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: $15.00
  • Children ages 2 - 12: $11.50
  • Seniors 65+: $11.50
  • Children under 2: Free
  • All Members: Free

Museums for All logo
Cranbrook Institute of Science is a proud partner of Museums for All, offering $2 general admission for two adults and all children under 18 with an EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer), Bridge, or WIC card. Children under 2 years old are always free. If you have an EBT, Bridge, or WIC card, simply show it at the front desk to receive discounted admission. Please note: This discount applies to general admission only and does not extend to Acheson Planetarium, exploreLAB, or Changing Exhibit tickets. If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact the Membership Department at 248-645-3245.

Tickets, including general admission, Acheson Planetarium, the Changing 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

Permian Monsters

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

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.

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.

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: 10:00am-3:00pm
  • 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 First Friday or as stated specifically for any particular event.

$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

Maps