Motown Museum

So I really wanted to give this place five stars however be aware that it is a very short tour and when they have accomplished their new building I am sure I will be coming back to edit. Our tour guide was very knowledgable and we definitely learned a lot. My aunt who I was there with is high functioning autistic so people sometimes dont notice and I felt like the tour guide was a little short with her. The tour I believe last less than hour and the end of it getting to walk through such an iconic studio is very cool. The gift shop is well stocked and what made this place was the knowledge of the tour guide. I feel that with out her I would have not really learned much and as I said even though she was a little short with my Aunt I will not take away from her knowledge, her enthusiam, and cadence was superb.

I literally couldn’t tell you the awe I was in finally going here. I absolutely love and adore soul and blues, and coming here myself (despite the location being local) was in the works for a long time. Firstly, phenomenal museum; I recommend getting your tickets in advance and then showing up for your tour. The tour is lead by one person usually, and you’re in a larger group. So there’s really no pressure to the visit. You’ll learn some neat little facts about Motown Records and see some of the coolest memorabilia ever. You walk in the studios, basically as they were during the peak of Motowns musical presence in Detroit. If you’re reluctant to go, don’t be! Genuinely one of the best hours spent.

This is MOTOWN so there's not much to say because the history speaks for itself. To see and hear about the history in person was a great experience. There are plenty of facts to learn about Motown that will surprise you. To see the original items and hear the back stories is captivating. Viewing the wall with the album covers was interesting because I still have 11 of those albums. The staff was courteous and friendly. The tour guide kept you informed and interested throughout the tour. They are in the process of expanding, so it will become even more intriguing.

Absolutely essential to visit. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable. And a performer in the best possible way. Thought we knew alot but learned so much more! Also. A woman on our tour had worked there in the early 1970s. This was her first return... 2025!

I did the tour and it was very interesting. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and made the tour interesting and fun. The history was amazing and hearing the stories brought the place to life. The grounds were well kept and really made you feel the vibe of Motown. I learned so much and would highly recommend the tour.

Such a historical beauty! The neighborhood is well maintained. While we did not go inside, the grounds were manicured and the staff appeared to be engaged with the customers in a positive way. Side street parking is available, but there may be a short walk on a busy day. Do not park in the funeral home parking lot next door. I admire the work being put into maintaining this historical gem.

This museum is well worth the $20 admission fee. You can purchase your tickets online for a specific time slot, or you can purchase them at the door. Once you have purchased tickets, your guide takes you through the entire museum and explains all of the exhibits. If you have questions, he will answer. The total time was 1 hour. You start off with a 15 minute video of the history of Motown. Once your guide takes over, he explains how it started, who was there, and each picture or feature in the museum. There is a gift shop to visit. They do have restrooms. There is an elevator for anyone needing that. Parking is a little tricky. There is only street parking, so finding a space may be challenging. You are allowed to take photos but no video. Realizing the history of the studio and the legacy it has left is overwhelming. The staff were so very polite.

A MUST SEE when you come to Detroit! What a fabulous tour and incredible story. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and funny! Be sure to get your tickets months in advance or wake up early and stand in line to see if there are any day off tickets left.

Shout out to Thomas the tour guide - he is a pro. Your tour guide can really make or break an experience and Thomas was seemingly born for this role. Charismatic, voice projection, expertise, he has it all. We really enjoyed our time. The tour is well worth $20. We can't wait to come back when the new development is finished and spend an entire day. I imagine they have lots more items to display and build exhibits on all the individual Motown stars if they only had the space. Well in September 2026 they will have the space and more! A theater, a restaurant, etc. The only thing that was lacking was the gift shop. Not a whole lot of interesting things of value there, except for a book signed by Berry Gordy for $300. Hopefully that will change with the new set up.

I have been waiting for a while to visit the museum. I grew up in the Detroit area and this is my first visit. It was very informative and our tour guide was wonderful. He not only knew the information forward and backward, he also had an amazing voice. The tour guide said everything in the building is original. When they packed up to move to Los Angeles they left everything in the house. I learned so much about Motown. The displays were well thought out. The beginning video set the stage for the tour.Be aware it is a very small building so it is tight with several people on the tour. We ended up in the recording studio. Our guide had us sing and dance to My Girl. They do have an elevator. They have a large new construction area they are adding on. This is a fun tour and a must if you are in the Detroit area.

We had a 11 o'clock time to enter and got there at 10:30. It allowed us to take pictures in the front. We weren't sure of how it was going to go but one of the other patron said we needed to enter before 11 o'clock and stand in line. Because we were from out of town we weren't sure of the parking but we're pleased to see that there was parking on the street in front of the houses. When we entered, we were given instructions of what to do for our 11 AM appointment. Our guide was Calvin Hobbs. He was excellent! The tour was fantastic! It gave details of things we knew nothing about such as Barry Gordy's technical person being the person using the Echo chamber in music. The tour less about 1.5 hours and was magnificent. It's a must see.

Welcome to "Motown Historical Museum" were the legendary sound of Motown was created. I stepped foot where Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, The Temptations, and many more stood. Our tour guide was Tanya, a wonderful person who knows Motown like she was there. The building is deceptively in appearance. It's big inside. If you love music and history, how could you not go. The final part of the tour was our group singing. I am not telling what song, but it's a great one. I recommend you come and see history first hand. You may find yourself dancing to the music.

This was a great experience. We took the tour and the guide was so knowledgeable and passionate about the museum history. It was a pleasure. I was experiencing a medical issue and I was so impressed how the staff/security treated me and looked out for me. I was given a folding chair to sit on as I followed the tour. They made sure I had access to the elevator and chair throughout the tour. The care they exhibit towards their guests was exceptional. The tour was so interesting and the museum is an iconic piece of history. So glad I was able to visit while in Detroit.

We made museum reservations on line in advance & took an Uber from our hotel. The museum is located about 10 minutes outside of downtown near the Ford hospital. The big, beautiful old homes in the area are being gentrified. Got here at 10 o'clock for a 10:30 AM tour, checked in and saw the expansion all of the artist that made a big in Motown. Thomas led twenty of us through the museum starting with a :15 film. Our wonderful 90 minute tour ended with us all singing my girl in studio A. Hitsville U.S.A." is the nickname given to Motown's first headquarters & recording studio. Motown founder Berry Gordy bought the house in 1959. He converted the house to use it as the record label's administrative building & recording studio. He moved to Los Angeles after finding mainstream success from the mid-1960s. Today, the "Hitsville U.S.A." property operates as the Motown Museum, dedicated to the legacy of the record label, its artists & its music. The museum occupies the original house and an adjacent former residence. In 1988, Michael Jackson donated a black fedora & his studded white right-hand glove, along with $125,000. Inside the hat is his name engraved in gold. In 2016, the museum announced a $50 million dollar expansion plan to create space for interactive exhibits & recording studios.

An absolute Wow! Wish I could give it more than 5 stars. Where Motown started. You see original Motown offices, gold records, etc. Thomas our guide was excellent, telling us how Motown started, how it got its name and how creative Barry Gordy was. It's a great story! If you are in Detroit this is a must see. You may want to get tickets in advance of your visit.

Motown Museum was created in 1985 by Motown Records Founder Berry Gordy's Sister Esther Gordy Edwards. It is celebrating its 40th Anniversary! VIsitng the Motown Museum was definitely a historical treat. Guided Tour Tickets can be ordered online via the Motown Museum's website. As it was discovered that the online tickets (Admission - $20) were sold out that Saturday, the other option was to visit as a walk-in (limited number of tickets on a frist come first serve basis). The next available walk-in tickets were for 12:30pm which was fine. It was a beautifully-weathered day, & individuals were sitting on benches, walking along and / or taking pictures on the museum promenade. Staff make announcements for each specific time slotted tour, & once your tour time slot is mentioned you are able to go inside & line up before your Guide comes to begin the museum tour. In the lobby, it is cool to view black & white pictures of various Motown Records Hip-Hop, Soul / Funk, & R + B Artists. The fantastic guided tour was between 1-1.5 hours long. One can take pictures but videos are prohibited. Motown Museum has fabulous historical content, photographs, archival information, etc. on Motown Records. The Tour Guide was exceptionally detailed, & thorough & he provided us w/ well-presented information. There were so many phenomenal highlights throughout the tour in this museum. Here are a fraction of the highlights: 1.) Motown Records Founder Berry Gordy being a Prize Fighter before starting the iconic record label. 2.) Motown Records humble beginnings - included Berry Gordy's original living space/ apt., Studio A Recording Studio (1959-1972) where legendary Songwriting, Recording & Singing, Instrument Playing, etc. occurred. I keep thinking about Showime at The Apollo's Infamous saying "Where Dreams are Born & Legends Are Made" - that the feeling I got when we were inside Studio A. It is definitely a Studio that helped Legendary Motown Artists create classics. 3.) Singer / Miracles Vocal Member Claudette Robinson's Exhibit - Tour Guide informed us that this exhibit is ending tomorrow.. We were glad to view it the day before its closure. 4.) Photographs - Wow, this was the best part of the tour. Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Michael Jackson & Jackson 5, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, etc... Such a marvelous range of photos & memorabilia including videos, album covers / accolades / awards, etc. Starting tomorrow 5/23/25, the Henry Hank Cosby Exhibit will be on view. From the 1960's to the early 1970's, Musician / Songwriter Henry Hank Cosby took part in creating multiple hit songs at Motown. Motown Museum is open Tues. - Sun. - 10am - 6pm. Motown Museum will also be expanding which is exciting! motownmuseum.org @motownmuseum

Truly an amazing experience. Special shout out to our host (Tyra). She made our tour an unforgettable one. I won't give any spoilers but I recommend everyone to come and experience true culture! Make sure you get your tickets in advance. They take reservations over walk-ins.

Sounds of my childhood... I am 42 years old. As a kid, sitting in the backseat of my step-fathers car the radio was ALWAYS on B101 (in Rhode Island) which is and was an Oldies station. I grew up on many Motown songs. While in Detroit how can you not visit Motown?! (After you have already been to Sun Records- you HAVE to do Motown as well.) What an education I received! At one time, Motown had taken over most of W. Grand Boulevard! I can picture it standing there taking in this particular street. All the houses are very similar. Pro tip: Buy online or don't expect to get a tour immediately. We did a walk-in and had to wait an hour for a tour. It's quaint. It's a quick tour (most likely will take an hour.) But that all could be changing. We were told they have purchased property on the the block behind the house which they are in the process of building a new museum to support this historic house. In my opinion, this will be a HUGE addition to this museum. There is so much one could learn about the artists of yesteryear and their memorabilia to show the new age how that music lead to new music. We were able to learn, see and listen to the significance of Motown in Detroit. We were able to see the hole in the ceiling, the apartment that Berry Gordy lived in and of course the studio. There also was an impromptu singing of 'My Girl' in the studio. Our tour guide was amazing! He spoke clearly, he was passionate, informative and he could sing! (I asked if that was a part of his interview for the job and he said you don't have to sing good but be willing to sing!) It's a piece of Detroit history that you do not want to miss.

Why does this place get 5 stars? Because I was expecting a three-star experience. The museum is unassuming, tucked away in two traditional bungalow homes surrounded by other modest homes (down the street from a KFC). But, when you walk through the doors, it's like being transported to the 1970s. Photos of Motown artists line the walls with everyone from the Mary & the Vandelles to Tye Tribbett. You could hear people singing along to themselves as music played over the speakers. It was a total vibe. The tour guide was fantastic, with a deep, projecting voice and so many notable facts. He also had subtle jokes in all the right places. And the memorabilia and preserved spaces were on par with some of the best national park historic sites. I didn't have high expectations because everything looked so mom-and-pop shoestring (and it is), but my expectations were exceeded. It's absolutely worth the price of admission if you happen to be visiting Detroit or the surrounding area. If you dig American history, popular music, or historic sites, it's definitely worth a 4-hour drive (or a reasonably priced flight). And once they build the new extension and educational facility, it should become a must-visit on par with Graceland, Dollywood, MoPOP, or The Apollo.

Such a great experience with my family visiting Motown museum. They run a tight ship and our tour started promptly at our assigned time. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable. It is amazing to see how so much history is packed into a small place. You will have experience this tour for yourself. It lasted roughly like an hour.

This is a fairly small museum. Street parking only, there is no lot. Make sure you buy a ticket online before you come. The tour is a guided one. I came in the spring and tickets were sold out so I came back 2yrs later in the winter with my nephews. The tour includes narration, a short film pictures, a set up of the apartment/studio/offices & a few garments worn. The Motown AirBnBs weren't mentioned. They should mention that on the tour and give info on how to book AND mention the artwork. My friend David Young did all the artwork and I'm sure it would sell if prints were offered in the gift shop. Suggestions: The Photo Booth wasn't present (please put it back), I'd love a mock studio where we could privately record ourselves singing to a Motown song (like karaoke) and then able to buy, more costumes & memorabilia, maybe even some wax figures to take pics with. A mock studio for photo ops. The gift shop is now up. It would be great if they partnered w/ Fixins Restaurant so if you buy from the gift shop you get 5-10% off at Fixins & vice versa. For the gift shop... they need to find out the favorites of the Motown greats ands sell them. Let's say: DIana Ross liked coca cola, snickers bars, boas & gold microphones..... if you designated a section for in the gift shop with those things... it would sell! I know there is a wing being added to the back that is expected to be completed by 2026. I don't recall what is expected in that wing but be on the lookout.

My wife surprised me for Fathers Day with a tour of the museum and it was great. Our tour guide (I think his name is Thomas) made it incredibly fun as well as informative. I absolutely recommend this to anyone visiting Detroit and I look forward to visiting again after the planned expansion.

A truly epic experience if you go on the tour, you get to see a 15 minute movie overview of Motown Records, various photo exhibits of Berry Gordy and the legendary artists that went through Motown (including a hat and gloves donated by The King of Pop), a hole cut in the ceiling as an Echo Chamber, Berry Gordy's original apartment in the Hitsville House, the original reception, couch and offices, the candy machine where Stevie Wonder would get his Baby Ruth, and the recording studio where My Girl and other classics were recorded. So much history and lore - they will be opening up a nicer and larger one in September 2026. A must-visit place in Detroit!

Heads up: if you're thinking of going, go! But first make sure you make a reservation as they are always booked up. Reservations open 3 or 4 weeks before your planned visit and go fast. 20 bucks per adult gets you a tour of the legendary Motown building where so many great artist walked in and made musical history. The guided tours will provide details you might have missed while listening to your favorite Motown records on the radio. Our guide Stephan was informative and had a loud voice for all of us to hear the history with no problems.

"Do you like good music That sweet soul music" (Arthur Conley) Growing up in the 1960's means Motown was always in my wheelhouse. The music of the Temptations, the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, and the Supremes have been with me since childhood. So, visiting the Motown Museum and standing in the same room where so many of those songs were recorded was akin to a religious experience for me. The Motown Museum is small, so small that admissions are scheduled in advance, and you can't just waltz in and gain entry. Instead, you preregister for a time, get an assigned tour guide, and spend no more than 90 minutes going through the place. There's always another group coming up behind yours, like an assembly line. The guides are all fantastic and can sing. The exhibits are amazing, and best of all, your group will learn how to do a Temptations style dance move!

The highlight of our trip! We had an amazing guide who loved his job and was so highly knowledgeable. So amazing to be touring the house where Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, and The Temptations, among others recorded their music. Take this tour, you will have no regrets!

Finally got to go and it did not disappoint! Truly enjoyed the history and to see all the wonderful treasures from such talented people was amazing! Loved being in the studio where musical history was made. Really enjoyed seeing the original furniture and fixtures too! We even sang "Happy Birthday" (Stevie Wonder style) to one of the folks in the group and that was fun! Can't wait to return when they build the addition.

We loved. The Motown Museum. The staff was super nice. The docent's enthusiasm was infectious - he was a huge Michael Jackson fan. The staff made great recommendations on how to fill the time between us purchasing tickets and the tour itself. It's crazy how so many ordinary items played such an important role in the history of American music. I'd love to go back.

MOTOWN MUSEUM IS A MUST MUST!!!! The museum is still in the original houses of the recording studio, and you get a guided tour throughout the houses. You learn so much from the history of Motown music, to the label creating, to the artists, to the families involved. Everyone at the museum is unbelievably talented to prepare your vocal cords to go head-to-head with these artists. There is so much history here and you can feel it -- that's the beauty of Motown and it's an honor to be able to experience it first hand.

Nothing fancy, just a few preamps, a tape machine, and a room that changed music forever. Motown Studio A has been on my bucket list since the beginning. From 1959 to 1972 this 24/7 running room was the most prolific and influential studio in the world, the hits that came out of this converted garage in a house in downtown Detroit changed the world. The 1877 Steinway that's been used on everything, the punch cards the artists 'clocked in' with, the candy machine that Stevie Wonder used to grab coins and use, it's all still there and transports you back to when recordings were a lot more collaborative and performance based. You can even sing into the ceiling reverb chamber to get a feel of the space and see the XLRs hanging from the ceiling, it's got a session ready feel. Pay the $20 take the tour, it's totally worth that and more for anyone with the slightest interest in studios or recording history. Bucket list studio for me and it did not disappoint...

We had a great time. Our tour guide was Calvin. He was very upbeat, friendly, inclusive, and educational. The stories were very interesting. Great pictures on the walls. Good sense of history. We saw the house that Barry had lived in, with the original furniture, including an orange couch.

What an amazing experience. The staff were incredible and very knowledgeable. As a lover of music and history, this place was a must see while in Detroit. Our tour guide was not just knowledgeable but he also made it entertaining and interactive. Highly suggest making the trip to see this place, just make sure you book your tour ahead of time, and arrive with plenty of time to find parking.

The Motown Meusem was so humbleing. Learning trials and tribulations from iconic legends were heartwarming. I grew up listening to these talented musicians. I didn't know they all lived so close to each other and would practice singing outdoors. The young man who hosted the tour did an amazing job! He is very knowledgeable and eager to share the information. The living area and recording studio are still exactly how it was left so many years ago. Even the vending machine. Employees would would leave dimes on the top of the machine, so every time Stevie Wonder came into the studio, he could get his favorite candy from the vending machine. Look at the original candy, and it only costs a dime. The original timecards are still on the wall with the names. Look and see if you recognize anyone. Michael Jackson visited on October 23rd, 1988, and donated the black Ferora and a glove along with $125,000.000. I just love this museum and the history. Thank you for saving such an important part of history!! FYI: You do need to schedule a guided tour and purchase a ticket $20 to enter.

This was my first time visiting Detroit and I had a blast at this museum. I absolutely love museums so making it to this was mandatory for me. I was working prior to arriving so I did arrive late, but they were accommodating. We started in the room to watch a video and learn more about the museum. Glad I didn't miss much. After we were taken on a tour through the museum. It was amazing to see and super interactive especially studio A, where we did a mini performance of "My girl" it was a blast. Most of the furniture was from Berry Gordy's apartment so they were fragile. It was so cool to see and our guide was very informative! So many picture worthy opportunities inside and outside the museum. I usually don't purchase anything at the gift shop, but I loved the experience so much I left with a crew neck sweater! Highly recommend!!!

What a fun experience! The tour guides are fun and make the time spent fly by! They are master story tellers and interact with the group very well. I couldn't help but tap my foot and bop my head the whole way through. Lots of opportunities to dance and sing your way through the tour. One thing to keep in mind: MAKE A RESERVATION! If you're pressed for time, you need to make a reservation in advance. Don't go to the museum expecting to be on the next tour as they don't have have many walk in spots.

Wonderful tour with knowledgeable and personable staff. Highly recommend making a reservation in advance but if you're not able to, they usually have 1 or 2 walk ups within an hour or so of your arrival. The tour includes a short movie, a lot of walking and standing for extended periods of time.

I always wanted to see this in person, my family loved watching temptations growing up, and I finally saw it this summer. It was like a Time Machine to that time and I loved every second of it. Seeing the studio in person, WOW, can't believe that was the same place legends and hits were made. My only dislike was the featured person exhibit, I wanted to see more of the great legends. I forgot her name, but it was a wife. Other than that, amazing!!

Went with a group yesterday. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and entertaining. I grew up listening to Motown hits being played on CKLW 800AM during the 60's and 70's. They could only be heard on a Canadian station from across the Detroit River because American radio stations refused to play "negro music". The tour was a very educational and nostalgic experience. Many of the songs created here are still in my head today. The museum is a good way to spend half a day having a family friendly experience in a safe area of downtown Deeetroit.

Here in Motor City and just have to come back to visit Motown again. Unlike, the last time tickets were sold out. This time as I planned our trip and I purchased tickets prior of the tour. Tickets are $20 and the tour is approximately 1 hour. Our tour was March 29th at 1:00 p.m. I don't know the name of our guide but he was a young male. His voice amplified. You could literally hear the passion in his voice. I just want to give him a shout out. The tour was extraordinary and you got to see Berry Gordy's apartment and the studio where the magic was made. Truly, a part of history and a must see. Motown, was a part of my childhood. When I come back to motor City I will visit the Motown museum again.

Phenomenal museum and collection of items from the greatest house of music. Please note the following ... Tickets go FAST. If you are unable to reserve online, they do offer day of tickets but it is really good to get there early in the am to ensure you can get tickets and for the time you prefer. I arrived on a Friday at about 12:30pm and was able to snag tickets for 2:30. When we returned at 2:30, there was only 1 ticket remaining for the day. Guided tour is required. Our guide Gerald (hopefully I spelled correctly) was the 2nd best thing of the tour. So personable, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the history he was walking us through. You can tell he loves his job. Kudos to all of the staff. Superb customer service. From the phone lines to security. The tour is about 1 hr. Our favorite was the visit to Studio A. WoW! Just wow! Parking: Ample street Gift Shop: Yes. Highly recommended! Will definitely go back again.

The Legendary sounds of Motown have been a true soundtrack to American history. There are so many iconic songs and artist that got there start right here and you get a glimpse of how it all went down from the visionary Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson amongst others. If you're in Detroit this is a must see tour which take about an hour. The tour guides are amazing and they can hold a note as well. No matter the age I'm sure you will be intrigued with Hitsville USA!

The Motown Historical Museum aka 'Hitsville U.S.A' was a must visit for me on my weekend getaway to Detroit Michigan, which happened to be the weekend prior to the day of my birthday. Hitsville U.S.A became a high priority on my bucket list since failing to visit it during a previous trip to Detroit. For your information tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis and are available for purchase three weeks in advance of your tour date. Since my preferred tour date fell on the third week of February, I had to purchase my ticket on the first week of February. I recommend placing a reminder, so that you will not forget because the tours fill up quickly. Due to my hotel room not being ready the time I arrived for check-in, I had to reschedule my tour of Hitsville U.S.A because it cut into the time of my wait. It was a relief being able to reschedule it for the next morning because at the time I had very bad vibes from the hotel situation entirely; bad vibes of possibly not being able to see the museum at all. As for the tour, I encourage you to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your tour of the museum. It is also encouraged to take as many pictures as possible of the museum you want, but videos are not allowed. I really enjoyed the 16-minute Motown sound video displayed; it not only gave me reminiscence of a number of hit songs that I love, but it brought awareness of how the music brought diversities together. It showed particularly with this tour because there were many individuals from different parts of the world visiting 'Hitsville U.S.A' which was a beautiful thing. There was a hole in the ceiling known as the echo chamber! This hole in the ceiling was made to synthesize vocals! There were speakers, and microphones installed in the attic. It was made to where the vocals reverberated the speakers, bounced off the walls and back into the microphones. The echo chamber was where artists like Martha & The Vandellas 'Dancing in the Street', and The Supremes 'Where Did Our Love Go' sang those hits. I really loved the Claudette Robinson exhibit which featured her life, beginning with her humble childhood in Louisiana and tracing her success with The Miracles at Motown. On display were artifacts such as photos, awards, news clippings, and the fabulous uniform she wore on the cover of the "Hi, We're The Miracles" album. As a marine myself, it certainly made my day to see that Claudette Robinson served in the United States Marine Corps. Oorah! Off to the side of the Claudette Robinson exhibit, I really loved the glimpse of Michael Jackson's black Fedora and glove which was donated to the museum on October 23, 1988, along with a check for $125,000.00. Inside Berry Gordy's apartment, other than the bright orange couch, I could not help but take notice of the television inside which was a complete throwback in time. After touring Berry Gordy's apartment, we got glimpses of the original typewriter, teletype machine and fax machine used, as well as a cigarette machine with cigarettes for 35 cents per pack! It was also pointed out that before the 16-track recording system was installed, the control room used to be a kitchen! The last room we toured was the studio room where many Motown artists have created hits. Inside was a 1877 Steinway grand piano that was used by many Motown greats during the label's 1960s heyday. In 2010, the piano was restored thanks to Paul McCartney who felt that it should not go to waste. The piano is played from time to time by VIP visitors like Beyonce, Jay-Z, Blue Ivy, members of the Rolling Stones, and Flavor Flav. Post completion of the tour of the studio room, we had the opportunity to sing The Temptations - 'My Girl' as well as re-enact the dance movements which I truly enjoyed. If you wish to purchase souvenirs, there is a gift shop where you can purchase a number of souvenirs. At the gift shop, I purchased a lovely black t-shirt with gold 'Motown' lettering, along with postcards. My $30 purchase of the t-shirt earned me a Berry Gordy book titled 'To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown'. In closing, I had a memorable experience visiting Hitsville U.S.A. And with it being the weekend prior to the day of my birthday, it makes it that more special. I most definitely recommend adding the museum to your bucket list, if you are planning to visit the city of Detroit. I swear! After visiting, I just could not get Dancing in the Street by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas out of my mind. ~Blessings~ Thomas G

Review from 7/2023 BUY TICKETS ONLINE- DO NOT JUST SHOW UP This is a must-see; do not miss it. I have heard from many who lived near and never visited, and when they did, they felt like ding dongs! I danced, sang, enjoyed looking at the past, and loved every minute. Our tour guide was amazing! He was loud, and he sang beautifully. There is so much history in this small building, and I was moving my eyes so much; you really just can't take everything in quickly enough. If you love Motown, this is the place to come to. The tour takes you through the main part of the building and into Berry Gordy's apartment area, which is still decorated as it was previously. It was neat to see the couch and the playpen for the kids. You do not get very long in this area; it is more of a walk-through, so take time, get pictures, and look around. You then get into the working area of the legends. Seeing the desk where everyone came in and begged for a meeting was great. That waiting area was the start of so much music. Hearing the stories (I will keep them for your visit) just made you smile, and you walked out of there in awe and fulfilled. Just go, get your groove on, and enjoy the sounds of Motown.

If you ever happen to be in the Detroit, Michigan area, please do yourself and book your appointment to the "Motown Historical Museum" a.k.a. "Hitsville, U.S.A.". I am a music fanatic and started listening to the Motown Sound dating back to the early-1990's when I was in my teens and when they still were playing this amazing music on local oldies stations. Motown got its name from Motor (since Detroit is motor city) + Town = Motown while the name was founded by Berry Gordy Jr. in 1959. Originally named "Tamla Records", it officially took the Motown name in 1960 while some of the most well-known artists & groups recorded here from 1959-1972. As far as the location, it is at 2648 Berry Gordy Jr. Blvd (aka W. Grand Blvd) in the heart of Detroit. Surprisingly, parking was not much of an issue at all when I arrived here for my 1:00pm tour (on Wednesday 9/13/2023). I only parked a block away where there were no meters and made the short walk to the museum. I highly encourage and recommend everyone to purchase your tickets online in advance and not just 'show up' since this does not guarantee entry by going to their website, https://www.motownmuseum.org. The prices (as of 2023) are quite reasonable at only $20 each. Keep in mind that they are not open on Monday and Tuesday. Once inside, they will scan your ticket and you meet with a tour guide and a small group (of about 25 visitors) where the one hour tour begins! We started off by watching a 20-minute video that explains much of the Motown history complete with performances by some of the greats; The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, The Jackson 5, and much more. After being educated, we then proceed to several other rooms and actual recording studios where all of the magic took place. One room included a reverberated ceiling that echoed where artists such as Martha & The Vandellas sang their hit, "Dancing in the Street" while many areas showcased the actual album covers, gold records of hit singles, and actual costumes worn by the artists themselves. I really enjoyed seeing Michael Jackson's actual hat and glove as well as Diana Ross' outfit from her 1968 performance of "Love Child" on the Ed Sullivan show. In addition to this, you also witness the piano where Smokey Robinson played and sang "You Really Got a Hold On Me". Some other really neat features were a re-creation of the apartment where Berry Gordy Jr. resided during Motown's earlier days, the actual offices of Hitsville, U.S.A., a timestamp with employee time cards, an actual rotary phone & typewriter, a cigarette vending machine, a candy machine that Stevie Wonder loved, and several rooms showcasing a reel-to-reel machine w/cartridges intact and various mixers to fine tune all the music. But the real winner and highlight of this was none other than Studio A which is where the artists performed these timeless classics from 1959-72. We also got to re-enact The Temptations hit song, "My Girl" by singing and moving exactly as they did back in 1965. All in all, the "Motown Historical Museum" is a place that I've had on my bucket list for several decades so visiting this really was a dream come true. There is an adjacent gift/souvenir shop that sells everything including t-shirts, sweatshirts, caps, drinkware, jewelry, keychains, and even audio that offers CD box sets of some of Motown's biggest hit singles. Coincidentally, I purchased the "Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971" way back in the 1990's and still have that in my CD collection. With that said and done, I am giving this a unanimous five-star Yelp review. Definitely one of the best experiences learning so much history in the heart of Detroit, MI.

This was one of my stops while spending time in Detroit this weekend. I grew up in Flint, but never ever came to this museum. It was pretty cool. You should buy your tickets online first instead of just showing up. You may not be able to get in. They had security and you can only take pictures, no videos. Our tour guide was great! I felt for this type of tour, historic and all, our guide would've been a little more put together. His clothes were dirty and stained and he looked slouchy. That's all I have for the negatives. You will learn the history, see the accolades, the gold albums, some clothing, and Barry Gordy's apartment. If you are in town, I would recommend stopping by. It was really nice. All yours are guided. It should take about one hour to fully get through the museum. You will learn more than what you think you know, and you will leave excited! Enjoy!

An excellent way to spend a couple of hours if you appreciate music and history. I loved learning some lesser-known details about the music I grew up listening to with my parents. The reverb attic and the vending machine were some of my favorite details. I'd love to go back with friends to see their reactions.

So in love with this place. They've got singing, dancing, memorabilia, nostalgia, origin stories from your favorite musicians during the Motown era. I missed this spot my first time through Detroit because it was mid renovation; great news for them!!, not so great for me because I had to skip it. I came back through Detroit a second time and was super pumped to see they had completed the work and we're open and giving tours! The tour is guided and timed, you'll want to pre-book (through their website) for your guided time slot and those tours fill up, so don't wait to sign up day of or even day ahead, if you're aiming for a Saturday or Sunday, be sure to reserve at least a couple days ahead of time. You'll want to show up on time also, these tours start on time with or without you. Some of my favorite parts of this tour were the echo chamber, the Michael Jackson memorabilia, the original candy machine, the original apartment with period correct and original furnishings, the office - basically the whole thing was my favorite. It was a whirlwind of non stop interesting facts and things to look at and experience. This is a must see for any local, tourist or person who holds Motown music dear in their hearts!

The Motown Museum wasn't what I expected, but it was neat anyway. This little museum is cool because it's literally housed in the original recording studio where the Motown sound was born: Hitsville U.S.A. It's where Motown legends like Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder and other artists recorded. You should know: You can't just pop into the Motown Museum and expect to wander around. You need to buy tickets in advance for a particular time. They do guided tours here, which last about an hour. And guided tour means that there's someone there guiding you through the museum. The tour starts by watching a 25 minute movie about Motown. I visited with my young children, and if you know young children, you'll know that they don't want to sit and watch an old movie about anything at a museum. They want to wander and touch and explore. Unfortunately, there isn't much opportunity to wander and touch and explore. So I'd say that the Motown Museum might be best for people with longer attention spans, like older children and adults. A tour guide is with your group the entire time and our group was about 20 people. The tour guide was very entertaining but wasn't overly verbose -- she did the whole tour in an hour and didn't go over. I was amazed by the tour guide's ability to remember so many facts and regurgitate them to us so casually. Music lovers will love this museum, because it has a lot of historical items. Like the candy machine that was installed for Little Stevie Wonder to use when he visited the studio, which contained his favorite candy bar (Baby Ruth), which was always available to him when he pushed the button fourth from the end. The candy bar placement never changed, because he needed to remember how to get his favorite candy bar. (Because FYI, Stevie Wonder is blind.) It's little details like this throughout the museum that brings the musical history contained in this place to life. The one bummer is that there is zero allocated parking for the museum. You need to park on the street or in the neighborhood, and the street is extremely busy, and the neighborhood is moderately sketchy. A private parking lot would have made the experience a little better.

If you are visiting Detroit, then I highly recommend that you add this to your "see list" while here. However I can't stress enough to get your tickets in advance because the tour sells out and many people arrive to find themselves disappointed. So your ticket gets you a guided tour through the home the Barry Gordy built also known as "Hitsville". They allow pictures to be taken but respectively ask that no video or audio recordings be taken. As you make your way through the museum, you are standing where hits were created and legends stood. You get to see how a family and hard work helped make a dream come true. This was a wonderful part of our visit to Detroit and I would recommend this to everyone.

Wow! The tour of the amazing and historical Motown Museum location exceeded all expectations. My family of ten enjoyed every minute and aspect of our guided tours. We had an awesome tour at 3pm on Sunday 8/24. Trina smiled frequently, spoke well and was so informative. She accompanied our family member with physical challenges who had a scooter. Thank you for making our vacation memorable and so pleasant on every level.

Stefan, our tour guide, is among the best in the world. His voice was clear and distinct and it carried well enough for the entire group to hear him. He was enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the history behind the artifacts in the museum. No visit to Detroit is complete without a stop at this museum.

Our tour guide, Jarell, had a wonderful personality that made our visit exceptional! His deep knowledge & appreciation for music was evident from the start. This was a bucket list visit for me and my extended family of 10. The Grandparents had a great time and my young adult children were equally fascinated. This was our first visit (and I am embarrassed to say that we live in Metro Detroit). Highly recommend the guided tour and allow plenty of time for parking. You do not want to be late to the tour. We learned they are opening new sections in 1+ years so recommend seeing it soon so you have something to compare it to in the future.

You're walking in very rarified air when you visit the Motown Museum in Detroit. With absolutely no aspersions upon Taylor Swift whose new Midnight recording currently occupies the top 10 rungs on the Billboard chart simultaneously based on downloads and streams, it remains highly doubtful that some future half human/half cyborg Yelper will be discussing her musical legacy 60 years hence. Motown is the antithesis of disposable music with timeless hooks that made their house band, The Funk Brothers as important to the soundtrack of a generation as the Beatles and, turned their line-up of stars, Smokey-Stevie-Eddie-Michael-Marvin-Martha and Diana into first name only legends. One note of Let's Get it On or Heard it Through the Grapevine and you're back where a few million children were created, milestones celebrated or marriages launched. The museum is not large but the impact is enormous, just being in the same studio space where hundreds of hits were minted and legends roamed the halls is as exhilarating as it is humbling. I've heard Taylor Swift's music literally a million times and beyond feeling sorry for every one of her ex-boyfriends, I couldn't conjure one memorable melody or hook if you waterboarded me. Disposable indeed but compared to Motown that's as it should be. The Motown Museum simply exists beyond any star rating that I could give it.

This place was great. I was on there for a short time and didn't get to do the full tour but from the looks of it it totally worth other! If you are in Detroit and have a little time definitely check this out. It was so cool just being in the same stomping grounds of some very influential black artists! You have to check it out

Loved my experience at this museum. I was only in town on a brief stop , but couldn't miss this after finding out I was so close. As I was only in town for a short time I opted out of the full tour experience and just went to enjoy the location , grounds, and atmosphere which is completely possible without purchasing a ticket. I even stopped in the gift shop and purchased 2 shirts. I took an Uber there so can't comment on parking . The museum is located in an actual neighborhood .

Greetings and salutations yelpers. This will be my second time visiting and just like the first time the feeling of awe to know you are in the place where legends like Micheal Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes and numerous others walked these halls recording hits after hits. As I write I still get chills just thinking about it. Feeling is so surreal. One difference compared to the first time is guests are now allowed to take pictures during the tour. Video Recordings are still prohibited. It's mind blowing Berry Gordy started this all with loan of $800. Such a small humble abode that produced music that impacted people world wide and transcended color.. was the case at first but something about music brings us all together as humans beings. I can go on and on but if in Detroit this is a DEFINITE TO DO tour. Smooches!

I absolutely love this place. The nostalgia and the amazing amount of little known facts that they share. The photos, the preservation of all the artifacts and just standing in the room with such great legends from the past was awesome. The Tour Guide is always awesome too. If you live local, I highly recommend getting the year pass