Detroiters looking to get lost – on purpose – will soon have a new place to do it.
On Saturday, May 9, the Michigan Science Center (Mi-Sci) is opening a sprawling, life-sized cardboard maze that turns the city’s neighborhoods, culture and landmarks into an interactive adventure.
The limited-run exhibit, called “A‑MAZING Detroit: All Paths Lead to Mi‑Sci,” transforms a fourth-floor gallery into a life-sized cardboard maze inspired by the city. Admission to the maze is included with standard Michigan Science Center tickets.
Built entirely from cardboard, the maze is billed as the largest of its kind in the country and blends art, engineering and play. As guests wind through the corridors, they encounter bold murals, familiar local references and featured Michigan Science Center spaces embedded within the pathways.
“They say the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, but at Mi‑Sci, we prefer the path of curiosity,” said President and CEO Dr. Christian Greer. “This isn’t just a game; A‑MAZING Detroit is a love letter to the city and an immersive journey through our galleries and local neighborhoods where every turn is an opportunity for a breakthrough.”
Featured areas include Belle Isle and the Heidelberg Project on the east side; Hart Plaza and the Spirit of Detroit downtown; Michigan Central Station and Mexicantown in Southwest Detroit; the riverwalk and international bridges along the riverfront; Palmer Park and Boston-Edison on the west side; the Fisher Building, Hitsville U.S.A. and the Ford Piquette Plant in New Center and the North End; and Eastern Market, Cass Corridor and the Michigan Science Center itself in Midtown.
Beyond the maze, visitors can participate in hands-on activities designed to expand on the theme. Those include navigating robots through miniature cardboard mazes, building original cardboard structures and playing games like cardboard skee-ball, all intended to explore how design and engineering intersect with everyday materials.
The experience is designed for visitors of all ages and abilities. The maze is fully accessible for guests using mobility aids or strollers, and multiple exits allow participants to leave at any point.
“A‑MAZING Detroit” is located in Science Hall on the fourth level of the Michigan Science Center, 5020 John R St. The exhibit runs for a limited time. Learn more at mi-sci.org.
Contact Free Press arts and culture reporter Duante Beddingfield at dbeddingfield@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Science Center opens giant cardboard maze inspired by Detroit
Reporting by Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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