Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor Hands‑On Museum invites visitors into a vibrant playground of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM). Housed in a beautifully restored 1882 Italianate firehouse, the museum spans four floors of interactive exhibits, offering over 250 hands‑on experiences-from physics and light optics to psychology and health-to fuel curiosity across all ages.

Upon entering, families are greeted by a bustling concourse featuring whisper dishes, liquid tornadoes, and an inverted pendulum that visually demonstrates balance and feedback control. The “All About You” gallery delves into the human body, with engaging stations that let you hear your heartbeat, explore bone structures, or even sit in a real ambulance to experience medical transport. Meanwhile, younger visitors can roam the Preschool Gallery, complete with water tables, a child-sized fire engine, and space designed to spark early childhood wonder.

Beyond these, the museum’s STEAM Park is a standout: a Jules Verne–inspired array of mechanical marvels-including a towering clock installation, wind tubes, pulleys, and rocket-launch mechanics-designed to inspire budding engineers and artists alike. Additional galleries introduce visitors to simple machines, historical general-store interactions, natural Michigan habitats, ferrofluid art, and media and technology exhibits, ensuring curiosity ignites from every corner.

Founded in 1978 by Cynthia Yao and volunteers, the museum today hosts over 200,000 guests annually. Its mission is to create “moments of discovery that inspire curiosity, exploration, and respect for STEM and the natural world”.

The museum is an essential experience, particularly for families, school groups, and anyone ready to experiment, discover, and play. Just steps away from the University of Michigan campus and the charming Kerrytown neighbourhood, it makes for a seamless addition to any downtown day trip.