The Dossin Great Lakes Museum in Detroit is a great family-friendly place to spend some time while enjoying the beauty of Belle Isle.
The things my kids get into at times are surprising. We’ve visited A LOT of museums through the years because my kids love them. They of course loved visiting the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, TN a few years back, and also the Ship Valley Camp Museum in Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula.
They talk about them often…Who knew museums about ships could be cool? Well, they ARE! Which is why I knew we were long overdue for a visit to the Dossin Great Lakes Museum in Detroit.
Not only is the museum located on beautiful Belle Isle in Detroit, but the museum is FREE to visit {though a $5 donation is suggested}.
Note: You will need a Michigan Recreation Passport to enter the island, or you will need to pay $11 for a day pass.
I figured we’d spend a few minutes there while warming up from playing around the island, but boy was I wrong. We spent an entire hour reading up on the Great Lakes and more. What a cool gem!
Visiting the Dossin Great Lakes Museum
Upon arrival, we immediately noticed the giant anchor, which was from the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald {of course I had to make the kids listen to the Gordon Lightfoot song too}.
When we stepped inside, we received instructions for our visit. A docent explained the amazing room we had stepped inside — the Gothic Room.
Stepping through its doors is like stepping back in time inside the reconstructed gentleman’s lounge of the City of Detroit III, a ship that spent most of her time traveling either between Detroit and Cleveland or Detroit and Buffalo.
It’s seriously stunning! Its opulence reminded us of the bygone era of detailed design on ships like Titanic.
We felt very Covid-safe during our visit, with masks worn, sanitizer stations throughout, tape directing traffic directions. We even received a pen to use as a stylus at the interactive stations to avoid touching.
The displays throughout were really interesting, starting with Native Americans using the Detroit River, as well as the roles of the river and the Underground Railroad and Prohibition. We learned a lot!
The kids even got to pretend to be a speedboat racer in the Detroit River.
I especially enjoyed a display area dedicated to Bob-Lo Island. I visited as a kid, and think about it often. Man, I would love for that to be a thing again 😉
From there, we explored a room of model ships and climbed some stairs to check out the William Clay Ford Pilot House, which is attached to the museum and has stunning views of the Detroit River and Ontario, Canada.
After, we went below deck to read through a timeline and heard the distress calls of the Edmund Fitzgerald and her sinking and how the William Clay Ford assisted. It’s such an interesting part of Michigan history.
There is a rotating display room in the museum as well. At this time, it was highlighting ice fishing in Michigan’s lakes. The photos on display were stunning!
Overall, the Dossin is definitely a museum worth checking out. After, make sure to enjoy all the beauty of Belle Isle. There are lots of spots to get out and explore or play on the many playgrounds on the island.
Reservations, Hours & Address
You do not need reservations to visit, but it’s highly recommended at this time. Make them here.
The Museum’s hours are Friday – Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Dossin Great Lakes Museum is located at 100 Strand Drive, Belle Isle, Detroit, MI 48207.
Enjoy your visit and learning about Michigan’s history! Learn more historic places to visit in our state at this post.
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