|
Grand Rapids Attractions
Blandford Nature Center
1715 Hillburn Ave. N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504 USA Phone: (616) 819-5540
Blandford Nature Center is at 1715 Hillburn Ave. N.W. The center is surrounded by 143 acres of fields, forests, ponds and streams. On the grounds are several self-guiding trails. A visitor center has a wildlife care program. Allow 1 hour minimum.
Admission: Free
Attraction Type: Nature centers; Nature trails; Visitor centers
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-5, Sat.-Sun. 1-5; closed holidays
Fish Ladder Sculpture
560 Front St. N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504 USA Phone: (800) 678-9859
Fish Ladder Sculpture is n. on the Grand River at jct. Leonard and Front sts. The concrete, five-step environmental ladder was built by a local artist to assist salmon in jumping over a 6-foot dam to reach their spawning grounds. Although the leaping fish can be viewed at any time, the best time to see them scale the aquatic steps is late September through late October.
Admission: Free
Attraction Type: Dams
Hours: Daily 24 hours
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is n.e. of jct. I-96 exit 38 and E. Beltline at 1000 E. Beltline N.E. The 125-acre gardens and sculpture park contains perennial, American, Victorian, shade and arid gardens; nature trails; a carnivorous plant house; and tropical plants in the five-story, 15,000-square-foot Lena Meijer Conservatory, said to be the state's largest. A 30-acre outdoor sculpture park boasts more than 30 bronze sculptures by such artists as Henry Moore, Claes Oldenburg and Auguste Rodin. Most notable is a 24-foot-tall Leonardo da Vinci horse by Nina Akamu. A children's garden also is featured, and a tropical butterfly exhibit takes place March through April. Narrated tram tours are available. Food is available. Allow 2 hours minimum.
Admission: Admission $12; over 64 and students with ID $9; ages 5-13, $6. Tram fee $3; ages 5-13, $2
Attraction Type: Children's attractions; Conservatories & Greenhouses; Gardens; Statues
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9-5 (also Tues. 5-9), Sun. noon-5; closed Jan. 1, Thanksgiving and Dec. 25
Gerald R. Ford Museum
303 Pearl St. N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504 USA Phone: (616) 254-0400
Gerald R. Ford Museum is off US 131 exit 85B at 303 Pearl St. N.W. The triangular building has a glass wall that mirrors downtown from the west bank of the Grand River. Displays portray both the private life and public career of President Ford. Exhibits include a re-creation of the Ford Paint & Varnish Company where the future president worked as a boy as well as information about the October 1973 vice-presidential confirmation hearings when Ford served as House Minority Leader. Visitors can take a holographic tour of the White House, observe foreign policy procedures in the White House Situation Room and view the nomination of Ford at the Republican National Convention in 1976. Allow 1 hour minimum.
Admission: Admission $7; over 62, $6; ages 6-18, $3
Attraction Type: Exhibits & Collections-Historical; Museums
Hours: Daily 9-5; closed Jan. 1, Thanksgiving and Dec. 25
The Grand Rapids Art Museum
155 N. Division St. N.
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 USA Phone: (616) 831-1000
The Grand Rapids Art Museum is at 155 Division St. N. Housed in the renovated 1910 Federal Building that served as post office and courthouse, the museum features works from Alexander Calder, Richard Diebenkorn, Childe Hassam and Max Pechstein. Collections include 19th- and 20th-century prints, paintings, photographs, sculptures and decorative arts. A children's gallery features hands-on art and color displays.
Admission: Admission $6; senior citizens and college students with ID $5; ages 6-17, $3; $3 to all Fri. after 5
Attraction Type: Art Galleries & Museums; Children's attractions; Exhibits & Collections-Art; Historic buildings/houses; Museums
Hours: Tues.-Sat. 10-5 (also Fri. 5-8:30), Sun. noon-5; closed holidays
Grand Rapids Children's Museum
11 Sheldon Ave. N.E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 USA Phone: (616) 235-4726
Grand Rapids Children's Museum is at 11 Sheldon Ave. N.E. In colorful play areas children can make giant bubbles, perform in costumes on stage and paint in a hands-on environment. Seasonal exhibits also are presented. Allow 1 hour, 30 minutes minimum.
Admission: Admission $5, under 2 free, $1 for all Thurs. 5-8
Attraction Type: Children's attractions; Museums
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9:30-5 (also Thurs. 5-8), Sun. noon-5, June 12-Aug. 28; Tues.-Sat. 9:30-5 (also Thurs. 5-8), Sun. noon-5, rest of year
John Ball Zoo
1300 W. Fulton St.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504 USA Phone: (616) 336-4300
John Ball Zoo is at jct. I-196 and SR 45. One of the largest zoos in the state, it houses 1,000 animals from many parts of the world. Of particular interest are a troop of five chimpanzees, snake house, aquarium and children's zoo. Allow 1 hour minimum.
Admission: Admission $6; over 62 and under 12, $4
Attraction Type: Aquariums; Zoological parks/exhibits; Zoological parks/exhibits- Children's zoos
Hours: Daily 10-6, mid-May through Labor Day; 10-4, rest of year. Closed Dec. 25
The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium
272 Pearl St. N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504 USA Phone: (616) 456-3663
The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium is within the Van Andel Museum Center. Equipped with technical sound, laser and videotape projection equipment, the dome sky theater features performances related to space technology.
Admission: Daytime shows $3 plus museum admission. Evening shows $6.50
Attraction Type: Planetariums
Hours: Planetarium showtimes vary; phone ahead
Van Andel Museum Center of the Public Museum of Grand Rapids
272 Pearl St. N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504 USA Phone: (616) 456-3977
Van Andel Museum Center of the Public Museum of Grand Rapids is at 272 Pearl St. N.W. Exhibits depict the heritage and manufacturing traditions of Grand Rapids and include a partially operational reconstruction of an early 20th-century furniture factory. The museum also houses a 76-foot finback whale skeleton as well as an operational 1928 Spillman carousel. Visitors can walk through a re-creation of a downtown street in 1890s Grand Rapids. The street includes a theater, department store, nine other shops and the sounds and sights of the times. Food is available. Allow 2 hours minimum.
Admission: Admission $8; senior citizens $7; ages 3-17, $3. Carousel ride $1
Attraction Type: Carousels; Exhibits & Collections-Historical; Exhibits & Collections-Science; Museums
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-4, Sat. 10-4, Sun. noon-4; closed Jan. 1, Easter, Thanksgiving and Dec. 25
|
|
