8 unusual Michigan museums to visit this summer
For those of you who love going to museums and are looking to explore the unconventional, you’ve come to the right place.
Here’s a list of 8 unique Michigan museums to consider visiting this summer:
American Museum of Magic
The American Museum of Magic in Marshall houses thousands of artifacts that illuminate the tales of American magicians. Head over to enjoy a family Magic Show hosted Saturdays at 1 p.m. from May 28 to Sept. 3.
Location: 107 E. Michigan Ave. Marshall
Hours: December to March: By appointment only
April to November:
Monday and Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday – Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 4 p.m.
Contact 269-781-7570 to make an appointment.
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Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum
This Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum is home to 60 motorized fire trucks and a collection of 12,000 antiques and collectible toys.
Location: 3456 Patterson Road, Bay City
Hours: Open May to September
Saturday: Noon to 4 p.m.
Sunday - Friday: Closed (tour by appointment only)
Contact info@toyandfirehousemuseum.org for appointments.
Kaleva Bottle House Historic Museum
Formerly local pop bottling factory owner John Makinen’s house, the Kaleva Bottle House Historic Museum is built from about 60,000 bottles. It now displays historic items owned by the Kaleva Historical Society.
Location: 14551 Wuoksi Ave., Kaleva
Hours: Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend: Weekends, noon to 4 p.m.
Contact 231- 362-2487 to schedule a group tour.
Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum
Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum takes visitors through a mechanical history with vintage coin-operated arcade games and memorabilia.
Location: 31005 Orchard Lake, Farmington Hills
Hours: Monday to Thursday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Contact 248-626-5020 for holiday hours or more information.
Midwest Miniature Museum
The Midwest Miniature Museum features artistic miniature models, collections of jewelry, Kachina dolls and pottery.
Location: 20 S. 5th St. Grand Haven
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 4 p.m.
Closed Monday.
Contact 616-414-5809 for more information.
National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods and Doll Museum
The National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods and Doll Museum, a spiritual site, contains a collection of statues of the Holy family and a Doll Museum featuring a collection of nun dolls.
Location: 7078 M-68, Indian River
Hours: Summer: Daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Winter: Daily, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Contact 231-238-8973 for more information.
Old Fence Rider Historical Center
The Old Fence Rider Historical Center is a museum filled with items significant to Western heritage, including antique barbed wire from western states, Civil War memorabilia and railroad replica.
Location: 209 S. Sheldon St., Edmore
Call 989-506-9562 to make arrangements for individual or group showings.
Pickle Barrel House Museum
This pickle barrel shaped cabin is a tribute to former owner of the property cartoonist William Donahey. The Pickle Barrel House Museum showcases living inside a 1920s summer cottage and examples of the cartoonist’s strips.
Location: Lake Ave. and Randolph Street, Grand Marais
Hours: June and Sept.: Weekends, 1-4 p.m.
July to August: Daily, 1-4 p.m.
Contact 906-494-2404 for hours and tours.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan museums: 8 unusual spots to see this summer
