Grand Rapids, MI, located on the Grand River near Lake Michigan, is famous for its breweries and cultural spots like Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, featuring works by Rodin, Moore, and Ai Weiwei, and the Grand Rapids Art Museum with rotating shows of Michigan artists.
Grand Rapids, MN, offers a charming Northwoods experience, perfect for MN family vacations, fishing trips, skiing, snowmobiling, and getaways. Surrounded by lakes, forests, and trails, it combines scenic beauty, outdoor adventures, and vibrant arts. The area provides various lodging, dining, and boutique shopping options, making it a favorite escape for over 100 years.
10 Best Things to Do in Grand Rapids
- Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
- Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
- Grand Rapids Public Museum
- Grand Rapids Art Museum
- Grand Rapids Breweries
- John Ball Zoo
- Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
- Meyer May House
- Blandford Nature Center
- Millennium Park
1. Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
To find out more about the life of the 38th president of the United States, explore the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum situated in downtown Grand Rapids. Ford was born in Omaha, but he lived in Grand Rapids for the majority of his life. Betty Ford’s costumes, bicentennial presents, and mementos from the 1976 presidential campaign belong to the more than 19,000 relics on display in the museum. In addition to viewing a facsimile of the Oval Office and Watergate burglar equipment, visitors may learn about Ford’s early years, schooling, and presidency.
Accessed by automobile or DASH and No. 7 busses, the museum is located along the Grand River and provides free on-site parking. Admission is $10 for adults, $4 for those aged 6 to 18, and free for children aged 5 and under. It is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
2. Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum is a family favorite, featuring interactive exhibits that engage young minds. Exhibits change often, with past highlights like a Lake Michigan beach replica, lifelike dinosaurs, and a “construction zone” for building activities.
Visitors praise the interactive fun, reasonable prices, and downtown location. The museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Admission is $9 for adults and kids, free for infants under 1, and $3 on Thursday nights from 5 to 8 p.m. Reach it via DASH bus or find limited street parking nearby.
3. Grand Rapids Public Museum
The Grand Rapids Public Museum, which includes three exhibit-filled levels with a theater, cafe, gift shop, carousel, and planetarium, provides a fusion of science, history, and culture. Highlights include a 5,000-square-foot exhibition of Anishinabek Native American artifacts, a reproduction of Grand Rapids in the 1890s, and fish activities in Lake Michigan.
The gift shop and the museum’s reasonable size are welcomed by visitors. Adult entry is $8, children’s entry is $3, and children under two enter free of charge. Seniors and students may get discounts, while some exhibitions are more expensive. It is located downtown on the Grand River and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Easy access is offered by the free DASH bus.
4. Grand Rapids Art Museum
With a focus on European and American works from the 19th and 20th centuries, the Grand Rapids Art Museum has more than 6,000 pieces that include the Renaissance to modern art. Also, it includes a Michigan Artist Series that highlights regional artists and temporary exhibitions.
Although some visitors miss the on-site cafe, others enjoy the museum’s collection of modern art. The museum is located downtown and is reachable by car, foot, or the free DASH bus. Adults pay $10, children aged 6 to 17 pay $6, and children aged 5 and under enter free of fee. Seniors and students are eligible for discounts. On Tuesdays and Thursdays evenings, admission is free.
5. Grand Rapids Breweries
There are more than 80 breweries along the Beer City Ale Trail in Grand Rapids, which is also referred to as Beer City, USA. Some of the best choices are Founders Brewing Co., well-known for its KBS dark and All Day IPA, Grand Rapids Brewing Co., established in 1893 and renowned for its award-winning Rosalynn Bliss Blonde, and New Holland Brewing – The Knickerbocker, known for its Dragon’s Milk heavy. Tourists laud these locations for their fantastic ambiance, brews, and cuisine. Take a look at a local brewery tour such as Grand Rapids Beer Tours to learn more.
6. John Ball Zoo
In honor of a Grand Rapids pioneer, the 31-acre John Ball Zoo is home to more than 2,000 creatures from more than 200 species. Established on grounds provided by John Ball in 1884, the zoo is home to tigers, chimps, grizzlies, and a Magellanic penguin tank. With small children in particular, it’s an excellent family outing.
Food can be brought outside for a picnic by guests. The zoo is 2 miles west of downtown and may be accessed by automobile or the No. 12 bus. Seasonal changes affect hours and entrance prices; summertime attractions like zip lines and camel rides are extra. Go to the zoo’s official website for further information.
7. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Including 158 acres, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park includes the biggest tropical conservatory in Michigan, along with themed indoor and outdoor gardens, natural paths, and sculpture displays. A 15,000-square-foot conservatory, an 8-acre Japanese garden, and sculptures by artists such as Rodin and Serra are among the highlights.
It is encouraged by visitors to attend the yearly March-April butterfly exhibition, which has over 7,000 butterflies, and to wear comfortable shoes. Accessible by car, it is 7 miles east of Grand Rapids’ downtown and has plenty of parking. Adult admission is $14.50, children under two enter free, and children aged 5 to 13 pay $7. For further information, go to the official website.
8. Meyer May House
Frank Lloyd Wright created the Meyer May House in 1908, and it is situated in the Heritage Hill Historic District of Grand Rapids. The house, which began as a home for Meyer and Sophie May, is now a Michigan historic site and contains built-in cabinetry, skylights, and art glass windows that highlight Wright’s Prairie style.
It was repaired and made public in 1987, and both its new look and the knowledgeable docents have won accolades. Situated one-mile southeast of the city center, it offers free tours every Tuesday through Sunday. There is free street parking, so plan on spending at least 90 minutes. To learn more, go to the official website.
9. Blandford Nature Center
Blandford Nature Center is a renovated family farm located on 264 acres of meadows, streams, and woods that is a must-see for outdoor enthusiasts. There are four miles of trails, a working sugarbush, an organic farm, historic buildings, a wildlife education center, and seasonal festivals to enjoy.
Families like visiting the on-site farm, which is home to goats, hens, and veggies. Trails are open every day from dawn to sunset, and the visitor center is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $3 per person. Reached best by vehicle, it’s roughly 6 miles northwest of Grand Rapids’ downtown. Go to the official website to find out more.
10. Millennium Park
With 1,400 acres spread over Grand Rapids, Walker, Grandville, and Wyoming, Millennium Park is one of the biggest metropolitan parks in western Michigan. It has picnic spots, a 6-acre beach, a splash pad, boat rentals, and 18 miles of trails. When completed, it will be more than twice as large as Central Park in New York City.
The park has been praised by visitors for its serene ambiance, family-friendly activities, and cleanliness. The park, which is about 6 miles southwest of Grand Rapids downtown, is free to enter, while some of its activities have entrance fees. It is open from 7 a.m. to sunset from May 1 to October 31. Go to the official website to learn more.
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Bottom Line:
The charming little town of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, is surrounded by the natural beauty of the state and has a wide range of activities to keep people occupied or at their preferred level of relaxation. The Grand Rapids area has a wide variety of lodging, rustic and charming dining with shopping opportunities to meet everyone’s wants and requirements for a grand getaway.
