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Michigan State Capitol

SIGNIFICANCE

Guided and self-guided tours of the State Capitol are available free of charge as a service by the State of Michigan. Use the links below to learn more.

DESIGNATION(S)

• 1956, State Register of Historic Sites
• 1971, National Register of Historic Places
• 1980, Michigan Historical Marker
• 1992, National Historic Landmark

ARCHITECT, BUILDER, OR DESIGNER(S)

• Elijah E. Myers, architect

SIGNIFICANT DATE(S)

• 1879, building constructed

LINKS AND FURTHER READING

• Michigan State Capitol official website
• " Capitol Tours ," Michigan State Capitol Commission
• " Michigan State Capitol: A Self-Guided Tour ," Michigan Legislature (PDF)

Michigan State Capitol

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Michigan State Capital Building: Tours, Pictures, Cool Things to See at the Capitol (Dome, Senate, House of Representatives) 

By Sherry Trautman

Michigan State Capitol | By Sherry Trautman | Traveling Michigan

Visit our Michigan Capital building in a fun new way to see the stunning Gallery of Governors, House of Representatives and Senate Chambers! We promise you will have fun while learning (because nobody likes boring stuff!).   

*Plus, embark on our 10 Hidden Secrets in the Michigan Capitol treasure hunt for even more fun! 

*We also have lots of fun ideas of things to do while you are in  Lansing Michigan .

Take a Virtual Tour of the Michigan State Capitol!

See the Rotunta, 160 Historic Battle Flags and the Famous Starry Dome!

Did you know the State Capitol is a National Historic Landmark?

What is Michigan's state capital?

Lansing, Michigan but was previously in Detroit.  

Is Michigan State Capitol open? Can I visit the Capitol Building? What are the Hours?

Yes, you can embark on a self-guided tour.  The Michigan State Capitol is open 8-5 Mon.-Fri. Tours for ten people or less are offered on the hour 9-4 p.m. Single use self-guided tour books are also available at the main tour and information desk on the ground floor at the east entry. 

Secret Treasure Hunt in the State Capitol!

Did you know there are hidden secrets in the Michigan Capital ?  

Embark on our Michigan Capital treasure hunt adventure! Search for giant mollusks, antlers, fancy door knobs and lots more!

Michigan State Capitol Address

100 N. Capitol Ave, Lansing, MI 48933

Where is the Entrance to the Michigan State Capitol?

It can be very confusing to determine where the entrance to the Michigan State Capital is located.  My friend and I wandered around for quite a while.  See the circle above as the entrance is under the massive front staircase!!  

What to Do First When Visiting the State Capital?

You will arrive on the ground floor and walk past security.  Be sure to take a guide book (free to borrow)  if you wish to have a self guided tour which is also  free . 

This book is invaluable for your experience and we read along as we walked.  

If you wish to have a guided tour or have questions, call the Information Service line at 517-373-2353.  

See the Senate in Action!

The Senate (blue room) has public viewing areas on the third floor.  You are welcome to enter but you must remain seated if the chamber is in session.  This is a very quiet room so we didn't speak as people were working. Both galleries have areas for wheelchairs.  You can see why the Michigan State Capitol is a National Historic Landmark.

FYI: It's very easy to get turned around as you are going between floors so I just memorized that the Senate has predominately blue walls and the House has pink.  

The Senate has 38 members and is the smaller chamber (between the Senate and the House of Representatives).

When you visit the House and Senate Chambers, look up at the magnificent coffered ceilings.  These panes were originally made of red and white hand etched glass but were lost or broken many years ago. They were placed with plastic in the House and plywood in the Senate.  

Can you find your state's Coat of Arms?

Learn More About the House of Representatives

The House of Representatives Chamber (pink room) has 110 members .  Each representative is elected to a two-year term.  They sit at an assigned desk with Republicans on the right and Democrats on the left. (So that's where the right and left designation originated!!)

The presiding officer is the Speaker of the House and is elected to this position by the members.

Did you know the original 1878 desks were refinished and are still used in this chamber?  Pretty cool, huh!  It would have been a waste to get new desks when these are spectacular!

The Gallery of Governors is Breathtaking!

The Gallery of Governors  is a portrait gallery of past Governors located on the second and third floor.  The Governors pay for their own portraits and after they leave office, the portrait is hung in this gallery. Be sure to walk around the full circle.

There are only 14 portraits in total and they are arranged in chronological order, with the most recent portraits hung on the second floor and the oldest portraits displayed on the third floor. When a new governor leaves office, the oldest portrait gets the boot.  Just kidding , the oldest one is moved to another area in the building...(well, gets the boot).

Did You Notice The Ghostly Governor Painting?

This painting definitely caught my eye as it is vastly different than the traditionally painted portraits on the second floor in the Gallery of Governors. 

This is a portrait of Governor John Swainson , who served from 1961 to 1962.  After only serving one term, the Governor left the office.  Since the governors pay for their own portraits, Mr. Swainson wished to have his painting appear unfinished to symbolize his then unfinished career.

The Rotunda is the Star of the Show!

This phenomenal Rotunda is meant to be awe inspiring.   It's hard not to drop your jaw as you stare up in wonder at the magnificent architecture, paintings and vast open space.  

This spectacular dome was created to inspire you with endless possibilities just within your grasp. 

This spectacular floor of the Rotunda has 976 glass tiles that are 5/8" thick.   This floor appears to be glowing as it is lit from below. 

It's fun to look up at the ceiling of glowing glass when you first enter the Capital and then head up the stairs to your right or left to walk on the glowing glass tiles.

We dare you to lay down on the glass floor of the Rotunda and look up 160 feet to the "eye" or oculus of the dome.  There, you will see a spectacular starry sky!

See the Supreme Court at the Michigan State Capitol

This Supreme Court room is just magnificent at the Michigan State Capitol.   The chairs look so comfortable and the wood work is extraordinary.

Pin This Michigan State Capitol Page!

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View this post on Instagram Mari Vineyards offers an unbelievable view while sipping a delicious glass of wine. I just could not get over this view as I strolled around the property. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Mari Vineyards has over 60 acres of vineyards planted entirely on the Old Mission Peninsula, with more being added every year! Seriously, how can you get a better view?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #marivineyards #whataview #winetasting #michiganwinetasting #wine #winery #miwine #onlyinmichigan #northernmichigan #redwine #traversecity #whitewine #vineyard #michiganwine #puremichigan #puremichigan #traversewinecoast #michigantravel #greatlakesstate #michiganstate #travelingmichigan #greatlakesstateofmind #puremittenpride #lovemichigan #michiganders #exploremichigan #puremittigan A post shared by Michigan Travel+Food Adventure (@travelingmichigan) on Sep 2, 2019 at 5:30am PDT

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Thanks for stopping by.

Our Words of Wisdom: “Never follow anyone else’s path. Unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost and you see a path, then by all means follow that path.”

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Sherry Trautman is a seasoned business owner and a multifaceted content creator, deeply entrenched in the world of travel in Michigan. With her extensive background in writing, editing, photography, marketing, website design, web mastering, social media, and publishing, she is the driving force behind the acclaimed Michigan Travel site "Travel-mi.com." A lifelong Michigander, Sherry's journey began in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan led her to St. Joseph during her formative years, and further to Kalamazoo for her higher education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design and Fine Art from Western Michigan University. Her career initially blossomed in Battle Creek, where she contributed significantly to aviation, marketing, and the art industry. In 2018, Sherry, alongside her husband Chris, embarked on a passionate endeavor with the inception of Travel-MI.com. This venture was not just a business but a full-time commitment to exploring and celebrating the diverse landscapes and communities of Michigan. Together, they tirelessly traverse the state, curating unique experiences, capturing stunning visuals, and weaving engaging narratives that showcase Michigan's rich cultural tapestry and natural beauty. From her early experiences in different Michigander locales to her extensive professional background, Sherry's life and work epitomize a deep-rooted expertise in Michigan travel, making her an authoritative voice in this niche.

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Lansing Family Fun

Lansing Family Fun is where the fun's at! We're your local guide to family adventures, and cool events, with a mix of travel information, guides, and helpful content galore.

It’s Time to Visit the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing

Don’t Wait for a Field Trip to Explore the Michigan State Capitol Building

Did you know that you can tour the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing?

Braving a blustery winter day, my son and I took a self-guided tour of this national treasure. We almost forgot it was so cold outside as we got lost in the atmosphere and beauty. Our visit brightened our day, leaving us excited to return and bring the rest of our family with us.

The capitol building in Lansing, Michigan is a treasure.

If you’re hoping to explore the capital building yourself, this is what you need to know:

Table of Contents

How to Tour the Michigan State Capitol Building

The Michigan State Capitol moved from Detroit to Lansing location in 1847. The capitol building we know today was completed in 1873 . The building was designed by Detroit architect, Elijah E. Meyers (the same architect who later planned the Texas state capitol in Austin.)

Visit the Texas State Capitol and the buildings’ similarities will strike you.

There is a reverence of sorts when you walk into either building.

Don’t let that intimidate you.

You are welcome to take a self-guided tour of the Michigan State Capitol building within its hours of operation .

Touring the history, art, and detail as an adult was a whole new experience. It was very special to be able to share this with my son, just as my mom loved visiting with us when we were kids. I imagine this generational tradition will continue to flow through many Michigan families and visitors for decades to come.

Guided Tours of the Capitol Building

Guided tours are available between 9:00 and 4:00. Groups of 10 or more people can schedule a tour in advance, smaller groups and individuals are permitted to join with scheduled groups. Please call (517) 373-2353 to confirm tour times or schedule a tour.

Smartphone Tours

The Capitol also offers smartphone tours . These efficient, self-guided experiences delve into specific Capitol themes, including historical furniture, portraits, and artwork throughout the Capitol and its surroundings.

Michigan State Capitol Stats

Height: 267 feet tall, from the ground to the tip of the spire

Number of Floors: 4

Number of Rooms: 139

Building Dimensions: 420 ft × 274 ft

Year Inaugurated: 1879

5 Reasons to Take a Self-Guided Michigan State Capitol Building Tour

All self-guided tours including the Smartphone tours are FREE of charge.

1. Soak Up Grandiose Structure and Beauty

Don’t have a lot of time but want to take an awesome adventure?

Try out touring the Capitol Building by wandering through it. You’ll be able to take in a lot in a short amount of time, is worthwhile and can be really fun.

My son loved seeing the decadence and learning all about the Capitol Building. He kept saying over and over, “Wow, look at that!” I answered things like “Right!? That’s all hand-painted!” and “Yes, these are called the grand staircases.”

The absolutely gorgeous dome high above his little gaze was what got the most attention.

2. Notice the Detailed Architecture and Monuments

13 monuments grace the grounds before you even walk into the building, including The Hiker Memorial which was sculpted by Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson, one of the first American women sculptors to gain international prominence!

We’ve been to many events on the Michigan State Capitol grounds, but slowing down to learn about each individual piece is really special.

Sauntering the halls and seeing the wall-to-ceiling hand-painted detail of the architecture is breathtaking!

Can you imagine being one of those painters!? Thrilling!

Each balcony has a unique view, and you’ll find an extensive amount of architecture throughout the Michigan Capitol Building.

3. Explore the Fine Art

Placed purposefully throughout the building are fine art pieces of each governor, eight muse paintings, and hand-painted murals.

Included on this list of art is the starry dome in the center of the Capitol Building.

You’ll find this as you stand on the round glass floor at the main level by gazing upward.

4. Learn Michigan and American History

Lansing wasn’t always the capital city; it was first in Detroit. In March of 1847, Lansing was chosen as the second capital location – and there have been three buildings.

The Capitol Building in Lansing’s downtown is the third capitol building Michigan has known.

Now, more than 100 years later, boy have we proved the “horrified observers” wrong that Lansing is not a “howling wilderness” or “village-less.”

We not only have villages, but a vibrant community filled with amazing people and our city has tons of things to do with our families .

It’s so awesome to learn about the history of our state while touring a building filled with just that – history!

You’ll find all of this information and much, much more when you visit and take the Historic Tour of the Capitol Building.

5. Explore it All

Spend the day at the Michigan State Capitol Building by doing all of the tours .

If you’re visiting from out of town and want to have a memorable experience, this is a great way to make the drive worthwhile. Be sure to check out our tips before you come our way.

Check out the tips below to make your day trip to Lansing great:

Tips for visiting the Michigan State Capitol

1. Parking : There are credit card meters along Washington Square. Finding parking there will ensure you don’t go over your meter and provides a nice walk through Lansing’s downtown strip. Also, parking structures are located on Capitol Ave between Shiawassee and Ionia, and Washington and Kalamazoo. Both of these structures are within walking distance of the Capitol.

2. Coming with kids? Have the Talk : Visiting the Capitol Building is a lot of fun, but letting the kids know it’s not ok to touch the walls or important pieces is really important before you go.

3. No worries : The building has many people walking in and out at all times. You might feel overwhelmed when you arrive but don’t worry, you are welcome, even with kids in tow. The friendliness as you walk through the building is awesome.

Visiting the Michigan State Capitol Building Will Stick With You

As my son and I walked up to the Michigan State Capitol Building he said, “Mommy! Is this where the king of the castle lives?!”

I replied, “Well, sweetie, if this was a castle – technically it would be considered where the queen of the castle resides. After all, we now have our second female governor in office in Michigan’s history!”

Special trips like this can bring up fun and engaging conversations with our kids. I love that we have this type of opportunity right here in downtown Lansing!

The Michigan State Capitol is one of those wonderful places mutually enjoyed by all ages. Kids are welcome in our Capitol building and they love to see all of the beauty, history, art, and information just like we do.

Try it out and let me know how your trip goes! We’d love to hear your feedback, thoughts, and tips.

Carla Brooks

Carla is Oregon born, Michigan raised, so it comes as no surprise she's an avid adventurer in all things nature and water fun. She's passionate about storytelling and the power it has to engage the community, give voice to the teller, and invoke a call to action. She is a proud Mexican-American woman who loves to travel (while eating and cooking delicious foods from around the globe), is grateful for her daily yoga practice, and garners much joy from spending time with friends and family. Life is ripe with story and she is always working to capture the magic wherever she goes, so don’t be surprised if you catch her jotting notes with a camera in hand.

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Michigan State Capitol Virtual Tour

Lansing, Michigan

Welcome to our virtual tour of the State Capitol! The tour currently takes you from the statue of Governor Austin Blair in front of the Capitol, into the rotunda. Once in the rotunda, you can look 360° around you. We're currently in the process of adding much of the rest of the building, including the House and Senate Chambers.

Please e-mail us with your comments!

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Here's how to get tickets to Michigan Central's grand reopening celebration

The historic Michigan Central Station will reopen to the public on June 6, and Michigan Central organizers announced details for the celebration and how people can get free tickets and tours.

According to Michigan Central, the "Michigan Central OPEN" celebration on June 6 will open with a 90-minute outdoor concert in front of the station headlined by well-known Detroit musical artists. The lineup has not yet been announced.

VIDEO: Watch more details about Michigan Central's celebration below:

It will also show short films, appearances by local leaders and creators from around the state.

Starting June 7-16, Michigan Central will host an OPEN House, giving people a first look inside the station's historic ground floor with a range of exhibits, entertainment, art and more.

Registration for OPEN Live and OPEN House will begin online at michigancentral.com on May 17 for neighbors surrounding Michigan Central Station, and on May 21 for the general public.

VIDEO: Meet the father-daughter duo helping to restore Michigan Central:

After its reopening event, the station will begin a phased-in reactivation of the building over the next several months as they add more restaurant, retail and other building tenants and partners.

According to organizers, the first floor will be open for tours on Fridays and Saturdays through August. Expanded hours will be announced in the fall when the first phase of commercial activations open to the public.

Ford acquired the historic building in 2018 and began a years-long restoration and rehabilitation project.

“I am truly excited to share the historic Michigan Central Station restoration with the entire Detroit community and beyond," said Bill Ford, executive chair of Ford. "This is a milestone we can all celebrate. Michigan Central Station was once a symbol of Detroit’s decline, and now it is going to represent its renewal and bright future. This monumental project has taken more than 1.7 million hours of work and reflects Ford's dedication to the community, Detroit's role in shaping the future of mobility, and the opportunities that our city, state, and region continue to offer.”

The station opened in 1913 and once considered one of the best train depots in the U.S., serving more than 4,000 passengers a day at its peak. It closed in 1988 and remained vacant until Ford purchased the property in 2018.

Officials say over the past six years, more than 3,100 skilled trade workers have worked over 1.7 million combined hours to restore the building.

When it's complete, it will include 640,000 square feet of retail, hospitality, community, and office spaces as part of Ford's innovation hub in Corktown.

“At Michigan Central, we’re harnessing Detroit’s long-standing leadership in mobility and economic innovation to create a thriving, global destination for accelerating bold ideas and new solutions that shape our shared future,” said Joshua Sirefman, CEO of Michigan Central. “At the heart of this is The Station, an iconic building that now serves not just as a reminder of our city’s history, but a powerful catalyst for growth and opportunity.”

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How to get free tickets to reopening concert, tours at Michigan Central Station today

Corktown neighbors got first dibs on registration.

Ken Haddad , Digital Managing Editor

The Michigan Central website crashed around noon on Tuesday. Michigan Central temporarily paused access to tickets due to "overwhelming demand" as of 1 p.m. Tickets were not sold out at that time.

Registration for a concert and free tours of the newly restored Michigan Central Station in Detroit’s Corktown starts Tuesday for the general public.

UPDATE: Tickets to Michigan Central reopening events paused after website crashes

Recommended Videos

Ford Motor Company has been restoring the old Detroit train depot for the last six years. Now, with plans to open the building on June 6, 2024, residents will get the chance to mark the reopening with free events.

The 11-day celebration includes an outdoor concert, open house hours and more. Here’s what’s planned and how to register.

Michigan Central OPEN Celebration

On June 6, Michigan Central will kick off the festivities with Michigan Central OPEN Live , a 90-minute outdoor concert in front of The Station headlined by well-known Detroit musical artists. We aren’t sure who the artists will be.

The show will feature short films, appearances by local leaders, and creators telling stories of innovation and culture from around the city and the region.

From June 7-16, Michigan Central will host its OPEN House , offering a first look inside the Station’s historic ground floor through a range of exhibits, entertainment, art, and more.

Michigan Central’s art program will also bring art installations, including a new iteration of Reddymade’s me + you, a critically acclaimed interactive sculpture specifically for Michigan Central.

After its reopening event in June, The Station will begin a phased reactivation of the building over the next several months and years as restaurant, retail, and other commercial and community-focused partners take up residency. The first floor will be open to the public for tours on Fridays and Saturdays through August. Expanded hours will be announced for fall, when the first phase of commercial activations opens to the public.

Tickets: Registration for OPEN Live and OPEN House started online at michigancentral.com on May 17 for neighbors surrounding The Station, and on May 21 for the general public, starting at noon. Click here for more info.

Michigan Central Station closed in 1988 and was bought by Ford in 2018.

---> Related: Workers find 108-year-old letter in a bottle while renovating Michigan Central Station

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Register for Free Tickets to Michigan Central’s Reopening Festivities, Tours

*Photo credit: Michigan Central

The Detroit News May 20, 2024 Sarah Rahal

Ticket registration for Michigan Central Station’s reopening community celebration opens online Tuesday for its kick-off concert and 10 days of open house tours next month.

After six years and $940 million invested by Ford Motor Co. to restore the massive building and surrounding structures, officials announced online registration for its open house celebrations launches at noon tomorrow through  http://michigancentral.com .

Festivities commence on June 6 with a “Live from Detroit” 90-minute outdoor concert in front of the station “headlined by some of Detroit’s biggest stars.”

The standing-room-only show will feature short films, appearances by local leaders, creators telling stories of innovation and culture.

Gates open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 8:30 p.m.

Performers have not been released. The concert is produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment, an Emmy-winning production company that has produced Super Bowl Halftime Shows. The outdoor concert will also be livestreamed.

“There’s no place like Detroit, and we couldn’t be more excited to showcase the city through its own incredible artists,” Collins said in a press release. “We’re going to create an unforgettable welcome party for Michigan Central with this new chapter in Detroit history that celebrates the visions of these unique performers who are bound together by a shared love of their city.”

Starting June 7 through June 16, Michigan Central will host its Open House Tours, offering a first look inside the Station’s restored ground floor coupled with a range of exhibits, entertainment and art.

Next door, on the front lawn of Newlab at Michigan Central (the former Book Depository building), visitors can enjoy music and local entertainment, hear about opportunities for innovation, community events, and skills programming at Michigan Central. There will also be places to purchase food, drinks and commemorative souvenirs.

Free ticketed tours will be available from noon-10 p.m. June 7; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. June 8; and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 9. The open house and festival continues from noon-8 p.m. June 10-13; 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. June 14-15; and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. June 16.

“After a six-year restoration by Ford and so many others, Michigan Central Station will re-open, reimagined as a place of innovation and culture open to all,” Mary Culler, chair of Michigan Central, said in the release. “This is a historic moment not just for Michigan Central but for those near and far who love Detroit, and that’s why we’re creating an opening worthy of this achievement that invites everyone to join us for the station’s next chapter, no matter where they are located in the world.”

When the station opened in 1913, it was the world’s tallest and one of the grandest train depots in the United States.

It closed in 1988 and remained vacant until Ford acquired the 30-acre property in 2018.

Ford acquired the station and several nearby buildings for $90 million from the Moroun family, the billionaire owners of the Ambassador Bridge. With the state approving tax breaks at the time estimated at $207 million, there was the promise of a revitalization of the shuttered icon.

That year,  40,000 visitors  waited to see the vacant 1913-built rail stop before extensive renovations began. More than 60,000 people are anticipated to attend the grand opening next month over the 11 days.

More than 3,100 workers have put in more than 1.7 million combined hours to restore the station to its original architectural grandeur, while retrofitting it with modern technological infrastructure to support its next chapter, officials said.

Over time, the station’s towers will start filling with three floors of Ford employees, a potential hotel and 640,000 square feet of retail and collaborative innovation spaces. After the grand openings, the building will begin its reactivation phase over several months to bring restaurants, retail and other commercial and community-focused partners to take up the tower residency.

The first floor will be open to visitors for tours on Fridays and Saturdays through the summer. Expanded hours will be announced for fall when the first phase of commercial activations opens to the public.

 Please contact Michigan Central directly for ticket information.

Take a break from your road trip at these 6 weird, quirky Michigan roadside attractions

From private gnome villages built in front yards to giant tires along the highway, Michigan has a host of fun roadside attractions.

Here are just a few to check out. Do you have other attractions we should include? Reach out to us .

Gnome Village

• Location: Wolverine — off of Old Sturgeon Road

In an April social media video, TikTok user MckormickRadio randomly stumbled across a gnome village off Old Sturgeon Road in Wolverine, and couldn't believe the find.

The collection of tiny houses is unique and whimsical and features a small church and other community buildings.

Eiffel Tower

• Location: Paris Park, about 5 miles north of Big Rapids
• Cost: $6 park entry

Visit the Eiffel Tower without ever leaving the state with a visit to Paris Park in northern Michigan. The 20-foot-tall tower is constructed of steel, built in 1980 by welding students from the Mecosta-Osceola Career Center in Big Rapids.

The park is also home to the state's first fish hatchery dating back to 1881 and operated until converted into a park in 1964. Behind the hatchery is a drawing of a Chippewa Chief carved in 1937.

Cross in the Woods and Nun Doll Museum

• Location: 7078 M-68, Indian River

Along I-75 in northern Michigan is a spiritual site with the world's largest crucifixion of Jesus Christ, sculpted by Michigan's own Marshall Fredericks, responsible for the Spirit of Detroit among other monuments. The bronze 28-foot statue is just one spiritual stop of the park's seven holy shrines .

In addition to the holy sculptures, the Cross In the Woods Catholic Shrine at Indian River is home to the largest number of dolls dressed in traditional habits of men and women in religious communities in the country. On display in the doll museum is 525 dolls and 20 mannequins from around the world.

More: 8 unusual Michigan museums to visit this summer

Dinosaur Gardens

• Location: Ossineke
• Cost: $10 and up

Take a walk on the wild side with a trip to Ossineke Michigan's Dinosaur Garden , first opened in 1923, which more than 20 dinosaur sculptures call home.

The park is a half-mile walk and self-guided tours start at $10 with children under 2 years old free. For an added $3 per child, kids can dig for their fossils and take home their favorite three. The park also has an 18-hole putt-putt golf course overlooking the nearby Devil's River.

The Miner's Sluice packages range from $10.95 to $21.95 and give families the experience of picking a bag of mining mix and washing the contents in a live, water-operated miner's sluice.

Nearly 200 miles south of Dinosaur Gardens in Irish Hills is the site of the long-abandoned Prehistoric Forest , a similar dinosaur park that thrived in the early 1980s.

Uniroyal Tire

• Location: Dearborn, westbound I-94

An 80-foot-tall Uniroyal tire , originally built as a Ferris wheel for the 1964 New York World's Fair , has welcomed incoming metro Detroiters off of I-94 for decades.

See inside: I-94's giant Uniroyal tire

Allen Park was awarded the giant tire, worth $750,000, made of polyester resin and fiberglass in 1965 as long as they converted the moving and set up costs — which estimated to be about $300,000.

Detroit's Hollywood-style Sign

• Location: Detroit, eastbound I-94

Detroit's newest roadside attraction, a Hollywood-esque light-up sign, was built in early April to welcome visitors for the 2024 NFL draft .

Opinion: Detroit sign on I-94 should have included more residents, input from artists | Letters

The 10-foot-tall letters received mixed reviews from community members after its installation. Mayor Mike Duggan blamed the negative response on a misleading rendering that went viral on social media after the Free Press' original reporting .

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Register for free tickets to Michigan Central's reopening festivities, tours

Detroit — Ticket registration for Michigan Central Station's reopening community celebration opens online Tuesday for its kick-off concert and 10 days of open house tours next month.

After six years and $940 million invested by Ford Motor Co. to restore the massive building and surrounding structures, officials announced online registration for its open house celebrations launches at noon tomorrow through http://michigancentral.com .

Festivities commence on June 6 with a "Live from Detroit" 90-minute outdoor concert in front of the station "headlined by some of Detroit's biggest stars."

The standing-room-only show will feature short films, appearances by local leaders, creators telling stories of innovation and culture.

Gates open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 8:30 p.m.

Performers have not been released. The concert is produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment, an Emmy-winning production company that has produced Super Bowl Halftime Shows. The outdoor concert will also be livestreamed.

“There’s no place like Detroit, and we couldn’t be more excited to showcase the city through its own incredible artists,” Collins said in a press release. “We’re going to create an unforgettable welcome party for Michigan Central with this new chapter in Detroit history that celebrates the visions of these unique performers who are bound together by a shared love of their city.”

Starting June 7 through June 16, Michigan Central will host its Open House Tours, offering a first look inside the Station’s restored ground floor coupled with a range of exhibits, entertainment and art.

Next door, on the front lawn of Newlab at Michigan Central (the former Book Depository building), visitors can enjoy music and local entertainment, hear about opportunities for innovation, community events, and skills programming at Michigan Central. There will also be places to purchase food, drinks and commemorative souvenirs. 

Free ticketed tours will be available from noon-10 p.m. June 7; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. June 8; and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 9. The open house and festival continues from noon-8 p.m. June 10-13; 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. June 14-15; and 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. June 16.

“After a six-year restoration by Ford and so many others, Michigan Central Station will re-open, reimagined as a place of innovation and culture open to all,” Mary Culler, chair of Michigan Central, said in the release. “This is a historic moment not just for Michigan Central but for those near and far who love Detroit, and that’s why we’re creating an opening worthy of this achievement that invites everyone to join us for the station’s next chapter, no matter where they are located in the world.”

When the station opened in 1913, it was the world’s tallest and one of the grandest train depots in the United States.

It closed in 1988 and remained vacant until Ford acquired the 30-acre property in 2018.

Ford acquired the station and several nearby buildings for $90 million from the Moroun family, the billionaire owners of the Ambassador Bridge. With the state approving tax breaks at the time estimated at $207 million, there was the promise of a revitalization of the shuttered icon.

That year,  40,000 visitors  waited to see the vacant 1913-built rail stop before extensive renovations began. More than 60,000 people are anticipated to attend the grand opening next month over the 11 days.

More: Michigan Central about to open, but what will be inside?

More than 3,100 workers have put in more than 1.7 million combined hours to restore the station to its original architectural grandeur, while retrofitting it with modern technological infrastructure to support its next chapter, officials said.

Over time, the station's towers will start filling with three floors of Ford employees, a potential hotel and 640,000 square feet of retail and collaborative innovation spaces. After the grand openings, the building will begin its reactivation phase over several months to bring restaurants, retail and other commercial and community-focused partners to take up the tower residency.

The first floor will be open to visitors for tours on Fridays and Saturdays through the summer. Expanded hours will be announced for fall when the first phase of commercial activations opens to the public.

[email protected]

@SarahRahal_

3 takeaways from Biden's first campaign visit to Detroit

President Joe Biden capped a long day focused on shoring up support among Black voters across the country with a speech in Detroit at the annual Detroit Branch NAACP's Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner, marking his first visit to the city this election year.

The upcoming months will test whether Biden's message resonated beyond the convention hall where many of his biggest champions in Michigan dined to reach Black voters in the Motor City and across the state who are critical to his reelection.

Biden visit underscores importance of Black voters to his reelection

In his remarks, Biden credited Black voters for putting him in the White House four years ago. "Let's be clear, because of your vote, it's the only reason I'm standing here as President of the United States of America," he said.

While exit polling showed Black voters in Michigan overwhelmingly supported Biden in 2020, Biden slightly underperformed compared to Hillary Clinton's 2016 performance in Detroit where Black voters are concentrated. While he won more votes from the city, he won a smaller share of vote total compared to Clinton. It was a pattern he repeated in most majority-Black cities in Michigan, according to a Free Press analysis of their head-to-head vote in precinct-level data from the MIT Election + Science Lab.

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

"We're going to do everything we can to never ever repeat that kind of result," Biden's Michigan campaign senior adviser Eddie McDonald told the Free Press last week.

Biden turns up heat with anti-Trump rhetoric

While Biden highlighted what he sees as his administration's biggest accomplishments in delivering social and economic progress for Black Americans, he drew a sharp contrast on that front with former President Donald Trump.

"He's clearly unhinged," Biden said of his GOP opponent. Trump has celebrated those who stormed the U.S. Capitol to stop Congress from certifying the 2020 presidential election as patriots, Biden noted. He went on to ask the crowd Sunday what they think Trump would have done if Black Americans had stormed the Capitol. "I'm serious," Biden said.

Biden repeatedly took aim at Trump, but ended with a final warning: "Trump isn't running to lead America. He's running for revenge," Biden said.

Michigan 2024 Election: At Detroit NAACP dinner, Biden says he needs Black voters, chides Trump

During long day, Biden acknowledges incomplete progress

While he billed his first term in office as a huge stride toward achieving racial justice, he also seemed to recognize the potential shortcomings of that message Sunday as he addressed Black voters in both Georgia and Michigan who could decide the election in the pair of battleground states.

Biden has characterized the presidential contest as a fight to preserve American democracy. But in a commencement address in Atlanta at Morehouse College − a historically Black liberal arts college for men − Biden acknowledged those who wonder whether the current political system delivers desired changes.

"It's natural to wonder if the democracy you hear about actually works for you," Biden told the graduates. "What is democracy if Black men are being killed in the street? What is democracy if a trail of broken promises still leave Black communities behind? What is democracy if you have to be ten times better than anyone else to get a fair shot?"

Biden struck a similar tone in Detroit when he wrapped up his remarks at the Detroit Branch NAACP dinner. "Folks, the idea of America is that we're all created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives. "We've never fully lived up to it, but we’ve never fully walked away from it either. But Trump will. I will not."

Contact Clara Hendrickson at [email protected] or 313-296-5743. Follow her on X, previously called Twitter, @clarajanehen .

Looking for more on Michigan’s elections this year? Check out our voter guide , subscribe to our elections newsletter and always feel free to share your thoughts in a letter to the editor .