Grand Rapids, Michigan

===Tourism===
[[File:Ford ford museum.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Gerald R. Ford Museum]], dedicated in 1981, is located downtown on the west bank of the Grand River. [[President Ford]] and First Lady [[Betty Ford]] are buried on the museum's grounds.]]

Grand Rapids is the home of [[John Ball Zoological Garden]], [[Belknap Hill]], and the [[Gerald R. Ford Museum]]. He and former First Lady Betty Ford were buried on the site. Significant buildings in the downtown include the [[DeVos Place Convention Center]], [[Van Andel Arena]], the [[Amway Grand Plaza Hotel]], and the [[JW Marriott Grand Rapids|JW Marriott Hotel]]. The [[Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts]] is downtown, and houses art exhibits, a movie theater, and the urban clay studio.<ref>{{cite web |title = UICA |url = http://www.uica.org/ |access-date = August 20, 2017 |publisher = Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts |archive-date = March 30, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150330062132/http://www.uica.org/ |url-status = dead }}</ref>

Along the [[Grand River (Michigan)|Grand River]] are reconstructed earthwork [[burial mounds]], which were constructed by the prehistoric [[Hopewell culture|Hopewell tribe]]; a [[fish ladder]], and a riverwalk.

Grand Rapids is home to the [[Public Museum of Grand Rapids|Van Andel Museum Center]]. Founded in 1854, it is among the oldest history museums in the United States. The museum's sites include its main building, constructed in 1994 on the west bank of the [[Grand River (Michigan)|Grand River]] (home to the [[Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium]]); the Voigt House Victorian Museum, and the City Archives and Records Center. The latter held the museum and planetarium before 1994. Since the late 20th century, the museum has hosted notable exhibitions, including one on the [[Dead Sea Scrolls]], and ''The Quest for Immortality: the Treasures of Ancient Egypt.'' A non-profit institution, it is owned and managed by the Public Museum of Grand Rapids Foundation.[[File:Voight House.jpg|thumb|An example of [[Châteauesque]] architecture in the [[Heritage Hill Historic District (Grand Rapids, Michigan)|Heritage Hill Historic District]], a neighborhood immediately east of downtown]] [[Heritage Hill Historic District (Grand Rapids, Michigan)|Heritage Hill]], a neighborhood directly east of downtown, is one of the largest urban historic districts in the country. The first "neighborhood" of Grand Rapids, its 1,300 homes date from 1848 and represent more than 60 architectural styles. Of particular significance is the [[Meyer May House]], a [[Prairie School|Prairie]]-style home [[Frank Lloyd Wright]] designed in 1908.<ref>{{cite news |last = Grass |first = Michael |date = September 23, 2015 |title = Unsolicited Advice: Forget Beer, Grand Rapids. It's Time to Trumpet Architecture, Too. |work = Route Fifty |publisher = [[Atlantic Media]] |location = Washington, DC |url = http://www.routefifty.com/2015/09/grand-rapids-architecture/121769/ |access-date = August 21, 2017 |archive-date = June 28, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170628182059/http://www.routefifty.com/2015/09/grand-rapids-architecture/121769/ |url-status = live }}</ref> It was commissioned by local merchant Meyer May, who operated a men's clothing store (May's of Michigan).

The house is now owned and operated by [[Steelcase|Steelcase Corporation]]. Steelcase manufactured the furniture for the [[Johnson Wax Building]] in [[Racine, Wisconsin]], which was also designed by Wright and is recognized as a landmark building. Because of those ties, Steelcase purchased and restored the property in the 1980s. The restoration has been heralded as one of the most accurate and complete of any Wright restoration. The home is used by Steelcase for special events and is open to the public for tours.

[[File:GRFORDSPACEStatue.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Space Statue at the [[Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum]] in Grand Rapids, Michigan]]

Grand Rapids is home to many theaters and stages, including the newly reconstructed [[Grand Rapids Civic Theatre & School of Theatre Arts|Civic Theatre]] (also known as the Meijer Majestic), the city's largest theater; DeVos Hall, and the convertible Van Andel Arena. Further east of downtown is the historic [[Wealthy Theatre]]. Studio 28, the first [[megaplex]] in the United States, is in Grand Rapids; it reopened in 1988 with a [[seating capacity]] of 6,000.<ref>{{cite web |year = 2009 |title = Jack Loeks' Studio 28 |url = http://cinematreasures.org/theater/7219/ |access-date = August 21, 2017 |website = Cinema Treasures |archive-date = April 5, 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090405174806/http://cinematreasures.org/theater/7219 |url-status = live }}</ref> The megaplex ceased operations on November 23, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |date = November 27, 2009 |title = Studio 28 Theatre |url = http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/4197.html |access-date = August 21, 2017 |website = CinemaTour! |archive-date = December 2, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081202204209/http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/4197.html |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1 = Brenzing |first1 = Bob |last2 = Ross |first2 = Peter |name-list-style = amp |date = November 14, 2008 |title = Studio 29 closing November 23rd |publisher = WZZM-TV |location = Walker, MI |url = http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=101472 |url-status = dead |access-date = January 14, 2010 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130419043408/http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=101472 |archive-date = April 19, 2013 }}</ref> The Grand Rapids company also owns many theaters around West Michigan. The [[Acrisure Amphitheater]], a planned outdoor venue with 12,000 seats, is expected to open in 2026.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Carlson |first=Kate |date=2023-08-25 |title=Amphitheater groundbreaking on track for spring 2024 as officials navigate moving parts |url=https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/real-estate/amphitheater-groundbreaking-on-track-for-spring-2024-as-officials-navigate-moving-parts/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=[[Crain Communications]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

Grand Rapids' prominent craft beer culture has continued to garner the city national and international recognition in recent years, making it a destination for increasing numbers of tourists. The city was awarded the nation's "Best Beer City" for the third year in a row in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-04 |title=Grand Rapids Named Nation's Best Beer City for the Third Year in a Row |url=https://www.experiencegr.com/media-articles/post/grand-rapids-named-nations-best-beer-city-for-the-third-year-in-a-row/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=www.experiencegr.com |language=en-us}}</ref>