,Fairlane was closed for renovations and still is I think.
Being a Hudson guy we also went to Ypsilanti for the Hudson Museum. As we headed west we did the Studebaker Museum and the Gilmore( that is a must do and leave several hours).
Love of Tiki(see post above) contacted me before I left Australia and met us at the Motel one day and drove us around to many shops and we met some great people. He is an excellent tour guide!!
(Many thanks again for looking after us) Whatever you do leave plenty of time.

 

Grew up in Detroit within walking distance (well as a kid) to the Henry Ford Museum. Never went there until I was almost 40 when I took my son there. I would definitely take up LoveofTiki's offer to show you around the area. So many places you could miss not knowing about them or spending too much time trying to find them.
I would not miss the Gilmore museum in Hickory Corners.

 

Head a few hours south of your route, and hit the Duesenburg museum in Auburn Indiana. Well worth the detour, not only for the cars but for the building. Auburn has a little V8 Ford Museum too.

 

Well while your in that “ area” don’t miss the Indy 500 museum. And leave some time to tour the track and “ kiss the bricks “ ! Awesome!








Bones

 

Do not miss the Gilmore Museum on your way to Ford. While in the area head south to Auburn Indiana. I’ve visited all of them and I guarantee you’ll enjoy.
If interested a side trip to the Rock&Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland Rocks!

 

A few years ago some friends and I took a motorcycle trip. The loose plan was to drive around lake Eire.
We left MD and crossed in Niagra Falls then down the north side of the lake to Detroit. 3 days in Detroit then back to buffalo down the south side of the lake, then back to MD.
One of the highlights was the Ford
Museum
It's way more than just cars!!!
Chappy

 

You guys make me feel guilty about how far your willing to travel to see it and me living only about 45 minutes from the museum and never having visited it.

 

Don't forget a visit to Stahl's
http://www.stahlsauto.com/

 

We are thinking about coming up for the Cobol Hall show in February and take one day for the Ford Museum.

 

The roads should be a sufficient mix of slush and salt by then. Have a Margarita !
Greenfield village may have sleigh rides then if there is snow.
Should be a fun trip.

the village is a rather large area. See if you can find a map or two online to save some time. May help to know where to go.

 

Now that's something that should be on everyone's bucket list. You have to do Detroit Autorama at least once.