Hours of Operation

  • Wednesday and Thursday: 10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Friday: 10:00 am - 10:00pm
  • Saturday: 10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Sunday: 12:00 - 4:00pm

General Admission

General admission tickets allow access to all permanent exhibits, outdoor science garden, nature trails, and free admission to the Cranbrook Observatory during its hours of operation. (Click here for more information about the observatory.) All visitors over the age of two require a ticket to enter the museum. General admission is free for all members.

  • Adults: $14.00
  • Children ages 2 - 12: $10.50
  • Seniors 65+: $10.50
  • Children under 2: Free
  • All Members: Free

Tickets, including general admission, Acheson Planetarium, Galileo exhibition, and exporeLAB, can be purchased at the front desk upon arrival or in advance at:

If you are interested in reserving a visit for a group of 20 or more, please call 248 645.3210 or email CISReservations@Cranbrook.edu.


Permanent Exhibits

The museum's exhibitions are housed in 16 permanent galleries. There is also a changing exhibition hall, an outdoor science garden, nature trails, a state-of-the-art planetarium, and an observatory. The major overarching theme to the exhibitions is the interconnectedness in nature. This idea is introduced to visitors in a unique, multi-media theater called the Connections Theater.

Changing Exhibits

Galileo

Galileo Galilei was an Italian astronomer, physicist and engineer who has been called the “father” of observational astronomy, physics, the scientific method and modern science.

The Galileo special exhibition is a hands-on, interactive exhibition engaging visitors by revealing the secrets of Galileo’s groundbreaking science through interactive experiments and exhibits.

This exhibit runs October 1, 2023 - June 2, 2024.

Changing Exhibit Hall Admission (in addition to museum admission when applicable)


Acheson Planetarium

The Acheson Planetarium is open to the public. Please check here for shows and showtimes. 

There is no late seating.

Tickets are required for all programs in the planetarium in addition to museum admission. They can be purchased at the museum entrance desk or in advance at :

If you are interested in reserving a visit for a group of 20 or more, please call 248 645.3210 or email CISReservations@Cranbrook.edu.

Acheson Planetarium Admission


exploreLAB

exploreLAB is a specimen-rich environment sure to excite any paleo enthusiast and offers immersive dino- and entomology-themed programming for all ages and interests. Learn more about Feathery Functions, Dinos Drawn Wrong, Diets of the Giants, and Live Bug Feeding. Programming is available on select Saturdays and Sundays and school breaks. Tickets can be purchased at the front desk upon arrival or in advance at:

If you are interested in reserving a visit for a group of 20 or more, please call 248 645.3210 or email CISReservations@Cranbrook.edu.

exploreLAB Admission


Cranbrook Observatory

The observatory is open every Friday from 8:30 - 10pm during daylight savings and 7:30 - 10pm during standard time, weather permitting. It is also open on the first Sunday of the month from 1:00 - 4:00pm for safe viewing of the sun, weather permitting.

For more information about the Cranbrook Observatory, please check here.

The Cranbrook Observatory is FREE with admission to the Institute.


Reflections Café

Hours of operation:

  • Wednesday-Friday: 9:30am-2:30pm
  • First Free Friday: 9:30am-3:30pm and 6:00-9:00pm
  • Saturday: 10:30am-3:30pm
  • Sunday: 12:00-3:30pm

Cranbrook Institute of Science does not allow peanuts, tree nuts, or nut butter in the museum. We request that you please refrain from bringing these items, or items made with these ingredients, into the museum. We appreciate your cooperation and apologize for any inconvenience.


Regularly Scheduled Events

Pre-registration is only required for Free Third Thursday or Free First Friday.

$5 Fridays After Five!

Experience Friday nights at Cranbrook Institute of Science for just $5!

Guests who visit after 5:00pm can purchase the following tickets for $5 each:

  • General admission
  • The Acheson Planetarium: See what is currently playing and showtimes here.
  • Our traveling exhibit: Galileo: Scientist, Astronomer, Visionary. Galileo is a hands-on, interactive exhibition that will engage visitors by revealing the secrets of Galileo’s groundbreaking science through experiments and activities.

Galileo: Scientist, Astronomer, Visionary is an exhibition supported by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council.

$5 tickets to Galileo are not available during Free First Fridays. Ticket prices to Galileo can be found here.

The Institute of Science is also FREE on the first Friday of each month, courtesy of MASCO. Learn more and register here.

Free First Friday

Courtesy of MASCO, admission to the Institute of Science is free the first Friday of each month. If you're arriving 10am - 5pm, walk-ups are welcome. After 5pm, pre-registration is required. Join us for a free evening of science fun! The Café and Observatory are open.

Free Third Thursday

Courtesy of the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan, the Institute of Science and Cranbrook Art Museum are teaming up for FREE Third Thursday! Visitors can receive free admission to Cranbrook Institute of Science from 5:00 – 8:00pm AND Cranbrook Art Museum from 11:00am - 8:00pm.



Museums for All logo
Cranbrook Institute of Science is partnering with MUSEUMS for ALL to offer complimentary general admission for guests and their families with EBT and Bridge Cards. If you have an EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card or Bridge Card, simply show it to receive general admission. If you have any questions regarding this program please contact the Membership department at 248-645-3245.