The downtown museum is dedicated to Michigan's only president. Ford stepped into the Oval Office after Richard Nixon and his vice president, Spiro Agnew, resigned in disgrace. It's a bizarre period in US history, and the museum does an excellent job of covering it, down to displaying the burglary tools used in the Watergate break-in. Ford and wife Betty are buried on the museum's grounds.
Gerald R Ford Museum
Michigan
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
28.89 MILES
Chinook Pier has a lot going on. There’s a seasonal mini-golf course (adult/child $3/2) and farmers market (8am to 1pm Wednesday and Saturday). Wet Mitten…
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
4.5 MILES
The 158-acre gardens feature impressive blooms and hulking works by Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore and others. The sculpture park is star of the show,…
28.99 MILES
Everyone gathers for the musical fountain performance each evening in summer. It's a trippy tradition to watch water spray high in the sky while…
29.45 MILES
The 48-acre urban park is all beach – a wide, gorgeous one with squeaky clean sand. It’s mega popular in summer, especially for families, who appreciate…
27.75 MILES
Learn about dunes! A 0.7-mile (one way) boardwalk trail takes you from the parking lot to the Lake Michigan shore. Prepare for loads of stairs up and down…
0.4 MILES
The city's beyond-the-norm art museum fills a sun-drenched building with 19th- and 20th-century works. European and American masters such as Henri de…
0.34 MILES
Maya Lin – best known for designing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC – created this round plaza in the heart of downtown. In summer it…
Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts
0.59 MILES
Emerging local artists show works at UICA. You might see sculptures made from glitter-dipped fried chicken, or photos of vacant lots. Exhibitions change…
Nearby Michigan attractions
0.34 MILES
Maya Lin – best known for designing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC – created this round plaza in the heart of downtown. In summer it…
0.4 MILES
The city's beyond-the-norm art museum fills a sun-drenched building with 19th- and 20th-century works. European and American masters such as Henri de…
3. Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives
0.45 MILES
This little museum/shop is worth a peek. Exhibits change regularly, but pop in and you might see a photography show of boxers like native son Floyd…
4. Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts
0.59 MILES
Emerging local artists show works at UICA. You might see sculptures made from glitter-dipped fried chicken, or photos of vacant lots. Exhibitions change…
5. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
4.5 MILES
The 158-acre gardens feature impressive blooms and hulking works by Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore and others. The sculpture park is star of the show,…
23.04 MILES
A popular place to immerse in all things Dutch. When the gardens bloom in spring, Veldheer charges a fee (adult/child $12/6). Otherwise it's free to check…
27.75 MILES
Learn about dunes! A 0.7-mile (one way) boardwalk trail takes you from the parking lot to the Lake Michigan shore. Prepare for loads of stairs up and down…
28.89 MILES
Chinook Pier has a lot going on. There’s a seasonal mini-golf course (adult/child $3/2) and farmers market (8am to 1pm Wednesday and Saturday). Wet Mitten…