Wheelchair-accessible car park
Yes
Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan in Alpena
Categories
Location on the map
Alpena, Alpena County, Michigan, US
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Yes
Amenities
Good for kids
Yes
Phone: +1 989-356-2202
Site: http://www.bessermuseum.org/
Site: http://www.bessermuseum.org/
Opening hours
- Monday:Closed
- Tuesday:10AM–5PM
- Wednesday:10AM–5PM
- Thursday:10AM–5PM
- Friday:10AM–5PM
- Saturday:10AM–5PM
- Sunday:Closed
Comments (122)
There are so many exhibits at this museum. The local artist gallery is in constant rotation, and beautifully showcases a wide selection of artists. There is a wildlife exhibit downstairs that is well kept. The exhibits and individual displays are well labeled and include a wealth of interesting information. There is a fossil hunting site outside in the back. Fun for all ages. Several hiking paths as well as paved walkways showcase historic structures. Could easily spend the afternoon taking it all in. The staff is friendly and well informed.
Wonderful place to go on a rainy day when you’re camping! Kids hung around for well over an hour. Could have spent all day in the fossil yard.
We had a really great time here. The size and amount of things to look at surprised us. Well worth the look
My children and I LOVE this museum! I cant even name a favorite part because I love it all. My children have so much fun finding fossils in the fossil park and my mother enjoys the amazing abundance of taxidermy on the lower level. Its a shame that many items in the gift shop are made in China, but other than that one complaint, we are thrilled about everything else!
There is always something new and exciting at the Besser Museum. We try to go on the free afternoon they offer each week. The trails are always a hit as is the rock area outside. Of course, the taxidermy is amazing and appeals to kids and adults of all ages. So much to see and do!
Great, small community, museum. Check out the planetarium and then browse the exhibits. It has a little of everything... Art gallery, local history of Alpena, Native American history, Great Lakes fishing and shipping history, and an extensive taxidermy exhibit in the lower level. Be sure to stroll out back and visit the fishing boat exhibit, fossil quarry, nature garden, and old buildings. I applaud the curators and community support for putting together such nice cultural exhibits; Northern Michigan doesnt have many places like this. The cost is reasonable too.
Its a Museum whats not to love. Have a nice planetarium room and the history inside and out of the Museum is great we loved going threw the old town buildings out back, and down stairs that you can get to by elevator if needed is wonderful thats where the animals are sad but very fascinating. Wonderful polite staff that makes it all even better.
Nice museum with a variety of displays. Dont forget to visit the stuff outside in the back.
The astronomer guy is very nice and funny. Really liked the native things.
This is a great place for anyone; any age! The kids love it and so do the parents :) I especially loved the Fossil Park, Avenue of Shops, Great Lakes Fish Exhibit, the Foucault Pendulum and all of the great rotating art galleries. Right now they are exhibiting Salvador Dalis work of Dantes Divine Comedy. They say this museum is 3 Museums in One and I believe it...all of the exhibits ranged from art to history to science.
This was a small museum but it packs a punch! The price couldn’t be beat and it helped us beat a rainy day on our vacation in Alpena! The downstairs was full of taxidermy and not just your typical animals! There were tons of them!!! My only word of caution is the glass wall surrounding the old car! And only because my 11 year old was so excited to see the gas pump that she ran right into it because she didn’t see the wall. It was quite hilarious because she is tiny and literally bounced off of it! There IS a clear wall there!!! It’s a museum I think many others would enjoy!
This is a wonderful small museum. It takes you back in time to the history of Alpena. A must do before you start to explore the region. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. Provided me with a lot of useful information, must places to visit during my stay.
So much more to look at them youd think! The woman at the front desk was so sweet,friendly and very informative!
I especially love the fact that so much of the museum is devoted to honoring our veterans. The other items in the museum mostly honor those who have been lost at sea and the ships of the Great Lakes. There is a glass bottom boat or you can go out and see one of the ship wrecks.
If you havent been here then your life is probably really boring. I personally like the planetarium except for the fact that they keep doing the same space tour thing. I also really like that right now they are selling astronaut ice cream (dehydrated ice cream bars). If you havent been to this place you should go, and even if you dont like any of the art there, they have many other activities for both parents and children. This place is a great way to get away from your troubles that you are having at the time. They also have lots of places that you can buy stuff. Go there. Have fun. Be happy.
My Son & I loved exploring the Besser Museum! I think people of any age would enjoy the exhibits. And to top it off the gift shop wasnt horrible either :)
Fun stop with a great local museum and a state of the art planetarium.
Awesome. Alpena city band display was terrific!
For a small museum, it is jam packed full of history, exhibits, and beautiful art. I learned a lot while my husband and I were there, especially because were new to the area. Cant wait to go back, Im sure Ill learn more.
Nice museum for all including kids. Cost to enter and cost for the astrology show.
First time visiting. Totally worth it if you have children and or you were just an adult that would like something to do on an afternoon. Very reasonable prices to get in, must have visit the planetarium while you are there.
Very nice museum. They have a lot of information on local history, with many beautiful photos of what the area used to look like. There is also a small artist area where local art can be viewed and/or purchased.
Very impressive! Very Professional and Knowledgeable. Would highly recommend to everyone! Great Atmosphere.
Very informative with some amazing displays. Can wait to go during the summer months so we can look around outside. Extremely family friendly.
Nice local museum, I liked the 1911 flyer car on display
I grew up in alpena took my daughter there for the 1st time along with one of her local friends. We all really enjoyed it, hopefully the planetarium is during one of our trips home.
Enjoying a wonderful early morning Blue Super Moon Total Eclipse with activities, coffee, donuts, friends and community members. Thank you to the Besser Museum for hosting such great events!
Great museum! Local art, gift shop, and a lot of local history dating back centuries. Great for kids as well as adults
This is an amazing little museum of local heritage and has some cool old cars and a nice display of local animals. Wonderful exhibition in summer with old school house and home in back from 1800s.
It was very cool. Except they keep chains and locks on back door to keep people out of the outdoor exhibit, could be an issue if the building needs to be evacuated.
It was exciting to see and learn some stuff about our skies at the planetarium. And to see all the ither history there.
Native american cultural artifacts are extensive. Some good examples of modern art too
Its small, but packed full of cool and interesting things, def worth checking out. Great for a family day out
Besser Museum is amazing, and always changing, so if you havent been in awhile, check it out. Recently we took friends from out of town to visit the museum and they loved it!
Log Canin Days was fun. My kids loved the Planetarium and the animal displays. Really old and interesting stuff
Very nice museum, we enjoyed it! Reasonable prices too! A must see when you visit Alpena!
Fun little museum. We went in the winter so couldnt see the outside exhibits but still found a lot of interesting stuff.
Good, arrow heads
Really cute museum and the planetarium show was terrific!
I only go here to play pokemon go cause its the best spot in town for it. And they welcome us players, we appreciate it a lot!
Awesome. My 5 year old loved searching for her very own fossils! Staff was helpful and welcoming.
The staff are extremely nice, and the building is clean and well kemp.
Great museum for such a small town. The exhibits are really nice and well thought out.
Only been here once but really enjoyed it. I can just stare at artifacts for hours and think about their story.
False advertising on flyers and ads. Not as spectacular over all as they play it up to be. Did enjoy the planetarium show though!
Learned some very interesting facts about a town we chose to discover. The staff were very friendly and went above and beyond.
Love to take my kids here. The planetarium is awesome.
Nice museum. The planetarium is a must! The gentlemen who does the shows is so knowledgeable and is truly passionate about what he does.
Interesting history of the Alpena area, both natural and places. Affordable for the family.
Fascinating place. Good local history. Curious about the animal display because it contained many not from Michigan.
Great spot to take the family. Our children really enjoyed digging for fossils.
Great place to take the kids. The planetarium staff is very patient with toddlers.
Make sure you check out the planetarium. So informative!
Great wildlife exhibits downstairs
Very interesting museum with a variety of very nice exhibits.
So much to see and do. And an awesome price. Veterans get in free. Love it.
They had a little of everything to see!Very nice....
Awesome place! Loved the fossil area.
Great educational tool...fascinating museum for all ages
This place was great loved the old city of Alpena recreated downstairs
Very fun place to visit for all ages and very historical
Took my grandson. Lots to look at. Very interesting afternoon.
Excellent displays, northern Michigan history, kid friendly
Great museum on Alpena history
Always has interesting events! Great staff
Great museum for local history!
Cute little museum. Not much different than when I was a kid.
It was donated to the museum and was imbarassed with all the cobwebs and not clean.
Great stop to spend a couple hours... Lots of interesting taxidermy...
Friendly staff. Great place to play Pokemon go
Great informative museum.
Excellent very much enjoyed our visit.
Lots of interesting local history and a lot of native American artifacts.
Awesome place, great information , updated planetarium
So much Pokemon Go stuff, gyms and stops close together even
Art History and Science....all in one place! Magnificent
Great museum!
The Christmas decorations are beautiful
Great place to learn about the Alpena community.
Awesome place, good times!
Very nice place to go the staff is very nice and very helpful
Wonderful place. A must see.
I love the Christmas display!
Awesome place to take the family.
A wonderful jewel in a small community.
It is ok no one really helps you
Early European history of North Eastern Michigan
Educational and interesting place to visit
Very interesting ! Love it!
Fun trip
So interesting and fun.
Very nice 🙂
Great passion by the staff!
Great museum!
Loved it!
Really good plantertariom
Outstanding family environment
Loved it
A must stop when in town.
Very educational!
Great museum.
Great area history
Fall Harvest Days
Neat place,
Highly recommend
Planetarium was awesome
Very interesting.
Allways fun
Cool museum
Great place
Amsone things ^.^
Interesting
Total reviews rating 4.7
122 Reviews for Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan 2023:
Review №1
2021-08-09Kids love it here. Every year when we visit from out of state Besser Museum is requested. Each visit seems to spur the imagination in a new way. The Planetarium is fun and a great distraction.
Review №2
2019-06-29Went here for the late summer evening hours. Lots of interesting facts about Alpena and Michigan iin general. Im not much for museums but I liked this one. We went to the planetarium. Jonathan was wonderful. Very informative. He showed us the sky and how to find a few things. Then we saw the space Apollo missions. Really enjoyed it. Recommend
Review №3
2019-10-08I wish I had had the time to actually come in and visit the museum, but I will definitely do that next time. Getting the pictures of the Eagle head was great! Thank you!
Review №4
2021-06-24Nice little museum with friendly staff. We especially enjoyed the Native American section and modern art.
Review №5
2022-02-21So much fun! The local artwork was fabulous and the environment was so much fun! Friendly, knowledgeable staff! We will be returning!!
Review №6
2020-02-22From historical collections, to currently themed art shows, the Besser Museum and planetarium is great! The staff and directors have captured new and old to insure a visit there is inspiring or reflective. Great for travelers or locals.
Review №7
2018-08-17The planetarium got a new coordinator and so are doing more shows (now also on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday in addition to Saturday and Sunday). I was talking to the planetarium coordinator and he indicates that the planetarium can also do shows that explore geology and geography, shows that explore the human body, and live sky shows, in addition to what they already do. He indicated that he is working on developing Michigan Skies Live Fall, for September. Exciting!! I am looking forward to seeing more shows!
Review №8
2019-08-21Beautiful displays! Gift shop had lots of goodies.
Review №9
2021-12-18The planetarium was fantastic! A unique visual experience, orchestrated by knowledgeable patient staff! A must-go if you live near or at passing through!
Review №10
2021-09-01I loved this ❤ museum and planetarium. I loved the show in the planetarium and learned much about the area. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly. Well worth the stop. A must if you are in Alpena, Mi.