Grand Rapids：A City in Michigan Filled with Beautiful Sightseeing Destinations

Grand Rapids is a city found in the western portion of Michigan, United States. It is the second largest city in the state, with a population of around 196,000. Grand Rapids is home to a variety of sightseeing attractions. To those who are planning to visit Grand Rapids, we have listed ten of the best sightseeing destinations that you could visit in the city.

1. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Photo by Daniel X. O'Neil

The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is an outdoor park and a botanical garden located in the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The said attraction is one of the most popular and the most significant sculpture park in Grand Rapids and the rest of the Midwest due to its collection of sculptures including the works of Jonathan Borofsky, Mark di Suvero, and Nina Akamu, among others. It also houses a botanical garden with a lot of plant collections which range from tropical plants to farm gardens. You have to go sightseeing on this place when you are in Grand Rapids.

2. Meyer May House

The Meyer May House is a house located in the Heritage Hill Historic District of Grand Rapids which is an example of a Prairie School era of Frank Lloyd Wright. The house is also considered as Michigan's Prairie Masterpiece. When sightseeing inside the house, tourists could see original and replicated pieces of furniture and household items. Even the carpets were woven according to the design and colors of Wright. Sightseeing around the house is available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at varied times.

3. Gerald R. Ford Museum

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The Gerald R. Ford Museum is the resting place of Gerald Ford, the 38th president of the United States, and his wife Betty Ford. It also serves as a presidential museum which houses artifacts and facilities about the late president's life and career. When sightseeing about this museum in Grand Rapids, you could specifically see photographs and videos about President Ford's term in office, among other things. The Gerald R. Ford Museum is really an interesting place to go when sightseeing in Grand Rapids.

4. Grand Rapids Public Museum

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The Grand Rapids Public Museum is a public museum that is located in Grand Rapids. Founded in 1854, the said sightseeing attraction is considered to be one of the oldest history museums in the country. The museum houses various permanent exhibits including "Habitats," which looks at the ecosystems of Western Michigan, "The Furniture City." which explores the colorful heritage of the furniture manufacturing in Grand Rapids, and others. Sightseeing in the museum could be an interesting way to get to know more about the history of Grand Rapids.

5. John Ball Zoo

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The John Ball Zoo is an urban park is located in the city of Grand Rapids. It is home to a lot of animals from various ecosystems around the world. There are around 238 total species of animals inside this 140-acre zoo. It is also a significant sightseeing destination because of the things you could see inside the zoo. When you are visiting in Grand Rapids, do not forget to spend some time sightseeing at the John Ball Zoo.

6. Grand Rapids Art Museum

Photo by Steven Depolo

The Grand Rapids Art Museum is an art museum situated in Grand Rapids. It is home to more than 5,000 works of art. The museum has a wide range of collections which range from Renaissance art to Modern art. There are also special exhibits featuring 19th and 20th American and European art. Moreover, the museum also displays drawings, prints, and photographs. There are also exhibitions which happen time and again in this museum. Truly, such attraction is one of the best sightseeing destinations in Grand Rapids.

7. Grand Rapids Children's Museum

Photo by Steven Depolo

For those who are sightseeing in Grand Rapids, you might want to bring your children to the Grand Rapids Children's Museum. The museum includes exhibits which are changed on a regular basis. Some of the favorite exhibits include climbing their mountain, watching discs fly around a spin table, and creating a picture with light. Your kids will have fun sightseeing and exploring the museum. They will also learn more about different concepts. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday every week.

8. Heritage Hill Historic District

The Heritage Hill Historic District, or simply Heritage Hill, is a historical neighborhood in Grand Rapids. Moreover, it is one of the largest urban historic cities in the country. Most of the houses in the district are of American architecture, with Prairie and Greek Revival influences. Other styles of the houses include Colonial Revival and Italianate. Tourists will surely enjoy sightseeing around the historic district.

9. Blandford Nature Center

Blandford Nature Center is another exciting sightseeing destination in Grand Rapids. The center offers outdoor activities and programs which are both engaging and fascinating. You could visit the Wildlife Education Center and visit the rich wildlife of Blandford. You could also go sightseeing on its farm and observe animals such as pigs, goats, and chickens. Other interesting activities at the nature center include traversing winter trails, exploring the heritage buildings, and enjoying outdoor play.

10. La Grande Vitesse

Photo by Scott Warren

The La Grande Vitesse is a public sculpture which was designed by Alexander Calder. It is situated on the large plaza in Grand Rapids. It is famously called as the Calder. Ever since its installation in 1969, the sculpture has become a symbol of Grand Rapids. For sightseeing tourists in Grand Rapids, this is one of the attractions that you have to see.

◎ Closing

Grand Rapids is truly a city to visit. Due to its beautiful destinations, the city has become a good place for sightseeing. It is worth noting that there more places in Grand Rapids which are worth sightseeing. You should consider placing them in your itinerary when you want to visit the place.

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