The gift shops in Grand Rapids’ local attractions offer one-of-a-kind items perfect for unique gift giving all year round. Many of them will be open for Museum Store Sunday, an annual global event held this year on November 26, 2023.
If you’re on a tight schedule and don’t have time to tour local attractions (at a discount!) with Culture Pass GR, don’t worry, because many attractions allow guests to access their gift shops without having to purchase admission to the attraction.
By shopping at these gift shops, you are supporting the missions of these cultural attractions, many of which feature locally-made products. Remember to check with each location on open hours before you visit.
Explore the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives and be sure to check out their gift shop, We Are Lit.
Photo by Experience GR
Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives (GRAAMA)
Located at 87 Monroe Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids, the gift shop at GRAAMA carries a wide variety of Afrocentric items.
In addition to its own collection of GRAAMA logo mugs, t-shirts, backpacks and bags, the gift shop offer handmade clothing, jewelry, dolls and more from local artists. During the holidays, the GRAAMA store stocks Afrocentric holiday cards, calendars, Kwanzaa items, toys, games, and art to get you in the spirit. With prices ranging from a few dollars to art pieces worth hundreds of dollars, there is something for everyone. And many purchases count as tax-deductible donations to GRAAMA.
Find more ways to "be curious" at the Grand Rapids Public Museum's Curiosity Shop
Photo by Grand Rapids Public Museum.
Curiosity Shop at Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM)
GRPM invites all its visitors to "be curious," so it makes sense their gift shop is aptly named the Curiosity Shop.
If you're looking for a gift that's educational and fun, you'll likely find it at the Curiosity Shop. There’s always a great selection of items reflecting whatever fascinating exhibits are currently on display at the museum, and the shop is also a great place to find surprising Grand Rapids- and Michigan-themed gifts and souvenirs.
Members of GRPM receive a 10% discount on Curiosity Shop purchases.
Find a variety of distinctive gifts at DeVos Keeler Gift Shop.
Photo by Ashley Wierenga for Experience GR.
DeVos Keeler Gift Shop at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
The expansive DeVos-Keeler Gift Shop at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park carries a wide variety of items to meet the gift-giving needs of its diverse kid, teen and adult guests.
With prices ranging from fun little things for less than $1 to original, rare, and unique Chihuly glass pieces selling $1,000+, there truly is something for everyone.
You’ll also find live plants, a large selection of greeting cards and books on gardens and art, as well as a selection of exhibition-related gifts and Meijer Gardens-branded items.
Don’t forget, Frederik Meijer Garden & Sculpture Park members receive a 10% discount at the DeVos-Keeler Gift Shop!
Blandford Nature Center's gift shop's selection varies with the season and features locally made maple syrup, stuffed animals and even Owl Pellet Investigation Kits!
Photo by Alina Albin for Experience GR.
The Gift Shop at Blandford Nature Center
Blandford Nature Center provides enriching nature experiences for all ages, and its Gift Shop is stocked with unique products for outdoor- and animal-lovers. The selection varies with the season and runs the gamut from locally made maple syrup and limited edition hoodies to books, calendars, mugs, stuffed animals and even Owl Pellet Investigation Kits!
Select items can be purchased online and picked up at the Blandford Gift Shop Monday-Saturday between 9am and 5pm.
Creative and local gifts for all ages at the Grand Rapids Children's Museum.
Photo by Experience GR
The Gift Shop at Grand Rapids Children’s Museum (GRCM)
GRCM is dedicated to encouraging childhood discovery and learning through play, and its gift store carries a range of items supporting that mission. The gift shop at GRCM is a great place to find unique toys, games and other cool stuff that will brighten any child’s day.
Join the Museum as a member to enjoy a 10% discount on gift shop purchases and lots more perks.
The Gift Shop at John Ball Zoo (Open Seasonally)
John Ball Zoo is also home to a crowd-pleasing retail outlet, The Gift Shop at John Ball Zoo. The shop is filled with a variety of locally and internationally-made items for kids and adults.
Many products pay homage to different cultures and animals. T-shirts, souvenir cups, key chains, hand-crafted items made by Kenyan tribesmen, handmade purses from India and beautifully carved marble animal figurines are just some of the items you'll find here. Many are eco-friendly and fair trade certified. There is also a great collection of toys and stuffed animals.
As an added bonus, John Ball Zoo members receive a 20% discount on purchases from The Gift Shop at John Ball Zoo. The gift shop is open during the zoo's operating season, which generally runs March-November.
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
From pencils, puzzles and apparel to golf gear, ornaments and copies of Gerald R. Ford’s autobiography signed by Ford himself, the gift shop at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is a must-shop destination for the history and politics buffs on your list. You can also shop the online store and have your gifts shipped directly.
The Spark at Kendall College
Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University is a prestigious art and design school founded in 1928 and located in downtown Grand Rapids. The Spark is the college’s retail store, which offers a wide range of curated gifts, art prints, décor, stationery, jewelry and art supplies, much of it handmade by KCAD alumni and current students. Shop in person Monday through Saturday, or online anytime.
Founders Company Store has all your craft beverage swag and custom six packs of your favs.
Photo by Experience GR
Additional Ideas
If you’re staying overnight, don’t forget to visit your hotel’s gift shop, too. Plaza Essentials in the Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton hotel and JW Marketplace in the JW Marriott Grand Rapids hotel offer goodies that go beyond the traditional gift shop items.
If you’re traveling through the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, take some time to peruse the Grand Rapids Magazine Travel Store for made-in Michigan mementos. It’s conveniently located after TSA check-in.
A number of local breweries offer logo apparel and accessories for purchase (in addition to beer to go). The Company Store at Founders Brewing Co. is one well-stocked example.
Sports fans will want to shop The Zone at Van Andel Arena, the official pro shop for the Grand Rapids Griffins hockey team and Grand Rapids Gold basketball team, and the CapSized Shop at LMCU Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps baseball team.
The one-stop entertainment hub known as Studio Park – featuring a nine-screen movie theater, concert venue and multiple dining options – also houses The Arts Marketplace, a gift shop stocked with high-quality art, clothing, furniture and more from local minority creators.
Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery offers a variety of Michigan-made products and homegrown edible gifts, available in the century-old farm’s gift barn and also online.
The Visitor Center at the masterfully restored Meyer May House, a Prairie-style Frank Lloyd Wright design built in 1908, is stocked with art prints, postcards, coffee cups and other items celebrating the architect’s iconic works.
From local storeowners presenting one-of-a-kind finds to brand-name retailers offering mass-market goods, Grand Rapids is a great place to shop.