Discover Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids offers a variety of ways to plan a stay: museums and art, historic architecture, and nature and recreation. As you plan, you can start by thinking about which aspect interests you most. The city brings together not only different themes, but also different ways to engage with its history, collections, and open spaces.

Museums, Art, and History

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is a 54,000-square-foot educational and cultural institution in downtown Grand Rapids, on the banks of the Grand River. Its permanent exhibit offers glimpses into the lives of President and Mrs. Ford. The museum is also their final resting place. Visitors interested in the political history and personal lives of the Fords can find both here in one place.

Another historic landmark is the Calkins Law Office in southeast Grand Rapids. The building, dating from 1836, is considered the oldest timber-frame building in the Grand River Valley. Its date and distinctive construction give the site a clear connection to the region’s architectural history. The building thus complements the museums with a tangible example of historic architecture.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is located at a DASH stop. The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium is part of the current complex. So, alongside museum topics, visitors can also explore planetarium-related content, though the two need not be the same visitor experience. The museum’s location at the stop is a useful point of reference when planning your route.

The Grand Rapids Art Museum’s collection ranges from paintings, sculptures, drawings, and photographs to design and contemporary craft objects. It comprises more than 7,000 objects. For children, the Creative Learning Center features the interactive Discovery Gallery, where they can explore art at their own pace. The gallery is open during the museum’s regular hours.

A downtown plaza also bears an artistic imprint: Rosa Parks Circle was designed by artist and architect Maya Lin. Along with the museums, it shows that art in Grand Rapids can be encountered beyond collections and exhibitions.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Millennium Park has large natural areas where wildlife can thrive. Some portions of the park are located within Grand Rapids. The park also includes a six-acre beach and a splash pad; these facilities are associated with the park, not with any particular section of its grounds. This distinction can be helpful for finding your way if you have a specific area of the park in mind.

Millennium Park has about 18 miles of trails. Most are open to pedestrians and bicycles. This gives you a sense of the park’s trail network without implying that every route is the same. If you enjoy walking or biking during your stay, both the approximate total length and the fact that only most trails are open to these activities are relevant details.

For winter activities, Indian Trails Golf Course is another option in Grand Rapids. Snowshoes and fat bikes are available to rent there, and cross-country skiing is permitted on the course’s trails. As seasonal operations may change, it is a good idea to check current conditions before visiting. These activities differ distinctly from the information about trails at Millennium Park: here, the focus is on specific winter sports.

Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation also lists kayaking on the Grand River among the city’s recreational activities. The range of options thus extends beyond museum and art visits to include both water activities and trail-based and winter sports. Which of these you plan to include depends on whether culture, nature, or physical activity is the focus of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Kentwood, Plainfield Township, Ada, Grandville, Caledonia, Wyoming.

For the parent travel overview: Kent.