Motown Museum Reviews

We did the Motown Museum tour today ( 4 Jan 24) and it was incredible. The tour guide was knowledgeable and courteous and the artifacts from such an important and iconic location are presented in a perfect manner. From the introductory video to rhe time you get to spend in the iconic recording studio, you can't help but feel like you're part of history. If you're a fan of Motown music, this is a must visit, top of the bucket list thing to do. I can't wait until the expansion is completed.

A fantastic experience!!! I learned so much about Hittsville and enjoyed every minute! What a great presentation of a incredible part of history! Everything from the recording studio to the displays were wonderful to see. Berry Gordie is just brilliant and so lucky we are to have had him in the music industry!! Studio A is where so much magic happened! Can you imagine to have been there when it was all going on? To have all those famous singers and even more so living so near by! I have wanted to go for years and finally made it!

Don’t miss a incredible time of history! Music brings us all together, lets keep it that way!

This is a Must Do in Detroit. The guided tour lasts an hour but it’s jam packed with information about Barry Gordy Jr., Motown Records and music history. Top notch in a small, sweet package!

Great place to visit if you’re fan of Motown music. Otherwise, I’d probably recommend to skip. Thomas, our guide, was excellent. He spoke loudly which was good for the boomer tour group.
As others said, buy tix ahead as the groups are small.
Street parking only.

We heard about the Motown Museum from a family member who visited it a couple of years ago and he raved about it. We drove up to it about 4pm on a Sunday. GPS got us here easily - about 25 minutes from DTW. We did not buy tickets ahead bc we weren’t sure when we would land in Detroit. We were able to buy tickets for the 5pm tour. It is set up as a guided tour. Our tour guide was a native of Detroit named Calvin. He was amazing; very knowledgeable and very enthusiastic about every aspect of this museum. Gave a lot of insight into how the Motown sound evolved. Demonstrated some of the techniques that were used. We were pleasantly surprised how good the museum was. The tour lasts an hour. Definitely worth visiting.

Went to Detroit after being in NYC for 5 days, Arrived mid afternoon went outside wasnt many taxis in the car park eventually got one to take us to our Apt in downtown Detroit which was on Griswald Street, Checked in then 2 doors from Apt was a thai restaurant called SY Thai which was relly reasonable and food excellent chicken satay best ive had, Went for a walk downtown very nice and modern , Following day went round the corner to Woodward St had some breakfast then walked to the other end of Woodward West to Grand Boulevard to the Motown Museum which took around 1 hour 40 mins, All the way there didnt notice any taxis at all which i thought a little strange, Museum was great will be even better when the finish the extension, Asked the girl on the desk where will i get a taxi as i want to go over to Hamtramck to graveyard record shop on Carpenter St says i will get one across the road at the Henry Ford hospital, Got one the went down to the record shop and realised that the area we was in not the place to be , Bought some records then asked the guy in the shop to get us a taxi back to downtown detroit he ordered 3 but not one would come for us, The guy was pretty unhelpful to be honest so it was starting to get dark so out to the right was a main road so we walked to that turned right 50 yards down was bus shelter with an elderly woman sat in there , Told her we wanted to get taxi so she rung 3 but again no of them come, She says we should not be in this neighbourhood after teatime as its too dangerous as the Uber drivers get killed and the ordainry taxi drivers get robbed, A bus came along it goes to Chemes i think asked the driver if it goes downtown says it goes through greektown and downtown Detroit so we jumped on that, If you ever want to go to Graveyard records just be very careful of yourselves,

A visit to this museum was on my to-do list after moving to the Detroit area, but I never got around to it until an out-of-town guest asked to go. Amazing experience.

Just finished the tour of the Motown Museum in Detroit. What a hidden gem I the city. A wealth of music history. A must for anyone visiting the area. Be sure to get your tickets in advance tours sell out quickly. A must see when visiting Detroit!

We had a great tour and learned things that I never knew. The only thing I wish they could change was how large the groups were. I do highly recommend doing the tour.

Great museum for all ages. Our tour guide was excellent! Kept it interesting and fun. Special props to person responsible for outside sound system, good quality sound and made the wait fun.

We enjoyed a 1.5 hours guided tour with Tanisia. The museum includes music, history, memorabilia, and a gift shop. Barry Gordy's home is included in the tour, along with the recording studio. We were allowed to take photographs in the studio.

We did not go. I booked a tour months in advance (September for a May tour) in person with the required forms and submitted the $187.50 for half of the group tour for 25 people. When I called a week ahead of time to let the museum know that we would have 6 fewer people than the original 25 we planned, I was told that they had no record of my group reserving a tour. Long story short, they cancelled the tour, and said that I would not get a refund. When I explained that I would have to take them to small claims court and to please look up in their computer records the date my husband paid $187.50 specifically September 1, 2022, the museum rep only then agree to reimburse the funds. ..but not reinstate the tour. He said between May 11 (when I originally called), & May 14 they had booked another group. The club I belong to had already reimbursed me for this amount now I can reimburse them. They have a wonderful museum, but beware if you are making a group reservation as they need to tighten their organization in this regard. It is a lot of work to plan this event, and to have to tell folks that it is cancelled. It is also embarrassing.

Especially fun for musicians and music lovers, but interesting to history buffs, too. We look forward to returning after the expansion.

Everyone on the tour smiled non-stop for one hour. For fans of Motown music, this will open your eyes to little known history of the time and warm your heart with nostalgia. Our tour guide (wish I caught his name) wove clever musical references into the story and he shared his passion for music. It was clear this was a labor of love for him. Don't miss it!

The Motown Museum told the story of the wonderful music that came out of the recording studio. Barry Gordy was an incredible visionary and creative genius. The museum is a tribute to the music and artist who originated in the Detroit area. A must attend museum.

We had a great tour led by Calvin. We learned so much and we were impressed by the buildings and what they contain, both material items and priceless events!
Do not hesitate to book a tour. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for this organization.

Mind blowing - the place oozes musical history - souvenirs are a bit pricey but any form of soul fan will love the place

Brilliant worth the money worth the very loooooonnnnggg journey to get there

I arrived at this museum on the morning of June 29. Although I didn't book a tour in advance online, I had no problem getting a ticket at the door. From there, the tour was memorable. I also bought two souvenirs, and got a free copy of a book about Berry Gordy, Jr.

I didn't know what to expect from this, but I'd always wanted to go. When my sister in law was here from NY, we decided to give it a go. It was really fun! It's a guided tour, which was surprising, and our tour guide, Jordan, was phenomenal! Really funny and knowledgeable, and very sweet. The tour lasts about an hour. It starts with a short film to get you in the spirit. You can't help but swing and sway to the music! You go through two of the houses Barry Gordy owned that became Motown Music. It ends in the studio where all that amazing music was recorded. Brought a tear to my eye, thinking of the history of that small studio. $15 was a bit steep, but it was a wonderful experience!

The Motown Museum is a must see when visiting Detroit. It was high on my priority list when I was visiting town and it didn't disappoint. It's the original house that Berry Gordy bought in the late 1950's and used for his Motown business that produced iconic groups like The Jackson 5 and the Supremes. The tour lasts about 1-1.5 hours and gives the history of the house and how Motown came to be. If you plan on going, make sure that you reserve a spot at least a day in advance since they can't guarantee a spot for those who don't.

It was fun to see the studio and apartment of Barry Gordy but you must follow a guide so you cannot take time to read and see all the photos and memorabilia. The guide was very informative. I would hope after the huge new museum is built the displays will be set up like rock and roll hall of fame on Cleveland where everything can be displayed behind glass and the viewers can take all the time they want to seec everything.

I have to say I WANTED to love this place but honestly - I just don't get the way it's run! First of all, even before we embarked on our road trip from Philadelphia, I wanted to make sure I understood the opening hours and whether tickets were available, etc. before we left. I called the number for the manager that I found on the website - left a message - never heard anything back.
I find the set-up of visits at this point bizarre - in this day and age, how hard is it to sell a flat number of tickets online per day - so that you don't have people driving long distances (as we did) only to find out the museum is "sold out" for the day (we arrived at noon and they opened at 10). We saw at least 10 other families turned away in disappointment and it just doesn't make sense to me - why cause that frustration needlessly?
When we walked up to the front door just to check whether or not there might be a change - and there actually would be a chance to enter the day we arrived- the guy at the door just shrugged and said - "go to the gift shop - that's the closest you're gonna get". Really?

What a shame that such an important chapter in our collective musical history is run so poorly and inefficiently.

Won't be returning

The Motown Museum is an amazing experience! The tour guide was fantastic and really brought the history to life. Standing in Studio A where so many legendary songs were recorded gave me chills. A must-visit for music lovers!

It was wonderful to see the history and hear the story of Motown from the ground up. Many buildings in the collection, many stars made, much music given to us from here. This is worth its 20 buck admission several times over. I would go again next time or if I make iit up ther again. The parking was BAD but they are also in the process of building a brand new building with parking right behind the original houses used by the motown team.

I didn'd realize the gem of a museum this was. The hour tour was all one could hope for and more. Loved the history we learned from our guide. Easy parking and great fun!

Okay its mostly photos on the wall and a video, but this escorted one hour tour through the original Motown HQ is sheer entertainment backed by some of the most well known songs. Our guide Verzele(?) was brilliant and he told the Berry Gordy story wonderfully. No spoilers 15US for an hour what a bargain.

An amazing history of music with photos, video, an enthusiastic tour guide (thanks, Steffan!) and the chance to stand where legends were born. An absolute MUST see for any fan of music or who likes to sing along with Motown songs! Don't expect to just able to walk in to get tickets, however. The 30-minute tours book fast and you may want to look at booking one on-line to guarantee a date/time of your choice....

The guided tour was really nice and it explained in details everything , it was a small museum but was very nice ! A must go if you love music

Booked ahead online and glad we did because tour was full. Our guide was wonderful and seeing the space where all of that great music was made was incredible.Learned that a lot of the singers lived within blocks of each other and went to school together. Amazing stories!

An excellent tour of the original Motown studios, with lots of stories about the original performers, songwriters, and even about a 'coach'. Of course, this music was of our age, and it was just plain fun to listen to it and hear all about the development and growth of Motown and it's recording artists.

This museum provides an incredibly entertaining and educational experience for anyone interested in music and its history. It was magical to stand in Studio A, the place where so many Motown artists recorded their amazing music. Our guide was upbeat, fun and knowledgeable. She had us sing and do some of the Temptations choreography, which was one of my favorite parts of the tour. I highly recommend this museum, it is certainly worth the $15 ticket!

Wanted to visit as I have always loved Motown music and all involved in that time frame. Our tour guide was awesome, sorry I can’t remember her name but she did a great job! Very energetic, very knowledgable. Kept you entertained and interested with her energy and tone of voice. Learned a lot of interesting info about the time and would love to go back when the knew building is finished!

This little museum is Fantastic! You will find your SOUL here! It was truly an inspirational and up-lifting experience. I had the Very Best Tour Guide EVER! Her name is Alfreda, ask for her, she is amazing and has a beautiful Voice! Enjoy!

I highly recommend this for fans, history buffs, creative arts students, and anyone interested in the music industry.This is one of Detroit's gems. Hard to explain the experience but it's transformative.

Want to see where the Temptations, Four Tops, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson and a young Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson made their magic, then walk back in time at this amazing time machine known as Hitsville USA.

See the famed Studio A with Marvin Gaye's actual drum kit and the piano that Stevie Wonder played. See photos and contracts of all the great Motown Legends, plus a great gift shop and area outside to listen to music while relaxing or having bite to eat.

Make sure you book your tickets in advance as they sellout days in advance and only sell around 40 walk up tickets a day.

This is a cool place to visit in the D. Make sure to get your tickets ahead of time as they sell out very quickly. The whole tour is just a little over an hour but worth it.

Excellent tour with JORDAN!! He was informative and very entertaining and kind!! Learned a lot about Barry Gordy, Smokey Robinson and Motown. The only suggestion i would have is a smaller group because of space and inconsiderate patrons.

What a great museum! Our guide was fantastic. She was knowledgeable and entertaining. I learned a great deal about the history of Motown.
Gordy Berry was an amazing entrepeneur , in addition to having musical talent. It was interesting to stand in the studio that he and his family built. So many talented musicians recorded there. Tickets need to be purchased on line. The ticket is for a specific time.

Have visited twice recently with visitors from out of town. We all thoroughly enjoyed our immersion into all things Motown, brought to life by our wonderful guide Peggy. She was knowledgeable and kept the group moving along whilst filling in us on stories of the Motown sound and the charters that brought this wonderful organisation to life.

If anything, I’d like to see more and hope that the planned expansion will allow for updated and extended exhibits to expand the great story this hidden gem tells!

I've been here twice now and being a fan of Tamla Motown since it's appearance on the world stage have yet to be nothing short of awestruck at all the magic that happened here. I'm lucky enough to have a wife from Detroit and will be back soon. MAGIC

This "museum" comprises the Gordy family house and the house next door which was joined with the other to expand the recording studio. Even if you don't like Motown (but who doesn't, right?), it's a wonderful look at the history of this iconic Detroit sound that became a world-wide phenomenon.

Our tour guide had us toe-tapping thr entire time! This was a great way to go back down memory lane and build new memories with a family if all ages. Our tour guide sang the entire time and shared with us an amazing part of Detroit history, music and the magic if Motown! Would recommend for all.

We took the guided tour that lasted maybe an hour. Absolutely loved the entire thing. The history of not only the building but the men and women who worked there was inspirational and awesome. We learned so much about the operation that we didn't know.

If you’re visiting Detroit and you’re a music lover do not miss this tour. You’ll feel the presence of the Motown greats and get a history lesson in the process.

I cant say enough about the 1 hour tour. This was money worth while spent and very enjoyable. There is so much that I learned on this tour.

Interesting tour of the tiny Motown Museum. Not a big place, not really that much to SEE but a great learning experience- if you think you know Motown, you probably don't! make a reservation and find out!

María was the best tour guide. I learned a lot and you could tell she was passionate about sharing the Motown history with the tourists. She also has a pretty amazing singing voice. I especially enjoyed singing and dancing in studio A. I would definitely recommend going. You should get tickets online in advance or go when they first open up.

My daughter and I visited the museum while on vacation in Michigan. I learned so much about Barry Gordy and the origins of his labels and "Hitsville USA". The tour was informative and interesting. I really liked seeing the office lobby, receptionist area, and Studio A where so much of the magic happened. I recommend it to everyone!

The museum visit and the tour cover so many important topics that are essential to US cultural history and on top of that you get the chance to sing in the same studio as countless legends. I learned so much and it was a highlight of my visit to Detroit. I hope I can come back again one day after the museum is expanded!

We really enjoyed our Motown Museum visit. Our tour guide was very good and knowledgeable. It is a small area / building with memorolbila and pictures. We've always liked this music so hearing it playing outside on the patio waiting area was fun as well. Seeing the music studio as it used to be was neat. It's so impressive that so many local neighborhood people became stars here.

Just amazing. Bring there In front of Hitsville USA. On Motown 60 th anniversary. What a blessing to me. Took an Uber from the MGM and no problem. Back and forth. The history there is amazing. Loved it loved it.

I have been a Motown fan for 60 years! Experiencing this tour was a natural high and makes Motown history so alive! Our tour guide also taught us how to do the Temp's 2 step. In addition, the Museum's store is also five star.
Staff was very knowledgeable and friendly. We accepted their offers to take photos of us!

A must see when visiting the area! Had the best tour guide! I wish there was more to see! It is small, the area cute and such a throw back in time.

THIS is Motown! So much history in those walls. Look at the website to plan your visit. It is very clear there are only guided tours. Buying tickets online is easy and shows how many slots are open for each hour you have the option to choose. Very friendly, knowledgeable staff. Plenty of time to look around and take pictures during the tour. Peace, Love and Music.

Motown was the reason for our weekend in Detroit and it was well worth it. The tour was so fun as the group sang and danced. It was also so informational! Our guide Calvin was so full of knowledge and entertaining, too. I would absolutely recommend this as your first stop in Detroit!

Where it all began! If you want to come here plan ahead. They are sold out through August. They do accept walk ups but you have to get in line an hour before it opens and your tickets may not be until 4 PM if f you can even get them. We were third in line and got tickets but they only had maybe 50 walk up tickets available and there were well over 100 people in line. They have plans to build a much larger museum behind it but that will take a while since they haven’t broke ground yet.

It was a feeling I can not describe with words. The presence of the spirits of greatness surround this place. A great part of American and Black History. Business.Music.Entertainment.

The story surrounding the birth of Motown Music is amazing. The Museum offers tours explaining how Berry Gordy Jr., with the help of his family, started one of the most successful entertainment franchises of all times. I am also supremely impressed with the influence his parents had on his life/business. Wonderful and creative work ethic!

Visitors will learn the importance of a $3.19 check that Berry Gordy Jr. received for his work.

The tour takes you through the recording studio where hundreds of great, classic songs were recorded. We were amazed at how small it was. Much of the original equipment is displayed and other items come from that era. Visitors will learn the reason why BABY RUTH candy bars had to be put in a certain location of the vintage candy machine that is on site. They will also learn why a hole was cut into an area of the ceiling. How/why SOUPY SALES recorded an album there.

I can best sum the experience up as being interesting, educational, and inspirational.

HINT: Reserve your tickets in advance.

What a trip. The magic , passion and history of Motown all beautifully explained by Anton. That's a man who knows the details and loves what he does. Make a point of visiting... and get Anton. I sang My Girl in studio A !!

Went to this historic place in October and had a super time. The guided tour is about an hour long with a very knowledgeable guide who explains the history of Motown and the story behind all the artifacts.

What a great little museum- This is a must to do while in Detroit, especially if you have a passion for music and the amazing singers that came out of this building. It is a guided tour that last an hour- our tour guide was super friendly and passionate about providing all the history that when down- You can also purchase tickets on groupon. Dont miss this fun, but quick and great tour.

Six adults with a wide variety of music backgrounds and we all very much enjoyed the tour between the video, history and singing; not to mention an interactive audience! A must see if you’re in Detroit!

This tour was informational / Educational but mostly just plain Interesting. We loved seeing how Motown has influenced and changed music over the years. They were so creative in ways to make the sounds, records, etc.

BUT what made the tour the most amazing was the tour guide. He was full of energy, Jokes and commentary. He sang us a few songs. Just amazing! Made the whole tour 10x more enjoyable.

Our tour guides were excellent and very knowledgeable about the history of Motown. It was an amazing retelling of the humble beginnings and growth through the brilliant business of developing and promoting some of the most iconic artists of our time. This was a remarkable and savvy enterprise during a time of systemic racism.

Having been to Detroit several times and only stopped here to take pictures, I'm glad to have finally taken the tour.

There are multiple tour guides that brief you at several stops along the tour and they were all excellent. This is a wonderful Museum and an essential piece of musical history.

If you go, be aware there can be a long wait between tours and there is very minimal shade if you are waiting in line.

Wow! So much history! So exciting to stand in Studio A where all that greatness was created. The guided tour was great, and he had us all singing My Girl. Definitely a worthwhile visit.

We visited the Motownmuseum last week and we had an amazing time! You can only buy tickets for the guided tour, so that’s what we did. The tour was really interesting and the tourguides told the story of Motown very good. The duration of the tour was approximately 1 hour. We really recommend you to go to the Motown museum!

Very nice. Will go back again sometime. Enjoyed the experience. It’s always nice to look back at the old days

This is holy ground for music fans. The tour and exhibits were wonderful. I still get chills thinking about standing in Studio A.

Going to Hitsville felt like making a pilgrimage. All the songs and all the good vibes are still there! I loved taking the group tour because I was literally walking in the steps of Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, etc. It was simply an honor to be there and I learned many things I hadn’t known - Berry Gordy had been a boxer, Stevie liked Baby Ruths, the famous Studio A was built by Berry’s father. Our guide was Jordan. He knew so much and was so effective at sharing his knowledge while connecting to and entertaining his guests. He is perfect for his job!

Such a bummer. The information is so hidden on the website that you need a tour booked to enter the museum. If you arrive on your own without a reservation you risk not getting in - like myself. I followed a large group of bus tours.. therefore, they basically had the entire day of 30 people hourly tours booked - i.e. I arrived at 11am and the next spot for 2 adults was on the 5pm tour (on a Friday). I left totally disappointed. Hoping I can make time to visit again with a reservation first.

The one thing they don't tell you on the website or the phone is that you have to book tickets way in advance. I tried to get tickets one week before I went to Detroit through the website but it wouldn't give any information. I tried to call but all I got was a recording. When we got to Detroit, we decided to go by the museum to see if we could get in. It was sold out three days in advance. The staff was not friendly. There was no place to park.

Neat gift shop. Worth a visit to experience historic Motown music greats and their innovations and new sounds that became and remain so popular.

A wonderful explanation of the years of Motown music. The guide was outstanding and made the music come alive. A must see in Detroit.

Special experience to be in this legendary studio. Great museum to learn more about the history of Motown!
Such a shame you can’t wander around individually. The guided tour lasts for about an hour and groups consist of about 30 people. Our guide was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable, but spoke too quick to be able to take it all in.
Loved the little terrace outside where you can sit in the sun listening to some great tunes.

If you enjoy Motown music and are in the area, this is a must stop. The museum is small so a knowledgeable tour guide will walk you through and talk about the exhibits. It ends with a group sing along in the studio, which was fun for everyone.

This is a must-see museum for any music lover. I highly recommend purchasing tickets online prior to going as they sell out quickly and you could end up waiting for several hours to get on an available tour. The tour starts with a film of the Motown years and takes you through the offices, exhibits, apartment of Barry Gordy, and studio. The best part was hearing the early stories of artists who are now legends in music, one of my favorites was the candy machine and how they made sure a young Stevie Wonder knew how to find his favorite candy. It was also cool to see the calendar when the Jackson Five first came into the Motown offices. The tour was a little over an hour long and truly could have been longer since there is so many stories to be told. The one drawback with the museum is parking; parking is street parking and fills up quickly. We had to park quite a ways down the street and we had the first tour of the day. The front of the building has a perfect photo opportunity with the Hitsville U.S.A. sign.

It bums me out to be writing a three-star review for this museum - especially since I didn't get to go over our Detroit weekend. But the reason I wasn't able to go might be useful to someone else. THE TICKETS SELL OUT. You can't just walk up and buy a ticket and go on a tour. You need to buy your tickets online ahead of time. We didn't do this, and all tours for the day were sold out before we got there. The only thing we could do was take a picture outside and go into the gift shop. There's not really parking, but there's metered parking in front of the hospital. I hope to visit the museum if I'm ever in Detroit again (was really looking forward to it), but this is clearly a case of not doing my research properly! Get you ticket online before.

If you are ever in the Detroit area, you have to stop by this museum. The tour guide was so knowledgeable & engaging. Even if you are a fan, you probably will still learn something new.

An exciting trip to the past where some of the greatest Motown music was actually recorded. Highly recommended.

All I can say is this is a MUST visit for anybody who has a deep appreciation for music. It is basically visiting holy ground. To be in Studio A and not get chills is unheard of. Do NOT miss this historic gem. The tour guides are simply amazing. Take all the pictures you want, look up all the Motown hits you know from the 60’s (guess where they were recorded) and be ready to feel the chills.

I lived in Detroit several years ago and never came here but was so glad to finally do the tour on a recent trip. Anton was our guide and was excellent. The tour was so interesting and exceeded my expectations. Note that you can only do guided tours and the slots only open up about 2 weeks in advance so you need to jump on it. We missed the online window but showed up right as the museum opened and were able to get into the 2nd tour of the day, which was only 30 minutes later. Tons of fun!

Wow, Hitsville USA! Loved this piece of Detroit history! Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, just to name a few recorded some of the greatest hits inside this small building! Will definitely come back!

Not exactly a museum as much as a guided tour. I was impressed by how authentic everything felt--nothing in the studio had been 'museumified' with glass walls or special lighting. Aside from some ropes and Do Not Touch signs, everything seems like it hasn't moved in fifty years. Hopefully they can keep it that way for many years to come. I would highly recommend a visit if you have any interest in American music, history, or culture.

Website should be clear that you must sign up for a tour. Very disappointing to drive there, struggle to find a place to park and be turned away.

So much history here! Limited to groups of 10. Guided Tours available every 30 min. Getting tickets online highly recommended. Lots of memorabilia. You are allowed to take pictures. The tour guides are very knowledgeable.

Great tour with a highly motivated and passionate young guide. We saw the historical studio A, the grand piano of Steevie Wonder, the tricks and anecdotes of how Motown music was made. A great tribute to one of the greatest music style this world has ever delivered. Thank you

This museum is actually a tribute
to Barry Gordy, but there may not be such a thing as Motown music if he hadn't gotten the ball rolling. Our guide Peggy was fluent in Motown and kept us moving when she needed to, yet gave us time for absorption. It's a good history of the movement and the time it all evolved. We're glad we went, and btw, there's a small sign saying that their employees don't want tips but that is not the case.

I’ve been to the Motown Museum twice now, and I absolutely love it. I love being immersed in the Motown story, starting with the history of the Gordy family and how Berry's family helped him get it all started.

The tour guides are knowledgeable, fun, and passionate about sharing the Motown history.

The museum displays are interesting and full of great photos and stories.

And…ending the tour in Studio A - WOW. I’m a musician, and standing in the room where the Magic was created was a spiritual experience for me. Our tour guide, Calvin, had all of us sing “My Girl” and do some dance moves. So cool to sing and dance to that song in Studio A.

The Motown Museum is a gem in Detroit - do yourself a favor and enjoy this excellent tribute to music that affected so many of us so positively.

This is a must see place for music history!!! Great tour!!! Top 10 things to do in Detroit. In a safe area, don’t get discouraged.

Very enjoyable tour. Great music in the background Knowledge and very friendly staff Make a reservation ahead of time. COVID safe. Must wear a mask

Great place to spend an hour and go back in time! Guided tours run on a schedule and our tour guide - Calvin Hobbs, was absolutely terrific in his knowledge and helping us interpret the various exhibits. He even has a pretty good singing voice!

This is very worthwhile stop while in the "Motor City". Don't miss it.

This is a great place for a piece of musical history. Small, intimate and just as it was in the great days of hits. Hard to believe just what was produced from such a space. Our guide was 1st class and totally committed. We had time to get well into the atmosphere and extensive information wasn't rushed.
As you will see in the attached photograph you never know who else is visiting on the day, an added bonus being able to have a few words with such giants of music.

The significance of Motown in American history cannot be overstated and touring the site where the great Motown recordings were made is a great experience.

The only way to visit the museum is via a guided tour. There is no opportunity to view exhibits at one's leisure and thus this is not your usual "museum" experience. Tickets for the tours can sell out, especially on the weekends, so it is best to get tickets ahead of time online.

The museum is housed in two relatively small houses and frankly, it is a bit crowded in there especially with a relatively large tour group. It would be nice to have time to view some of the exhibits on one's own time rather than glancing at them on a tour but the realities of the size of the space and the demand for tours necessitates running people through somewhat quickly.

Overall, an excellent experience and I am glad that I visited. It would just be nice to be able to spend a bit more time seeing everything.

NO PHOTOS OR VIDEOS ALLOWED INSIDE!

We were excited to visit the Motown Museum while visiting Michigan. Unfortunately, we were not aware that reservations are highly suggested. We arrived about 1pm and was told by the rude, female cashier that the next tour was at 430pm and that's all she had. No smile, just a matter-of-fact, this is how it is. So, this isn't a self-guided tour, it's a guided tour apparently - which means limited time if you wanted to look at anything for a longer period of time. Also, no photos of anything inside (another disappointment). It's not like there is anything super secret (or is there?). Disappointed, we just went to the gift shop to pick up a souvenir. Friendly young cashier helped us and did mention that tour times do fill up quickly. Took a few photos of the outside of the place - and then we left.

A must experience when visiting Detroit. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to “feel” the birth of soul and “boogie” to the beat of the rhythm and blues era as you walk through the rooms of the house which created the sounds of so many famous singers. I’m definitely going back after the expansion.

I've been wanting to visit the Motown Museum for years, and I finally got my chance. I had read through the TripAdvisor reviews and found it interesting that some people were negative because the museum is so small. It's true that it's small. But that's part of the magic. To think that so many musical legends and powerhouses--and a whole musical genre--came from this humble place--it's incredible. I would call it small but mighty. I had Peggy as a tour guide, and she was incredible. She really brought the history to life. She had an infectious spirit that allowed the people on the tour to let their enthusiasm shine. There are parts where you sing as a group. It might sound cheesy, but when you're there and experiencing it, you want to. They have you sing in Studio A, which is an honor. All the original equipment is there, and it's just fantastic. You can't take pictures during the tour until you get to Studio A. Then you have about 5 minutes to do so. This museum is a must do for music lovers and anyone visiting (or living in) Detroit. And it's worth going to Detroit just to see it. My group had people from multiple countries and U.S. states, and we all loved it.

This was a pilgrimage for a Motown nerd like myself. Walking into the Snake Pit - Studio A - nearly brought me to tears. Everything else, as they say, was gravy. But it also helped that Roy was such an incredible guide - interesting, funny and struck the right balance between keeping the tour moving and pausing for questions and photos.

Amazing tour, if you like are a motown lover you have to go the museum, it is historical plat to the Music.

The Motown Museum is a terrific place to immerse yourself into the roots of Motown. We had an enthusiastic guide that took us around the museum. I was really interested to see the Michael Jackson bedazzled gloved and hat. So cool! My favorite part of the tour was the recording studio and control room. I could feel the greats that walked into that room. I'm so glad it's been preserved. I definitely recommend this tour!

such a small house with so much to tell, a great tour. We only wish we had more time to look at the house after the video, we had to single file thru and no time to stop and look at all the old memories. Also be sure to buy your tickets before you go because the day we went there was no extra tickets for sale. we love all the great music and history that came from the Small house. GREAT TOUR.!!

If you remember the Motown sounds of the 60's and 70's you must plan a visit to the mecca of Motown in Detroit. From the original candy bar machine where Stevie Wonder got his Baby Ruth candy bars (4th handle from the right) to a depiction of the $800 loan agreement Barry secured from his parents to start the Motown company, the incredible Motown story will come alive for every visitor. With the aid of informative and entertaining guides, all of your questions about Motown will be answered.

what a step back in time at berry gordys house of motown.The tour was amazing stepping back in history.The tour representative let the group sing my girl in studio A.even though we couldn't take any photos singing in studio A was a lifetime memory

If you ever listened to the Radio, growing uo, you heard Motown Music. Too many hits to count were produced here. Don't let the small size fool you, Motown Museum is well worth visiting. Take your time and really appreciate what was made here, we did.

A must-see if you remember or have enjoyed the music. Tour guide was great and shared lots of stories and insights.

The Motown Museum was a great stop in my trip to Detroit. If you love all things Motown and the music of that era, you will love all the history and memorabilia at the museum. The tour guides were great and knowledgeable. Overall it was a wonderful experience.

What a fun place to visit. If you love or loved Motown music then this is the place to visit. Friendly people and great tour.

Must visit if you are visiting and especially if you live near Detroit. I learned a lot from this visit.

This was such a great tour! We truly enjoyed ourselves and the look back at history. Jordan was absolutely the best!

Wonderful tour, very informative, so much history! Unique collection of items never seen before. Great movie at the start, very good guides.

The museum has been improved, much better organized than before.

You must purchase tour tickets to visit for a specific day and time; I recommend you do it in advance in their website because they sell quickly, particularly over the weekends.

The tour includes a 15 min video and approximately 45 minutes of a guided tour. Our guide was a knowledgeable teenager who did an amazing job!

There’s enough information to learn about how the Motown record label was created and why: interesting story. There are many pictures of artists: Stevie Wonder, the Supremes, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, etc.

The tour also includes a visit to the original reception and recording studio. Come prepared to sing and dance “My Girl”…

This museum is history which deserves to be told and preserved. That said, I wish they offered more information about the artists themselves, for a more thorough learning experience.

Note: Only street parking is available. Recommend downloading the Detroit parking app suggested in the museum website ahead of time.

What fun! Friends and relatives had recommended the Barry Gordy House & Museum, and were we glad we made the time to visit while passing through Detroit on our way north. Advance ticketing is a must, because the experience is a 1-hour guided tour limited to about 15 guests at a time. Rich with history and culture, it was a nice break from an otherwise long day on the road.

Jordan our tour guide was excellent, and he got my cousin’s children more interested in what they where seeing. The echo chamber is pretty cool, and pretty low tech for what it did to the recordings of the Motown sound. It is a fairly small group of artifacts, but it sets a time and place in history that changed much of the US. Gordy Berry Jr. also recorded Martin Luther King Jr speeches as well. You can feel that history is alive and well in this museum. Well with the trip if you are already in the Motor City.

Great informational tour to see where all of the great Motown music was made. If you are a music fan, you should visit! The history behind the music is shared as well as tour of Berry Gordy’s apartment and the Motown recording studio.

A lot of fun! The hour-tour includes a really good 15-min video. The wall photos are fabulous, as are the text pieces adjacent to photos. However, rather than letting you wander around and read what you want, you have to go with a tour guide who talks the entire time, giving you different (and also good) information. I wish we had had time to really peruse the terrific photo collection - a combo of the tour guide and time just to peruse would be better. If you love Motown - the word is a remaking of "Motor City" - you definitely need to see this.

You should not miss this museum. This is a guided tour that takes about an hour. It takes you through the original MoTown house and recording studios. They do an excellent job of sharing the history behind MoTown and the superstars that came out of here. It was a top favorite for all of us from our visit to Detroit. We didn’t realize that you needed advance tickets so please make sure you get tickets in advance. If you forget however you can do what we did and go there early in the morning. They hold back about 4 tickets per tour for walk ups. We. Showed up about 11 and were able to get into a tour at 1. You have to be there in person. First come first serve. They will not sell the walk up tickets over the phone. Only in person. Overall this museum and the store of MoTown was phenomenal.

We recommend watching the Hitsville documentary on Showtime before your visit to get the facts of the building and the power it gave to the 60s and the Motown movement. Very cool to check out. Make reservations in advance or purchase a tour to guarantee they will not be sold out on the day you visit.

If you grew up loving Motown music you’ll love this place. It’s so exciting to walk where all those legendary singers started out. Our guide was great and I believe all the guides there are also great. They’re very, very well informed and passionate about their love of Motown.
Book your tickets online in advance to avoid disappointment. They can’t accommodate very many people so they sell out quickly.

My niece was in town and she had this tour on her bucket list. Our young guide was theatrical and knew her story. She engaged and encouraged our group to participate. So much history and info I learned about the Gordy family. A MUST see!

Words cannot say how much my whole family enjoyed this. Standing where Diana Ross and Stevie Wonder sang just was unbelievable. So much talent came through this place. You really feel it. I wish there was more to see. They told us that they are expanding but it will be a while. My teenage daughter who is a very hard sell when traveling said when we got in the car, “That was amazing “- she was correct. As others have said you need to get you tickets ahead of time in the summer. I got mine 21 days a head and when I went in there was only three times left that were beyond the regular hours.

This place ain't great. They have almost nothing worth displaying. Outside of the dresses of the Supremes and Michael Jackson's hat and glove (recent acquisitions) the displays are filled with promotional photos and record covers that I can see at the flea market on any Sunday. That would all be fine if it was a $5 museum with self guiding access, but as it is you have to get shuttled through this artifactless building for an hour while you watch old vhs documentaries and witness your guide shout into the attic to demonstrate the miracle of echo. Hitsville needs an overhaul.

This museum as small as it is does an incredible job of sharing the history of Motown. It is a docent led tour and the docent we had was amazing! You could tell he truly loved his job. Only having street parking can be somewhat awkward with the funeral home next door but this place is not to be missed. The history made in the building comes to life through the docents stories.

Sadly it was closed due to flood damage and I was in Detroit for only one day. Had booked a reservation online and they refunded it so that was good. Still went down there to see the building. Driving in Detroit was a nightmare. Every single road in that city must be under construction. No joke every exit I was supposed to take on the freeway was closed and I got detoured to really bad neighborhoods. Eventually got to the Motown Museum. Was able to park out front. A few other people were there taking pictures including a couple from New Mexico. We went up and touched the door to try and soak in some greatness lol

A tour of this museum was one of the highlights of our trip to the US. If you love music, you must come and be educated. The guide was entertaining, allowed us to be interactive, and knew his stuff. To see the recording studio where some of the best songs in the world were recorded, was brilliant. Great job!!

We learned a bit about the recording industry. The Motown Museum is but one of the studios used to produce many of the songs I grew up with.

Look for Berry Gordy Jr. Blvd and you are there.

This exhibit is a must see. The personal living quarters of Berry Gordy’s family & the famed Studio A are the highlights. I had chills standing under the microphone where the Temptations & so many others sang. There’s also a showroom of artifacts which includes Michael Jackson famous glove & hat. Highly recommended this museum. Shout out to our guide Aaron who really made the tour special with his renditions of several Motown classics. He got everyone involved, had the group singing along. His knowledge on the subject is outstanding.

We thoroughly enjoyed learning about the history of Motown. Our guide, Roy, was the best—enthusiastic, entertaining, and knowledgeable. It was nice that the tour group was small. We did not purchase tickets in advance so arrived at 9am to get same day tickets. We were first in line and got into the first tour group. Enjoyed the ice cream truck afterwards. Can’t wait to visit the new museum when it opens. Highly recommend a visit if you love music and history.

It's surreal to imagine that this non-descript house in Detroit has been the source of so much music that conveyed all the human emotions, joy, sadness, doubt, hope. The music has spread beyond Detroit, beyond Michigan, beyond America. My eyes were opened as to how Berry Gordy along with his team turned talented neighborhood kids into stars and icons for decades. The starts with a small introduction from the guide, who charismatic and engaging, then we toured the house, with the grand finale at the recording room.

Our family of three (2 adults/teens) just finished our visit to Motown and thoroughly enjoyed our time.

Tickets for this museum must be booked online in advance. We arrived around 9:45 for our 10 a.m. tour.

Once you are permitted inside, you are met by a tour guide who will lead you through an hour-long tour of the museum. This house contains so much history and amazing stories. It is definitely a must-do for anyone who loves and admires music of any genre. Our tour guide was fantastic and very knowledgable.

In addition to arriving at the museum with pre-purchased tickets, one should be advised that there is no parking lot or designated parking at the museum.

There is some street parking, but if you are seeking a bit more secure parking, there is a parking garage located a few blocks down that is connected to the cancer hospital. From the garage, it is an easy 3-5-minute walk to the museum.

I loved the story of these “street singers” would come in the front door with raw talent and when they went out the back door they were polished and ready for the
road. And this was during hard times for these talented black performers. The whole story and how Berry Gordy recorded, packaged and mailed demo tapes is incredible. If you go to Detroit and don’t do this your, you’ll be sorry later. It’s so good, I am going back this coming June. PS this review made me select a date but it did not allow me to enter the correct date. It was May 2021

I felt the soul of music at the Motown Museum. Walking through these legendary doors, I was transported to an era of innovation and creativity. The guides' passion is infectious - I felt like I was reliving history. Standing in Studio A, where icons like Stevie Wonder and The Supremes recorded, gave me chills. This place isn't just a museum - it's a testament to the power of music. I left with a full heart and a renewed love for the Motown sound.

Definitely a fun visit, especially if you love Motown music or music in general. There is a guided tour and our guide was cheery and fun. It's a rather small museum but you should prepare at least 1.5 hours for the whole trip. Parking is a bit difficult.

Unique part of music history! The website shows sold out but we called and there several spots available in the socially spaced small groups. Very clean. A must see.

This place brings back many memories from high school and college. Still listen to Motown on my record player and stereo system. The tour was excellent giving a history from the beginning. This is a treasure and will get larger in the future.

Motown museum is always a gem but on this trip I brought a friend who was visiting Detroit for the first time. Even as a Detroit native, Ms. Alfreda made me feel like it was my first time at the museum as well. She was personable, entertaining, knowledgeable, and has the voice of an angel. Such a great experience!

Make sure you book online 3-4 days ahead tour fills up fast. The tour guide was excellent high energy...It is amazing who walked thru the doors ....as a musician in a band, I played with one of the temps (temptations sub vocalists in las vegas & my friend who was chaka's drummer had told us about this experience...also my friends are Family stone...and so much history there...parking is on street. it was awesome...

First get a reservation. We did not have one so had to get there an hour before opening to see if we could get in that day (line for people with no tickets very long). Thrilled we were first in line and could go in. Our guide was really very personable and made The whole experience memorable. I personally know very little about the genre or history so found the history fascinating. We learned how the business started and how the musicians became a community to ensure success. Guide knew great stories and facts which enhanced experience. Motown still owns the museum and original recording study next door. Highly recommend.

For Motown fans, this is a must. The museum is small and modest, but the guide was great. Fun afternoon activity

Please do not go to Detroit and miss this American treasure. Just to stand where the music legends stood, to let your mind take you to the place where music help shape the world is worth every penny.

Anyone with ears would be seriously remiss to miss the Motown Museum. The place is small. It is the original Gordy home where it all began. And the exhibits are modest. But who cares!?! This place is AMAZING. The visit is worth it just to see the photos on the walls and realizing these musical legends passed through these very same doors. The best is saved for last, the recording studio. The energy in this room is off the charts. Be prepared for the emotions the flow as you're singing and dancing in the room where all those hits were made.

I took my 10 year old son to the Motown Museum. He is an old soul but he was not very familiar with Motown music. He fell in love with the way people sang. He loved seeing the look of the people singing it as well as their clothes. They have a lot of memorabilia. Looking into the recording studio was so cool. Seeing Gordon Berry's apartment was very interesting. We had a great time!

....that this is wonderful! What a great tour! Yes, we waited a bit in the gift store before the tour. They show a fabulous short movie (15 minutes or so?) that I could have watched for much longer. Our guide was really great. No pictures until the very last part of the tour. I really really enjoyed hearing all of the history of Motown and seeing the pictures and being in this house that all of the "greats" had been musically born in. I want to come back here next time I'm in Detroit!

Good tour, so much history here and a very good story. Book early, because this does fill up and you may be disappointed if you don’t.

Overall this is a tour worth seeing. The tour guide was absolutely fabulous. So much history in this place. Barry Gordy was a perfectionist and this contributed to the numerous hit records Motown produced.

The tour is one hour long and explains and details the talent from that era and area.

I gave it a 4/5 due to parking and no street signs for directions. You literally have to come up to it.

So glad we went on this tour. So much history in this small building. Our tour guide was excellent and had so much passion.

Excellent stroll through the past and how/where the production of great music took place. Unfortunately, not enough time was granted to review certain displays as the guided tour was pushed through the building in about 45min. Information shared by the guide was quite interesting and very informative, including stuff the public didn't know at the time.

this is also a must do while in Detroit. the tour guides sing most of the time so it is really entertaining. the place is small and the tour wont take a ling time. Fun thing to do

Parking an issue, but that's it....

Well worth every dime...... interesting, fun great guide... I was walking in ssmokrys footsteps.

This is a terrific little museum. The Motown story is remarkable, and it is well told by the movie and exhibits. Being able to spend time in Studio A alone is worth the price of admission.

Allow 90 minutes for the tour and a visit to the gift shop.

Fascinating look at who, how, and where it all started. Loved the fact it is a guided tour. What a visionary Berry Gordy was!

I loved my experience here - if you love Motown this is a must - if you love music in general, you will enjoy this. At first I was taken aback that it was a guided tour (I normally like to do my own thing), BUT it made it so much better. Everyone was so friendly, our Tour Guide (I believe his name was Steven) was a TRIP - he was so enthusiastic, funny and friendly, and very knowledgable. So much history, music, and beauty in this small museum that packs a punch. A must when in Detroit for sure

Brought my dad for his 70th birthday treat. He has wanted to visit Hitsville ever since his teenage years. He was like a kid at christmas. Loved it and the tour was great. Yvonne was brilliant.

A must see in Detroit! So much history in this house! Purchase tickets ahead of time online to ensure a spot. I loved touring Studio A, so much magic happened there!

I want to give a shout out to an employee in the gift shop, I wish I remembered her name. My friend and I were both looking at sweatshirts before our tour started and our sizes were not on the rack. The employee took our sizes and said she would go in the back during our tour and to check back with her. Not only did she do this, but she found us in the beginning of the tour to let us know she found them and would hold them for us. Really sweet and above & beyond! Plus we love our sweatshirts! Thank you so much!

It was exciting to be in the humble site that produced such great music. The museum is really an ode to Berry Gordy. Compared to the Stax Museum in Memphis, there’s not much history here. The tour was canned: we could have just had an audio tour. Felt like we were on the Motown experience conveyer belt, and didn’t leave knowing much more than when we entered.

great time! Nice shopping at the end of the tour. I will be going back today because it was a wonderful trip last year.....

Truly awesome experience! So much history presented here at the museum.

Reviewers commenting on why the museum hasn’t been updated and on the area need to realize two things: the museum is a historical site and that site is where it all started. Historical sites can’t have major changes or the historical status is lost. The building is accessible though which is fantastic!

The location is what it is. Maybe some people would feel unsafe but I certainly did not. Tickets are important so purchase online ahead of time if possible. There is no photography so please know that and respect it! It is a rule of the house and very disrespectful to choose to be arrogant enough to violate said rule.

All in all, a wonderful experience rich in history!

We really didn’t need the tour. We were led around and given super basic info. A set of signs would have been better (as proven by the entryway display of buildings owned at one time). It just felt forced, I would have preferred to view on my own terms. But what happened in these two buildings was to be truly admired. Stop in - it’s fine.

A Can't Miss For The Music Fan. If the walls of Studio A could talk it would make a fantastic book, I am sure. Our guide was excellent. Knew her stuff. About an hour and a half. Best $15 I have ever spent. Now I can also say, been there, done that.

We enjoyed the tour of Motown Museum. We arrived just after 10 am and all tours were booked until 2pm so we bought the 2pm tickets then went for a walk to the art Detroit Institute of Art (DIA) which was a 45 minute walk. Got back to Motown just before 2 pm and your started right on time which was great and a very vibrant young girl took us on our tour and did an excellent job. No photos were allowed throughout the tour until we got to the recording studio. It was really good to see it all and all the old photos. Cost was $25 USD which was ok I thought. Just don’t forget to book your tickets ahead.

One of the best museum tours I’ve ever been on. Fascinating information and artifacts. Just the right length of a tour. And all that great music throughout.

Great tour guides. Amazing movie and artifacts. Was pleasantly suprised at the condition of the houses. Tons of photos and memoriabilia

Whether you're a Motown music fan or not, this is a really cool place to visit. You'll get to visit the Motown Museum and learn about the history of the company started by Berry Gordy back the early 60's. After touring the museum, you will be taken into the original house Berry Gordy lived in with his family and started the company. You'll see the office space as well as the living space and the original recording Studio A where so many hits were made. '
This is a guided tour and making reservations in advance is highly recommended because tour tickets (which are timed) sell out quickly every day. We had to go back three times before being able to get tickets and the last time we got the last two tickets of the day.
Our tour guide was funny and interesting and, man, could he sing. He should be a recording artist himself. Unfortunately, I don't remember his name so I'm sorry I can't mention him personally.
If you're in the area, be sure to include this stop on your visit.

Two seemingly innocuous suburban houses from which one of the great music empires emerged, now open to the public for guided tours. Our guide was an enthusiastic young local girl who whisked us through the property, giving us plenty of interesting information about the various rooms and items on display and demonstrating some remarkable vocal talent when singing into the echo chamber, which made me realise she would've probably been turned into a star by the Motown system if only she'd lived here back in the '60s - what a shame they left Detroit. The tour finishes in the recording studio, which is the only part of the premises in which you are allowed to take photos. There's a small, rather pricey, gift shop and on-street parking is pretty easy to come by. This is a must do for music fans and as a particular fan of the Motown sound, I loved every minute here.

if you want a feel good afternoon this is the place to visit. From the minute you walk in the door you are happy and jamming to the music of all the classics. The new expansion is great.
Do not skip this as a point of interest for a day in the D

Had family from Carolina and the highlight was this visit. Tour guide was great and fun!! Had a great group and would definitely recommend this tour!! Detroit history

Lots of original equipment, instruments and studio rooms furnished with real period stuff...even a candy and a cigarette machine! So much music history here.

This was a fun museum. Arrive early or book your tour in advance as they sell out. The tour guide was amazing and I learned lots about the music created in this building and around the area. Going to come back with family.

This was a MUST for us - big Motown fans - and it didn’t disappoint. Hearing the story of how it all started was fascinating.

Step back into rich musical Motown history. You’ll see, stand, and even sing and dance in the places where your favorite Motown artists did. The docents are engaging and knowledgeable. The memorabilia is close enough to touch. This is a must-do tour!

I was a little leery after reading the negative reviews, but this place is a gem. The movie was wonderful and the tour guide informative, despite the complaints about being ushered around. The building is small and I don't think there is any other way to manage the number of people that visit. You will have some free time to look at photos and in the recording studio. One of the complaints I saw was no pictures, but if there were a bunch of people taking selfies no one would be able to see anything! Others complained that they couldn't walk in when they wanted, but if you make your reservations in advance you won't have a problem.

We had Carolyn as our tour guide, that lasted almost 90 minutes. She was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Great personality that is perfect for her role here. Drawback photography not allowed. There is an elevator. Very endearing place for a nyone who knows and appreciates the Motown sound!

Something that we have wanted to do for years. It seemed like a pilgramage from the UK. We were not disappointed. We are so glad to have got there before it closes for a year. We hope that the new museum is able to convey what was so special - the tiny, almost shoe string operation initially that produced the soundtrack of our youth.
It is the smallness of the location that makes it so special. A very knowledgeable guide and excellent film to watch. However, being allowed to go into the studio was very emotional. This will be unavailable in the future.
The tour finished with the group being encouraged to sing 'My girl' (with harmonies) while doing the Temptations walk - something that didn't come naturally for a not particularly co-ordinated septugenarian!
A memory that will last a lifetime.

The tour was fun and interesting. They had interesting pics and artifacts from the era that added to the history. A bit more history on how Gordon was able to grow the label from obscurity to mega success would have added more. Really loved the pics and furniture!

Very small. We had to watch a 15 minutes vidéo looking like VHS quality. The small studio is impressive. But all this could have be seen in 15 minutes.

The tour guide was fantastic - he was knowledgeable, personable, and kept everyone engaged! Allow plenty of time before your tour to find parking - the street parking is very limited.

This was absolutely the highlight of my trip to Detroit. Seeing the legendary record company humble beginnings. Tour being given by a vibrant young lady that was as entertaining as the museum items that were on display. I enjoyed every minute of viewing the areas my favorite singers seeing where they walked around spent their youth horning their crafts. It was worthy to see and when I'm in Detroit again I will go back! Everyone should absorb the history of the legendary sound of Motown.

Such an emotional experience for me and my friends. A very pleasant tour guide with a fount of knowledge about the motown museum and its history. Meeting Mr Paul Rizer and one of the Andantes singers was the icing on the cake

STOP IN THE NAME OF LOVE! You must visit before they CLOSE in September 2025 (call to check for dates..a real person answers)!! I also was brought to tears walking thru the tour and I agree that Roy was a fab, knowledgeable guide who answered questions, threw in a few jokes and respectful to the folks who needed to use the elevator. I wanted to take the tour again since there was not a line anymore. Tickets must be bought 3 weeks in advance (HURRY). Otherwise, get in line at 9am and there are a few walk-in ticketsavailable. Someone said there were 5 for that day, but not sure if that is the same number everyday. Ample free street parking right in front of the museum and across the street. There is a small store that has merch that is not online. The good news is they are building a new museum behind the present one, but not sure if the original one will be open to the public after it closes. They are regularly closed on Monday and some Tuesdays, so plan accordingly. HAVE A BLAST!

Exceeded expectations. Historic. The original buildings where Motown was established and grew into a world famous phenomenon. The tour was informative. A must see if you love Motown music.

Grew up with Motown! :-) It was interesting to witness how Barry Gordy built his dream. The tour guide was informative and engaging. The gift shop had a nice array of items. Parking was a challenge. I parked across the street a block away.

Best part of my weekend. Seeing the beginning of Motown and how it began. Just amazing. Marvin, Diana, Tammy to James, Vanity and the commodores. Book the tour online cause the tour fills up fast and closed on Sundays. Huge renovation on the way. Take it in.

What an amazing experience. The Motown Museum is a must see when you visit Detroit. So much music history was made at Hitsville, USA. Our tour guide was fantastic and really took us on a trip down Motown's memory lane. His stories and anecdotes were much appreciated. I love Motown Music and Berry Gordy was/is a genius. So many famous artists got their start here and went onto have extremely successful careers. Don't miss this gem of a museum.

This is definitely one of Detroit's treasures. I loved the tour and to stand in the same room where many, many hits were recorded is incredible! Make sure you get your tickets early. We went in November thinking it would be slow. But it was still a full tour. Well worth the tour and so educational. Will return to feel the magic again!

Motown music is an excellent choice in Detroit. The tour guide was really good and the place is superb.

The guide was all-important because the museum is small and expensive. Peggy was able to explain the significance of the exhibits and told us stories. There was street parking.

Great experience. There was something special about standing in the same recording studio for many of the Motown greats!

I talked the Family into going here as they didn't know much about the Motown artists. once we arrived everyone had a great time! the tours are hourly by knowledgeable leader and we learned much about how $800 loan turned into $20 million Motown music empire. Tour ends with a sing-along in the studio where all the major hits were recorded. See my photos.

We visited Mowtown Museum very soon after we arrived in Detroit. It was a fabulous experience and excellent value for money. Tve whole experience had a real feel good factor and really emphasised the philosophy behind Mowtown. Our tour guide was excellent and there were lots of genuine artefacts. A must do if you’re visiting Detroit

I'd rate this 5 out of 5 hands down. Not expensive to enter but the gift shop is a little pricey. But worth it in my opinion. The staff are polite and kind. And the tour guide Jordan was dope. He knew Motown's history and kept us entertained while we toured. The restrooms are super clean, and they smell good. You could comfortably take a dump. Even security are good. Parking is a little bad and the neighborhood seems a little shaky as does all of Detroit, but all in all, our trip to the museum was worth it. Be prepared you can't take pictures of anything besides Studio A but that's fine. I'm a big MJ fan and you can see the sweat/dirt stains on his glove he donated! How cool is that?!

I got a chance to take the tour. I highly recommend. The tour guides were very friendly, extremely knowledgeable and fun to be with. Such incredible history!

As a huge Motown Music fan I was enthralled to visit this museums not only is the music inspirational but the sheer success of building this business and many stellar artist’s careers is truly exemplary of the American Dream.
This museum is a must see for the business acumen even if (gasp, impossible!) someone isn’t a fan of the genre.

Enjoyable Music History lesson in Detroit- tour guide was great . Ubered from hotel although there appeared to be street parking . Browsed the gift shop. Saw a short 15 min film . Toured the home of Berry Gordy and the Snake Pit. Mostly enjoyed doing the My Girl Dance with the group !

I grew up just outside of Detroit and brought my daughter in from Atlanta (where we live). Aaron was an excellent tour guide and sang many songs for our added experience. He really took his time to show us everything and gave everyone extra attention. Please take good care of him, as he is a valuable asset to your company.

What a let down! The $15 charge to walk through this old house was twice what it was worth. Twenty minutes of the one hour tour was taken up watching a video of how the black people who worked there were looked down upon. Very little of the video talked about the music.
Once the tour started we were taken upstairs to a room which was filled with photographs of people we didn't recognize but were part of Berry Gordy's family history. Again, not much about the music made there. In this room were very prominent displays of Oprah Winfrey, Nelson Mandela and Jesse Jackson; none of whom had anything to do with Motown music!
The only bright spot was seeing the studio where the magic happened. If you're looking to hear about the history of one of the greatest recording companies in the history of music, you will have to look elsewhere.

We've lived in Detroit for over 40 years and finally did a family, multigenerational trip to the birthplace of Motown Music. Our guide was super--she made everything come alive and you could feel the vibe. We were moved.
Photo opps inside are limited, so I strongly urge getting there yourself.

Visiting the Motown Museum was like stepping into history, into a world where music wasn’t just made—it was born. Walking up to Hitsville U.S.A., I felt a rush of excitement, knowing I was about to stand in the same space where legends like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and The Supremes once stood.
What made it even more special was knowing that Dave, my long time friend, had worked here. As I walked through the exhibits, I couldn’t help but wonder about the stories he had from his time here—the people he met, the little details only an insider would know. As I call him: "the whitest black man" I know due to his many loyal and dedicated years working there and truly showing his admiration and love for the musicians and co-workers he had.
Standing there, I felt connected—not just to the music, but to a time, a movement, and the people who made it all happen. It wasn’t just a museum; it was a feeling, a rhythm that still beats strong and will forever.

Really a gem of music history and fascinating culture of the city loved the whole place. Really a great part of Detroit and excited to see it. Hope expansion can occur. It would be great to see more and hear more.

Truly a gem. If you are a music lover or have interest to know more, this is worth a visit if you're in the area. Very cool place to visit.

Great tour guide. It was amazing walking through where so many greats were made. From beginning till the end i was glued to every word.

Decided to check this out when visiting Detroit. So worth it! It is a completely guided tour. I would have liked to have a little more time to read and explore on the second floor, but we had to keep the group moving. A ton of great musical history in this location. Check it out!

We lucked out with a delightful and loud enough to hear tour guide. Awesome. Waited for 4 years to
Go. One hour tour worthy of the money. Will be going again.

If you love music and history, this is a must stop. Currently, a guided tour takes you through two of the houses, so booking in advance or being flexible to wait to get in is recommended. The guide was amazing and knew the history and music. The original studio and several rooms are as they were in the 1960s. It felt like walking back in time. They are building a museum behind the houses that will be self guided. I will have to go back when it is completed; however, don't wait to go if you are in the area.

Such a shame that a place with so much history but can only host about 45 people for each tour that barely lasts an hour. Absolutely need to purchase tickets in advance.

There's a very limited amount of CURBSIDE PARKING available.

Absolutely no pictures or video throughout the residence and office. The only place that it is allowed is in Studio A. Our tour guide informed us it's because of "copyright". As a paying consumer, I would say show me where we can't find any of these pictures, vinyl covers on the internet these days?? So taking a picture of a 40 year old telephone switchboard or a 40 year old sofa or better yet a 40 year old candy machine is going to violate a copyright somewhere???

Motown executives should be ashamed of themselves for thinking the public would be dumb enough to fall for them standing behind copyright laws.

A must see destination in Detroit. One hour guided tour was amazing. Book tickets in advance online but if they are sold out you can go to the Museum that day to purchase walk-up tickets. They are on a first come first serve basis. I got there by noon and plenty of tickets left, but it was a weekday.

Wow! So blessed to step back in time to visit Hitsville USA and to do it on our 26th wedding anniversary! As a music educator and someone who loves Motown, this was definitely a bucket list item.
The tour guides were fantastic, too! They were knowledgeable, very articulate, and personable.
It truly brought tears to my eyes to be able to do this. We were actually in town for my father-in-law who was at Henry Ford Hospital. Thankful that we could go down the street for a special getaway.
Thank you to Berry Gordy and everyone in the empire that had a vision to make awesome music for all to enjoy for decades to come!

Thomas was our fabulous guide
thru this amazing museum. The film was exceptional. So much info packed into this piece of history.
We look forward to 2028 when the
huge addition is completed.

Visited with family and it was amazing to see! Interesting and historical. You can stroll through and see the recording studios and photos of Motown’s great musicians! Great souvenirs too! Must see!

Detroit, Michigan, is known as the Motor City, a reference to Henry Ford and the impact of the automobile industry on the community. Nashville, Tennessee, is known as the Music Capital of the World, a reference to the impact of country music on the community. So where does that leave Motown, which had a significant impact on Detroit and Nashville in particular and the world in general? Located at 2648 West Grand Boulevard in Detroit, near the New Center area, the Motown Museum or Hitsville USA was established in 1985 to preserve the legacy of the Motown Record Company and its founder Berry Gordy. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Michigan, the former photographers' studio was purchased by Gordy in 1959 and converted for use as the record label's administrative building and recording studio. Thousands of visitors pass through the building and stand in Studio A, where legendary recording artists such as Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, Lionel Richie, Gladys Knight, the Temptations and the Four Tops made their mark on the music industry and society. No other record company in history has exerted such an enormous influence on the style and substance of popular music and culture. Motown has recorded more than 180 No. 1 hit songs worldwide. My wife and I recently visited the famous Sun studio in Memphis where Elvis Presley, Waylon Jennings, Roy Orbison and Jerry Lee Lewis launched their iconic music careers. Visiting the Motown Museum is no less an awesome experience. See Studio A, Michael Jackson's black fedora and studded white right-hand glove, Gordy's upstairs apartment, costumes, photographs, posters, gold records and the 1877 Steinway & Sons Model D grand piano used by many musicians. My wife and I were in our 20s when the Motown sound commanded the nation's conscious so walking through Studio A and the Motown Museum brings back a lot of fond memories. You remember those songs and you can't stop from singing and dancing to the music. Any visit to Detroit wouldn't be complete without a tour of the Motown Museum.

We were so lucky to attend the Founder's Day Event. So amazing! The Museum is so well organized and the guides were so informative. We learned about the how these unknown artists were educated and what it took to make that Motown Sound!

First off if you go on a weekend, make sure to go online and make reservations . We were there during the week, but I did note that when I looked at website. Next no photographs until you are in studio A, do not even think of bringing out your phone for a text as you are told non stop, you are being watched . It is hard to enjoy with the non stop rules. I have toured museums around the world with less strickness than this one and constant reminder on the tour. We were there for the 12pm tour which last about 1.5 hours with the 20 min film. First off it is amazing to be in the house of music and where Motown began and know history, but this musem is filled with mostly photos and news stories, one items from Michael Jackson and one from the Supremes, and you will not get a chance to see them as you are moved along quite quickly, given just 5 minutes by yourseld to see the items. During the tour in an attempt to make it "fun" you are told to repeat what was just said and demanded to sing or atleast clap. Before entering each room, you are spoken to as a 1st grader on a field school trip as what NOT to do and of course the reminder that you are being filmed. Now once you finally get to Stuido A, the last thing you are told is you may take photos there, but are only given 1 minute. So you will learn alot of how Motown came to be and history but know that you will be spoken down to and feel like you are always being watched. It could have just been our guide.

What an cool, informative tour...my family loved it! Be aware that you are not allowed to take any photos other than outside and then at the very, very end when you go into Studio A. Well worth the trip and would suggest to all!

A must see for Motown lovers. You get a one hour tour with loads of information on how the music of Motown came to be. Barry Gordy was a genius. All the employees we interacted with were super friendly. Their love for the music is very apparent. I can't wait to see the expansion when it's finished.

This museum was outstanding, and the tour guide was excellent. It was amazing to tour the home of Barry Gordy, where all the great Motown acts were created and nurtured. Studio A, the recording studio in the home, was small but mighty. All the famous acts recorded there. A short film was so fun to bring back memories of the fabulous songs that Barry wrote and/or produced. Be sure to get tour tickets in advance as they sell out quickly. Apparently, they will be renovating the Museum and will have a large complex in the back that will have artist's artifacts and a café. Look for that in December 2026. Barry's home will still be there to tour as well.

This is a great tour. We had an excellent guide. I’m so glad this house was preserved! We really enjoyed this house!

The museum experience, guided tour, panel presentation by Motown songwriters and singers made the visit memorable. Plan ahead as this guided tour fills up. We had groups of UK tourist all weekend so two weeks ahead all the available tours were booked. We however decided to just chance it and drove up. We were lucky there were extra tickets from the tour group that were not being used and they sold it to us.

Great visit. Don't believe the on line site! Go early and you may still get tickets for that day. Escorted tour lasts about an hour.

Hit my heart strings in so many ways! Our tour guide Yvonne was amazing . Hey Barry you still have talent in Motown!

Heads up, you must have reservations to visit. Disappointed that they won’t let you visit without a tour. Was fooled by the Trip advisor ‘Duration’ as < 1 hr which implies it is self paced. Posting as we weren’t the only visitors who were turned away today.

Our visit to the Motown Museum was long overdue, and we enjoyed it thoroughly. Our guide Thomas (a 20-year-old student who is clearly destined for success) was outstanding and made our experience all the more memorable. It's a small place, and group size for the tour was appropriate. People were from all over, showing how universal music can be.

Enjoyed every moment at the museum. It was well done with a local Guide who is an incredible singer. It really brought into full light the history of Motown.

The Motown Museum is not only an amazing and fitting tribute to the legends that made their music here,it is also the story of founder Berry Gordy Jr. Lots of info about Mr. Gordy's background.inspiration.and business approach. The highlight of the tour,the fabled Studio A,was awe-inspiring. Words cannot adequately express all of the feelings,emotions,and memories that flooded over me as I stood in the same room that spawned so many great hits. Do yourself a favor and experience it for yourself. Our tour guide,Jordan, provided the perfect mix of information,trivia,and humor. He has a real passion for the museum (and a great set of pipes,by the way). I strongly suggest purchasing your tickets online in advance. I was able to park in the Henry Ford Hospital Garage.it cost $2.50 and is only about a 5 minute walk away.

This was a walk down memory lane of musicians indeed. Very well maintained. Clean. Visible security. Reasonable entrance fee. Gift shop a little pricey though.

Wonderful tour, so cool to see where the legends of Motown made their music. Well organized, best to get tickets in advance.

Very interresting visit of the legendarie studio where all the best soul singer recorded their timeless songs ! Visit in the past for the future !

If you are in the Detroit area this museum is not to be missed. Drive out of your way if needed to see it. We bought our tickets three weeks before our arrival. We had to change flights and were in a day later. They were very nice and gave us a choice of times the following day. The tour is just wonderful. The memorabilia is amazing. Everyone there is kind and obviously happy to work there. The tour guide was nice and loud so everyone could hear. I just can't give this museum enough stars!

What a nice tour through the Motown history. I learned a lot I didn't know. I loved seeing the movie at the beginning. One thing I would recommend is if you. have someone with you who does not do well in small spaces, this tour is not for them. I also think a lot of your experience will depend on your tour guide. Our guide was very nice but dry. We could hear the guide with the group behind us singing and having a great time. I think he would have been a better fit for us as we have a family member with ADHD and their attention span is not great. If you love Motown Music this is a must visit though!

We didn’t think we’d get a tour as they had been sold out online for weeks. But there were plenty of walk-in tours still available for the day.

Every person at the museum was warm and friendly. Tyra was an amazing tour guide. I felt like I’ve known her for years.

The history, fun facts, presentation - everything was so well done. We’ll have to come back after the expansion is finished.

Pretty awesome to get to be in the room where it happened!

We stood in the cramped beige lobby where future stars waited for their auditions. We peered into the sound booth where huge patches of linoleum have been worn away by engineers stamping their feet to the beat. We saw the Supremes’ gowns, Michael Jackson’s jewelled glove and the dollhouse apartment where Berry Gordy’s family lived while he was building his hit machine. And we wouldn’t have missed a thing. The tour felt a bit rushed, with the guide speaking so fast that I missed some of the narration, but the small space demands a tightly scripted visit. Don’t even think of dropping in without reserving three weeks in advance. The world is flocking here.

What a great experience to see where so many big entertainment STARS got their start in the music industry. We did this as a team outing for work - loved it!

This was a must do in Detroit. Be warned though. If you show up on a Saturday, you may have to kill some time before you get let in cuz its crowded. We arrived at 11 and the next available tour was at 1:30. But once 1:30 came it was heaven on earth. The tour guide was funny, informative and led us in a Temptations like singing of My Girl in the exact studio it was recorded in. It lasts about half hour or so and you learn so much about this great music. Loved every second.

This was a great look at the humble beginnings of the world-class Motown Records. Being able to stand in the same studio where so many great musicians created their music made my soul smile as just as wide as my face smile!

This was amazing and a big tick off my hubby's bucketlist! Everyone was really friendly and helpful. Monet provided our tour and was exceptional, wjst a voice thus girl has! Very worthwhile and try and see it before they complete the renovation in a few years.

We had a fabulous guided tour with Tyra! So much history and interesting facts to learn! The tours do sell out, I bought tickets online 3 weeks before we were to arrive in Detroit!

MY GIRL, DANCING IN THE STREETS, WHAT'S GOING ON?Ever wonder where they made that great music? Those songs that you can still sing along with, those songs that were a part of love and heartbreak, the music of a generation? Go to the MOTOWN MUSEUM in DETROIT, Mi! HITSVILLE USA!!It's where you will discover, relive and learn what made MOTOWN the center of the 'soul music' universe!
We were fortunate to have Jordan as our guide! He was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and a source of unending puns!
STUDIO A is where the magic happened 24/7! Go, learn, listen, experience. Take home a momento to match your new memories.
Don't forget to purchase tickets in advance, they sell out quickly. See ya there!

As one who lived through this Era of music, it was very interesting and authentic. The guide made the visit - full of interesting stories, had everyone singing and dancing with her.

OM...... I took my GREAT NIECE and my Two GREAT NEPHEWS .... We had a Ball... We enjoyed the whole tour ESPECIALLY the Sing a Long..

Music Mecca well worth the visit. Getting your tickets/tour before you go is a must. I loved being outside and taking the pics. Tour is overrated except for the Studio A. Surprised by the lack of memorabilia and I expected more homage to the Hall of Fame performers from the heyday. Seriously, they made a huge deal about the old candy machine. Could be so much better.

This museum is a great place to visit. My recommendation is to book the tickets way in advance. We purchased 10am tickets and by the time we got done, there was a sign that showed that all other tours were sold out.

It was very historic and gave an incredible overview what how Motown became what it was. Finally, going into Studio A, you honestly saw the actual equipment where some of the best recordings were made. They were not reproductions but the actual drum set that Marvin Gaye played on and the actual headphones that were used.

As a musician this was an awesome historical journey!

Parking was not as bad as I thought. It is on street parking, but it seems to be very safe and we had no problem finding a spot near by!

If you have any interest in music, than you definitely should visit this museum. It’s amazing how much knowledge these young tour guides have.

Brazil (Brasil) gave a great tour of the iconic Motown Music museum and the rise of Motown Music in the city. He interjected humor, emotion and enthusiasm for each of the areas and for the people who had the vision to make Motown a significant part of the music of America.

First off, I want to say, order your tickets in advance! We must have had a Motown guardian angel, as we arrived before 4pm, were able to buy four tickets and we just barely got in for the last tour that started at 5. People came after us, and were turned away. This is a popular place that requires pre-planning. The tour is intimate (maybe 30 people in it), and it's tight quarters. Cool gift shop, and the music is the music we all know and love. Our tour guide was amazing, and she did not suffer fools. She kept us moving, but her speech never felt canned. Without giving away the whole tour, you see cool items from Motown's past, and learn of its' history, and important role in the civil rights movement. My kids (ages 10 and 14) were not familiar with all of the Motown hits but enjoyed learning about the history just the same. As you go through the building, you think about what was created here, who stood in the room at one time or another. I got chills. Just a gem of a tour. If you are in the Detroit area, make time to visit. It was hot as blazes while we waited our turn to go in, but the museum has covered seating outside. Great photo opp outside as well. There is also an food truck stationed near the museum that sold ice cream and cold drinks. We lucked out to find a parking spot very close to this, but you need to allow time as parking seems like it could be a challenge. Worth the time to take this tour.

Buyer Beware. We had purchased 8 tickets online costing $136 to attend Sunday Oct 27, at 12pm. We got delayed due to a traffic accident. The manager told us there are no refunds for showing up late, no matter what the reason. We asked for rain checks for a future date, and once again we were told no. Total ripoff!

Really great unexpected tour. When you drive up it does not look like much but when you actually experience the history behind all of the fantastic music that came out of this small group of homes, it is well worth it. Try and get Jordan as your tour guide, he was excellent. I would recommend going to the earliest tour. Parking was easy since we went in late November.

It was fascinating and very enjoyable. The people working there were super nice. Do get your tickets in advance. to avoid confusion and disappointment.

WOW!! Bucket list item complete! I was SO disappointed when we arrived in Detroit (first time) and I went on-line to reserve tickets. We had planned on 3 days in Detroit, and tickets were sold out for 2 solid weeks!! I had been planning this trip for MONTHS!! How could I forget to pre=purchase tickets for the ONLY thing we HAD to do in Detroit? Well, after licking my wounds, I decided we should at least drive by and see if we could snap some photos. We actually found street parking right in front of the museum and got out, There were many people sitting, dancing, walking- just like a community hanging out. Everyone was friendly! There was a security guard. Well, I will ask anyone anything, so I got his attention, started my “woe-is-me” saga and he interrupted my story and said, “Ma'am. We are sold out online, but we always save some tickets for walk-ups. Go inside and see if there are any left.” I excitedly approached the desk and was told, yes, there were tickets for the day, but the next time wasn’t until 3:30 (it was 2:45). Well yes, I WILL wait!! SO excited and TOTALLY worth it!! It was the most entertaining, interactive museum tour we have ever had. The guides are FABULOUS and MAKE you have fun!! Thanks, guys, for helping me get another check off many bucket list!!

Motown was just 6 when I moved to Detroit. What a rich, interesting 54 years of music and drama and change over those years. (This year was the 60th birthday of Motown).

Make sure to get your tickets ahead of time——some folks were unable to get on the tour as it was fully booked. It’s a don’t-miss experience. Remarkable that so much extraordinary music came out of this relatively small recording space.

RESPECT! Some of the staff were EXTREMELY rude to the youth. Tours sell out rapidly. The lawn and the area on the outside is really nice and great to take pictures.

This is truly the best place we visited on our visit to Detroit. The neighborhood seemed a little sketchy, but not too bad. There is no parking for the museum, so you have to drive around looking for a near by spot. Luckily we found one a couple of house up the street. We bought reserved timed tickets online. The tour is short only about 45 mins. The tour takes you through about 2 houses, of the iconic Hitsville USA buildings. Both upstairs and downstairs. I love Motown so this was such a special place to be in. Especially the main recording room where it all went down for most hits. The highlight was them playing and singing My Girl in the exact same studio where it was originally recorded. OH SUCH A TREAT.

Fortunately, I purchased our tickets online well in advance of our vacation trip that included the Detroit area. The only way to visit the museum is via a guided tour at a specified time, so we reserved the earliest tour time (10:00) we could. Reserving an early time may also be important since there is no dedicated parking for the museum and the only available parking is on a fairly busy thoroughfare not too far from downtown Detroit. (Google maps shows a convenient parking lot adjacent to one of the museum buildings, but this lot is apparently owned by a funeral home on the other side of the lot and signs at the parking lot warn that the cars of non-funeral home patrons will be towed.) Because the entire facility is small and fairly cramped, each tour can only accommodate about 25 or so people. Our tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable and answered all questions effortlessly. Included in the tour is a short video presentation, as well as a visit to the famous (and extremely small) Studio A, where all pre-1972 Motown songs were allegedly recorded. The tour itself lasted only an hour or so and no photographs are allowed, except for a limited few in the studio itself. Although a significant expansion of the museum is apparently in the works, the quality of a visit to the museum is diminished by how small and cramped the facilities are and the short duration of the tour. The gift shop is especially tiny; I had expected to spend maybe 30 minutes there, but it took less than five to view everything available. Hopefully, when the expansion of the museum is completed, visitors can spend a more comfortable and leisurely visit enjoying this slice of music history.

Great experience, definitely worth visiting and only takes an hour. Some wonderful stories and exhibits for those that love the music

Historical Building! So much Talent and Music was made in this Building. The Temptations, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Miracles and The One and Only Berry Gordy!

Wonderful museum with knowledgeable talented guides and people who work there. Kind pleasant Happy atmosphere

Hitsville USA was a wonderful trip down memory lane of the music of my youth. Our tour guides, Yvonne and Tanisha, were very knowledgeable and enthusiastic!! The best part was going into the studio where all of the great Motown music was recorded! Such a small space; such a huge sound!

This was one of my favorite experiences in three weeks I spent in Detroit. They are taking great precautions during the pandemic. They take everyone's temperature. They have you fill out a form to ask about symptoms. If you have an iPhone you do it from your device. For Android users you fill out a paper form then they take your pen to sanitize.

The tour is guided by a knowledgeable tour guide. It starts with a video and then you visit the picture gallery, Barry's apartment and the Motown Studio A, where so many hits were created. I love they allow you to take photos at every section of the tour.

This is a must see destination if you are visiting the city for the first time.

We didnt have tickets, so we called to inquire about entry. We were told to arrive at 9am to get in. There were 10 of us, and four there when we arrived at 9am. After waiting an hour they opened and said they only had 4 tickets available for the day, 2 at 10:30 and 2 at 1:30. I wish they advised us that the possibility of entering without a ticket was slim to none, so we wouldn't have wasted our time. Don't go if you don't have tickets

Not as good as"" Muscle Shoals" Tour but OK. The funeral home next door let me park in front of his place , nice guy. Parking is on the street. Would like to have heard some of the music recorded their and some picking on the piano. Just talk.The guide at Muscle Shoals played the organ Aretha Franklin used on," I never Loved a Man" , he also played the piano used by Leon Russel Tight Rope,Skinner played" Give me three steps". On and on Sholes was outstanding. Motown, expected more concedering the music that came out of the studo.

Joyously presented info on the greatest musical movement in America! Thomas was our guide through the museum, full of fun facts to treasure including the echo chamber he skillfully demonstrated (must try to believe). A Detroit must-see and something everyone should experience. Peace and love through music.

Located on a main road and parking is extremely limited (street parking). The funeral home next to it has parking but the would not let us park there.

As a long-standing fan of Motown, this was at the top of my list to visit. What a great experience! The guides are wonderful and they help to bring the history alive. Oh, there’s Michael Jackson’s glove and hat. There is where the Supremes and Stevie and all the other legends recorded. So much talent and Detroit pride!

I have been several times and never disappointed. The guides are funny and informative. I learned things about Motown music and Detroit that I never knew...and I grew up there. Plan ahead because their tours book up quickly. Thanks, Motown Museum!

Yes it's tiny, yes the tour is short, but YES it's hallowed ground and worth the time to check it out! Granted, there's only so many thing can be done in a couple thousand square feet. But the climax of standing in Studio A is an insane almost holy experience! Do be aware, you need a reserved time to get on a tour, we didn't know and thank the lord they made some special accomidations, which I don't think can happen often due to tour size.... Thank the Lord they did!

Very interesting and fun and the right pace overall. Unfortunately, the tour guide spoke so quickly I missed a lot of what she said though she did sing well. The gift shop was quite pricey.

A lot of people, not familiar with the area, will come here expecting a huge edifice, much like the R&R HOF in Cleveland. Its not that. Its only 2 Bldgs- but its set to expand.That being said- This place is top notch. I am from Detroit. I took 15 of my old Air Force buddies in town for a reunion to Motown. They all loved it. Tour takes about 45 minutes or so- Guides are knowledgeable. You can feel the "ghosts" of the greats that recorded here

This is truly a unique museum. Set in two small houses on a residential street, the museum preserves the original living space and recording studio used by Berry Gordy, the founding genius of Motown music - from 1959-1972. In this space, all the big names and sounds of that genre gathered to rehearse, tweak and record their song: Temptations, Four Tops, Supremes, Marvelettes, Stevie Wonder...It is truly incredible to think it all took place here. The museum preserves all this in its original condition, and offers an excellent guided tour. Well worth a visit.

We took some time today to visit this Detroit landmark. So glad we finally went!! Great tour. Our tour guide was Carolyn. She was fabulous!! We could really feel the emotion in the building. It's about an hour long tour. The building is small so tour groups are small as well. Definetly a muss see!!

We came for the 10 am tour with Peggy. there were about 10 in our tour. the next tour at noon had at least 2 dozen, so get there early. Parking is on the street, not at the funeral home. Peggy was outstanding, singing motown hits along the way. It was like walking in memory lane, seeing where all these songs were made was pure magic.

A nostalgic feeling was felt like you were back in time with Motown greatest music artists while touring the Motown Museum! It was so captivating and felt so surreal!! I am proud of Detroit and would highly recommend making this visit a #1 place to visit while in Detroit. The tour guide was phenomenal! His name, Jarod.

I learned the hard way that you should book in advance, online. We arrived at opening time (10AM on a Sunday) and it was full, the soonest ticket we could get was 1:00P so we had to kill a few hours and come back. This is a small museum but there's a lot of cool stuff to see so it's worth your time if you have any interest at all in Motown music.

It was just fantastic to walk in the steps of the Motown greats, hear the history and see where the music was produced.

Great historical (and fun) experience. Highly recommend! Tour guide was knowledgeable, studio A is so nostalgic. Great job Motown!

We totally enjoyed the tour. Jordan did a great job informing us of all of the things in the museum. He kept it very lively. It is best if you get your tickets in advance. The tours fill up quickly.

If you love Motown music there will be a lot to see when you enter this unpretentious building. It is hard to believe that so many of the great names we associate with music from this era started here in this building

Wow, walked in the foots steps of great musicianship. Great tour. And great to be able to see whet it all starts.

Don’t miss this tour if you’re in the Detroit area. It is well worth it. Area is very safe with security on the grounds however parking can be a challenge. There is plenty of side street parking across the road. Our tour guide, Roy, was excellent, answered our many questions and even gave us a dance lesson! Best to buy your tickets ahead of time or you’ll have to wait to get in.

This is a place worth visiting if in Detroit. Just to learn and see the evolution of Mr. Gordy's legacy was mind-blowing.
Jordan, our tour guide, was phenomenal. He kept it interesting, including everyone in our group in his interactions. Loved loved loved it. Definitely give the museum a 10/10 and Jordan a 5 star rating!

Absolutely phenomenal experience, without a doubt one of the best museum tours I have ever been on. You can feel the history as you walk the same footsteps taken by the likes of Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Diana Ross.

The tour guide Jordan was incredibly entertaining, and despite the fact it was a pretty large tour group, he made every single individual person welcome and part of the experience - including me for not having a clue who T-Pain is (apparently, I should know this). The singalong at the end ensures that you leave with a smile on your face. If you're in the city, you HAVE visit this place.

Visited from Scotland, and was without a doubt one of the highlights of my trip to Michigan!

Great tour of the history of Motown, You must book a tour as there is no access without it. The house is still decorated with MCM furniture of the era. The music was recorded in the basement and the studio is still intact.

Everyone can judge for themselves but at my age-this brought back so many memories. They are strict but I agree with that. Follow the rules is ok with me. When
you enter they describe events and pictures from the 1960's and 70's. The music is
playing an assortment of Motown hits. Check out candy machine (Stevie Wonder) loved the payday bars (10 cents). Also saw a cigarette machine-the memories! Tour guide Jordan was cleaver and very knowledge. Detroit visit has 20% off coupon but only for
in person purchase. Tours run every 30 minutes. You can also purchase online and they have a senior discount. Ramp, elevator, or steps are choices. I loved the old telephones, typewriters, switchboard, and speakers. Barry started the record label but in 1972 moved his company to California to expose his singers to TV and movies. Photos are permitted in studio A and outside. They are creating a big new visitation center in 2021. Recommended for adults not small children

Nice story of the great artists that flourished ion the Detroit area. Soul, rhythm and blues, and motown jazz are just the beginning in this awesome, but small, but mighty museum. Take a stroll back in time, and visit and pay homage to some great musicians from days gone by .

You really can't get enough of this subject matter. Motown was awesome, Reflecting on it was so enjoyable. Jordon our guide was very enthusiastic and can really sing. It is worth a visit

We had an amazing tour with Maria. You have to plan ahead for this; guided tours only. There’s a great intro movie and you hear a lot of how it all started. The tour included the apartment where Barry Gordy lived when he first started the business and the original studio…if those walls could talk, oh the history they’ve seen made.
Parking is a challenge. They do not have their own lot and street parking is the luck of the draw.

This is a must see museum for everyone race. We really enjoyed ourselves. The museum is full of history from Smokie Robertson to Michael Jackson.

We traveled from Cleveland to visit the Detroit Motown Museum and we’re disappointed in that the next tour available was 2 1/2 hours from the time of our arrival. You are unable to make Reservations for the tour online and only allowed to see the museum through a tour. We were allowed to visit the small gift shop and due to other commitments later in the day we were unable to wait the 2 1/2 hours to take the hour long tour.

Awesome tour from beginning to end! The tour guide was awesome with a great voice and made everything so interesting. Not one dull moment.

What a place to learn about the history of Motown!
It was informative, interesting and dynamic.
Remember to get tickets online, before you go!

Our guide, Stefan, was fantastic as he explained the life and entrepreneurship of Berry Gordy . Many pictures, album covers and memorabilia of the Motown era. We also saw the recording stage and learned steps made famous by the Temptations as we sang “My Guy”.

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.

A must see in Detroit! Being able to see and feel the energy inside was truly amazing! Learning about these Motown artists and their lives was really special. Our tour guide was hilarious and knowledgeable and we enjoyed him so much! I love how they change out the displays every 6 months too so you don't go back and have the exact same experience. Gift shop is way overpriced but I figure the money goes to a good cause, and bc I was born in this city, it has my heart for life! 🥰

A true historical music experience. All tours are guided but thoroughly entertaining and informative. The tour is approximately one hour in length. The tour leaders are full of energy and really make the tour. The last stop in the tour is amazing but won't ruin the surprise. Some great gems to see and experience. Admission is more than fair. Parking can be a challenge on a busy day!

The museum is guided tours only, and the guide was knowledgeable and good at communicating the subject. 4 stars because it felt that there could have been a bit more content and time to examine the displays.

The Motown Museum lives up to most of the other reviews, and then some! If you get the chance, make sure you check out this place. However, make sure you make a reservation well in advance, especially if you have limited time to visit. We were lucky enough to get a time slot for the next day, but most people reserve much earlier.
Our tour guide, Carolyn, made an excellent tour even better with her knowledge, enthusiasm and just plain energy!!! Hopefully, you'll be lucky enough to get her as your guide if / when you go.

Great music,great guide. Tour group size could have been a bit smaller. Get tickets in advance our you will have to wait line.

What a great place. We had the best tour guide, Carolyn she was funny and knew her stuff. Would definitly recommend going here

Starting this review with a shout out to Jordan!
The Museum is a one hour guided tour, in which ours was a hilarious guy who really knew his stuff on the Museum. There's so much packed into so little and I learned a lot about the history of Music in Detroit, really worth it.

This is the definition of a hidden gem! Do not miss this place. The amazing place it has in history. It tells a fascinating story of music, entertainment and civil rights.

What a treat! We learned a lot and our tour guide, Chris, was so great! Chris was so knowledgeable and he seemed to really enjoy his job! He sang and kept our attention the entire tour! I learned so much, and would suggest this tour for adults. We didn’t travel with kids, but I would assume small kids would be bored. There isn’t anything interactive for them and a lot of things you can’t touch.

The tour guide was great and it was a fast tour with about 2 dozen people. Got to learn the back story of how it started and really enjoyed the video that set the mood for the rest of the tour. Buy Your Tickets Online and Print them before you go.

If you are planning to visit Motown Museum you should read all of the info on the website and:
1) purchase your tickets online in advance. We did not have tickets and were not able to get in to the museum. Disappointing. Without a ticket you can only visit the gift shop.
2) picture taking is not permitted inside the museum, signs are posted and security will remind you
3) If you have tickets for the tour it is staff directed not self guided
4) parking is as you can find it in the neighborhood, no designated parking lot for the museum
I gave my review 4 stars because I have been a fan of Motown and the artists since Hittsville began. I was privileged to see the original Temps, Smokey and the original Miracles and Little Stevie Wonder and others "back in the day" when they were beginning their history making careers. Being able to go inside the building where it all began and to see some of the original posters and pictures was a joy! Outside there was a DJ blasting Motown "oldies" with a singer who had to read the lyrics that I was singing from from memory. It was great to visit Motown but don't take a chance on purchasing tickets at the door if you want the Motown tour experience.

This museum was so much fun and we learned so much about the birth of MOTOWN. The tour is not only educational but so much fun. We all sang and were taught the Temptation dance. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly. Definitely recommend.

The new building with the visitors centre and cafe is due to the completed in 2026.
This tour was led by Calvin, who is mentioned regularly here. An excellent and enthusiastic guide. There's an intro, a 16 minute film from the late 80s/early 90s, then a walk through Hitsville USA, finishing in Studio A where all the hits were made. So atmospheric.
It was very good but could be better. With the extra space, maybe costumes/displays from the other artists from Motown. The only real items on display were Michael Jackson's fedora and glove. Lots of gold discs though.
We didn't book in advance, but just turned up on the day and took a chance. Fortunately, we got on the next tour. Tours every 30 minutes.