Grand Rapids Public Museum is a place of never-ending inspiration and discovery for all ages. Its exhibits explore science, history, and culture. It also features the Roger B Chaffee Planetarium, a cafe, and a gift shop.
Whether you are a space fanatic or love animals and plant life, there is something for everyone here. Kids will enjoy riding the 1928 Spillman carousel. A great post ahead.
Exhibits
Located in downtown Grand Rapids, the Museum houses three floors of fascinating exhibitions. In addition, a cafe and gift shop are on-site.
A wide range of exhibitions showcase history, science, and culture in a way that is fun for all ages. GRPM also has a 1928 Spillman carousel, which is a great place to visit with children and ride for a memorable experience.
Several core exhibitions are also on display year-round. The Furniture City exhibit is one of these, transporting visitors to a 3/4-scale re-creation that includes dozens of stores based on real ones in Grand Rapids. The Changing Michigan exhibit is another that highlights various aspects of Michigan’s history.
The Changing Michigan exhibitions explore how the landscape and people of Michigan change over time while highlighting efforts to preserve the Grand River. Engineering Day is a one-day event that offers 4th-8th grade students the chance to learn applications of math, problem-solving, drawing, estimation, and mechanics.
Traveling Exhibitions
Whether you are a science fanatic, fascinated by animal and plant life, or simply interested in local history, there is something to fascinate you at the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM). The museum’s three floors offer an engaging combination of old favorites as well as a rotating selection of traveling exhibitions.
For example, currently, visitors can learn from the genius of bugs at the fully immersive Bugs exhibit. Created by New Zealand’s world-renowned museum Te Papa in collaboration with five-time Academy Award-winning film studio Weta Workshop, this exhibition will have the whole family marveling at tiny creatures.
GRPM also offers virtual discovery kits and other educational activities, including a variety of scavenger hunts. Additionally, GRPM is home to the Roger B Chaffee Planetarium and has a cafe and gift shop. SNAP EBT users can enjoy free admission by showing their card to a museum staff member. Groups of 20 or more may enjoy special pricing and add-on experiences. Browse around this site.
Amenities
For visitors who are blind or have low vision, the Museum offers free Aira guided services. This technology allows the user to connect with an agent who provides visual interpretation and access to labels, interactives, and more.
Take a trip back in time with the Streets of Old Grand Rapids exhibit, which is a 3/4 scale re-creation of the city’s buildings. Or ride the 1928 Spillman Carousel. And don’t miss the Lake Sturgeon display, which includes live fish and artifacts highlighting the importance of this Great Lakes species to Native Americans and early immigrants.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum also manages the Van Andel Museum Center located downtown, as well as community archives and an observatory. All of its facilities are open to the public. Get admission to all three for one price with Culture Pass GR, a digital three-day savings pass delivered to your smartphone.
Admission
Whether you’re an art history buff, a naturalist, or just curious about life on Earth, the Museum offers something for everyone. Explore fascinating exhibits in which science, culture, and history intersect to bring Michigan’s story to life.
Admission is free for children and Kent County residents. Adults and seniors pay a small fee to enter the Museum. Groups of 20 or more receive discounts and add-on experiences.
The Museum also offers a range of free and affordable onsite and virtual programming to support classroom curriculum. These resources highlight objects and specimens from GRPM collections.
Experience the majesty of a lake sturgeon in this immersive aquarium, where you can see its inner workings and discover how the fish played a vital role for the people of the Great Lakes. Other highlights include Furniture City, a recreation of an 1890s storefront; and Newcomers: The People of This Place, which explores immigrant groups’ contributions to West Michigan. This exhibit features over 600 images and artifacts. Next article.
Driving directions from Premier Edge Concrete Solutions to Grand Rapids Public Museum
Driving directions from Grand Rapids Public Museum to Lamar Park