If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in Detroit, Michigan, be sure to have Motown Records and Museum at the top of your list. Motown Museum is located in the historic white home with royal blue trim, known as “Hitsville, U.S.A.” The tour includes a chance to sing a Motown hit in the legendary Studio A, where classics such as “My Guy,” “ABC,” “The Tears of A Clown,” and so many more were committed to vinyl. We weren’t allowed to video inside, which is why we haven’t created a vlog of our visit there. But photography is allowed, so read on for more from our awesome visit to Motown Records.
Motown Museum
The tour started in the museum, where we learned about the history and creation of Motown Records and saw a timeline of the properties acquired by Berry Gordy as he built and grew his hit making empire. The exhibit on display during out visit was Capturing A Culture Change: Motown Through The Lens of Jim Hendin, 1968-1972.
The Gordy Home
From the exhibit space, we crossed the threshold into parts of Berry Gordy’s personal home, where he lived with his family while working in the studio and office areas of the property. The spaces were still furnished with their vintage furniture and decor. It was like stepping back in time.
Motown Records Offices
Then we moved downstairs, where we saw the offices that Motown was run out of. Our favorite part of this section of the studios was the candy vending machine: we learned that Gordy insisted that they not change the position of the candies in the machine, so that Little Stevie Wonder always knew exactly where to find his favorite.
Studio A
The final and most inspiring stop on the tour is famed Studio A. Naturally, we were all encouraged to sing along to “My Girl.” Then we were given time to examine and photograph (from behind a barrier) the instruments, sheet music, and other gear on display there.
The Details
Advance reservations are highly recommended before your visit to the Motown Museum. Tickets were $15 each when we went. We booked our tour two weeks in advance and noticed days were filling up during the week we planned to be there. Unfortunately, at the time of our visit, the only way to go inside and see any of the museum, home, or studio was as part of a tour. But if you don’t manage to get tickets, you can still see the exterior of the property and take your photo with the iconic facade. And I’m pretty sure you can visit the gift shop, as well.*
We visited back in June, 2021, so masks and social distancing were required and enforced (thank you!). Guests were also required to fill out an online health questionnaire and get temperature checked before entering. The precautions increased our comfort level once inside the buildings, and I also suspect they helped to keep the tour group sizes smaller, which we appreciated.
*As always, hours, availability, pricing and other details may change over time, so please consult the museum directly before your visit. Details provided here are based on our experience at the time of our own visit only.
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10 Comments
This looks like a fascinating museum to visit for such an iconic record label. Loved the vintage furniture in Berry Gordy’s home and the office. And the candy machine was just brilliant! The studio looked to be the highlight of the visit and it’s nice that you are encouraged to sing along to make the whole experience more interactive.
It really is fascinating. And to be able to stand inside that studio and just imagine… it’s priceless!
We passed through Detroit a few times, but didn’t stop to see much. I wish we checked this place out as fans of this type of music. What great history and memorabilia.
It’s absolutely so worth a visit, especially if you’re a fan of the music. Even though it’s museum-y nowadays, everything is so well preserved it’s like you’re standing there during the creation of the magic. the vibes are off the charts.
Great photos. I love the retro furniture and how they have kept the offices and side rooms just as they were. I grew up with Motown music and loved it. I remeber, personally, many of those songs – showing my age now!
I would robsolutely love going round that site and seeing the memorabilia. I never knew this was in Detroit, although I knew Motown music was based here .Lucky you!
Yeah, it’s a fantastic time capsule with SO much history and so much iconic music that came out of that little place. Goosebumps! Fun fact: “Motown” stems from Detroit’s nickname – “The Motor City!”
I love these photos, especially the ones of the vintage furniture. I’m not a huge Motown fan myself but this would be fun as it’s such an iconic place in music history.
As I commented to JoJo, it’s so significant culturally, and is so well-preserved, that we’re sure you’d love it even from just a historical perspective as a traveler.
This does seem like a very fun place to visit! And I love how there are still items in place from the time period, such a cool thing to do.
Oh yeah, “items” is an understatement – it’s like a time capsule! What a significant, cultural place. And as a musician and massive Motown fan, I’ve (Stephen) wanted to visit for as long as I could remember. And it was extra special to get to share the experience with Andie, too!