“like stepping in an 80-acre time machine”
Entering Greenfield Village is like stepping into an 80-acre time machine. It takes you back to the sights, sounds and sensations of America’s past. There are 83 authentic, historic structures, from Noah Webster’s home, where he wrote the first American dictionary, to Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park laboratory, to the courthouse where Abraham Lincoln practiced law. The buildings and the things to see are only the beginning. There’s the fun stuff, too. In Greenfield Village, you can ride in a genuine Model T or “pull” glass with world-class artisans; you can watch 1867 baseball or ride a train with a 19th-century steam engine. It’s a place where you can choose your lunch from an 1850s menu or spend a quiet moment pondering the home and workshop where the Wright brothers invented the airplane. Greenfield Village is a celebration of people — people whose unbridled optimism came to define modern-day America.
This is only half of the Ford Museum Complex. If you get within an hour of these places, divert. Be sure you have enough time for either. You might want two days if you can do both. Be ready for a whole lot of walking.
This is the outdoor half. It is not cheap, but it is good value. The 80 acres is just the well traveled part. If you ride one of the trains all the way around, you will get to understand just how big this place is.
One of my favourite places in the world, a must if you are in Detroit!! Such amazing history, you need at least two days to see everything!
If you are near or planning a trip to Dearborn MI you have to stop at The Henry Ford! Hands down do not pass go. It is a tad on the pricey side for a day visit - but there is SO much to see and do within the gates of the Ford Compound. We opted for the museum and village package for the day and now wish we would have planned two days - one for each. Don't stop unless you can dedicate AT LEAST a full day to one or the other or you'll wish the same. Greenfield village is alive with history and important buildings from America's past. You can walk into the Wright Brothers actual bicycle shop - Thomas Edison's workshop and laboratory - the reconstructed birthplace and childhood home of Henry Ford himself. All the while walk down the street with period correct reenactors complete with Model T's driving the streets!! There is so much to see and do here we will be going back just to make sure we didn't miss anything!
The Greenfield Village is an attraction well worth a detour if you plan to be passing near the Detroit metro area. It is extremely interesting and engaging. We will not be sorry you stopped.
Be the first to add a review to the Greenfield Village.
Greenfield Village
Hours
- Sun - Sat: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Problem with this listing? Let us know.
-
Parking
-
Pets Allowed
-
Restrooms
-
Wifi
-
Wheelchair Accessible
-
Credit Cards Accepted
Nearby Hotels
Related Trip Guides
A cruise around the otherworldly Pacific Rim Highway
- 14 Places
- 03:28
- 116 mi
The Great Northern is a 3,600 mile, cross-country odyssey
- 57 Places
- 69:15
- 3,565 mi
The top things to do on a Tunnel of Trees road trip
- 12 Places
- 00:51
- 31 mi