Two Detroit Museums Are Finalists For Best in the USA
A new year has started, which means another round of USA Today 10best Reader’s Choice contests. First up in 2024 is a search for the best museums in the country, and two Detroit museums made the cut in their respective categories. The Michigan Science Center has a chance to be named the Best Science Museum and the Motown Museum returns for another year of trying to be named the Best Music Museum. Let’s take a look at what these two museums are up against and what kind of case can be made for each one.
Current contests include searches for the Best Small Town Museum, Best Science Museum, Best Pop Culture Museum, Best Open Air Museum, Best Music Museum, Best History Museum, Best Free Museum, and Best Children’s Museum. Out of all these contests, only the two Detroit museums mentioned above made the list of 20 finalists. It was surprising to not see a Michigan finalist in Best Open Air Museum or Best History Museum, but maybe that’s something to look forward to next year.
The focus for the Best Science Museum was places where “science and natural history come alive.” The Michigan Science Center is up against museums in Los Angeles, St. Louis, New York City, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. From USA Today: “The Michigan Science Center promotes creative and dynamic STEM learning through a series of interactive exhibits. This Detroit cultural district institution features live stage shows, an IMAX Dome, 4D theater, planetarium, and exhibit space with more than 220 hands-on activities and exhibits.” As of this writing, the Michigan Science Center was holding on to 3rd place – you can vote for it once per day through February 12.
The Motown Museum faces an uphill battle as it faces off against the American Jazz Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame, two Grammy Museums, the Johnny Cash Museum, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and more. 10best says: “The Motown Museum in Detroit, aka Hitsville USA, is the home and heart of Motown. Tens of thousands of people visit this location, one of the region’s most bustling tourist hot spots, to see historical memorabilia and photos and learn more about the history of Motown Record Company. Make sure you visit Studio A, where some of the most popular Motown music was recorded.” You can cast your vote for the Motown Museum once a day through February 12th. As of this writing the Motown Museum was in 11th place out of 20 finalists.
