FAQs
Q: What is the Ford Rouge Factory Tour?
A: The Ford Rouge Factory experience is comprised of a five-part tour which includes a driving tour of historic auto-related landmarks and
behind-the-scenes of the Rouge complex; a look at the history of the Rouge through historic video footage; a virtual reality theatre experience; a
walking tour of the factory’s "living roof"; and a walking tour above the actual final assembly area where Ford F-150s are
made.
Q: Are wheelchairs and strollers available/allowed on the Factory Tour?
A: All facilities are handicap accessible with rentals available on site for persons with special needs. Strollers and wheelchairs will be
provided at no additional cost.
Q: Can I drive directly there in my own vehicle?
A: Private vehicles are not allowed and tours are only accessible from scheduled buses which depart daily, exclusively from The Henry Ford.
Q: How early should I be at the bus stop?
A: All buses depart from the circle drive in front of Henry Ford Museum. Buses depart regularly throughout the day (Monday-Saturday) from
9:20am – 3:00pm. Buses are loaded on a first come first serve basis. Guests will be seated on the first available bus.
Q: Will I see production on the Ford Rouge Factory Tour?
A: Because production varies by vehicle demand, you may be touring the Dearborn Truck Plant when we are not building vehicles. Production
hours are inconsistent, and The Henry Ford does not control when trucks are being produced. While we cannot guarantee you will see the
assembly line in full operation, you will still be able to visit the assembly line area temporarily suspended in mid-operation. We will not
be building vehicles during daily breaks, shift changes, Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and during the first two weeks of July. Either way, the
tour offers unique experiences with full walking access above the factory assembly area.
Q: What will I see when final assembly is in production?
A: When final assembly is in production you will encounter a multi-sensory experience with heat and noise at more extreme levels as F-150s are in
final assembly below you.
Q: What will I see when final assembly is not in production?
A: Due to inconsistent production hours, you may be touring the Dearborn Truck Plant when we are not building vehicles. While we cannot
guarantee you will see the assembly line in full operation you will still be able to visit the assembly line area with operations suspended in
motion. Please remember the final assembly area is only one part of this five-part tour; all other parts of the
tour remain unaffected.
PROGRAM STATIONS AND LENGTH
 |
Bus trip from Henry Ford Museum to Ford Rouge Factory Tour Visitor Center: 20-30
minutes |
|
Legacy Theater – rare historic footage of Ford Motor Company and the Rouge plant: 13
minutes |
|
Art of Manufacturing Theater – multisensory look at modern vehicle production: 14
minutes |
|
Observation Deck – 80-foot-high overlook with focus on environmental features: variable
5–15 minutes |
|
Elevated Walkway in Dearborn Truck Plant – 1/3-mile walkway with informational computer
interactives and an overlook of the final truck assembly process: variable 30–45 minutes |
|
Legacy Gallery – historic-vehicle gallery and accessible new Ford F-150 truck: variable
5–15 minutes |
|
Bus trip from Ford Rouge Factory Tour Visitor Center to Henry Ford Museum: 20
minutes |
Q: Is photography permitted?
A: Photography and video recording are strictly prohibited in both theaters and the Dearborn Truck Plant. Photography is allowed in the
Legacy Gallery and Observation Deck.
Q: Are there places to eat at the Ford Rouge Factory Tour?
A: Currently there are no eating establishments at the Ford Rouge Factory Tour. If you are looking to dine during your visit, you can utilize the
Michigan Café at Henry Ford Museum. You do not need museum admission to dine at the Michigan Café.
Q: Do you need a Henry Ford Museum admission to go on the Ford Rouge Factory Tour or see a movie at the IMAX
Theater?
A: No, both the Ford Rouge Factory Tour and the IMAX Theater are accessible without entering the main floor of Henry Ford Museum.
Q: How long does it take to visit Henry Ford Museum? Greenfield Village? Ford Rouge Factory
Tour?
A: There is so much to see and do at the Henry Ford, there really is no set amount of time spent that will suit every visitor. We suggest
combo tickets and a multi-day, multi-venue ticket if you are interested in a “deep dive” into all of our exhibitions and programs.
However, you do not need much time at all to be inspired by our brand of History—a couple of well placed hours are all it takes for a great
visit. Our easy trip planner or our interactive venue maps (see the home page of this website) are a great way to get an overview. (If
you are visiting Ford Rouge Factory Tour, be sure to build in enough time for travel to and from the main campus of the Museum—count an extra
hour, ½ hour each way.)
Q: Do you need advanced reservations?
A: Advanced reservations are required for Groups of 15 or more and strongly recommended for the IMAX Theater. For smaller groups of guests
visiting The Henry Ford Museum or Greenfield Village, no prior reservations are necessary. Please purchase your IMAX tickets either on our
website or by calling our Call Center at (313) 982-6001. Group reservations must be made through our Call Center at the same number. The Henry
Ford Call Center is open 7 days a week, 9:00am to 5:00pm.
Q: How do we get to The Henry Ford?
A: The Henry Ford is located in Dearborn, Michigan on the
corner of Village Road and Oakwood Boulevard, just west of the Southfield Freeway (M-39) and south of Michigan Avenue (US-12).
The Henry Ford
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
Dearborn, MI 48124-5029
|
From the East or West via I-94:
Take I-94 to the Oakwood Blvd exit; go north on Oakwood. The Henry Ford is 2 ½ miles from the
exit on the corner of Village Rd and Oakwood Blvd
From the South via I-75:
Exit to northbound Southfield Freeway (M-39), drive 4.1 miles to Oakwood Boulevard (Exit 4). Left on
Oakwood and drive 1.8 miles.
From the North via Southfield Road (or I-96):
Take Southfield Freeway (M-39) South 4.5 miles past I-96 and exit at Michigan
avenue (Exit 6). Continue on the Southfield service drive (veer left) for .5 miles. At the first stop light, turn right onto Village Road (through
the iron gates) and drive 3/4 miles. |
Maps available in PDF |
Q: What are the hours of The Henry Ford?
Henry Ford Museum |
Open 7 days a week, 9:30am-5:00pm |
Greenfield Village |
January 1-April 14, 2013: Closed for the Winter Season
April 15-November 3, 2013: Open 7 days a week, 9:30am-5pm
November 8-December 1, 2013: Open Friday-Sunday, 9:30am-5pm
December 2-December 31, 2013: Closed. The Village is open select nights during December 2013 for Holiday Nights in Greenfield
Village. |
IMAX Theatre |
Open daily with extended hours. See showtimes |
Ford Rouge
Factory Tour |
Monday-Saturday, Open 9:30am–5:00pm
Buses depart every 20 minutes, 9:20am-3:00pm |
Benson Ford Research Center |
Tuesday-Friday, Open 9:30am–5:00pm |
The Henry Ford is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas days.
Ford Rouge Factory Tour, IMAX Theatre and Benson Ford Research Center will be closed for a private event on January 27, 2013.
Q: What is playing at IMAX? Is it general admission or reserve seating?
A: The current IMAX film schedule is accessible on the IMAX Theater portion of The Henry Ford website or by calling the IMAX information hotline at
(313) 271-1570. It is general admission, first come, first serve seating.
Q: Does the Henry Ford IMAX Theatre get every large screen (IMAX) film? Are all films in
3D?
A: The Henry Ford IMAX Theatre is the largest screen theatre in the region with 3D capability. We have the very latest in 2D / 3D film and
sound technology. You simply have not seen and heard a giant screen film until you have seen and heard it here! We select films based on
audience appeal and alignment to the mission of The Henry Ford, which means we do not select every IMAX (large screen format) film. Also, not
every film is converted to IMAX (large screen format) and not every large screen format film is converted into 3D. These decisions are made by film
companies and distributors and not independent IMAX theatres like The Henry Ford. Be sure to check our phone or website listings for
what is showing or coming soon. If the film does not have “3D” at the end of the title, it is not in 3D format.
Q: What is a membership?
A: Memberships to The Henry Ford are annual passes that include unlimited entry to Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village and discounts on
tickets to the Ford Rouge Factory Tour, IMAX Theater and special events. Membership also includes Free parking, discounts at our retail
stores, discounts on classes and camps, and the exclusive member magazine Living History. Your membership is also tax deducible.
You also have the opportunity to add a ride pass to your standard membership, which allows unlimited rides for anyone covered by the
membership. See our membership section on this site or ask a Call Center Representative for more details.
Q: How do I find out what special events are happening during my visit?
A: Use our “Plan your Visit” section of this site, or visit the calendar section for all current and future events here at The Henry
Ford. You may also call the Call Center at (313) 982-6001 for more information.
Q: Is the facility handicap accessible and do you provide wheelchairs/scooters?
A: The Museum is wheelchair-accessible, however due to the historic nature of the Village many of our buildings, strollers and wheelchairs cannot
enter all buildings in the Village. We have both wheelchair and electric scooters available for rental on a first come first serve basis. We do not
take advanced reservations of wheelchairs/scooters.
Q: May I bring my stroller, wheelchair or electric scooter to The Henry Ford?
A: Yes, you are welcome to bring your own children’s strollers, small wagons, wheelchairs or electric scooters (carts) into all venues of
The Henry Ford. This equipment is also available to rent on a first-come, first-served basis. Upright scooters (Segways) are not
allowed. We also do not allow bicycles, tricycles, recreational scooters, in-line skates or roller skates of any kind. For a more
complete list of items allowed / not allowed at The Henry Ford, please click here.
Q: How do I donate an artifact?
A: The collections of The Henry Ford, defined as objects, photographs, books, periodicals, manuscripts, moving images, and recordings, are the
primary tools and resources for providing authentic, effective historical experiences.
Please use this procedure for all potential object donations or purchases for The Henry Ford's collections. We follow this policy to maintain
the integrity of the museum's collections and to ensure the safety of an artifact before officially accepted into the collections:
- Submit all potential donations or purchases in writing, directed to the Benson Ford Research Center (see contact information below).
- Describe the object, including any model numbers, manufacturers' names, and the measurements.
- Write a short statement about the owner’s intention to donate or sell the object.
- Include a photograph or photocopy of the object with your letter.
Once the Benson Ford Research Center receives your written proposal, staff assigns a tracking number and forwards the letter to the curator
in charge of the appropriate object area. The curator researches the history of the object and determines if the object meets the criteria
established by the museum for acceptance into the collections. The criteria include but are not limited to whether the artifact advances the
museum's mission statement. When an object meets the criteria, the
curator then recommends a proposed object to the Collections Committee, which is responsible for shaping and developing the museum's collections.
The committee then approves or rejects the proposed object. This process often takes many weeks. We appreciate your patience.
Do not bring any artifact to The Henry Ford before contacting us in writing.
Please send your potential object donation letter to:
Benson Ford Research Center
The Henry Ford
P.O. Box 1970
Dearborn, MI 48121-1970 USA
fax: (313) 982-6244
email: research.center@TheHenryFord.org
Thank you for your interest in the collections of The Henry Ford!
Q: Do you do appraisals? (BFRC)
A: Appraisal of Items:
The Henry Ford does not offer an appraisal service, but there are organizations that can direct you to a reputable antique dealer in
your area. Appraisers often specialize in a particular field. In order to locate a professional in the field in which you are particularly
interested, we suggest that you contact one (or both) of the following national organizations for specific information.
For a full list of conduct guidelines while visiting The Henry Ford, please click here.
Q: Are all the cars in Henry Ford Museum Fords?
A: No, our collection is a kaleidoscope of many cars important in the evolution of the automotive industry and culture in America and across the
world.
Q: Are pets allowed at The Henry Ford?
No, generally, pets are not allowed on premises. Service animals are allowed with certain exceptions. Please refer to our official
pet policy for more information.
Q: May I bring food or drink into The Henry Ford?
Yes, you are welcome to bring a small amount of food or beverage into The Henry Ford, however, we have many onsite vending, snack areas, and one
of a kind restaurants to suit your needs. Outside alcohol is not allowed, but beer and wine are available for purchase daily and at many
events.
For a full list of conduct guidelines while visiting The Henry Ford, please click here.
