National Museum of the Great Lakes
- Museum
- Regional draw
- Toledo
National Museum of the Great Lakes explores the waterways that shaped transportation, industry, and communities across the region.

Indoor exhibits provide historical context, while the museum ship Col. James M. Schoonmaker gives the Toledo waterfront a distinctive landmark. The museum stands on Front Street beside the Maumee River.
Check the current museum and vessel schedules separately, since boarding the ship and tug is seasonal and can depend on conditions. Allow time for the indoor galleries even if vessel access is unavailable. Use the museum's accessibility guidance before choosing a ship tour, which involves historic maritime spaces.
Visitor details reviewed October 18, 2026. Check official visitor information for current access, admission, and operating arrangements. View on OpenStreetMap.
Image credit: MrJacon000 / Wikimedia Commons. Original source. CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and converted to WebP; may be cropped for display.
Nearby
More places nearby
Toledo Museum of ArtToledo Museum of Art brings together art from different cultures and periods in the city's Old West End.
Toledo Zoo & AquariumToledo Zoo & Aquarium combines animal habitats, an aquarium, and conservation education in a large outdoor campus.
Fort MiamisFort Miamis preserves visible earthworks associated with a British fort in Maumee.
Toledo Botanical GardenToledo Botanical Garden brings planted landscapes, paths, and creative activity together within the Metroparks Toledo system.