Gift Shops at Local Attractions

The gift shops in Grand Rapids’ local attractions offer one-of-a-kind items perfect for unique gift giving all year round.

If you’re on a tight schedule and don’t have time to tour local attractions 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.

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. We are LIT bookstore, located inside the museum, offers a thoughtfully curated selection of multicultural reading material for all ages. You can even order books online and pick them up in the shop, if you like.

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 $500, there is something for everyone. And many purchases count as tax-deductible donations to GRAAMA.

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. Visit the store’s online shop if you’d like to have your purchases ready for you to pick up at the shop or shipped to your chosen recipient.

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!

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!

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.

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.

shopUICA at Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA)

A collaboration between UICA and Kendall College of Art and Design, shopUICA is part gallery shop and part college bookstore. It carries an array of unique artwork, art supplies, handmade home goods, art and design books, greeting cards, clothing, jewelry and ethically sourced items, all showcased in a beautiful space within the museum’s historic Beaux-Arts-style building.

UICA members (membership is free!) can enjoy special member-only discount days at shopUICA throughout the year. Kendall College students receive a 10% discount every day.

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

From pencils to copies of Gerald R. Ford’s autobiography signed by Ford himself, the gift shop at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum  will have your gift giving covered, especially for history buffs. The museum gift shop is currently open. Check for current status before you visit.

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 A Touch of Grand Rapids gift shop for 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 The CapSized Shop at LMCU Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps baseball team.

And for the ultimate in Grand Rapids gear, visit the Experience Grand Rapids online gift shop. It’s open 24 hours for your convenience and shopping pleasure.