Grand Rapids Tourist Attractions
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Grand Rapids, in western Lower Michigan, was the boyhood home of Gerald Ford, 38th President of the United States. Among the exhibits in the Museum that bears his name is a model of the President's Oval Office in the White House. The Meyer May House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Frederik Meijer Gardens
The outdoor landscaped gardens and Lena Meijer Conservatory, which houses exotic plants from around the world, can be enjoyed all year round. The indoor sculpture galleries feature bronze sculptures by internationally renowned artists.
Grand Rapids Public Museum
Visitors can take a walk down a Grand Rapids street in the Grand Rapids Public Museum, which has been re-constructed with storefronts accurate to the times of 1890s.A working 1928 carousel is available for riding and visitors can walk through re-created sections of a working furniture factory from the early 20th century. Displays and artifacts from the Anishinabe people - the American Indians of West Michigan are also on display.
Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium
The dome sky theater provides technical sound, laser and videotape projection performances that are related to space technology.
John Ball Zoo
John Ball Zoo adventure zoo featuring a 300-foot, 4-story Zipline and a 2-story ropes course with seven different climbing elements on each level. Among the many up-close-and-personal animal experiences are: Stingray Lagoon - touchable Cownose rays, sharks & horseshoe crabs, Far Side of the World Trail - with a walk-thru wallaby area, a walk thru Budgie Aviary containing over 300 colorful parakeets that can be fed by hand. John Ball Zoo houses over 2,000 animals including grizzly bear, a troop of 5 chimpanzees and a brand new lion exhibit.
Gerald R. Ford Museum
The permanent exhibits at the Gerald R Ford Museum in Grand Rapids offers highlights of the lives of President and Mrs. Ford. Temporary exhibits feature items from the entire Presidential libraries system, the Smithsonian Institution, and the National Archives.
Grand Rapids Art Museum
Housed in a renovated 1903 Federal Building, the Grand Rapids Art Museum has collections that include 19th and 20th century prints, paintings, photographs, sculptures and decorative arts.The new Grand Rapids Art Museum is located at 101 Monroe Center in Grand Rapids. Grand opening in October 2007.
Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts
The Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts presents programs in visual arts, film, dance, literature, performance art, and music. The 25,000-square-foot facility houses three galleries, a 165-seat theater, artist studios, a community dark room, and the Urban Clay Studio.
Voigt House Victorian Museum
Built in 1895, Voigt House Victorian Museum has been preserved with the original furnishings and personal possessions of Carl G. A. Voigt and his family. The home, carriage house and historically landscaped grounds are included on the tour.
Blandford Nature Center
Blandford Nature Center is 143-acres of woods, fields, ponds and streams as well as over 1,000 feet of trails, boardwalks and overlooks available.
Fish Ladder Sculpture
This five-step concrete environmental ladder was built by a local artist to assist salmon jumping over a six-foot dam to reach the spawning grounds.
Grand Rapids Children's Museum
Grand Rapids Children's Museum has colorful play areas with hands-on and seasonal exhibits geared to children 10 and under.
Meyer May House
The Meyer May House was built in 1908 and designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It is a modest-size Prairie style that has been restored to its original concept.
The B.O.B.
The B.O.B. is an entertainment center and restaurant complex featuring five restaurants, night club, comedy club, billiards and private rooms.
