Free Things to Do in Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids is a wonderful place to live or visit. Here is a list of landmarks in Grand Rapids, Mi that are free! You can find plenty of things to do in the city. Learn more about our neighborhood!
TOP 5 FREE PLACES TO GO IN GRAND RAPIDS, MI
The Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) is a fantastic place to visit for free on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They have a permanent collection as well as rotating exhibits throughout the museum. Visit their website to learn about upcoming exhibits.
There are also a variety of learning opportunities available, such as camps, programs, and more. The GRAM is free on Tuesdays and Thursday because of the generosity of The Meijer Foundation. Visit the Grand Rapids Art Museum’s website to learn more information.
Meyer and Sophie May commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to design the Meyer May House, which is located in the Heritage Hill Historic District. The two-story pale brick home is typical of Wright's Prairie School work, with decorative art glass windows, skylights, broad eaves, and hipped roofs. In the late 1980s, the house was lovingly restored to its original grandeur.
The Meyer May House is beautifully furnished with a mix of original, restored, and miscellaneous Arts and Crafts period furnishings, in addition to a fully restored exterior. The grounds and landscaping have also been restored to their original design from the early twentieth century. Throughout the year, tours are available on select days for architecture enthusiasts. Check the Meyer May House website for tour availability.
Calvin Ecosystem Preserve & Native Gardens is a beautiful park and garden in Grand Rapids. A wildlife sanctuary, trails, and an interpretive center are part of the 104-acre nature preserve.
The preserve contains over 250 native plant species. The majority of the trails run through wooded areas. It is open and free to the public from dawn to dusk every day. The Calvin Ecosystem Preserve & Native Gardens is a wonderful place to walk and learn about nature.
Just across the Grand River is Millennium Park. There are numerous enjoyable free activities available. Playing in the water on the beach or letting the kids play on the splash pad are two of these activities. Millennium Park also has numerous trails for hiking, biking, walking, and running.
Other activities available while you are here include playing on the playground, fishing, volleyball or basketball, and more. Bring your lunch and spend the day having a picnic here. Bring your friends and play volleyball. Kayaks, paddle boards, row boats, and canoes can also be rented. Whatever activity you choose, you will have a fantastic time at Millennium Park!
If you’re interested in astronomy, you can visit the Calvin University Observatory. The university has access to two optical telescopes: one on campus and one in New Mexico that is operated by robots. Calvin's telescope is a powerful 16-inch Ritchey-Chretien.
Students of all levels use the telescopes as part of the Observatory's educational mission. Non-students can visit for free on Wednesday nights. To get the most up-to-date information about visiting Calvin University Observatory, go to the university's website.