The museum sits in downtown Grand Rapids, which is really a blooming downtown area. There are tons of restaurants around the museum and a nice outdoor eating area where you could also have a picnic.
The museum is two floors. The first floor has a stroller parking area and a gift shop. Also on the main floor is a play grocery store, a few push cars for younger kids, and a play car with it’s ‘engine’ exposed.
Upstairs is where we spent 95% of our time. There is a ton to do and see! The first thing that our boys wanted to do on the second floor is the bubble station. They had 2 bubble tables perfect for my youngest son, and then they had a larger bubble station with a platform that you can stand on, and then put yourself into a bubble. You really have to see it to understand what I’m talking about.
There was also a full doctor office and play “MRI” machine which looked to be sponsored by Stryker. It was SUPER cute. They had an arts and crafts table, Legos and trains, and a ton of hands on tables that kept my 4.5 year old’s attention for a long time.
We stayed for about an hour and a half (we had a birthday party to go to) but could have easily stayed 3 hours here. They don’t have a cafe here, so plan on eating at a nearby restaurant or pack a picnic lunch.
I highly recommend this museum for a day trip to Grand Rapids with kids. Have you ever been to this museum? If so I’d love to hear your kids’ favorite exhibits!