Our city has so much to offer to its residents, but it’s our Grand Rapids museums that really play a pivotal role in serving as a cultural hub to enrich and uplift our community. If you’re new to the area, or just visiting, you might be surprised by the amount of fantastic museums that we have available to the public. From contemporary art to presidential history and hands-on exploration, there’s plenty to keep you busy year-round.

Grand Rapids Public Museum

Starting with The Grand Rapids Public Museum is a favorite to visit, especially during the colder months. As you walk in, you are greeted by a full-size blue whale, and from there, this museum is constantly updating its exhibits spanning natural history, cultural heritage, and science. Visitors can take a step back in time and walk in the Victoria-era streets and take a ride on an antique carousel. The museum offers plenty to see, learn, and do year-round, not to mention the amazing views of the Grand River in the downtown area.

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

Once you wrap up at the Public Museum you can head across the street to find the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, dedicated to the life and legacy of the 38th President of the United States, who was raised in Grand Rapids. This museum includes artifacts, documents, and multimedia presentations covering key moments in American history of Ford’s time in office.

Grand Rapids Children’s Museum

If you’re looking for something more fun for the whole family, that is also interactive and educational for the little ones, the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum is a must-stop. This is another great option during the winter months to keep the kids entertained. The Children’s Museum is located downtown and features a variety of hands-on exhibits and activities that encourage creativity. You can make adult-sized bubbles, produce a musical wonder, and so many more activities to keep the kids moving.

Grand Rapids Art Museum

If you want to class it up a little bit and you appreciate art, then you can hop on over and make a stop at the GRAM, the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Also located in the heart of downtown, this museum is known for its very impressive collection of American and European art. They do a fantastic job at hosting a variety of temporary exhibitions, educational programs, and events all year round.

Meyer May House

Now, of course, since we are the May Group Realtors and we love real estate here at May Group Realtors, we have to mention the Meyer May House. Though it’s not really your traditional museum, the Meyer May House is an architectural gem designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and offers a rare opportunity to see and tour one of these homes. It’s open to the public, allowing visitors to appreciate Wright’s Prairie School design, and you get to learn quite a bit more about the history of the residence as well.

While we have only mentioned a small handful of some of our top museums in the area, the Grand Rapids area has so much more going on, and there’s always something to do any day of the week. Of course, if you have any questions, or are looking for advice on what to do when you’re visiting or deciding to make the move to Grand Rapids, we’d love to help you out.