Raven Hill Discovery Center : Visit : Facilities and Exhibits

Note: There is no restaurant available on site, but there are drinks for sale in the gift shop and picnic tables available if you bring your own lunches.

Raven Hill is nestled in rural setting with pond, swamp, forest & fields on 175 acres in Northern Lower Michigan's Charlevoix County

The overall goal of Raven Hill Discovery Center is to foster an interest in and to convey information in science and technology, history and the arts by inviting visitors to have quality hands-on experiences. Raven Hill is a place to immerse yourself inside and outside in a world of discovery by trying and touching. It is a place where knowledge of all aspects of science and its integral place in history and art is shared with anyone who is willing to listen and ask questions. Rain or shine, it’s a great place to spend a day and experience the WORLD right here at Raven Hill.

Indoor Exhibits

Main Museum

Hands-on activities including light, sound, motion, magnets, music, earth and life sciences.
Animal Room

Reptiles and amphibians that you can meet and hold, if you are up to the adventure!
School House

Example of a one room school house chronicling the history of education with desks from the 1890s to present day.
Evolving Technology (E.T.) Building

Timelines of many different types of technology from modern day back to the stone age.
Periodic Room

The twenty foot long 3D Periodic Table of the Elements displays elements and products made with different elements.
Warren Loranger Great Room

Natural history and multipurpose room.
Fiber Studio

Explore all manner of fiber classes
Energy House

An off-the-grid house to show solar energy conversion and sustainable living. Open by request.
Print Shop and Studios

Location for classes such as print-making, wood working, metal and clay.
The Wood Shop

Woodworking tools for classes, exhibit building and maintenance.
Christopher's Art Corridor

Science, history and how-to art mediums
Kitchen and Project Room

Location for many art classes, but also available for use with Great Room rental for your next event.
The Amateur Radio Station

Raven Hill has an active Ham Radio Station, which is used by the Raven Hill Discovery Center Amateur Radio Club (RHDC ARC).
Front Entryway and Gift Shop

The beginning and end of your visit inside Raven Hill Discovery Center

Outdoor Facilities and Exhibits

Earth Tones Music Garden

Recycled and tuned musical instruments in an outside garden setting.
Exploring Beyond Jurassic Park

Geologic history of Earth
Treehouse

Accessible Tree House built in the shape of a maple leaf
Ancient World

Replicas from ancient civilizations, including a pyramid, sphynx, Easter Island Head, Roman Arch, Obelisk, and more!
Whisper Dishes

Whisper in the focal point of one satellite dish and hear your partner 250 feet apart in the other satellite dish.
Wetlands Boardwalk

This boardwalk crosses the swamp and connects the main campus and Ancient World
The Labyrinth
The Learning Gardens

Rain gardens to help protect our watershed
Sundial

Tell time on a sunny day. Created and donated by Leadership Little Traverse.
The Pond and Trails

For learning and exploring
Watershed Model

Enjoy the sound of moving water. "Sail" a boat down the river. Model includes a waterfall, wetlands area and springs bubbling up from the ground. All three tributaries come together and flow down to the "lake".
The Steppes

Steppes are defined as land that has no trees and the rainfall is more than a desert and less than a prairie. Our "Steppes" are just that and the newest place to hang out with family and friends.