The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIDescription
cultural
accessibility
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is the presidential museum and burial place of Gerald Ford, the 38th president of the United States, and his wife Betty Ford. It is located near the Pew Campus of Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
attractions: Van Andel Arena, Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton, Grand Rapids Public Museum, DeVos Place, DeVos Performance Hall, JW Marriott Grand Rapids, Rosa Parks Circle, Grand Rapids Children's Museum, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Fish Ladder Park, restaurants: Stella's Lounge, The B.O.B., Butcher's Union, San Chez A Tapas Bistro, Leo's Seafood Restaurant & Bar, HopCat, Sundance Grill & Bar, Bistro Bella Vita, Z's Bar & Restaurant, Brick and Porter
Ratings
Description
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is the presidential museum and burial place of Gerald Ford, the 38th president of the United States, and his wife Betty Ford. It is located near the Pew Campus of Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Posts
Gorgeous museum! You will see marble everywhere after entering through the heavy glass entrance doors. The handles are large replicas of United States coins. So cool! I visited during art prize so I did not view the entire museum however I thoroughly enjoyed the first floor gallery. It was a treat to see some of the resident art still displayed while viewing the art entered in the art prize contest. The theater is impressive and quite cozy. Perfect views from any seat. The gift shop has become one of my most favorite gift shops ever! They carry so many unique gifts. Many pieces are replicas of the larger sculptures, or art prints displayed within the museum. I liked that they had a section dedicated to the state of Michigan. But I loved the President Bobble-heads. I wanted to buy them all but first up were President Obama and the notorious RBG (YES they had her too!). The grounds have a few sculptures and some unique landscaping including a water feature. Thus museum is located in a prime location! It is next to the Grand River withaccess to the pedestrian bridge directly on the grounds! Bonus, they offer free parking in their own parking lot!
Rose BlackRose Black
00
I really enjoyed my time at the museum. This place is packed full of information and artifacts from his life. I enjoyed taking the time to read every little thing I could, and to soak up all that was offered. I will say, this probably isn’t a place fore younger children. I went when it was free admission, and a lot of families were there to take advantage of that, understandably. I just don’t think that this museum caters to the children very well, and they were getting bored. This was most frustrating when I was at the exhibit detailing his death and funeral. During the touching and somewhat emotional video of his eulogies, parents were heard screaming at their children who were running and goofing off in this particular exhibit. I gave them 4 stars, instead of 5, due to the gift shop being kind of “hokey.” There were a lot of things that are red, white, and blue themed for the older ladies and their pets, but very little literature, t-shirts, or hats. I settled on one of the two coffee mugs that were offered, and a magnet.
Matt MorleyMatt Morley
20
We visited with another couple on a Sunday in early April of 2023 and this museum was wonderful. The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is the presidential museum and burial place of Gerald Ford, the 38th president of the United States (1974–1977), and his wife Betty Ford. It is located near the Pew Campus of Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The parking was free. We arrived as soon as they opened and obtained tickets with no waiting. We definitely recommend this as a must stop! Admission was very reasonable and the exhibits were outstanding from videos to artifacts of his life and presidency. We proceeded up the stairs to a well arranged exhibit hall. The special event at this time was "Guitars and a Changing Nation, America at the Crossroads" We would definitely go back at a later date.
BTBT
00
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum will take you from Jerry's youth, through his time becoming an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America, his Local, State and National Political careers ending in his being sworn into the office of President of the United States 8-9-74 when President Nixon resigned due to the Watergate scandal. He was a good man, who never wanted to be President, but helped heal our nation at a critical time in the public's trust in our elected government. There is a replica of the oval office, a segment of the Berlin Wall, many personal artifacts of both Jerry Ford the man and the President, as well as his wife, Betty's. Their burial site is available to pay respects during the daytime also. They sometimes have special exhibits on display as well as special speakers.
Shelley PetersShelley Peters
10
Visited the library in Ann Arbor yesterday, this is the separate and bigger museum. I didn't know much about Ford prior to this other than his pardon of Nixon. The museum seems to stick to the official story of being necessary for the healing of the nation without really discussing the controversy. There is an oval office recreation but you cannot actually step into it. There is a cabinet office recreation you can sit in which is nice. The museum focuses a lot on his early life and seems to struggle to find things of note during his term. It was well made and modern but lacked substance overall. Free parking. Friendly staff. A shame it appears to lack the confidence to discuss the controversy.
Sam RogersSam Rogers
10
I thoroughly enjoyed visiting The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum! The museum touches on so many aspects of Gerald Ford's life and career. I would say that about one-third of the museum has exhibits focusing on his life and career before his presidency, and then another third of exhibits focus on the events of his presidency. The last third of museum space incorporates separate, smaller spaces dedicated to Betty Ford, the funeral of Gerald Ford, the USS Gerald Ford, and the Berlin Wall. Overall, the museum is definitely worth visiting, and it was perhaps one of my favorite places to visit during my trip to Western Michigan. Lastly, I can't ignore that the free parking is a nice bonus!
Gregory PadgettGregory Padgett
00
Nearby Attractions Of The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
Van Andel Arena
Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton
Grand Rapids Public Museum
DeVos Place
DeVos Performance Hall
JW Marriott Grand Rapids
Rosa Parks Circle
Grand Rapids Children's Museum
Grand Rapids Art Museum
Fish Ladder Park
Van Andel Arena
4.5
(3.6K)Click for details
Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton
4.4
(2.7K)Click for details
Grand Rapids Public Museum
4.7
(2.6K)Click for details
DeVos Place
4.5
(1.9K)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
Stella's Lounge
The B.O.B.
Butcher's Union
San Chez A Tapas Bistro
Leo's Seafood Restaurant & Bar
HopCat
Sundance Grill & Bar
Bistro Bella Vita
Z's Bar & Restaurant
Brick and Porter
Stella's Lounge
4.5
(1.8K)$$
Click for details
The B.O.B.
4.2
(1.6K)$$
Click for details
Butcher's Union
4.7
(1.4K)$$
Click for details
San Chez A Tapas Bistro
4.7
(1.3K)$$
Click for details
Reviews
Overview
4.7
(1.1K reviews)
Phone
(616) 254-0400
Call
Website
fordlibrarymuseum.gov
Visit
Deep Dive
A deep dive into The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
- Unable to get your location