National Museum of the Great Lakes

Step inside the National Museum of the Great Lakes and uncover thousands of years of shoreline stories—tales of daring exploration, booming industry, lifesaving innovation, and legendary shipwrecks that still ripple through the region today. Explore nine dynamic exhibit galleries, where rotating showcases join permanent installations such as the St. Marys Challenger pilothouse and an 1800s second-order Fresnel lens. More than 50 interactive stations and hundreds of rare artifacts invite hands-on discovery at every turn. Then venture outdoors to walk the decks of two preserved icons—the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship and the Museum Tug Ohio. Founded in 1944, the museum continues to publish Inland Seas®, lead maritime research, and serve as the gathering place for Great Lakes conversations.

As a Certified Autism Center™, our museum is committed to providing an accessible and welcoming environment for individuals with sensory sensitivities. We offer Sensory Friendly Mornings on the second Saturday and Sunday of every month, one hour before the museum opens to the public. During these special hours, guests can enjoy a more comfortable experience with dimmed lighting, reduced noise, and smaller crowds, creating an atmosphere tailored to their needs.

Our museum is open 7 days a week May 1 through October 31 from 10 am – 5 pm Monday thru Saturday and noon – 5 pm on Sundays. Museum ships close for the season from November 1 through April 30. During the winter season, we are closed on Tuesdays.