If you’re an art enthusiast who can’t get enough of Van Gogh’s starry skies or a history buff who loves all things medieval, Michigan must be on your bucket list. From grand museums to quirky galleries, the Great Lakes State is packed with artsy adventures that are sure to impress.
You can gallery-hop, marvel at street murals, catch a mind-blowing musical, or just sip cappuccino while pretending to be an uber-cool critic with an eye for detail. Most of these venues boast ADA-accessible entrances, smooth pathways, and even elevators, so you can access all the excitement with ease!
Accessible Art Galleries and Museums in Michigan
Below are some of the best accessible museums in Michigan showcasing historical innovations, interactive exhibits, and exciting programs:
Detroit Institute of Arts Museum, Detroit
Located in the Motor City, the Detroit Institute of Arts Museum features over 65,000 artworks from the earliest civilizations to the present. Over here, you’ll find American Art Before 1950, European Paintings, Islamic Art, and even puppets.
Just when you think you’ve made your way through a world of art, you stumble upon their stunning list of exhibitions. As of this writing, the museum plans on showcasing Drop-In Workshop: Polaroids & Picture Frames, Drawing in the Galleries: Americans, Ernest and Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia, Crossing, In Our Day, The Art of Dining, Ofrendas: Celebrating el Día de Muertos 2024, and Painted with Silk, among others.
During your visit, you can recharge at Kresge Court. If courtyard vibes aren’t your thing, Café DIA serves up delights that will have you rethinking museum food forever.
Regarding accessibility, there’s a metered handicapped parking space right nearby. The museum’s main entrances on John R and Farnsworth Street are fully wheelchair accessible. There are elevators throughout the building that make it easy to zip from one floor to the other.
Unlike other facilities that require advance booking, the museum also provides wheelchairs and scooters without reservations. If you plan on watching a film screening, ask the staff to provide you with assistive listening devices for a truly immersive experience.
The Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn
Spreading across 250 acres, The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn is a treasure trove of American history, innovation and mind-blowing exhibits. This place features four must-see attractions including the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation which is your go-to spot for everything pioneering, from gothic revival steam engine to JFK’s presidential limo.
In Greenfield Village, you can ride in a Model T or check out the Wright brothers’ home and workshop while the Ford Rouge Factory Tour takes you through the massive Ford Rouge plant, showing off the company’s latest initiatives. At the Giant Screen Experience, you can watch documentaries and feature films come to life in an epic way.
This museum is ADA-compliant, featuring accessible entrances, restrooms, and seating areas. Most exhibits are wheelchair-accessible, except for a few specialized areas, such as the interiors of the Allegheny Locomotive cab, Sperry-New Holland Combine cab, Rosa Parks Bus, and Dymaxion House.
You can rent wheelchairs for just $4, while scooters can be rented for $25 per day. If you’re planning to take the Ford Rouge Factory Tour, you’ll be glad to know that tour buses are wheelchair-accessible.
Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids
The Grand Rapids Art Museum is perfect for an art lover, a history buff, or someone who just can’t say no to a mesmerizing selfie backdrop! Here, you can catch the fascinating Mario Moore talk about his captivating life and work or marvel at the incredible exhibitions featuring artists such as Kelly Church, Jane Freilicher, and Dawoud Bey — just to name a few.
And let’s not forget “The Outwin: American Portraiture Today” and “Jess T. Dugan: Look at Me Like You Love Me” – pieces that practically beg you to look deeper and wonder if you’ve been missing something all along.
GRAM welcomes everyone,including walkers, wheelchairs (manual and electric), and scooters. They have a wheelchair-accessible ramp at the front entrance. The sidewalk ramp on Monroe Center is perfectly positioned between Rosa Parks Circle and GRAM for a convenient drop-off. Plus, the wheelchairs are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.
University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA), Ann Arbor
The University of Michigan Museum of Art features visually appealing and deeply introspective art displays. For instance, “Ouroboros” by Machine Dazzle showcases the artist’s wildest dreams, inspired by an ancient symbol — a snake happily munching on its own tail. It sounds bizarre but is entirely mesmerizing.
Then there’s “The Future Cache” by Andrea Carlson, which will transport you to different realms of possibilities, making you question where the past ends and the future begins. Don’t forget to check out “Unsettling Histories: Legacies of Slavery and Colonialism,” featuring European and American decorative art. This art gallery is not just wheelchair accessible, but it’s also super welcoming to those on scooters for health reasons. If you don’t bring your own mobility device, you can easily rent a wheelchair from the visitor center.
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Accessible Theaters and Performance Venues in Michigan
If you’d rather catch a live show than a stroll through galleries, check out the following accessible theaters and performance spots in Michigan:
Fox Theatre, Detroit
Also known as the “Temple of Amusement,” the Fox Theatre is the ultimate entertainment venue for concerts, comedy acts, musicals, and live productions. Over the next few months, you would bump into legends like Sturgill Simpson, sway to the tunes of Cyndi Lauper, giggle through “Elf – The Musical,” and cheer on “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
They have 32 handicapped parking spots. The wheelchair-friendly entrance makes it easy to reach the building. Once inside, you’ll find accessible seats that offer a stellar view of the main stage, making sure you don’t miss a single laugh, tear, or high note.
Miller Auditorium, Kalamazoo
Whether you’re in for a belly laugh or soulful songs, Miller Auditorium is your ultimate destination for stand-up comedy, musicals, and even brain-tingling conversations. You can catch hilarious performances by Mike Epps and groove to the iconic tunes in “Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of The Temptations.”
Disney fans can belt out their favorite tunes at the “Encanto: The Sing-Along Film Concert.” For the nerds among us, Neil deGrasse Tyson’s “An Astrophysicist Goes to the Movies — Part I” will satisfy your cosmic curiosity. If your taste leans more toward theatrical and powerful storytelling, “August Wilson’s Two Trains Running” and “HADESTOWN” have you covered.
This venue is accessible from US-131 and I-94 which runs through Kalamazoo. There’s a barrier-free entrance and a convenient drop-off area, welcoming you from the get-go. If you need a little extra assistance, there are wheelchairs available to transport you from your car to the theater.
Once inside, you’ll find accessible restrooms and drinking fountains on the Orchestra and Grand Tier levels. There’s also an elevator in the lobby. The best part? There are accessible and companion seats available on every level so that you can enjoy solo or with friends.
Explore Michigan’s Art Scene with Clock Mobility
Whether you’re planning a visit to museums, heading to a concert, or just running errands, Clock Mobility has got the right vehicle to keep you moving. Our wheelchair-accessible vehicles feature easy-to-use ramps, lowered floors, spacious interiors, top-notch safety features, and advanced navigation systems.
With the availability of both short-term and long-term rental options, our services are as flexible as you need them to be. Unlike other rental companies, we have a seamless and quick rental process, so you won’t have to worry about complicated paperwork or long wait times.
If you like the rented car, why not check out our inventory of wheelchair-accessible vans for sale? Just give us a call at (866) 380-3326 or swing by one of our four locations in Michigan for more information.
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