Grand Rapids Museums

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

“America’s most entertaining presidential museum” is a tribute to the life and times of the man who represented Grand Rapids in Congress for 25 years – and ascended to the highest office in the land in 1974. Through historic artifacts and immersive experiences, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum sparks curiosity and enthusiasm about our nation's history and government. The President and First Lady Betty Ford are buried on the grounds of the Museum. Open 10am-5pm Mon-Sat and noon-5pm Sun. Adult admission is $14. See the Museum FAQ for more details.

Grand Rapids Public Museum

Three floors of fascinating exhibits and artifacts at the Grand Rapids Public Museum focus on science, history and culture to inspire and engage visitors young and old. Ride the 1928 Spillman Carousel, wander the streets of “Old Grand Rapids,” learn about the area’s indigenous peoples, explore West Michigan’s natural habitats, see the nation’s top traveling exhibits and much more – including a newly redesigned riverfront offering outdoor seating, classroom and exhibit space. Open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri and 10am-5pm Sat-Sun. Adult admission is $14. Read the GRPM FAQ for more details.

Grand Rapids Art Museum

Home to a permanent collection of more than 6,000 works of art and host to an ever-changing slate of exhibitions featuring local, national and international artists, the Grand Rapids Art Museum is a vital part of the city’s international recognized art scene. Take a moment to admire the Museum exterior, named one of the world’s best new buildings of 2007.  Open noon-5pm Tue & Fri, noon to 8pm Thu and 10am-4pm Sat-Sun. Adult admission is $12. Free admission on Thursdays from 5-8pm. See the GRAM FAQ for more details.

Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives

Delve into the history, culture, art and accomplishments of local African Americans at the Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives. GRAAMA relocated to a new building in 2026 – 15x the size of its previous space – allowing more room for recorded oral histories, memorabilia, exhibits, pop-up displays and special events. Read the GRAAMA FAQ for more details.

Grand Rapids Children’s Museum

With hands-on interactive exhibits and daily drop-in programs that inspire learning through play, the Grand Rapids Children's Museum is a must-visit for families with kids aged 2-10. Play with slippery bubbles, study a live beehive, “work” on a farm and much more. Open 9am-4pm Tue-Sat and noon-4pm Sun. Hours extend to 8pm every third Thu of the month. $12 regular admission; $3 on third Thursdays from 4-8pm. See the GRCM FAQ for more information, including sensory-friendly experiences.

Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium

Located inside the Grand Rapids Public Museum, the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium offers a daily schedule of immersive multimedia shows exploring the wonders of the universe. The facility is named after the Grand Rapids astronaut who was killed in a pre-launch test fire in 1967.  Hours vary by season but generally start at 11am. Admission is $5 or $4 combined with general admission to the Public Museum.

Heritage Hill

This residential neighborhood adjacent to downtown is one of America’s largest urban historic districts. Heritage Hill encompasses nearly every style of American architecture, from Greek Revival to Prairie, in 1,300 buildings that date back to 1844. Get the self-guided walking tour for historical details on the homes you’ll see strolling the sidewalks and take advantage of guided in-home tours (May) and garden tours (June) each year.

Meyer May House

Situated in the Heritage Hill neighborhood, this Frank Lloyd Wright home – known as “Michigan’s Prairie Masterpiece” was built in 1908 and fully restored to its original glory 80 years later. The Meyer May House offers free guided tours on Sundays from noon-3pm, and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am-1pm.

John Ball Zoo

One of the nation’s oldest urban zoos – first established in 1891 – is located just one mile west of downtown Grand Rapids. John Ball Zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals representing more than 200 different species, and it’s rich with experiences and events that connect visitors to the natural world and promote conservation.  The Zoo welcomes 2026 visitors with a brand-new river otter exhibit and the continuing adventures of Hugo the baby hippo and Juniper the snow leopard cub. Hours and admission fees vary by season; peak season (summer) hours are 9am-6pm and peak season admission for ages 13-61 is $21.95 on weekday, $24.95 on weekends. Explore more FAQ here.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Named America’s #1 Sculpture Park by USA Today and #2 Botanical Gardens by TravelAwaits, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park has become one of the world’s top 50 most visited art museums since its founding in 1995. One of the nation’s most significant sculpture collections is showcased amidst a variety of indoor and outdoor gardens – Arid, English Perennial, Japanese, Michigan Farm, Tropical, Victorian and more. Beloved annual events include Butterflies are Blooming (March 1-April 30), Mums at Meijer Gardens (Oct) Christmas & Holiday Traditions and the ENLIGHTEN outdoor lighting spectacular (both late Nov-early Jan). Hours vary by season; peak season hours are 9am-5pm Mon & Wed-Sat; 9am-9pm Tue and 11am-5pm Sun. General adult admission is $25. Learn more about the Gardens in their FAQ.

Deer Tracks Junction

Interact with domestic pigs, goats, bunnies, donkeys, camels and more at Deer Tracks Junction Adventure Park, and get face-to-face with yaks, bison, llamas, emus and other wild animals in Michigan’s only drive-thru safari. Deer Tracks is in Cedar Springs, about 25 minutes from Grand Rapids. Hours and admission to one or both parks varies by season.

Also: The Rockford Area Museum explores the history and culture of this quaint community 20 minutes from downtown GR and the Cedar Springs Historical Museum, 25 minutes from town, includes displays of a 1900s home, old general store, Native American history and more.

Blandford Nature Center

Dedicated to providing enriching experiences in nature, Blandford Nature Center encompasses 264 acres of woods, streams and meadows lined with trails. Its Wildlife Ambassadors – who live permanently at the Center due to injuries – give visitors a close-up view not often seen in outdoor exploration. Heritage Village, a collection of buildings dating back to 1853, are open with interpreters during festivals and events such as the Sugarbush Festival (March) and Harvest Festival (fall). Visitor Center is open 9am-5pm Mon-Sat, trails are open daily from dawn to dusk. $5 admission.

Visit the farming town of Sparta, 20 minutes from Grand Rapids, to explore the Sparta Township Historical Commission Veterans Museum and Myers School Museum.

Bruce Dice Mineralogical Museum

Located on the campus of Calvin University, the Bruce Dice Mineralogical Museum presents a rotating display of 400+ unique geological specimens collected from around the world. Displays include 100-million-year-old fossils, gold nuggets, copper leaves, meteorites, and an interactive ultraviolet case to showcase fluorescent minerals.  The Museum is open most afternoons during the fall and spring semesters on days the university is not closed. It is also open at selected times during the summer. Free admission.

Calvin Ecosystem Preserve and Native Gardens

Also part of Calvin University, the Calvin Ecosystem Preserve and Native Gardens offers walking trails through 100+ acres of native plants and natural habitats. It’s also home to West Michigan’s largest public nature gardens, featuring more than 40,000 native plants representing more than 200 native species. Walking trails are open 7am-dusk daily, except some holidays. Free admission.

Also: The Ada History Center and Lowell Area Historical Museum offer a glimpse into the storied pasts of these southeast communities. You can also visit the Ada Covered Bridge – originally built in 1850 – and Lowell’s Fallasburg Covered Bridge, built in 1871 and still open to vehicle traffic.

The city of Grandville is 10 minutes from downtown GR. There you can visit the Grandville Historical Museum, which includes a mastodon skeleton found in the area in the early 1980s, and the No. 10 Schoolhouse in Grandville’s Heritage Park, which features a hands-on exhibit allows children to interact with typewriters, rotary phones and various military uniforms.

The Byron Center Historical Museum is about 15 minutes southwest of Grandville. It’s housed in an 1860s-era building that includes displays on farming, veteran history, logging, a general store, post office and more.

Windmill Island Gardens, 30 minutes southwest of Grand Rapids, is a scenic theme park featuring historic windmills, vibrant gardens and seasonal attractions saluting the area’s Dutch heritage.

The USS Silversides Submarine Museum, 50 minutes northwest of GR, immerses visitors in World War II history, and includes tours of a U.S. Coast Guard cutter and 1940s-era submarine.  A historic WWII tank landing ship is the setting of Muskegon’s USS LST 393 Veterans Museum, which showcases the technology and living conditions aboard the ship when it won three battle stars for action in Sicily, Italy and Normandy.

Visit the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum, about 50 minutes south of GR, to experience 100+ rare and historic air and space artifacts, amusement park-style rides, full-motion flight simulators and more.

The Gilmore Car Museum, 50 minutes or so southeast of GR, exhibits more than 400 vintage and collector vehicles and motorcycles from all eras in several vintage buildings located on a 90-acre campus. 

Hours and admission fees are subject to change without notice. It’s always a good idea to check a destination’s webpage and social medial before you go.