The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum — Attraction in Grand Rapids

I traveled to Grand Rapids for the specific purpose of visiting the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. The Museum is located on the banks of the Grand River in Downtown Grand Rapids. The parking lot adjacent to the museum is free for Museum Visitors. As visitors approach the museum you are greeted by a very nice statue of First Lady Betty Ford. There is also a statue of President Ford at the entrance to the Museum. Once I purchased my ticket for the self-guided tour, I made my way up to the exhibit area which documents the life of the man who served as both Vice President and President and was never elected to either office. The first exhibits that I encounter documents the early life of President From his birth in Omaha, Nebraska to his football day at the University of Michigan. Moving though the museum I found the exhibits on his long career as a member of the United States House of Representatives. A part of the House Exhibit that I found particularly interesting was President Ford’s service as a Member of the Warren Commission that investigated the Assassination of President John Kennedy. The museum deals extensively and quite accurately with the corruption of the Nixon-Agnew Administration. After completing my tour of the museum, I made the short walk along the paved path to the crypt where both President and Mrs. Ford are resting. The walk from the Museum to the Gravesite affords visitors a very nice view of downtown Grand Rapids. During my 2025 visit to the Ford Museum was open Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from Noon until 5 p.m. It has a very reasonable admission price of $13. Seniors’ admission is $11. All total I spent a little less than 4 hours at the museum. This is a very well-done museum and I would highly recommend visiting if you are in the Grand...

Aside from the red winged blackbird that attacked me on the sidewalk at departure, or the sheer volume of dog poop scattered across the grass between the president's grave and the river, I found this museum to be both illuminating and humbling. Having just read "Write It When I'm Gone," my impression of Ford was a four letter misfire: dull. I had the impression, based on his much later years, that President Ford lacked insight on his own life and experience, that his view of the world and the nation was incredibly superficial. And maybe it was, near the end, but this museum took me through a different--albeit understandably biased--point of view, letting me see Ford as a regular boy, a regular man, going through regular things, and yet excelling and serving for the benefit of other regular people, like himself. I've now been to 25 presidential graves and countless homes/museums/libraries, which means that a lot of them start to feel, for me, rehearsed and predictable. But in Ford's museum, I got a little choked up at my own arrogance, admitting, necessarily, that Ford wasn't dull at all. He was a hard-working man who fell into the presidency, never really wanting to be more than a legislator, a representative of the people for which the presidency offered him a new platform to serve. The only question that I never got answered, a question that someone might be able to answer here, is why Ford settled in California during his post-presidency, nudged between Nixon and Reagan, when he clearly loved his...

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...