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…