Welcome back to Cranbrook Institute of Science! If Mesmerica sparked your sense of wonder, you’ve only just scratched the surface of what the Institute has to offer. From immersive exhibitions and hands-on galleries to live science demonstrations, planetarium shows, and special events for all ages, Cranbrook Institute of Science invites you to keep exploring, questioning, and discovering. Whether you’re returning for another unforgettable experience or planning your first full visit, there’s always something new waiting to be uncovered.
Current and Upcoming Traveling Exhibits
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Step back in time 290 million years when bizarre-looking animals dominated life on land and sea, and find out about the greatest extinction the world has ever seen in Permian Monsters: Life before the Dinosaurs. This unique exhibition brings the past back to life with fossilized skeletons and full size life models of the animals that ruled the world millions of years before the age of dinosaurs, in a time known as the Permian.
September 28, 2025 - January 7, 2026
In this immersive exhibit, visitors are transported to Palenque, Mexico, where an archaeological team has mysteriously disappeared from a dig site while investigating rumors of a priceless jade medallion. They will follow the clues the team left behind to locate the precious medallion while avoiding the dangers lurking in the ruins.
In addition, Institute curators will enhance this exhibit with a focused exploration of Mayan culture through a selection of authentic material objects and artifacts. This added component offers visitors a unique opportunity to encounter genuine remnants of Mayan and related Mesoamerican civilizations, enriching their understanding of the cultures featured in the main exhibit.
February 1 - June 7, 2026