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Grand Rapids Public Museum

4.3 (117 reviews)
Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Updated over 3 months ago

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Tanni D.

Very cool museum! I went with my niece and nephew, and they enjoyed all the hands-on activities, educational materials, and even a show in the planetarium. I personally loved two exhibits: -The room that goes from Grand Rapids to Indiana Railroad and leads into a historic street with stores definitely gives you the feeling that you've gone back in time. -The room about fast fashion and reusing materials was insightful

Historic Grand Rapids Lego Display - December 2023
Melissa B.

I love the Public Museum! They have interesting exhibits that come through and I like the selection of planetarium shows they have as well. This past time I went, they had the historic Grand Rapids Lego display and this was the sole purpose for my visit. It was SO cool. My mom and I probably walked around it for a solid 20 minutes. It was so unique. Their historical Grand Rapids streets permanent exhibit is also very neat and they had Santa's from around the world set up within the shop displays for the holiday season. I also love their permanent exhibit about the history of the people in Grand Rapids. If you're into history, animals, nature, or learning something new about Grand Rapids, then this museum needs to be on your list of things to do :)

Stephanie D.

Honestly don't know why this place is so highly rated. It's BORING!! Not a single thing popped out at me and made me say wow. I feel like this is more for kids cause kids are entertained by almost anything. It's 3 floors, $12 admission ($2 if you have a food stamp card). I will say that the staff is very kind. Not a problem at all in that area. I was just really bored and felt like I wanted to go back to sleep. Maybe it's cause I'm from NYC and this place doesn't compare to what we have? I don't know. Not going back. ‍

History
Veronica D.

We had a great time at this museum! We only visit Grand Rapids so often and have seen some other museums but this one is a hidden gem! Definitely enough for a good 3-5 hours of exploring. Only $5 for students outside of Kent county. My favorite exhibit was the fashion + nature! It was very unique, creative, and fun for all ages!! I want to bring my step kids back here soon!

Rebekah A.

We didn't get to explore the entire place, but this Museum appeared to have the works! And, you won't have to sell a kidney to afford a trip for the entire family. The GR Public Museum is so affordable! They have exhibits to interest every member of the family including steam punk, fashion, dolls, a planetarium, ect. Upstairs next to the planetarium there's a small cafe with lunch options, snacks and treats available if you get hungry during your stay. They also had ample bathrooms which were clean and well maintained. We paid to see the last planetarium show of the day, which was not what we expected. It wasn't planets, and it wasn't really for young children. If you get dizzy easy you should consider inquiring about the different shows before buying tickets. Overall we had a good experience here and it's worth stopping in if you're a local or a visitor with some time to kill!

Amy B.

I love a good museum, and this one doesn't disappoint! It totally reminds me of the Detroit Historical Museum downtown, which I love just as much as this place. Admission's only $12, and I was able to spend a solid hour/hour and a half walking through three floors of cool stuff. The museums family friendly, but also a great place for adults as well. On the main floor you have so much to see and do, including a bunch of life sized games. Some of the games were chess, connect 4 and some bowling as well. They have a huge selection of rooms to look at, all with a variety of different things to look at. My favorite part of the whole place was the "streets of Grand Rapids" from well over 100 years ago. It's like a step back in time and really was fascinating. The second and third floor had lots of historical items from Native American history stuff, fish, dinosaurs, fashion, and many other things as well. There's also some really cool taxidermy animals native to Michigan. Some were Wolverines, deer, bears and a few others. Lots of different fish along with explanations of their living quarters, where they can be found and such. There's a café here along with a gift shop, but I didn't check out either. They have a carousel here, but it seemed more kid oriented and I guess you can take a ride on it if you choose. I really liked it here and found it a lot more interesting than I thought I would before getting here. Worth checking out if you have at least an hour to kill.

Limited time exhibit
Caris L.

I LOVE the food there! cool, and fun exhibits. The planetarium shows are the coolest thing in the world! Totally recommend the trip. Great for kids

The entrance
Sarah S.

We got to explore the Grand Rapids museum while enjoying a wedding reception. Although we were not able to see the full museum, we were able to explore the first floor and look at a lot of the exhibits while we waited for the full party to assemble. Their exhibits that we saw were interesting. And having a wedding reception under the skeleton of great whale... how cool is that? This museum is bright, colorful and has a lot of different types of exhibits. I would happily come back to learn some things!

Death By chocolates.
Patricia M.

The power of poison Exhibit. Oh my goodness this is such a cool place. The history as well as the nostalgia was exquisite. Their is so many things for the children to get involved in as well as the parents. They have a cool little snack shop there with all your healthy and non healthy things to eat and drink. and a lobby for your dining pleasure's. Also they have an elevator and bathroom on every floor how convenient, Right? They also have a carrousel from the 1900rds that we can still ride. I'll definitely be back' Good times.

Joseph H.

For public museums this one is pretty good. Not overly large but lots of wonderful local/state heritage items to learn about. Very informative when it comes to the origins of Michigan and it's deep history. I personally liked it because it's not massive like others I've been to, and I was still able to learn so much about Michigan. Also rich with grand rapid's history. Perfect place for children and adults. The parking lot is very large, and right next door so no need to worry about parking if you decide to go spontaneously.

Nancy H.

If you wants to learn about Michigan culture you gotta come here first. I started from the top floor, which one will give you information about the native and newcomers; this can got back when Michigan had it own oceans! I know blown my mind. Also it will give you info how this state is known for, it's protected fish, and how fashion has impacted our culture and nature. Two hours worthy. it has its own planetarium!

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1 year ago

Such a fun place to show my little one, I love the changing exhibits and can't wait for them to bring back the carousel

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I love the Midwest, we offer so many interesting museums! Grand Rapids Public Museum did not disappoint, so many different exhibits!

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2 years ago

staff was very helpful, went on a Tuesday afternoon, and it wasn't too busy, so we were able to take our time

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Review Highlights - Grand Rapids Public Museum

Our favorites when the children were younger: the carousel, riding the giant bicycle and the whale skeleton.

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Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - Acrobatics

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

4.6(371 reviews)
4.5 mi

A visit to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is the kind of outing that quietly turns into…read morehours of wandering without you noticing. One minute you're "just taking a stroll," and the next you're deep in a full-on appreciation tour of art, nature, and your step count. The blend of sculptures and natural landscapes is beautifully done. It invites you to slow down, look closer, and occasionally wonder if something is art or just a very confident tree. The butterfly exhibit was a highlight. Peaceful, delicate, and just the right amount of magical without trying too hard. Definitely worth lingering a bit longer there. That said, it was very crowded on a Saturday midday, even with the chilly weather. Apparently, everyone had the same "let's be cultured and outdoorsy today" idea. We're already planning a return visit next time we're in town, likely on a weekday in early fall, when the pace feels a little softer and the experience can breathe a bit more. Highly worth it... just maybe not at peak "everyone had the same plan" hours.

Bought a ticket for their Christmas light show and it was totally worth it!…read more Parking is free. There were attendants in the lot, guiding us where to park. Upon entry, there's a snack bar. You can buy food and drinks and bring them along with you. I got the spiked hot cocoa. I was surprised they have a fireball shot ski!!!! It was so cold that night. I really enjoyed warming up along the walking path at all the fire pits. They also had some pop up tents with heaters and more snacks and drinks. The whole event was well put together. The path was wide enough for adults, kids, strollers and people to pass by or stop and take pics. The sculptures were so pretty! My favorite part was the spot lights because the snow made the lights seem like they were sparkling. The inside of the building had Christmas trees from many countries. I enjoyed reading the captions and learning about their traditions. The gardens were open as well- the desert plants are so cool. The tiny train and building exhibit was nice. They have a ton of local architectural buildings that are miniaturized with natural materials. There is a 15 min Christmas video you can watch; I watched it. It was a little boring. I don't recommend that video for kids. Bathrooms are clean. The gift shop was very nice. They sell ornaments, shirts, plants, etc. Overall, this was such a fun holiday thing to do. I took advantage of all of it. I was there for almost two hours. The pasty was huge and delicious. I took one to go! Worth every penny. The spiked hot cocoa I got was $18 and came in a souvenir cup. It's a really nice cup! It has the museum logo on it. The lid has a great closing mechanism. It has a little air hole though so it can leak. But it kept my drink hot for the whole mile. Bring mittens, wear boots, cover your head and ears, and have hand warmers in your pockets. It's cold out there! But it was so nice to see the lights and the music interacting and to walk the path and enjoy the sculptures lit up. Tickets sell out so buy in advance online.

Photos
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - A plant waiting patiently for a fly

A plant waiting patiently for a fly

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - Carnivorous plant

Carnivorous plant

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - The outside area going to the entrance.

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The outside area going to the entrance.

Gerald R Ford Presidential Museum

Gerald R Ford Presidential Museum

4.3(90 reviews)
0.2 mi

내쇼날 파크 찾아 다니며 도장 모으다가 프레지덴츠 뮤지엄과 라이브러리도 찾아 다니다. 울동네 가까이 레간 대통령, 요바린다의 닉슨 댜통령, 텍사스의 죤슨 대통령, 보스톤의…read more케네디 대통령 뮤지엄과 생가 등을 식구들이 함께 관람했다. 제랄드 포드 대통령은 미시간 그랜 래핏스에서 소년시절을 보내며 Eagle Scout을 한 기록들로 전시를 보여준다. The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is one of the most important landmarks in Grand Rapids. Gerald Ford grew up in Grand Rapids and always considered it his hometown, even though he was born in Nebraska. Ford was the only President of the United States who became an Eagle Scout. He joined the Boy Scouts in Grand Rapids as a boy and earned the Eagle Scout rank in 1927. Scouting remained very important to him throughout his life. There is even a famous bronze statue of young Gerald Ford as an Eagle Scout in Grand Rapids. Another version is displayed inside the museum. The museum itself sits on the Grand River downtown and includes exhibits about Ford's presidency, a replica Oval Office, and the burial site of Gerald and Betty Ford. Many visitors say the museum is surprisingly interesting and well done, even for people who are not deeply into politics.

I really loved coming here and learning about Gerald Ford. I knew quite a bit, but this museum is…read moreso incredible moving throughout his life before he was a president through the time of his death. I also loved learning about his wife Betty Ford. Both of them are also interred there which is a beautiful spot to visit afterwards. There are several short films to watch along the way, which are really helpful and understanding more.

Photos
Gerald R Ford Presidential Museum - Astronaut Sculpture at Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

Astronaut Sculpture at Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

Gerald R Ford Presidential Museum - Re-creation of Oval Office at Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

Re-creation of Oval Office at Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

Gerald R Ford Presidential Museum

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Grand Rapids Art Museum - Lee Alexander McQueen & Ann Ray: Rendez-Vous (through January 21, 2025)

Grand Rapids Art Museum

3.8(56 reviews)
0.3 mi

I've been a member and patron of the Grand Rapids Art Museum for over 6 years now. It's one of my…read morefavorite places to go relax, put down my phone, and be immersed in something else. I've loved the range of collections that the GRAM has worked to showcase. Some of my favorite exhibits have included the Jim Henson and Lee Alexander McQueen collections. The permanent gallery is also something that I find myself coming back to. The museum also keeps things fresh with different events and workshops. I've been lucky to attend several panels and discussions which have all been excellent. You can find hands on makers classes, guest lecturers, movie nights, and even musical acts. I've always loved art museums and am grateful for such a prominent museum in the middle of downtown. I would highly recommend coming here. I actually got engaged here!

We popped in on a wintery weekend morning. It was by chance that we found ourselves here. Their…read morecurrent exhibit of Lee Alexander McQueen & Ann Ray: Rendez-Vous was fascinating. It was a walk through time of the friendship and collaboration between the late British designer Lee Alexander McQueen and French photographer Ann Ray. We spent time on each design displayed. So much detail and expression. We ended our exploration of the exhibit by watching the film by Ann Ray. It was a powerful chronical of Lee Alexander McQueen's life in design. We went up and spent time in the permanent collection as well. It was interesting to see the different pieces and displays. One of my favorites was a skyscraper book case. Just a beautiful piece of furniture! This is a worthy stop.

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Grand Rapids Art Museum - Art @ the GRAM!

Art @ the GRAM!

Grand Rapids Art Museum - Skyscraper book case

Skyscraper book case

Grand Rapids Art Museum - "Revolutionary Times" - Mario Moore

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"Revolutionary Times" - Mario Moore

Grand Rapids Children's Museum - The Grand Rapids Children's Museum is located on the Rainbow Road in beautiful downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan!

Grand Rapids Children's Museum

4.2(59 reviews)
0.5 mi

We found a place that offers kids a fun interactive hands on experience that includes some learning…read morealong the way. If your kiddos like to have fun and explore you need to visit the Grand Rapids Children's Museum. They have exhibits that change often that include local or even trending kids shows! The museum has two floors and has an elevator. They have an array of learning and interactive opportunities. You can find a list of days and times on their website! When we were there we got a chance to learn about music and the kids got to play some instruments. The museum is very inclusive and friendly! They offer sensory kits at the front desk if needed too! According to their website the "kits include noise reduction headphones, a weighted vest and suspenders, emotion recognition flashcards..." All the team members we have encountered have been kind and helpful! My only comment of suggestion would be for a little more adult seating in some of the "middle sections" of the museum. There are a few spots all along the walls but not much towards the middle. I understand it creates more opportunities for grownups to get involved with the kids too but for those of us with disabilities that need a minute to catch our breath it was difficult to find a spot close to where my kids were. Lots of interactive play and many memories made here! I highly suggest visiting. The rate to visit is $12 per person but they offer many types of discounted rates for different reasons. All rate information is available on their website. Parking can be a challenge as they do not have their own parking structure and the closest parking is side street meter parking that you can pay using the parking app. They do not validate parking.

What a cutie patootie children's museum! Grand Rapids Children's Museum is small, but it's…read moreeverything you need in a children's museum, and a great place for young children to play. I visited with a tween and teenager, so we were definitely a little older than the target age. That said, my children had a great time! I had to practically pull them away when it was time to leave. When we arrived, we were told to explore and "follow our hearts" around the museum. I loved that! This children's museum really encourages self-directed play, which is obvious by all of the fun, open-ended objects everywhere. You've got the giant blocks, magna-tiles, LEGO tables, pretend kitchen and house, and lots of other things. Both of my children gravitated to The Spin Zone, a three-tiered table that uses centrifugal force to power different objects. Upstairs, there's a bubble area, where you can create giant bubbles; a play house to pretend in; a train table to drive trains around; a makerspace to make stuff in; and an exhibit called Weathering Emotions, a walk-through spot where you can learn about and experience emotions. Some of these exhibits are permanent, and some are just visiting, so your visit might vary. I would say that the Grand Rapids Children's Museum is the perfect place for ages 2 to 10. Beyond that age, it's definitely fun, but it might not hold the attention of older kids. But that's OK! This children's museum is a space for the little kids, and that's perfect.

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Grand Rapids Children's Museum - Pretend houses everywhere

Pretend houses everywhere

Grand Rapids Children's Museum - Bubble space

Bubble space

Grand Rapids Children's Museum - Play area

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Play area

The Pyramid Scheme

The Pyramid Scheme

3.8(93 reviews)
0.5 mi
$

Came for the most amazing performance by comedian, Alok!…read more The Pyramid Scheme is a fun retro take on a dive bar known for their great shows, pinball machines and (somewhat) reasonably priced drinks. The staff may seem rough on the outer edges, but they are all actually teddy bears once you get to know them. Usually shows are standing room only, which is a drag if you are old like me and opt not to wear orthotics. Luckily, the 9 pm encore show was seated. My old bones appreciated this. Now look below as I'm fangirling in the attached photos! I absolutely adore Alok and their courage to humorously challenge the gender binary and systematically poke holes in the patriarchal system that comprises The USA.

i have been attending the Pyramid Scheme for years now. I absolutely love all of the staff and they…read morereally become like friends and family after constantly seeing them when attending shows. The lineups are often pretty diverse, now offering more local music and the addition of more free events to bring together the community. They've added vintage nights, trivia, and free pinball days which I think is a very important and necessary community good. The venue has a front half with a bar, pinball cabinets, and even some outdoor seating. The back hosts the concert venue with interior bar, seating, and elevated stage. I'm allergic to alcohol so I can't speak to the drinks nor the prices but they have free water jugs readily available which is a lifesaver during shows and is just such a small, nice feature to have access to. I definitely would recommend coming here for a concert, finding some new local music, or establishing a new hang out for your friends.

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The Pyramid Scheme - Uh-oh! I did 172 million

Uh-oh! I did 172 million

The Pyramid Scheme - T-shirts for sale

T-shirts for sale

The Pyramid Scheme

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Rosa Parks Circle - Rosa Parks Circle and Breonna Taylor Way

Rosa Parks Circle

4.3(13 reviews)
0.3 mi
$$

My boyfriend and I have a tradition to ice skate at a new place each year once finals are over…read more This year we did some research on the Christkindl Market/Rosa Parks Circle and decided to make a GR day out of it. The rink was very fun and I will always love skating but there were a few things that made the experience not merit 5 stars. We wanted to make reservations beforehand since we have trauma from Detroit's ice skating lines being INSANE. But, you have to make a reservation over a few days in advance, and don't try to call their office because they won't answer. Thankfully it wasn't busy the day we went so there was no wait, but something to keep in mind when planning your visit. Parking is tragic and that's coming from an Ann Arbor local who is constantly fighting for a spot (and her life) on State street. What we thought to be an easy parking garage turned out to charge a nightmare price of $14 for only being there a little over an hour. Not to mention, the place was a bit of a walk on unsalted and very slippery sidewalks to the park. Compared to other outdoor skating rinks, this one was quite small. The path to the rink is downhill and dangerous to walk in regular shoes, let alone your skates when you've put them on! I counted so many people who almost ate it coming to and from the rink because of the icy path. I'm aware it's an ice attraction, but no one wants to be skating before they actually get to the rink... The ice rink itself has a wall of snow all around like it's carved out of snow, which is cool, but results in snow falling on the ice and it being pretty rough to skate on. There were also a bunch of kids digging at the snow and creating snowballs and throwing it at skaters passing by. PTL I wasn't one of the ones targeted but still, a safety hazard in itself! They were given several warnings by the employees but were never taken off the ice despite being told multiple times not to. I will say that for the cons, there are a few pros. The cost of skates and skating is a combined price of $6 per person so you don't have to worry about bringing your own skates. They have plenty of cubbies to hold your shoes/belongings that are within eyesight in case you're worried about things getting stolen. (Even if it was stolen, the thief would break his back trying to run away because of how slippery it is!) There is a nice area where parents/non-skaters can sit looking over the rink. For it only being $6, the ice skating does it's job, but doesn't stand out in comparison to other outdoor rinks I've been to.

Rosa Parks Circle is a community gathering place in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. It features…read morea large open concrete area/amphitheater where people can gather for an outdoor lunch during the day, and it also acts as a stage for festivals, swing dancing, musicians, and more throughout the year. You can sometimes find food trucks parked here in the summer. In the winter months, it's transformed into a public ice skating rink. This park was designed by artist Maya Lin and is formally known as Ecliptic, which refers to the path the sun follows in the sky among the constellations over the course of a year. The park includes features that portray water in its three states: The central ice skating rink is water in its solid form, a mist fountain represents water in its vapor form, and finally, the table-like fountain represents water in its liquid form. Another unique feature of the park are the lights beneath the ice rink's surface. 166 tiny fiber-optic lights shine at night, depicting the millennial constellation of the sky over Grand Rapids on January 1, 2000, the start of the new millennium. Currently the park is under construction, with plans to refurbish the bandstand and restrooms, add a bus shelter and more shade trees, benches, drinking fountain, and additional trash receptacles. I'm excited to see the updated park and encourage anyone visiting to visit once it's completed.

Photos
Rosa Parks Circle - Ice skating at Rosa Parks Circle

Ice skating at Rosa Parks Circle

Rosa Parks Circle - Ice skating at Rosa Parks Circle

Ice skating at Rosa Parks Circle

Rosa Parks Circle

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Grand Rapids Public Museum - museums - Updated May 2026

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