Henry Ford museum / Amtrack station question

Question

I will be staying at the Comfort Inn on a trip to Dearborn in Nov. Next door is the AmTrack train station. Can I use [what appears to be] a walkway over the tracks to get to the Henry Ford Museum? The Hotels says yes and The Henry Ford says no.

Answer

The situation with the Comfort Inn in Dearborn, the Amtrak station, and The Henry Ford Museum can be a bit confusing due to how the properties are laid out and what is accessible to the public. While the hotel may suggest a direct walkway over the tracks, The Henry Ford and Amtrak indicate that public access via that route is not permitted for safety and security reasons.

Here’s the practical breakdown:

The Comfort Inn is indeed very close to the Amtrak station, and it feels like you might be able to cross directly via a walkway. However, that walkway is likely private or restricted, intended for operational use by Amtrak or staff, and not for hotel or museum guests.
The Henry Ford Museum is located adjacent to Greenfield Village, and while the hotel is next door, the safest and officially sanctioned route involves a short walk along public streets or sidewalks rather than a direct walkway over the tracks.
Walking along public streets, it is roughly a 5-10 minute walk from the Comfort Inn to the museum entrance, depending on pace. This route is accessible and safe for all visitors.

Tips for your visit:

Plan to leave the hotel a few minutes earlier to account for crossing any streets safely and navigating through public pathways to the museum entrance.
If mobility is a concern, consider checking with the Comfort Inn or The Henry Ford about accessible pathways or shuttles that might assist with luggage or guests who prefer to avoid the street walk.
Do not attempt to use the restricted walkway over the tracks, as it is not open to the public and could result in denied access or safety risks.

In short, although the hotel may suggest a seemingly direct path, the correct and legal access is along the public streets between the Comfort Inn and The Henry Ford Museum. It is a very short walk and entirely manageable.