The Great Lakes Children’s Museum Gets a Shipwreck

Feb. 28, 2026

The Curiosity Place at the Great Lakes Children’s Museum has a brand-new exhibit. Over the last three months, the Maritime Heritage Alliance team and volunteers—who are tasked with maintaining the MHA’s fleet of tall ships and have created other exhibits for the museum in the past—have built a replica of a famous Lake Michigan wreck for youngsters to explore. The design is a smaller version of the ship (no spoilers—it’s a part of the experience to discover which one!) at the bottom of the Manitou Passage. When kiddos come aboard, they’ll be able to pretend to pilot the ship, try out their knot-tying skills, and learn about the effect of invasive species like quagga mussels on Great Lakes shipwrecks. Access to the exhibit is included with daily admission ($9 per person for ages one and up). Get tickets at greatlakeskids.org and visit the museum at 3200 W. South Airport Rd, Ste 420 inside Grand Traverse Mall.