Hands-on science, Flint history, and vehicle museum

Sloan Museum of Discovery

About six road miles south in the Flint Cultural Center

Extend a Crossroads Village day with hands-on science, Flint and Genesee County history, early-childhood play, a maker space, and rare historic vehicles.

The place

About Sloan Museum of Discovery

Sloan Museum of Discovery is a 107,000-square-foot hands-on science and history museum in the Flint Cultural Center. It reopened in 2022 after a major expansion and contains four permanent interactive galleries plus a 6,000-square-foot traveling-exhibit gallery.

Discovery Hall covers earth and physical science through a Great Lakes water table, a two-story earth climber, a weather station, and the Discovery Lab maker space. Hagerman Street is a child-sized neighborhood for ages 0-6. The History Gallery interprets Flint and Genesee County, while the Durant Vehicle Gallery displays rare vintage and concept vehicles.

Regular public hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday noon-5 p.m.; Monday is generally closed except selected school-break dates. Current planning guidance lists out-of-county general admission at $15 ages 12-59, $12 seniors and college students, and $10 ages 2-11; children under two and several qualifying groups are free. Special traveling exhibits can cost extra.

The entire museum is wheelchair accessible. Two wheelchairs are available free at the north entrance, which has an ADA ramp, and a family restroom near the lobby includes an adult changing table. Free parking is in the north lot off Robert T. Longway Boulevard.

What stands out

Experiment in Discovery Hall

Use the Great Lakes water table, weather station, earth climber, and hands-on physical-science exhibits.

Build in Discovery Lab

Make, invent, and design with weekly activities and supplies included with museum admission.

Follow Flint's changing story

Explore interactive local history from Indigenous trade through industry, labor, war production, and current community voices.

Compare transportation eras

Move from Crossroads' narrow-gauge train and village trades to Sloan's carriages, vintage automobiles, and concept vehicles.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in a Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad trip

Sloan is about six road miles from Crossroads Village. Treat the train departure or seasonal gate cutoff as the fixed appointment, and place the museum before or after it with enough driving margin; the two venues do not share admission.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • HoursTuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday noon-5 p.m.; generally closed Monday
  • Out-of-county admission$15 ages 12-59; $12 seniors and college students; $10 ages 2-11; under two free; verify before travel
  • Free general admissionGenesee County residents with ID, active military families, veterans, active teachers, members, and children under two
  • Included galleriesDiscovery Hall, Hagerman Street, History Gallery, Durant Vehicle Gallery, and maker space
  • Traveling exhibitsMost special traveling exhibits are not included in general admission
  • AccessibilityEntire museum wheelchair accessible; two loan wheelchairs, north-entrance ADA ramp, and adult changing table
  • ParkingFree north lot off Robert T. Longway Boulevard
  • Quieter timingSchool groups are busiest September-mid-June from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; after 2 p.m. or weekends may be quieter

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Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

When is Sloan Museum open?

Regular hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday noon-5 p.m. Monday is generally closed except selected school-break dates.

How much is general admission?

Current planning guidance lists $15 ages 12-59, $12 seniors and college students, and $10 ages 2-11. Children under two are free; verify live pricing before travel.

Who receives free general admission?

Genesee County residents with ID, active military members and immediate family, veterans, active teachers, members, and children under two are listed as free.

Are special exhibits included?

General admission covers the four primary galleries and maker space. Most special traveling exhibits have separate admission.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The entire museum is accessible, with an ADA ramp, two free loan wheelchairs, and a family restroom with an adult changing table.

Is parking free?

Yes. Use the north main lot off Robert T. Longway Boulevard.

How long should I allow?

The museum recommends roughly one to two hours, but families using all hands-on areas may want longer.

When is it quieter?

School groups are busiest from September through mid-June between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. After 2 p.m. or weekends may be quieter.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-24. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.