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Grand Rapids

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Public Museum of Grand Rapids


TripAdvisor Traveler Rating: 4.0 of 5 stars
TripAdvisor Popularity Index: #3 of 23 attractions in Grand Rapids
Traveler Description:
Depicting the heritage and manufacturing history and traditions of Grand Rapids, this public museum houses a variety of interesting exhibits from a...... more » Depicting the heritage and manufacturing history and traditions of Grand Rapids, this public museum houses a variety of interesting exhibits from a working 1928 carousel to an authentic streetcar from the 1890s. « less
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Attraction type: History museum, Observatory/planetarium
Address: 272 Pearl Street NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504-5371
Tel: 616-456-3977
Fax: 616-456-3873

Reviews you can trust

[ Date ] [ Rating ]
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5 of 5 stars
gweez   4 contributions
Sunnyvale, CA
Sep 4, 2008
1
person found this review helpful

We very much enjoyed our visit to the Van Andel Public Museum of Grand Rapids in July, 2008. We were short on time after visiting the nearby Gerald R. Ford Museum, so we had to hurry through the interesting furniture factory exhibit. But the rest of the museum was great fun. Part is laid out in a whimsical way, alphabetically... more

So-so
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2 of 5 stars
sjdance02   1 contribution
NYC
May 23, 2008

I was recommended this museum by locals, so I was expecting an exciting experience....but I was very disappointed. For a museum, I was shocked by how few artifacts and material there was. I was hoping to learn about the culture and history of the area, and the best this museum had to offer was an enormous exhibit on the history... more

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5 of 5 stars
travel1   8 contributions
Highland, MI
Oct 26, 2007
1
person found this review helpful

We were in Grand Rapids for a convention and my 11 year old daughter was missing the whole week of school so I thought I would give her soome culture and take her th this museum. She was not thrilled with the idea until we got inside. the way they have this museum set up it is fun, and engaging.... more

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5 of 5 stars
csimom   1 contribution
Traverse City
Apr 21, 2007
1
person found this review helpful

My husband and I went to this museum when they were displaying the Dead Sea Scrolls. The display was really well done and they had individual head sets for each guest. At one of the on-site restaurants they even featured an authentic Middle Eastern menu/buffet in honor of the event. The rest of the museum has taken care to represent... more

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5 of 5 stars
Eiregirl   52 contributions
Mar 27, 2006
4
people found this review helpful

I'm really impressed by Grand Rapids. It's rare that you find a world-class children' museum and great quality local and natural history exhibits in a city this size. Both museums are vibrant and beatifully managed--I wish Dublin had the foresight to make this type of cultural investment! At any rate, our kids and I stop in to the Van Andel... more

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4 of 5 stars
SusanVM   33 contributions
Sacramento, California
Aug 8, 2005
2
people found this review helpful

If you are in Grand Rapids visiting the Gerald Ford Museum, it is worth your time to cross the street and spend a little time at the Van Andel Museum as well. I found the area called "Furniture City" very interesting and informative......making us realize the part that furniture manufacturing has played in the history of Grand Rapids. I will... more

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Public Museum of Grand Rapids Address

272 Pearl Street NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504-5371
Tel: 616-456-3977 Fax: 616-456-3873