Gerald R. Ford Museum Reviews

My husband and I love visiting the presidential museums and the Ford Museum is one of the better ones. Lots of artifacts and information from his presidential years. Definitely worth a stop.

This museum is not overly crowded and can be explored at your own pace. I enjoyed learning about his childhood including his years as an Eagle Scout and the challenges facing the country during Ford’s presidency.

We really enjoyed learning about the history of Gerald Ford. My parents really enjoyed the beautiful history. We also enjoyed the interactive part of the exhibit's.

Very nicely done presidential museum. The exhibits themself were excellent. Their exhibits are reminder of everything that President Ford had to deal with. Very informative. Well worth the stop

The grounds are perfect for pictures and a leisure stroll. centrally located to downtown restaurants and hotels. Parking is free and located across the public museum. The exhibits were interesting and well presented.

We visited the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids in May 2018. We did not know exactly what to expect, but we very pleasantly surprised. It was interesting to see information about events that we could actually remember. It is not a large museum, but it is well organized and has a lot of information about President Ford. We enjoyed our visit.

There is lots of information here about Gerald R Ford and his time as president and before that. We enjoy the museum and would recommend it as a spot to stop if in the area.

Very interesting history about President Ford. He took over when American spirits were down because of Watergate. He was ‘in the right place at the right time’. The displays depict him as a kind, compassionate and contemplative man, and quite capable of leading our country. The museum is not very large so one can see it all in a couple of hours, depending on how many videos are viewed. The grounds were beautiful.

We arrived right at 9 when the museum opened. The building and water fountain are gorgeous along with the flower gardens. Nice gift shop. Really interesting information about Ford’s presidency. We really enjoyed the photo exhibit. We spent a little over 2 hrs in the museum. Highly recommend. We have been to most of the presidential libraries and this is one of the more impressive ones.

This museum was dedicated to a great man, not a politician. He was in civil service to look out for and work for the people protecting their rights. He did what right not what was popular. He healed our nation in time of need after Watergate. I knew some things about the man but learned to admire him even more after this visit.

We enjoyed the Gerald Ford Presidential Library in Ann Arbor. On this trip to Michigan, our first time in Grand Rapids, the Ford Presidential Museum was our #1 Monday stop.

We loved the water feature and huge fountain outside! The statues of the President, Mrs. Ford and an Astronaut are perfect.

When we visited September 9th, the museum had recently completed its fourth reset.

This is an excellent Presidential Museum. They've done a great job of showcasing the private lives of Gerald and Betty Ford, his time in Congress and one of the most important presidencies in American history.

Highly recommend.

Having been to nearly all of the presidential libraries, I consider this presidential library as one of the best. It really presents the life of Gerald R Ford without politicizing very aspects of his career. It shows him as a man of integrity did what was right rather than what was politically good for his career.

My father and law had the opportunity to visit this gem in between basketball ball games at Calvin college. It was neat to learn about a president I didn't know much about. It was very informative on the life and presidency of Gerald Ford. They have a replica of the oval office and the presidents cabinet meeting room. In the cabinet room you can actual sit at the conference table in the various different marked cabinet members seats.

We stopped at the presidential museum to kill some time before our dinner and concert reservations, and we were pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable the visit was. The museum is newly renovated and the grounds and interior are quite beautiful. There were so many interactive exhibits. We spent more time here than planned because the museum was so well appointed. There was so much to see and learn. They also had a beautiful art exhibit of period dresses made with many different types of media. The gift shop was great and had some fun 70’s memorabilia. This venue is a definite recommend.

This was a very interesting museum, and everything was well done. We learned a lot about President Ford that we did not know, from his birth to his death. We would definitely recommend this great museum. We were in the Holland area for the Tulip Festival and had a rainy day so thought an indoor activity would be good. We are glad it rained!!

Very well-done presidential museum covering the President's life . Curent special exhibit about his wife Betty. Downtown location across the river from the business part of the city.
Negatives; space to park at a premium, no food onsite. Only reasons I didn't give it a five. The museum itself is*****!
Day we went was free possibly because of ArtPrize pieces in the museum. See below...

Plan your visit around ArtPrize, a city-wide art exhibition that takes place last week of Sept thru first week October. Amazing event, look it up. Agree with FineArtFans review.

We went to the Gerald Ford Museum in downtown Grand Rapids on a Sunday. Traffic and parking were not a problem at all. The parking is free. Tickets are $10 for adults in 2019 and seniors and youth have lower prices. If you are a member of another Presidential Library, you can get in here free. The museum itself is so nice, the displays well done, and it does not feel overwhelming. President and Mrs. Ford are buried on the grounds and you can also see that area outside. The fountain and gardens outside were lovely. We enjoyed the special display by Ford’s photographer so much. There is a small gift shop here and your ticket itself is a souvenir they tell you. They also sell the Library Passports here that you can get stamped each time you visit one. Highly recommend a visit here. This is our 11th Presidential Library, and it is so interesting to see how unique they all are.

I love to visit Gerald R Ford Presidential Museum Every time I visit GR. They are Always an ArtPrize Venue & display many beautiful pieces.
This year my favorite piece “Dare to Dream Big” made it to the finalists list.
I am A Cat Person, & this piece was a Giant Cat craved out of Bronze. It shows a Cat ... inspired by the artists own Pet, looking into a mirror .. dreaming he is a Lion. How clever ... good Luck ... hope it Wins.
You Got My Vote!!
The museum has free admission during ArtPrize .. Be sure to check it out!

Very well done presidential museum. Well organized to follow Ford’s life and political carrier. Handy to downtown Grand Rapids! Takes a couple of hours to browse the exhibits.

My wife and I went to the Ford Museum yesterday for my B'day and were happily surprised to see the art show going on. Had a great time revisiting the 70's (graduated 1974) learning more about the man who took the reins of our country in a very difficult time. And then the bonus of all the art on display and talking with many of the artists right on sight. Later took a walk along side the river to the fish ladder and really enjoyed watching the fish "trying" to go up stream. What a wonderful day!

We visited the Gerald R. Ford Museum while in town for a wedding on the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend. Although I am a child of the 70’s (I was a Freshman in HS when VP Ford became POTUS), much of what happened in the 70’s has long since been forgotten. I enjoyed the trip down “memory lane” and even learned some things I had missed. I highly recommend the museum. It is well worth the $8 ($7 for “seniors” 62 & Up) entrance fee. There’s even a nice (small) gift shop with Presidential Bobble-Heads! Just inside the entrance there’s an actual section of the Berlin Wall (see Pic)

We underestimated how much we would enjoy this well-organized museum. We had planned to visit for an hour and stayed two hours, since the displays were so well done. The staff at the museum was very helpful and friendly.

The smaller museum works largely through pictorial narrative in a nice building. During a short presidency, important decisions are made. President Ford's tomb in the area. Good parking.

Before we visited today, I really knew nothing about Gerald Ford. I was just a child when he took office. I learned a lot about him today from his museum. The museum is very well done, taking you through his early life to his short lived presidency to his funeral. There is a very well done film about his life as well. The Ford burial site is located on the grounds.

Got here about 90 minutes before closing time but still managed to get it all in. Obviously saved the gravesites for last. The museum was well designed and laid out.
Highly Recommended

We really enjoyed this museum. It was part of our GR culture pass. So much information and pictures very well presented.

We spent almost two hours following the life of our thirty eight president through the well laid out hall and rooms . You start with the bold print, learn more from the midsize print and then go to the fine print, you would need two hours more to read it all but captures you and you want to know more. Well worth the time to honor such an amazing life he achieved. Small piece of trivia, Gerald Ford is not his birth name , and he was offered contracts to play pro football before moving on to law and politics.

This is the twelfth presidential museum we have visited. Gerald Fords follows the usual format of starting with a summary movie, followed by the story of his life, focusing of course on his presidential term and world events of the time. There is currently a great special exhibit on Betty Ford. Plan to spend 1 1/2 - 2 hours with a swing by the Ford’s gravesites in your way out. Beautiful location along the Grand River.

Well done museum for a president who served a short time. A man with character and fairness. Many disagreed with some of his actions at the time but history has proven he did the right thing

The museum is great and its displays are set up and explained in an easy way.
We liked the War Rooms and all the displays they had in there

I have been to many of the Presidential Museums and Libraries around the country and this is right up there with the best. The museum provides a good day of history regarding a very under rated President.

A very moving experience visiting the Gerald R. Ford Museum which was quite spacious with much to see. We even received a discount for having our Badges on since we were attending a conference across the Food Bridge at the Amway Grand Plaza and DeVos Place. Great
Videos throughout the whole tour.

Very well organized. Interesting take on President Ford’s life and a view into the 20th century. I was happy to see a portion is devoted to his amazing wife, First Lady Betty Ford. Also a great place to park and walk the downtown Grand Rapids area.

I loved seeing this museum with the art exhibition during ArtPrize. It showcases the work well and can accommodate large crowds well.

this is a great museum if you are into presidential stuff. we usually go to one if we are in an area that has one. the place awesome and just a good place to hang by the river on a summer afternoon. inside was up to date and very well put together. there was a great section about Betty Ford as well.

A great museum honoring a great man who never wanted to be President - but dammit, did the job anyway and you leave just wishing you could personally thank him for stepping up into public duty.

The museum brings you a lot of insight into his interest and rise in politics, his family, and you learn so many great things about President Ford and wondering what could have happened had he defeated Carter.

Proud to say this was stop #4 on my tour of Presidential Museums and Libraries.

Ford oversaw a tense time in US history. I learned a lot about that time at this museum. Betty Ford did a great deal of work in the equal rights movement. A true inspiration. Every one should visit.Very positive experience.

Fascinating museum that offers a good reminder that we rarely know everything that is going on. I learned a lot of about Ford but also got both reminders and insight into what was going on during a key period of history. Ford's accomplishments were truly remarkable. Also wonderful were the reproduction of the Oval Office and of the President's Cabinet, with explanations of what is there and how things work. So a truly worthwhile museum that offers a remarkable look back. And not just good information, but beautifully presented, with movies and artifacts and displays. Definitely recommended.

This is a great place to spend a couple of hours. Very well done displays, and videos. It provides great insight to a Michigan native that became President of the United States in and unusual way and how he helped heal our country during such a difficult time. He was a true gentleman, patriot, leader. Also provides insight into his wonderful wife Betty and the difficulties that she overcame. I highly recommend this museum.

I was here during art prize so it was extremely busy but really interesting place to visit. I think what made me laugh the hardest is that Trump bobblehead was missing from their store. When purchasing some items we asked why he wasn’t in the window and the salesperson said they keep selling out of them. This is a great history lesson for older kids and for grandparents to take them. It was a pleasure seeing all the memorabilia! It’s our history.

We had about two hours to go through the museum, and that wasn't enough time for us (we're kinda wonky and like to read). The exhibits took us through Ford's life and successes – reminding us of the era when Gerald and Betty Ford were in Washington, serving the people with a strong midwestern sense of duty and integrity. Our understanding of those years – 1940s through 1970s – was enhanced by this visit. I highly recommend carving out time to visit this museum. I also appreciate the free parking lot for museum visitors

Made me realize in a time when politicans make a nation want to puke, Gerald Ford is what we need. Really interesting, lots of biography and artifacts. Video presentations are technically inadequate

In a time of great discord in the country this appointed president made the tough choices that ultimately cost him the presidency. The museum was an excellent portrayal of a decent and honest patriot that helped heal the nation.

I depend on Trip advisor and was really disappointed to see the museum has been closed since March. Trip Advisor has not updated their listing. I am reminded I need to go to the site website too

Very much enjoyed this museum! I learned about the Ford presidency but mostly enjoyed learning more about his and Betty’s personal life. What an amazing couple. May they Rest In Peace.

The Gerald Ford Museum goes beyond addressing the life and presidency of Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford to put it into a historical context. There was an awful lot going on at that time - including the assassination attempt. The GRF museum takes us from Jerry's childhood through his presidency and includes a pretty thorough look at First Lady Betty Ford's life, as well.

I liked Betty a lot more than Jerry during his presidency, but eventually came to appreciate the fine job he did. Nevertheless, I didn't expect the GRF to be as interesting as it was. (For example, I didn't realize what a stand-out athlete Jerry was.)

The GRF relies on news- and biographical-oriented video materials, along with two- and three-dimensional representations. The full-scale depictions of the cabinet room and president's office are must-sees. Still, I wonder how individuals used to a steady interactive-video-streaming diet find the GRF.

Bonus: The cane-wielding member of our couple was able to sit in one of the GRF wheelchairs during our hour-long visit. Without that chair, our visit would have been short and painful. Special thanks to the security officer who retrieved the wheelchair at the door, saving the more ambulatory member of our couple the time and effort associated with returning it.

So we were not quite sure what to expect. We found it to be very educational and an important reminder of the role President Ford took in healing a country that was very fragile at the time. I am sure the quality, nature and focus of each Presidential Museum varies greatly but this one is extremely well done.

Very informative, easy to follow timeline & enjoyed several short videos throughout the museum. We learned lot about President Ford’s personal & political life.

Fitting tribute for President & Mrs Ford. Conviently located off the highway. Inexpensive way for our teenager to learn about a historic time in our history. Great exhibits in the Oval Office & the Cabinet Room. Plan a visit of approximately 2 hours.

I am a liberal so I was not sure I would like it. However, I thought it was very informative and very clean. I enjoyed both times.

I have lived in this area most my life and this was my first visit. Shame on me. I was shocked at the size of the museum and the amount of information. I came away with a great appreciation for President Ford. If you haven't been and have any appreciation for history you need to go.

Located in downtown Grand Rapids on the bank of the Grand River stands the Gerald R.
Ford Museum. A beautiful building surrounded by gardens. Inside are photographs, artifacts, documents, videos and recordings of the life of the 38th president. You will come away with a renewed
respect for President Ford and First Lady, Betty Ford. The years before the White House
and after. On the grounds the President and First Lady are buried in a beautiful garden site.
Cost was $8. Well worth the cost. Parking is free. Gift shop was nice.

This was our first stop when we arrived in Grand Rapids. Great museum with lots of info about the president. A must stop if in the area. My wife enjoyed the temporary exhibit dedicated to Betty Ford.

Very sad to say it, but we were comfortable here. We stayed across the river and even crossing the bridge, there was homeless people approaching us. The museum was fine, but the area around it was not. Very sad!

I enjoyed the whole place but especially liked the First Lady Betty Ford exhibit. It was well laid out and easy to navigate. There was also an art contest going on at the museum that was also interesting. And happily it was a day we got in free.

Great place to take kids for a history lesson. BSA Scouts who wear their uniform generally get free admission.

The layout of the museum is easy to follow. You can easily learn about the highlights of Ford's life and political career. A good amount of artifacts and a few videos to watch. And don't forget to visit Gerald and Betty Ford's burial site just outside the museum. And best of all, FREE PARKING, which I don't think you can find anywhere else in downtown Grand Rapids.

The Ford Museum underwent a "refresh" and is better than ever! The quality of materials - and the breadth of information - that they have on display is outstanding. The staff/volunteers are very knowledgeable and helpful and truly want to make your visit the absolute most enjoyable it can be. I've been here with young children and older adults and all ages thoroughly enjoy their own experience at the Ford Presidential Museum.

We expected a great experience but were really amazed at the broad depth of history included in the museum. Everything was well presented, be sure to plan plenty of time my family was pulling me away so we could see everything.

We went to the museum on a whim. It was very informative. Brought us back to when we were kids. There are a lot of short movies and take about 1 1/2 hrs to go through. There is also a nice tomb area where both Gerald and BETTY are buried. Very nice. We did enjoy it.

Great museum. I didn’t get to finish the museum because our tour group had to move on. The exhibits were excellent and informative

This is my second Presidential Museum I've visited and it's taken the lead for being my favorite...

We purchased tickets online and had no issues checking in at the entrance. The Michelangelo exhibit was also showing here for a limited time so we were fortunate to tour two exhibits this visit.

The flow of the President Ford's timeline was immaculate. There was just enough detail at each station to not feel overwhelmed and get the gist of it. I learned plenty as I toured the stations and was entertained through the journey. The artifacts were fascinating and i loved feeling the history of their presence. I appreciate his journey through a rough time of the United States and the mini-film stations throughout were informative.
My favorite sections were the replicas of the Oval Office and Cabinet Room. I loved that you could take a seat in the cabinet room as you explored. Both areas felt interactive because of the scale of the replicas.

The gift shop served it's purpose and the staff was friendly. The Gerald Ford Presidential Museum is a definite visit if you're in the area. Enjoy!

Nice museum. Very educational. Displays are good but none were intersectional as I have seen st other presidential museums. Since only president 2 years, there is not as much to cover as others covering 2 terms. Definitely worthwhile.

Second time to the museum. While I was not a fan of Ford as president we did enjoy the museum. It was redone three years ago and is very easy to get around with a variety of interesting stops to review.
Worth the visit if you are in GR.

Such an outstanding exhibit! We learned so much about the history during this era, and gained a huge appreciation for President Ford and Betty Ford. The displays are easily understood and the docent was readily available to provide explanations. The Staff was helpful and the facility is handicap-friendly. We look forward to another visit with our teenaged grandchildren.

This museum gives a lot of history about President Ford. From his childhood, college, navy service through his political years and presidency. It also shows his later years, and funeral. Don’t mis his grave site.

We were fortunate because there was a special exhibit about Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel.

I really enjoyed the Gerald Ford Museum. We visited during Art Prize so admittance was free and there was a lot of great artwork intermingled with the regular displays. It was interesting to learn about a President Ford and his family and all that happened in his lifetime. Definitely worth going to.

What an amazing museum! Even if you're not Republican or a fan of Gerald Ford. This Presidential Museum is so well done. The exhibits and videos presented really do an amazing job of portraying the life of one of our great American heros and statesmen. I had forgotten a bunch of the accomplishments Gerald Ford had throught out his life. As a boy growing up, sports in college, his time in the US Navy and during his 26l5 years as a US Congressman and then as President of the United States. Great museum ! This is a must see if you are in Grand Rapids even for one day.

A very good display of President Ford’s life and presidency. I remembered much of it, but also learned a lot. A reminder of times when we could have strong differences of options and still respect each other.

When one starts learning about a person in their late adult life, that person's life before the public spotlight can be overlooked. The Gerald Ford Museum taught me about his accomplishments before President Ford was thrust into national spotlight. This museum is excellent.

All presidential libraries and museums are interesting and informative. This one is no different. There is a lot to see. Any new information learned is a positive. It's a beautiful building filled with information. Loved it!!

This is a very informative museum. Lots of little goodies to see and do. Try not to miss this one when you are downtown.

Very nice setting along the river in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Excellent museum honoring and telling the story of a great man and public servant.
We spent almost five hours in the museum and at the nearby gravesite.
I voted for Gerald Ford, and after learning the rest of his story, might do so again if he was alive and running for the office of POTOS today.

I believe President Ford was the only person never elected President or Vice President, yet he served in the highest office of the land.

This is an airy, bright, intellectually stimulating museum, with lots of exhibits that change frequently as well as many permanent collections.

The post-Watergate period in which he served has always fascinated me, and although this museum is in no way the best place to find information on Watergate, there are many unique things related to this painful time in our nation's history.

Even though this is a fairly small presidential museum, it was full of interesting things. We spent close to 3 hours, and still didn't have time to read everything and see all the displays. We highly recommend it!

Museum offers a replica of his cabinet room. There is also a replica of his Presidential office. He was an Eagle Scout, football player, and came from an humble background. Lots of interesting information about a president who did not serve a full term.

Enjoyed learning more about Michigan’s only President. Interesting presentation of his life and presidency. I was quite young growing up in Michigan at the time so I appreciated learning about the social and political climate of that day.

Location is right along the river. Have to say that the actual burial site was less than impressive.

A worthy stop to be sure.

President Ford served at a very important time in our nations history, and here is a museum that tells the story well.

In addition, you get to learn a great deal about the man, from his days at the Univ. of Michigan to his time in the Navy. You also learn why his time in Boy Scouts and earning Eagle Scout were so important to him and how those values served him as President.

AN easy museum to get around and very well put together. The Oval Office display is well done.

Do search for the full size plane, sort of hidden in the museum.

We took four grandchildren there. The younger ones enjoyed the space to move around, the older two enjoyed the movies

Free parking!

We have been to several presidential museums (Clinton, Eisenhower. Lincoln...) In my opinion the Ford Museum is well done. The layout makes it easy to get around and see the exhibits and it reflects Ford’s unassuming personality. We were blessed to find a free parking space. Parking was at a premium because of ArtPrize (which I heard from staff will now be every other year). There was a very exhibit on Betty Ford which could very well be part of the permanent exhibits if the museum can spare the room. From talking with staff in the bookstore, it was more crowded than usual because of ArtPrize. There was lots to read and look and several short video clips inside the museum itself. We also enjoyed seeing some of the art work inside and on the grounds of the museum. There is an elevator for folks who don’t do stairs or families with strollers. Worth a visit if you are in Grand Rapids. The Ford Museum is here, but the Ford Library is in Ann Arbor.

I took my 10 yr old on a day trip to the museum and we had a great time! He did not know that Gerald R Ford was one of our Presidents, so I wanted to teach him both some history but give him some pride in his State. He was excited to see that Mr. Ford had played football at U of M, his favorite school and sport. We took in all the photos and documents, so much to see; including a replica of the Oval Office. We went to the burial site and paid our respects. I am an Eagle Scout and my son is a Webelos Scout so my son also saw that was a path of good leadership and moral values that President Ford lived by. We saluted the man for his achievements and went to have lunch. He asked a lot of questions, especially about Nixon and how Ford became President. It is good when young people are interested in our past so they learn for our future. This is a wonderful place to visit when in town.

The Gerald Ford Museum teaches the visitor about Gerald Ford's life as a person, lawmaker, and president. One learns he was very proud of his hometown, family, and country. You learn about his athletic prowess, his military service, and how dedicated he was in his political life. It was a very worthwhile visit. An added bonus was seeing the Sistine Chapel panels exhibit. This exhibit is well done and has a great video explaining how Michelangelo painted the famous ceiling. Welll-done.

Our bus tour group visited the Museum (approx. 47 people) (trip from
Louisiana to Michigan). It was a beautiful museum. Gerald and Betty Ford are buried on the grounds of the museum. There is a replica of the oval office, when he was president. Wonder tribute to his and her life.

This is the third time I have been to the museum. Each time there is something new. Right now there is a big display on Betty Ford that was very interesting. The way they did the hall when he passed as excellent.

I will visit every time I come back to GR.

The museum really surprised us. We thought we would like it, but it was much better than we expected. They had a special exhibit on military service dogs that was educational and made we thankful for these wonderful dogs. And the rest of the museum was fascinating. It was a great tribute to a man who just tried to do what was right and was respected for that.

The Gerald R. Ford Museum is well worth a visit. The exhibits and video highlight many aspects of the his presidency that often go unnoticed. There are personal aspects that I had never known about him. Gerald and Betty Ford are buried on the grounds.

I took my Danish sister and her husband to this museum, they loved it! Especially the music, model of the Oval Office and all of the ephemera.

We debated visiting this museum or another and we were so happy that we came here. First, the museum is well laid out with a mix of displays, videos and exhibits. Second, there was so much great history from the 1970’s. And lastly, we learned so much about President and Betty Ford that we never knew. Really enjoyed the visit and highly recommend!

One of the best museums I have visited. Lots to do and see not just ford. Good for kids and adults
Stuff very friendly ! Definitely a must see

First visit to a Presidential museum. Very nice displays. Informational and educational. Bonus we got in free and there was an art show going on! Best of both worlds!

There are many nice displays. The theme focuses on his integrity and his family, and in doing so is a bit light weight for a political figure. The treatment of Watergate was clear headed. The gift shop is full of Chinese goods, which is a bit disappointing. Still, I learned some things that I didn't know, and it was well worth the admission price.

Nice museum depicting the life of both he & Betty. Its amazing to me what history proves about a past President, even though he wasn't that popular at the time. Very nice grounds with fountain you can step into on a hot day. Lots of photo ops here. Free parking on the street for buses or RVs. Follow the directions to Pearl St but turn at the stop light onto Scribner Ave NW & park along the street where it's clearly marked. Then, go inside & get a pass from security. Completely handicap accessible.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to this museum. We were just looking to kill a little time but ended up staying for 2.5 hours. It was very informative and really makes you feel like you know who Jerry Ford really was as a person and a politician. Would definitely recommend!!

This is a great way to spend a couple of hours in Grand Rapids. The museum is very informative and provides the whole background on how he became a president and information during his presidency. Also provides information on hos family and childhood. I would recommend it .also nice for children.

Amazing history lessons to be learned. For one who knew he was from here... Not me. Great displays, fun statues and educational displays.

We've never been to a presidential museum.This might not be the biggest ( the presidential library is actually in another city )---but it was set up to show the many things that Ford did in his time that we forget about.

The Gerald R. Ford Musem opens one's eyes to the life of this former President. Ford became President as a result of Richard Nixon's resigning of the Presidency and guided us through a tumultuous time. His decision to pardon Nixon was controversial and well-explored in this museum. Also of interest is the recreation of the Oval Office.

Not so well known about Ford was his earlier life at University of Michigan, where he played football, and his military service in the Navy during WWII, both of which are explored in the exhibits here.

Bottom line, a worthwhile visit if you're looking for things to do in Grand Rapids. Allow a minimum of 1.5 - 2 hours.

My boyfriend and I visited GR with no solid plan or things we HAD TO see. We kind of just wandered into the museum and we were so happy we had. We didn't really know anything about President Gerald Ford but we learned so much about his many accomplishments before, during, and after his presidency and I think his body of work is so not talked about enough. There was also a section on Betty Ford that I really appreciated as she was a trailblazer for the Equal rights amendment. The section on his pardoning of Nixon is really quite touching and interesting. We left in awe of all the things President Ford and Betty accomplished and how much we wished we could have been around to witness that era of history. I would definitely recommend to anyone, even those not interested in History, as there were a lot of fun and interactive elements as well, including a replica of the oval office. It was also nice to be able to walk the ground around the museum and pay respects to Ford ad Betty, who are laid to rest there.

Great place for anyone to learn about a man who without being elected became President in 1974. President Ford was a man of good character and integrity, in contrast to many in Washington today (including Ford’s predecessor!) The museum is laid out very well and we found the exhibits not overwhelming; you can go through at your own pace but we lingered for 2 hours. If you were around in the 1970s, being here at the museum is a great flashback to that era! Very cool replica of the Ford Oval Office (count the number of smoking pipes Ford had in the Oval Office!) and the Cabinet Room. Worth visiting to learn about this interesting time in American history and to learn more about this short-term President.

The Gerald R. Ford Museum provides us with a glimpse into the life and times of President Ford that many of us would not know without this museum. The replica of the oval office made the visit even more meaningful. A good place to spend a morning or afternoon.

The museum is modest compared to other presidential museums (I’ve been to six others) but this one tells a good story, keeps to the facts, and does not disappoint.
His life story is uncomplicated and movingly told, and his honesty and decency are on display as well. While he was president for less than 1,000 days, he restored faith in a system that had been shaken by the Watergate scandals. There was a photographic special exhibit by White House Photographer David Hume Kennerly that had many backstage intimate portraits of Ford, his family & friends. As with most presidential museums, the Fords are hurried on the grounds.

I truly enjoyed this museum. Not too large to enjoy in an hour or two. Interesting to learn more about this president.

GRF served his country well. The museum chronicles his life of public service. A great example of what he accomplished. Free parking. Final resting place of the President and Mrs. Ford near by.

Totally enjoyed the visit. Ford is very unique. He was the only unelected VP and President. But he was more qualified and decent than almost all other presidents.

We have been to many Presidential Libraries and Museums but President Ford's museum and burial site is here in Grand Rapids and his library is in Ann Arbor about an 1 1/2 away, the only such separation of facilities for any President. The museum is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm M-Sa and 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm on Sunday. Admission to the museum is $8.00 adults, $7.00 seniors (62) and military, $6.00 college students with ID, $4.00 children 6-18 and children under age 6 are free. There is also free parking.

The exhibit space is on the second floor and you can use the stairway or elevators. There is a gift shop on the first floor as well as restrooms and a piece of the old Berlin Wall. There are rest room facilities on the second floor too. You start the tour of the museum with a short orientation film that runs on a continuous loop with about 2 1/2 minutes between showings. From the orientation film you move to your left in a clockwise direction to see various sections dedicated to Ford's early life, college life, Congressional years, Presidency (with a replica of his Oval Office), his Post Presidency, a replica of his Cabinet Room and his funeral and Memorial Service. There is also a temporary exhibit set up for Betty Ford which was very interesting. Most of the information is in written form with some videos scattered in. It takes about 2 1/3 to 3 hours to see everything but you can breeze through quicker or take more time if read things in detail.

A few interesting facts I either didn't know or didn't remember were that Ford was offered a contract to play for the Green Bay Packers ($110 per game payable every game immediately after he game whether he played or not) and the Detroit Lions but declined to go to Law School; that he was the only President who did not run for either the office of Vice-President or President and that Gerald Rudolph Ford was actually born Leslie Lynch King Jr. There are many other tidbits you can pick up as you wander through the exhibits.

Upon finishing your tour of the museum you can stop in the gift shop to see and perhaps purchase a myriad of items commemorating his life and Presidency. Upon exiting the museum you can walk to the burial site of both President Ford and First Lady Betty Ford (in a fenced in site by the shores of the Grand River). If you have any interest in the life and Presidency of Gerald R. Ford or of any U.S. President, this museum is a must. Just make sure you plan enough time so you don't have to rush through the exhibits.

Learning the history of a wonderful president and all his life and how well it was explained. Very educational and worth seeing.

A modest museum well laid out with some great historical references.

More photos than actual items. Good videos. Gift shop has been closed for awhile including now in November. Online shopping only.

Coming from the UK, and old enough to remember many of the events leading to President Ford's inauguration and subsequent presidency, I found this a great mixture of things I remembered and many topics I knew nothing about. I was very interested in his early life and how he came to enter politics. I was left with the feeling that this was a very good, genuine, trustworthy, and ethical man, who did a lot for his country that was not appreciated at the time. This museum gives the opportunity for a greater understanding of his life and work. A really well set out museum. Thank you for an excellent visit.

I didn’t expect to be inspired. I didn’t expect to get chills up my spine. I didn’t expect to get teary eyed. Or to actually shed tears as I listened to Susan Ford read a letter from her dad as the USS Gerald Ford was christened in Newport News. But I did. The Gerald R Ford museum was an excellent display of memorabilia that truly demonstrates the”measure of the man” which is summed up in the motto of the aircraft carrier named for him. Integrity at the Helm!

The Gerald Ford Presidential Museum has so much information about President Ford. I found his life so interesting and I never knew much about him besides he became our president when Nixon resigned in 1974. I was 14 and clearly remember the events, but being a child, my knowledge was limited.

Regardless of your political affiliation, or if you don’t have a political affiliation, I recommend this museum because there is so much history about what happened leading up to Ford’s presidency, his life from when he was born in 1913. I’ve actually been to the museum twice. I went for the first time in June 20 24 and I returned in August. I went for a special exhibit and for a special event. I found everything to be extremely well presented, designed, explained. Just a very nice museum.

A brilliant selection on the presidency of a very decent and hard working man. I would return there in a minute!

I highly recommend this museum to adults and students. Parking was easy (and free). The museum itself is immaculately clean and well designed to lead you sequentially through president Ford's life. There are videos to watch in many places. Posted information and displayed items are easy to see and understand. In addition to the many displays, there are recreations of White House rooms. We spent about 3 hours and did not see everything available, so we recommend planning about 4 hours for your visit. We did not visit the gift shop.

This is just an excellent museum. Covers the life of a man who dedicated himself to serving this country. No matter what you think of his politics, you cannot deny he was a good and decent man. Museum is well-done and nicely-laid-out and interesting.

Homeless camp out front of this place, we couldn’t believe this here. The museum is good, but we didn’t feel safe in the area and that just isn’t right.

Spent a few hours today at the Museum with my brother-in-laws. Interesting display of the life and career of President Gerald Ford, starting with his football career at Michigan. Also covered his military career in World War 2 and political career in Congress, Vice President and President. A bit too much about Nixon, but highly recommend. I can a

We came to town to visit family from oregon and wanted to do some site seeing. We decided to check this place out. It was truly an excellent experience, my son who loves cars had a blast. It was really neat to walk around and check out the different exhibits

Although the museum is not large, there is an abundance of history. The museum is a hub for Artprize which is in September and is the largest art contest in the world which spans the whole city.

I toured the Lincoln Presidental Museum a year before and was not expecting quite as much here. Boy I was wrong! There were a lot of exhibits and artifacts to go through at this museum. Learned a lot about President Ford that I did not previously know, as he was President in my early years (3 months old - 2.5 years old). The replicas of the Cabinet Room and Oval Office were awesome. We ended up spending 3 hours here, and still feel as if we did not take it all in.

Having visited many presidential libraries, I found Ford's library as informative and interesting as the others. Because his term was short, the material was not overwhelming. The man's decency and strong ethical values are evident.

The museum was right across from my hotel so it necessitated a visit since I had a free afternoon. I remember Ford’s inauguration. We watched on TV in my 3rd grade class. It’s probably my earliest “political” memory. The museum is a nice overview of his life and career for anyone who is a history or politics buff.

I didn't know much about Gerald Ford and barely remember him as president so I learned a lot during this visit! Great museum - good content and well-done display. The grounds were also lovely.

I toured this museum as part of a Globus tour. I was genuinely surprised at how good the museum was. With lots of interesting inside information on Watergate and Nixons pardon. There are also replicas of the Oval Office and meeting room where you can pretend to be the President! Great fun!

I would definitely recommend this for a good hour's entertainment.

As a lifelong resident of Grand Rapids, I am ashamed to say that it took me this long to experience this wonderful museum. Every exhibit is interesting and engaging. Believe me, it’s not a boring walk through history! It made me very proud of the Gerald R Ford legacy.

Educational visit. Learn new things I didnt know. The staff was really nice. The items in the gift shop were reasonably priced.

I've never been to a presidential museum and I was pleasantly surprised that this one was so interesting. Perhaps it was because Gerald R. Ford wasn't a controversial president - he was a good guy who is the only president who was an Eagle Scout - that's wonderful! He had a hard start in life but his mother married a man who ended up being a better father to him that his biological father.

The historical tidbits of his life flowed from one exhibit to the next. It was easy to see and understand how is life played out. You could see how his character was built during the course of his lifetime. The videos and audios added more depth to the story of his life, ending with speakers at his funeral who only had great things to say about him.

The grounds are also nice and both he and his wife are buried there. It was worth the $9 and time to visit this museum.

All the exhibits are well thought out which started with life as a small child throughout boyscouts, high school, college, Navy and DC. He was a man of integrity, honesty and discipline. We had no idea he did so much in just 3 years of office. Large parking lot with room for a bus or RV.

Upon walking in, the security guard kindly greeted us and gave us a brief introduction of the piece of Berlin Wall displayed in the front (even offering to take our photo with it) and an explanation where to go next. This museum is interesting and informative and well organized. It’s on smaller grounds and in a smaller building than several other presidential museums we’ve been to. We enjoyed the Vice President special temporary exhibit. We spent 3.5 hours here including visiting the burial site outside because my husband is a history buff and likes to read and watch everything.

Grand Rapids hosts a museum about President Ford's life and presidency, while the Ford Library, containing presidential papers, is in Ann Arbor. I didn't realize that initially, but when we arrived, discovered that this is the only presidential museum/library that is located in two different cities. I don't think we missed anything by not seeing the Library, as this is a fabulous museum about a gracious and humble "accidental" president and his first lady. We spent two hours in the museum, and I probably could have explored for another hour but my partner was getting tired and cranky and ready for lunch! The grounds are also beautiful, right on the banks of the Grand River. I found this to be a "must see" attraction in Grand Rapids.

When in Grand Rapids for a conference, I met up with family who live in Michigan and we went to the Gerald Ford Museum. The museum is laid out very nicely - a walk through his early years, leading up to his presidency and death - with photos, videos and many artifacts. I especially enjoyed the special photography collection, seeing what his Oval Office in the White House looked like and the beautiful outdoor space (including President and Mrs Fords hillside graves). I learned a lot about Gerald Ford and his life. My only regret is that my husband (the history buff) wasn't with me to see it all. I hope to be able to come back again with him.

Gerald Ford was President for only 895 days (2.45 years), so I didn't expect his Presidential museum to be as nearly as impressive as it is. First of all, it's located in a beautiful area of downtown Grand Rapids right off the Grand River. The building architecture and grounds are beautiful and well kept.

The museum is well laid out with thousands of artifacts well displayed. It also contains a mockup of President Ford's Oval Office, as well as his Cabinet Room. This visit opened my eyes on what challenging times the Ford Administration had to operate in and all he had to deal with as leader of the free world.

I guess it was snowing and late in the day, so there were very few visitors. I got the "Retired Military" discount with my ID card so I hardly paid anything. The pathway through the museum is very well laid out and chronological. It takes you from Pres Ford's birth, childhood, all the way through to his death and enduring legacy. Great layout, easy to navigate. Of course it is very biased toward him, as all Presidential museums are. This is my third, after Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. Every one of them has a recreation of his Oval Office, and some of the fancy clothes they and their First Ladiea wore. Gift shop at the beginning\end. Lots of free parking.

The President Gerald Ford Presidential Museum clearly conveys by well-appointed and clear displays, artifacts, videos and other media formats how Ford became president. Though he didn’t ask to be the 38th President of the US, circumstances put him in the “buck stops here” seat. He had to contend with very substantial conflicts and serious situations through no fault of his own. We owe him our gratitude for his service to our country and the American people. He and Betty are buried beside the Museum. Free parking is available across from the museum only while the museum is open. Note this Presidential Museum is in Grand Rapids, but his Library is in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

A must if you are in GR. Very well done and layout. Very informative from start to finish. Easy flowing staff was friendly and helpful with questions. Very good tribute to our 38th president.

I learned so much about the life of Gerald Ford and really enjoyed this museum. There was so much information to read, watch and digest, that it took us over 2+hrs. We could have spent at least another hour. I always enjoy watching the videos. I myself take longer to read, so I skipped over a lot of sections. When I got home I couldn’t stop talking about it. This was a first for us in terms of visiting an official Presidential Museum. I would like to visit others. I highly recommend, but give yourself enough time to visit the gravesites too! I was moved by the whole experience and very happy we went!

I am attempting to visit all the presidential libraries across the country. Having been to 22 so far, this did not disappoint. Lots of informative, easy to ride displays. My only complaint would be that I found it a bit confusing to follow the chronological order. Lots of personal information on President Ford including his childhood, his athletic ability and collegiate career.

So let me start, with, my mother-in-law suggested this and all of us humored her, though out eyes rolled. All I really knew about Ford, was he was an accidental president and he fell a lot, which always made him a little endearing to be, since I too am a clumsy oaf........... Let me tell you, all six of us were blown away! Gerald Ford was actual a pretty amazing man, who truly was pivotal in saving the US. He didn't care about your race, color or religion, if you brought something good to the table, he wanted to hear it. He invited people to the white house, that never before would have been allowed in. He befriended, the USSR, leaders, when before, they were very close to attacking us. His whole life, he did the right thing, no matter if it was to backlash on him, in the end. GO to the museum. I love history and museums, and never before did I know what a great guy Gerald Ford really was.

I was a bit hesitant to go to the museum because I did not think there was much to see there. I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed touring the museum to see the artifacts and learn about the Ford years.

The museum was dead so it was nice to not be rushed through the exhibits. My fiancé and I went for something to do on a cold December day. It was interesting and I learned a lot about Ford.

If a really small! I would check if out if your looking for something quick. Only takes about 30 mins or more.

Fascinating museum, beautifully presented, plenty to look at and we spent a very enjoyable couple of hours here. The location next to the river was very easy to find. The last resting place of Past President Ford and his wife Betty Ford is treated respectfully even though it is easily accessed.

An enjoyable museum with a number of historically significant artifacts. Would primarily be of interest to those who are familiar with the era. Worth noting that this museum has a focus on the life Ford the person which by definition includes his time as president, but should not be confused with other presidential libraries / museums that largely showcase that individual's time as president. So there is a lot about his time growing up in Grand Rapids and his life journey that led to the presidency.

fascinating museum, well worth the time and affordable admission, free parking and nearby to the river and restaurants.

I have never really thought about the unique presidency of Gerald Ford. This museum does a great job capturing, the man, his presidency, as well as the legacy of his wife Betty Ford. Enjoyable afternoon.

What a cool museum. Having grown up in the 70's this museum brought back many memories of that time and was an accurate representation of President Ford and the times in which he served as President.

Definitely worth checking. Great exhibit, well organized, great storytelling and modern set up. Love how they tell his story in a very interactive way, keeping us engaged.

The guitars exhibit was a very nice add and surprise as well.

Good time with the kids here! The museum is small but it is very nice on the inside and out! I definitely recommend this to everyone!

This is the first presidential museum I have toured so I have nothing to compare it to. We enjoyed the museum and learned a lot. The displays were well done.

We really were surprised by the museum. Loved seeing the oval office and getting a seat in the cabinet. It sparked some great conversations for the rest of the day.

First time visiting this museum. We arrived at 4 and they closed at 5 but we had enough Time to get to see most of the displays. Very nicely laid out and easy to walk through. Learned a lot I didn’t know about Gerald Ford

In a way it’s hard to believe Gerald Ford was President. But he was a decent man and his helped guide our country through a tumultuous time. His museum preserves his memory and is something you should see while in GR

We wanted to visit the Gerald Ford Museum but it was closed. President Ford was a good leader for the nation considering the turmoil he inherited.

Stopped by on a Saturday morning with my teenage daughter. Arrived pretty close to opening so there really wasn’t any lines. I would guess unless a school group is visiting lines are never an issue.

If you know you are going I would buy tickets in advance online. They no longer staff anyone to sell tickets so you just scan a QR code in the lobby and buy them online anyway. If that is not possible I assume you can buy them in the gift shop as well.

If you take your time and view everything I would out this at a 3 hour stop. We did it in about 2 but skipped some of the short videos and the exhibit on Betty’s cancer.

The museum does a great job showcasing Gerald’s childhood, college, and political times. Obviously more weight is given to his time as President but there are many unique artifacts from his entire life.

Very nice Oval Office replica along with a cabinet room replica.

There is plenty of free parking on-site. There are snacks in the gift shop by otherwise no on-site dining offerings.

I’m not sure you need to visit multiple times per year unless there is a temporary exhibit that interests you. As someone that likes history we certainly enjoyed our visit.

Bottom line we were so glad we visited this beautiful amazing museum. It is an in depth comprehensive view of President Ford’s life and having attended we truly have a new, enhanced, positive impression of the totality of his contributions to America. Truly inspiring and truly glad we were there.

I loved this museum. Had just the amount of information , not so much that it is overwhelming. I have much more appreciation for Gerald Ford. I learned a lot and enjoyed the day. If you like history it is a must!

We went to see the Grand Rapids Art Festival and when there saw the museum which was very interesting and informative with a lot of displays and film

This local museum of a former president is actually run by the Smithsonian. Though small, it fully captures the feeling, political and social currents at the time of his administration. Worth a visit if you're in town.

Great way to,spend 2 hours on a hot summer day!
Well laid out to tell the story of a great man regardless of your political affiliation.

Nice museum with details of Gerald Ford's life. They had a wonderful Betty Ford exhibit while we were there.

Great displays with videos and narrations.

Good collection of artifacts and items of interest

Limited hours so set aside two hours.

Visited Grand Rapids and spent an afternoon wandering through and learning about President Ford. The museum is spacious and informative. I did have a little trouble following the layout to work through it chronologically, but that is a minor issue. Most areas are marked with the years to help you follow the timeline. The museum covers his entire life, from his boyhood to his funeral and burial. There are several small theater areas for video presentations. President and Mrs Ford are buried on the grounds and you can walk outdoors to the gravesite. There is a very nice gift shop at the entrance and free parking for museum attenders. You can spend 1-3 hours here, depending on how much you like to read about each artifact.

A really interesting small museum if you have two hours in Grand Rapid to spare.
But a little expensive for families as there is not so much to see.
If in the USA, it is worth visiting at least one of the presidential museums

This is a beautiful Presidential Library. The special exhibit that was there during our visit was about President Ford's wife, Betty. There were numerous examples of her accomplishments during her lifetime. There are a few videos about various events in President Ford's term of office that were quite enlightening. There is also a nice gift shop. Their burial sites are on the property with stone benches where you can rest and reflect. Be sure to get a Presidential Library Passport in the gift shop. You can have it stamped at each library and get a gift when you have visited all the libraries.

Gerald Ford was president when I could first vote and I remember the heat he took for pardoning Tricky Dicky Nixon. So it was nice to walk back into memory lane and see things in a different light from when it happened. Nice displays for Betty. We spent 2 hours and it seemed like 20 minutes.
Well worth your time.

Visited this museum many times during Art Prize in the past. It shows Michigan's unique history. Nice place, great for families.

With it being a Presidential Museum, I had high expectations and they were met on my visit recent visit. President Ford's term didn't have a lot of points that we had covered in school, so I didn't know all that much about it. The museum did an excellent job of taking you through the life of Gerald Ford.
I found his athletic career, including being on the Michigan Football Team interesting. I was not aware that he had threatened to quite because he was not going to play against Georgia Tech, who refused to play against black athletes. Ford stood up for his friend and teammate Willis Ward, a black athlete and friend of Fords. It was 1934 and that sort moral decision wasn't the easiest to follow through. That tells you what type of person Ford was. It was fascinating.

As far as the displays go, the Oval Office, Cabinet Room, the displays of gifts that foreign dignitaries sent, and the different awards were highlights. As was the model of the new aircraft carrier that bares his name.

Stopping to pay your respects at the President's and First Lady's Grave are a must. There is a small gift shop to visit too. I purchased my usual magnet for my magnet board at home.

Museum was good. Interesting and informative. Particularly interesting as I actually remembered the events making Gerald Ford our president. My husband is a history buff and we travel to many presidential homes and museums. This was a good one. The gardens by the river and the fountain were really cool. Worth the $8 admission.

This museum has a lot of very intersting history inside. It takes a long time to read and see all there is involved . It is beautiful outside and much going on around the area all year. I have even seen fireworks there on New years eve, on the grounds. It gets full of ' Art prize' subjects on these grounds as well at X's

This museum was a great place to visit and realize how much we missed during this period of time because of school. We were not aware of all the events that occurred during his presidency and the impact of his influence on this country. A very educational trip.

My wife and I visited this museum while in Michigan. It is a very nice museum and takes the visitor through the life of Gerald Ford from youth through to his death. It shows both the positives and negatives of his presidency. The tomb out back is very simple. We've visited many presidential museums and many glorify the man but the Ford museum is very balanced and understated. It is well worth a visit.

We had a very nice visit today. It is a very well done tribute to Ford and what he had to deal with as President. Went thru is entire life from birth to death. It was really cool to sit in the replica cabinet room and watch the video about what that room is used for and who has a seat at the table.

What a true gentleman, great time exploring and learning about our 38th President. Great displays from his youth to post White House. Free parking.

When I was finished touring The Ford Museum I kept thinking I rarely had spent my time so well. I was able to park close in and the admissions were without any delay. I read almost everything and remembered the events as if they were just happening. I lived in Washington D. C. during the Watergate Hearings and watched on TV at lunchtime and in the evening. I forgot how important Jerry Ford was to my country. I think Gerald R. Ford is my new favorite President. The lay out of the museum was perfect and easy to follow. I learned more than I thought I would and so much came rushing back. It was an easy visit with lots to see and I liked visiting the Ford graves there too. I enjoyed the gift shop and the staff was very helpful. I am so glad I planned time to visit while I was in Michigan. I think this was one of the best Presidential Museums and I have been to half of them. Well done!

A very good, in depth view of President Ford. The various stations are extremely informative. The Oval Office is incredible. It is roped off but you can see everything in the office. However, the Cabinet Room is fully open and you can actually sit at the table in the chair of the President, V.P. or any cabinet member.

Excellent presidential visit. Interesting information and the lay out was easy to follow. We really thought the several films around were great.

This is a nice, quiet museum for those looking to brush up on Grand Rapids' favorite son. With newly enhanced exhibits, you'll be transported to the time of this unique presidency.

This stop has been on my list for a while as Mr. Ford is Michigan's only president. My son and I toured the museum for roughly 2 hours, which included the gift shop. It is a well layed out museum which goes through his life and death. It is by no means a huge museum but it is definitely worth your time.

2 great movies to view. Lots to take in - make sure to have ample time to view everything. Several small movie (2-5 minutes long) around the exhibits to elaborate on a subject. Really enjoyed it. Location right on the River so great park right there too.

Excellent Presidential Museum and a must see when in Grand Rapids! President Ford’s life was beautifully presented with many important historical references including visual and audio formats. Make sure and take your time in the Cabinet Room, have a seat and watch the video! An extra bonus was the traveling Sistine Chapel display.

A facility filled with information, personal and professional, of the lives of Gerald and Betty Ford, seperately and together. It was a walk through history, remembering a time when the country was in crisis and a beacon of hope and saneness was seen.

This is a beautiful museum both inside and outside. The water features outside lead to the final resting area of President Ford and Betty. The inside is beautiful and brought back so many memories. We found it very interesting and informative.

First time experiencing a presidential museum. However due to Secret service, Covid, limited capacity I didn’t have much time ,as It was a little past 4:00 and they close promptly at 5:00. so I had to see what I could in the time allowed. Great museum overall and would recommend anyone to visit.

I was attending college from 1973-1977 and Ford was president from 1974 -1977. I read the Washington Post every day so I am familiar with his term and Watergate news. This museum was visiting the past. Loved it.

I spent a couple of hours taking in the history and glimpse into the life of President Gerald Ford. The museum does a great job of explaining what was happening at that time in the U.S. and all of the exceptional challenges that President Ford inherited and had to navigate.

Wife and I enjoyed our day at the Gerald Ford museum, about 2hs lots of pictures, and videos, good information, beautiful building, Would recommend

Not sure it matters but this is the Ford Museum, not his library. I have been to two other presidential "libraries" and they seemed to offer more but this is well worth the visit none the less. Enjoy.

We enjoyed going to president museums and this we very good. We learned a lot about the man and what he did got this country! It’s a must see !

We have visited all but 2 of the Presidential libraries/museums. This one is very well done and well worth a visit. We thought it extremely well done and accurate portrayal of Ford, his presidency and his life. We spent about 2 - 3 hours leisurely investigating the exhibits.

My husband is keen on American history and really enjoyed our visit to this fairly small and modest museum as compared to other Presidential museums we have visited in other States. The exhibits were interesting and well presented but being small there was no coffee shop/cafe which was a shame. There was a small souvenir shop. The staff were very helpful. As others have mentioned there was ample free parking which is always good.

I’m sure that all presidential museums are pitched to present their subject in the best light; the Jerry Ford museum highlights his intelligence and decency in a way that seems particularly poignant during the current administration. Some of the exhibit sections look a little worn but others have obviously been recently renovated—good use of video and audio throughout. There was also a very nice art installation downstairs when I visited, cool that they have a changing gallery in addition to the permanent Ford exhibition. Nice selection of books about Ford and the Watergate era in the gift shop as well.

We’ve been to many Presidential libraries, and this one is certainly worth a visit. You can easily spend several hours here.

We were in Grand Rapids and decided to go by the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum. Once there we decided to visit the museum. It was a good choice.
The building is in the banks of the Grand River. This area is a beautiful setting for the museum and final resting place for President Ford and his wife Betty.
The museum has so much history that it is hard to list it all.
From the time when Ford was a student in Grand Rapids to becoming President of the US and back to Grand Rapids again the museum tells the story.
There is a replica of the Ford Oval Office and Cabinet Room. There are several videos that tell different stories of his life, world events, and state visits. The displays seem endless.
The staff and security are very knowledgeable of this place. You can take your time and just wander thru the history of the Ford Presidency.
Towards the end of the visit is a video of all of the speakers at President Ford's funeral in Grand Rapids.
He was very well respected.
Well worth the time!

Displaying various aspect of life and major events during the presedent Ford's tenure. Nice staff. I like recreated White House Rooms. Must visit place in Grand Rapids.

I had visited when I was a child. It still amazed me now! The Village is fantastic, so much history. And since my husband is a car buff, the museum was a thrill for him!

This is a wonderful museum that chronicles the life of President Ford and Betty Ford. It contains many mementos of his presidency as well as his childhood, college and congressional years. On the grounds are the final resting places of the President and First Lady. A definite must if one is in the Grand Rapids area.

They do a fabulous job of telling about the man who started the healing of the country after Watergate and his wife who went through so much. They have a replica of the Ford Oval Office and a replica of the Cabinet Room where you can sit take a picture.

After having really two bad stops in the state of Michigan our day was ended with a very good stop at the Gerald A. Ford Museum. This was a stop we added before we left on our trip and it turned out to be a lucky turn of events for us.
I have been to many a presidential museum and library and this one will stand up with most of them. Very well put together was a lot of information about Ford, many of which I did not know of him (I give him a little more credit than I have in the past and his pardon of Nixon. That was a great discredit to the American people).
Yet, besides all that it turned out to be a good stop for us.

Anyone with an interest in American &/or presidential history would enjoy this museum - no matter what your political affiliation is. Free parking and beautiful outside surroundings, flowers, fountain & water feature, along the banks of the river through Grand Rapids. President Ford & wife, Betty, are buried here with simple gravesite among landscaped grounds & trees.

The museum is nicely laid out, has a short introductory film as well as other films thoughout. History of Ford's life, all-American youth, service in WW II, family life, features on Betty & her impact with openess on her breast cancer & addiction.
And, of course, Ford's time in Congress, as V.P. and president, pardoning Nixon, etc.

We spent close to 2 1/2 hours here which included strolling about the grounds & visiting the gravesite.

Wow worth the trip. I learned so much! Thank you for the care put into the museum. The price of admission was reasonable.

We are making it a point to visit every Presidential Library, and this one is delightful. Very insightful temporary exhibit of Betty Ford and some great artifact from President Ford's short time in office. Do not miss!

This presidential museum is nice. It is rather boring, as are most presidential museums. However, the Ford Museum in downtown Grand Rapids is located on the Grand River, making it a great spot to view the city or watch events outside on the lawn. During summer months, you can attend several events outside this museum. Every Monday, you can attend free jazz concerts on the lawn. Many people attend these events. You can bring a lawn chair or blanket to make your experience cozy. Many people bring their own small coolers and alcohol is allowed during on Jazz Mondays. There are always food trucks available as well.
This is a laid back, relaxing, free experience. Good for families, couples, or any one who wants to enjoy relaxing music and people watch! Other events here include July 4th fireworks displays, art prize, etc. Parking is the only issue. Hopefully, Grand Rapids is developing some parking plans along with the growth of this great city!

Enjoyed it and learned a lot. The replica Oval Office and Cabinet Room were really interesting. Highly recommended.

So glad we went it is full of history and the wonderful things we saw will be back with more family when they visit from out of state

Never been inside and didnt explore too much but it looked really cool. Lots of history and plenty to explore/learn

This is one of my favorite museums. The displays are always well planned and organized. I have been here a few times and it never lets me down. During ArtPrize it is an art venue, so you get to see some art displays as well as the rest of the museum for free. There is also a cute gift shop.

First experience in a presidential museum. And really not disappointed.

Good summary of Gerald Ford's life and career. Many elements of American political life well explained.

What struck me the most was the replica of the Oval Office. I was surprised by its dimensions.

The former president's grave is on the museum grounds.

This was a very enlightening museum. Although I had just graduated from college when President Ford was inaugurated, I was not aware of his history and his many accomplishments, The information was presented in a manner that was captivating and appealing from a political perspective (e.g., the reproduction of Ford's oval office and cabinet room) as well as a personal perspective, including much information about his history and about his wife Betty..

Very large, comprehensive museum covers his life with many interesting artifacts, videos, photos and exhibits including a replica of the Oval Office with original furniture and objects. Excellent introductory video. Entrance fee was $10, $8 for seniors. Free parking close by. Gerald and Betty Ford are buried on the grounds.

Very informative and worthwhile museum. You could spend a few hours here.

I have lived in Michigan for almost 25 years but visited this museum for the first time this past Sunday. We spent about 3 hours exploring the museum and I have to say, it was time well spent. The museum is very well set up to allow you to get the sense of the whole man from birth through his death and funeral and his influence beyond. I went into this experience feeling relatively neutral and ill informed about Gerald Ford and left having so much admiration for this man of great integrity for all of his service to our country. In addition, I was able to learn so much about Betty Ford and all of her contributions as well. I recommend a visit to this museum for anyone making a stop in Grand Rapids.

As a designer, I really appreciated that the interpretive displays were artfully designed and easy to read. They did a fantastic job.

My takeaway from the museum was that President Ford and Mrs. Ford were the perfect people for this time in history. I now appreciate the time when politicians were humble, hard-working, selfless and put country over party. I think young people need to visit and think about how public service can and should be.

As far as presidential libraries/ museums go, this is the best I have visited. The story of his life as presented was not only thorough ; but also superb. Like all presidential museums the facility and grounds were spectacular.

We had never been to a Presidential museum but this was very nicely done with a lot of great information.

Very impressive presidential museum which is well worth a visit. Covers entire life of Gerald R. Ford. Beautiful exhibits.

Not a bad museum. Not big in size but gives a good solid history about president Ford. Although I lived thru his term in office,I may have been to young to remember. He got the nation out of the funk between Vietnam,watergate,etc. For only serving 800+ days he did a wonderful job. May be a little late but thank you Mr President. Go see the place.

Historical presidential museum that traces the life of Gerald Ford and his family. History abounds here one can learn about the beginnings of Ford's political rise to his historical move into the presidency because of Nixon's resignation. Also there is a feeling of unity that Ford gave the country as he tried to move the country beyond the scandal. If you enjoy history, you will enjoy the museum.

A great history lesson about President Ford showing his humility and dedication to public service. I learned much about him that I didn’t know. The exhibits were well done. The videos were also well done. I especially liked seeing clothing worn by the First Lady. Their gravesite is beautiful and peaceful and a worthy tribute to their Michigan roots.

You do not need to be a Ford fan to enjoy an outing to the Gerald R. Ford Museum. The history lessons there will keep you engaged for hours as you learn some secrets about the former president and his family! We thoroughly enjoyed our time there and look forward to going back with friends who haven't visited yet.

Easy to get to just follow the signs. Parking is free, if you are in an RV you can park along Pearl St just get a pass from admissions. Admission fee is $8pp with discounts for seniors, military, students, and children. If you follow the museum map directions you will go in chronological order. Gerald Ford was the only president and Vice President not elected to office. But he still accomplished many things and meant what he said. He was an athlete, a lawyer, a soldier before going into politics. The museum tells his story well and covers his presidential years. There is a special exhibit about Betty Ford as well. The grounds are beautiful, be sure to walk to the gravesite. There is no place to eat, only a gift store. We spent approximately 1.5 hrs here and really enjoyed it.

This was my first visit to a Presidential museum and was not sure what to expect. I didn't know much about President Ford before this, but soon found out that he had a lot of challenges in his short time in office. It was interesting to learn about his early years and that he was offered to play for two NFL teams and turned them down so he could go into politics. The exhibit from the presidential photographer was amazing. He captured some of the most iconic images of Nixon and Ford. I was surprised with what I leaned.

I really liked this museum and before I went I wasn't sure what I was going to think because I didn't know much about Gerald Ford. First off I loved the fountain in front of the museum! It was a hot day and some of the kids were able to put their feel in the water. It's a really great water feature to make the property really enjoyable outside. The museum itself was really informative with a lot of items from the lives of the Fords. I learned a lot about Gerald Ford by the items in the museum as well as all the videos they had. They had a lot of different areas through the museum with seating to watch some videos on President Ford. One of my favorite parts of course was the replica Oval Office. For someone like me who has not made it to Washington DC it was the closest I have gotten, plus the fact they made it look just like it did when President Ford was in office, it was a step back in visual time! I recommend going to this museum to learn more about Gerald Ford the man and then Gerald Ford the President

Go and see what the president did in his life. I was greatly surprised myself at the museum.

On the summer just take your time in downtown grand rapids and enjoy the sites.

The Ford Museum is very well organized and covers Gerald Ford's early life as an Eagle Scout, Football Star, then a WWII Naval Officer, Congressman, Vice President and finally as President of The United States. The building is on a scenic river and the parking is free. I have now been to all of the Presidential Museums and this is one of the best.

I'll start by saying I've never been to any other presidential museum/library before, but this far surpassed any expectations I had. The displays were well thought out and information, yet interesting and easy to follow.We were on a tight schedule, but I would have liked to stay a little longer to take more of everything in (I like to read every placard and sign, and just can't always do that when I'm with others).

The museum is well designed, with a fair number of actual historical items, not just the story of President Ford. I was not surprised there was no mention of Chevy Chase on the SNL from the 1970's making fun of Ford. It's worth a visit.

We were pleasantly surprised by the museum given his short term in office. It brought perspective to impeachment and our current news cycles. Photo exhibit was excellent

I have alway loved MUSEUMS, but this one was so interesting and well done. It had something for everyone. I have such great respect for the Ford's after I went thru the Museum.

Despite being a life-long Michigander, i had forgotten some of the great gifts of Jerry Ford. They have great exhibits on the amazing Betty Ford, too.

An excellent presidential museum. President Ford was a great man faced with an impossible situation. The museum tells his story well. The one thing that needs to be better publicized is the parking for the library. There is a nice large, safe lot in front of the museum.

I have visited a lot of Presidential Libraries and this is one of the better ones. Nicely laid out and very informative.
The parts covering his early life were particularly interesting.

The outside gardens and burial sight were also nice. I thought it was a little tacky, however, to have the Museum share space with the DeVos Learning Center. Couldn’t they afford to have a stand-alone Museum?

I visited the Ford Presidential Library in Ann Arbor earlier in the day. The Museum is much better although the Library does a good job of covering his connections to UM. If you have to choose, though, you should go to the Museum.

I'm not sure there is an easy way to put this. This is a historical musuem. I'm not sure what type of child would enjoy this musuem. Certainly not my 13 or 9 year old and any younger would only be worse. Even as an adult this museum is a tad boring and I admire this president and his wife quite a bit.
The museum underwent a remodel not long ago and the exhibits are nicer and more modern. I think the space is beautiful. But if you have kids, you're better off across the street at the Public Museum.

There are plenty of pictures and objects to see relating to him. There is plenty of text to read about different parts of Mr. Ford's life and presidency which was great. A very cool museum. The gift shop was closed though with a sign saying you could buy gifts off their online store (which no one will do).

This is an awesome museum with personal writings of Gerald Ford and his wife Betty Ford. Rich history of events in Gerald Ford's life are documented well.

Very well presented Museum with plenty of videos and artifacts. The exterior is nicely landscaped and we saw no evidence of any homeless encampment in the vicinity. Lots of parking nearby. It was President Ford’s birthday so admission was free and they served everyone red white and blue donuts.
This museum reminded me of the honesty and integrity of Gerald Ford and was quite well done. The Ford’s gravesites are right outside.

This museum not only tells the story of Ford's presidency, it really gives you insight into the man himself. From Eagle Scout to the Oval Office, you get to know the man and the events of history. I loved the circular layout of the museum. It was easy to move through and I didn't feel like I missed anything. The museum shop was good too, and the staff were so friendly and helpful.

We spent a couple of hours browsing the museum and really learned a lot. Warm & friendly staff. The facilities & grounds are immaculate. FREE parking is a huge plus, too.

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan is so well done. They have documented his life with so many details. Lots of memorabilia from his childhood... his high school years... his college years... his time in the Navy... and all of his years in the Congress... Vice Presidency... and his time as President. There is also a lot of memorabilia about Betty Ford. The entire museum is very interesting. We spent about 3 hours in the museum... and could have been there longer. There is so much to see. If you love history.. this is a wonderful place to spend a few hours. Gerald and Betty Ford are buried on the grounds of the museum... and you can visit their graves. The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan... and we want to visit there as well.

No razzle dazzle. At last, a modern day museum that doesn't talk down or dumb down to ya! A refreshing change from museums that have recently reduced to a lower common denominator of reading , or have a partisan ax to grind. Jerry Ford had a fascinating life, "Local Boy ( whose Mom and stepdad purposefully took a peg down economically in the Depression to minimize laying off/ terminating the workers at their small business) Made Good" , very good ! Eagle Scout, Michigan Football and Yale Law and an NFL offer, lawyer then Congressman for decades then VP then President ! For a politician he was very well respected. Truly believed in being " a public servant".

I don't think there is a cafe ( or much of one) but there is a gift shop and it's an " easy" museum - 60-90 minutes. A real gem in our community. They also have some patriotic events around Veterans Day, Memorial Day etc AND some excellent lectures ! Many of the lectures are free. I don't know how interesting the place would be for small kids or for some not interested in mid-late 20 th Century History, but otherwise I would say definitely go, when you are in GR.

For those of us that grew up in the Watergate era, President Ford’s Museum is a must see. The collections are excellent and document the life of a true American statesman. Ask Ted Kennedy - his video tribute is a moving reminder of how effective leaders work together across the aisle. Beautiful setting and dignified gravesite - typical of an invaluable President at the time when our country needed one the most.

Being a history buff and only being born a couple of years prior to Ford becoming President, I had no true idea of his accomplishments. This taught me otherwise. The museum is amazing. If you like history and politics this is a must see.

Great museum! A wonderful experience and kept our 10 year old niece engaged throughout! Beautiful setting in downtown Grand Rapids. Free parking, friendly staff. Afterwards we drove to Love's for delicious ice cream.

We loved learning about Gerald Ford, his accomplishments and his family. This was a great learning experience for us adults and our kids.

It's clear that the people who curated this have a deep affection for Ford, and that gives 4 stars rather than 3. But, while Ford is not well enough appreciated for his role in helping us to move on from Watergate, he was a fairly inconsequential figure otherwise. Hardworking, fundamentally strong in character, he nevertheless rose through life in a series of happy accidents - and maybe this should happen to the this type of fellow. Still, museum is left with little to work from, and as such it's a pretty quick tour. More interesting maybe on how a typical suburban family dealt with the White House. No café and nothing really walkable; perhaps that was more typical when this opened originally.

My colleague and I had an hour break between meetings and decided to pop in the Gerald R Ford Museum. We are so glad we did! It's a wonderful tribute and history of a life well lived.
You will leave impressed, inspired and hopeful.
The museum staff are proud and friendly and eager to point out things not to miss if you have limited time - a great introductory video, the " Saigon stairs". We left amazed at Gerald Ford's life, career and selfless dedication to our nation!
Highly recommend!

The Gerald R. Ford Museum has been curated to help the average citizen understand the extraordinary circumstances that surrounded Gerald R. Ford's presidential term. Videos, written explanations and 'artifacts' aid in education the visitors.

We have been to several presidential Libraries and Museums: Lyndon Johnson, George W. Bush, Harry Truman and Bill Clinton. I liked this one the Best. Gerry and Betty Ford were such genuine and caring people. We learned how he brought the nation together after Nixon and Watergate. He was criticized by many for pardoning Nixon, but he cared more about taking care of the business of the American people than bogging down the nation in a lengthy trial. Sure makes me wish he was around today. When he lost to Carter, he was so gracious and helpful, that at Carter’s inauguration, Carter thanked him and asked him to stand (You can see the video). This is very unusual and not done before or since. I felt choked up learning how gracious both he and Betty were. We were lucky to tag along on a tour that docent Ann Hahn was conducting for 7th graders. She kept their attention (amazing) and brought the Ford’s alive for us. This might be why we loved this museum the most.

My dad, son, and I were in the area. We came to Grand Rapids specifically for the Gerald Ford Museum. We were not disappointed. The museum is laid out in order of his life, and has some great artifacts and information. The accurate reproduction of the Oval Office is neat, as well as the Cabinet Room. You can sit down in a chair and hear from one of Ford's former Cabinet members. It's a great museum that's well worth your time.

A great trip to the museum to learn some information about local and national history. The self-guided tour was very informative. also extremely nice to have a armed guard presence makes you feel a little more secure. Interactive displays for awesome made you feel like you were actually at the White House. I recommend spending at least four hours here more if you are really into the history of each item and reading in detail about each thing and watching all the videos. Lots to do inside and some things to look at outside so don't forget about them.

My friend and I visited during a conference break and did not really have time to thoroughly digest all of the displays. Allow 3-4 hours. We learned so much about Jerry and Betty Ford that we never knew. There were so many pictures commemorating their lives. There were representations of the Oval Office and cabinet room. The cost was only $8 and if you have a conference badge you get a $2 discount. I will definitely return when I have more time. This is destination that you want to be sure to visit if you come to Grand Rapids.

We visited on a rainy day. Were able to walk the grounds a bit before rain really hit, saw the burial site and walked the river. The museum itself is really well put together. Easy to follow through the life of President Ford. Great artifacts and story telling. The sit down short movies throughout the exhibit break up the walking/standing. Lots of interesting content that gives a greater appreciation for his unusual presidency. Nice gift shop on first floor, easy parking in free lot. Headed to Founders nearby for a nice beer and lunch after.

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 Cammission 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 Rapids Area.

Burial site of Gerry and Betty Ford. The museum highlights the life and career of Gerald R. Ford, but also has exhibits on other presidents and administrations. There are different exhibits throughout the year. The museum is also a primary location for entries in the annual Art Prize contest every Sept./Oct.

An interesting museum, chronology of Ford's life, and makes a compelling case that he was not just a placeholder, but a great man and great President.

The Museum has undergone a significant renovation and I was pleasantly surprised by the improvements that were made. Great way to spend a few hours if you are downtown.

Had some time to kill so I had to check out this Presidential Museum. I went early in the morning and there was lots of parking and not many people about. They had some really great displays and information here. I always enjoy the Oval Office recreations, of which they have one here. While you can't walk into it, you can go behind and get a view from behind the desk through the windows. The diner table setting, complete with ash trays and packs of matches was amusing too.. The high light for me was the roof top stairs from Saigon used during the evacuation in 1975. I just found them very fascinating.
Outside do make sure to walk around and go down to the path along the Grand River. Some good views of the city from there and its a beautiful walk.
Overall it was a great visit and well worth it. Highly recommend if you're in Grand Rapids.

This is a nice presidential museum.

It's easy to get to (even though it's downtown) with onsite parking.

Very informative about Ford's life and presidency and things going on in the world at the time.

Well worth the $8 admission. Plan to spend a couple hours, longer if you like to read all the little things.

Really enjoyed the visit to this museum! Very interesting from his childhood days to becoming the president. Learned a lot of new things about president Ford and his wife. Would highly recommend making this a must see,

There was more to see here than I expected, and a lot more to learn than I remembered, so it was a nice surprise! Although I came late in the day, the greeters were friendly.

We were very impressed with the museum We took our 15 year old grandson and started him on the journey to visit all the Presidential Libraries. They are each quit unique We learn so much about the people who were in this high office. I have so much respect for them. Parking was easy and free. I would highly recommend checking this one out.

This easy to access and easy to peruse property is worth the visit. It is a lovely history of Gerald and Betty Ford's lives. Well displayed history. Outside is lovely to walk as well. Right on the Grand River.

It's well organized and presented, comprehensive and a little dull, but hey, that's politics! Interesting photo exhibit currently, also, as a fringe benefit, some fabrics creations. Inexpensive.

This visit completed my passport of US Presidential Museums, administered by the US National Archives. It was truly saving the best for last! I had spent time the afternoon before at Ann Arbor and his Presidential Library, which was also very good.

As a kid growing up in the Washington, DC area in the 1970's, this is a part of American history I remember very well. The Agnew tax scandal set in motion what occurred 50 years ago this month, with Gerald Ford becoming the first US President not elected by the citizens.

The museum tells of his personal life, as well as his life in service to his country (in the military, congress and as president). Folks should really make an effort to spend time here.

This is very well done. It is informative for those who remember him as well as those who may be younger. What a peaceful setting.

This was our 3rd Presidential Museum and it did not let us down. Exhibits and recordings were very informative. It wasn’t all about the President they had good stuff about Betty. The Oval Office was great but don’t miss the Cabinet Room. President Ford was in a tough spot after Nixon and the museum did a great job. They are buried outside the museum. The fountain outside was a nice touch.

Great place to learn about the presidency of Gerald Ford. Nice museum layout and free parking! Enjoyed the oval office replica. We spent a bit over an hour here. Would have been here even longer if we didn't have a 14 month old with us. The gravesite is a nice way to reflect on the Ford's after visiting the museum.

This museum is very nicely laid out chronologically. There is a pathway to the gravesite by the river. It was a surprise to me for its location and simplicity. If you are in this area this is a must see.

My wife and I spend the better part of any afternoon at the Museum. The historical areas areas gathered around President Ford's different times of his life. The signage is excellent and the films are very informative and help flesh out President's life. I have a much greater respect for the unique place President Ford holds in American history

I have visited the Ford Museum several times in the past, and recently returned. The renovations to the exhibits of this museum are very well done and very informative about the life of Gerald R. Ford. It is well worth the time to visit.

First time we visited this museum and found it to be very educational. I am a senior, however, I learned a great deal that I did not realize about President Ford and that time period in general. If visiting Grand Rapids I would definitely recommend a tour of this museum.

This presidential museum was extremely well laid out and I learned many new things about both Gerald and Betty Ford. Be sure to see the movie at the top of the stairs as you enter the museum area. And make sure your car is out of the parking lot by 4:50 pm or it will be locked in for the night.

This is a great Presidential museum. One of NARA's best. The information is put together very well and tells the story of President Ford's time in office and what led to it well.

The museum has been updated and added on to since our last visit some years ago. It gives a very thorough look at Gerald Ford's upbringing and his history. The exhibits were very well done. Also the new exhibit on Betty Ford was very well-done and interesting about her background.
There is a very informative area in the museum that addresses the time of Nixon and Watergate, the resignation of Agnew, and then Gerald Ford becoming president.
The exhibits helped my realize that Ford was a solid and responsible public servant who was the right person at the right time.

Great experience history of Ford, Watergate and his presidency presented in a well laid out and easy to understand format. Also had special exhibit about Michel Angelo and his works.

I really enjoyed this museum. It's large enough to contain a font of information without being so overwhelming huge that you can't see everything. Informative about his younger days and family life. Instructive about his ascension to the presidency and the choices he made to make this country better. Included a lot of information about Betty Ford, who was also very interesting.

We've been to 4 Presidential museums and this was by far the best.

It is well laid out and the memorabilia honoring both the President and first lady are second to none.

I especially enjoyed the attention paid to Betty Ford. She was an impressive first lady who brought so much acceptance of those suffering from breast cancer and addiction.

This is a must visit for anyone near Grand Rapids, Michigan.

From the recreation of Ford’s Oval Office and Situation Room to quotes of the day… this museum is very welcoming and well organized.
We spent about 4-hours here and could have stayed longer! But if you don’t need to read every single sign, 2-3 hours would be enough time to understand a lot about Ford’s character and presidency.
There are a few videos to watch if you choose. One about his time in the military that is very interesting.
Betty Ford’s life and contributions are beautifully showcased also.
They do have benches and places where you can sit down as you tour the museum.
Don’t miss the Oval Office! You can step inside.
The story of his family life, upbringing, education, helps you understand how he became the man, politician and the President we knew in the 1970s.
Very knowledgeable staff.
Nice gift shop with a HUGE selection of bobble heads of presidents and other famous people in history.
Free, convenient parking. Lots of space.

The museum tells the complete story of Ford, from his scout and military days to his burial. What an interesting person who wanted so little but gave so much. Ford was the only person never voted into the Vice-Presidency or the Presidency. The exhibits, of both Gerald and Betty, are extremely well done. His career was amazing, unique, and yes - "Presidential". Some notable displays include the actual stairs that led up to the helicopter pad during the Saigon evacuation, Squeaky Fromme's attempt at assignation of Ford (with the gun), the Betty Ford Foundation, and of course Wagergate and Ford's pardon of Nixon. The museum enhances our memory of Ford as a passionate person whose Nixon pardon ultimately sacrificed his Presidency at election for his country. Jimmy Carter summed it up at Ford's eulogy - "For myself and for our nation, I want to thank my predecessor for all he has done to heal our land." Be sure to pay tribute to Jerry and Betty at their tombs on the museum grounds.

My first visit to a presidential museum and it did not disappoint. Nice statues of President and Mrs. Ford out front. The museum is very comprehensive. Lots of opportunities to sit and watch videos of important events in President Ford’s life. The museum is a great learning experience not just about President Ford but also about history and government in general. A pleasure to visit.

Amazing museum if you like history! You won't be disappointed! We really enjoyed the collection of history within this museum.

The museum chronicles the life of President Gerald Ford and does it well.

Mr. Ford was a man of courage, humility and grace, qualities that appear to be lacking nowadays.

In my opinion this was the best Presidential museum we've toured (done 6 so far). It highlighted his accomplishments in Congress and afterwards. The film of his funeral was moving - his allies (Cheney, Rumsfeld), foe (Carter) and a journalist (Browkaw) all praised him. That alone spoke to the character of the man.

The museum devoted the appropriate space to each phase of Ford's life. The setting is lovely and well maintained. So glad we visited.

This was very impressive. Now to see others , brought back many memories. Wishi could have found a postcard picture for momento.

Very educational, well-organized, and full of things to see. I've been to a few presidential museums, and I was impressed with this one!

This museum is much bigger than I thought. It starts with Ford’s birth, where I learned he was not born with that name. Moved on to his high school athletic and academic achievements, military, marriage and so on to his death. It included video, pictures memorabilia and clothing throughout the Ford family’s lives. There was even a temporary section just for Betty. There was so much information that I’m sure I missed something. Just outside, you can walk to his and Betty’s gravesite in a small park.

If you remember Watergate, you will find this museum interesting. If you don’t remember Watergate, you should go and learn about it. We had been to this museum in about 2002 or 2003 and it was a very different museum then. Then the museum was half about President Ford and half about the 1970s. In 2016, they closed for 7 months and completely remodeled. Now the museum is a chronological record of his life and presidency. Many interesting artifacts like his christening gown and Michigan football jersey, and Nixon's resignation letter. Many videos of speeches, praise from friends and colleagues, and his funeral. Now the museum is a much more fitting tribute to a man who was bipartisan, well-liked, and full of integrity.

President and Mrs. Ford are buried on the grounds behind the museum.

Very nice gift shop. Free parking lot in front of the museum.

This is one of the best presidential museums I have visited thus far (9 so far). It is a "Blue Star" museum, so active duty military members and family get in free.

I was a teenager when all the Watergate fiasco was going on. I really didn't pay much attention to it, like most teenagers. This man sacrificed his political career for the good of the country, by pardoning Richard Nixon and getting the country past the nightmare of Watergate.

He was a remarkable individual that does not get credit for getting our country through a very tough time period.

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum is a walk back in history. It is so well done that anyone will be able to understand what Gerald R. Ford's life encompassed. He had an amazing, full life.

Visited with kids 9 and 7 during RV trip. Large parking lot and easy access with RV. Right across street from Grand Rapids Museum. High quality museum with great displays. Spent about 3 hours.

Our family really enjoyed this museum! A life sized statue of President Ford greeted us outside the museum entrance. It's wonderfully airy and comfortable inside and starts out with a convenient coat room and restrooms next to the gift shop. The first museum piece is a large chunk of the Berlin Wall! There's an elevator and a staircase to get you to the 2nd floor for all Ford exhibits. Very young children would probably not find this place very fun! There are several large and nicely done collages of Ford's life, education, athletics, military involvement, marriage, family, and of course political life and career. We especially liked the exhibit of his campaign paraphernalia! There is an impressive life-sized replica of both the oval office and the cabinet room here - so cool! You can go into the latter and sit in the President's chair! One exhibit is of his personal photographer's pictures - they speak a thousand words! We reviewed and learned new information about the life and times of President Ford through visual, and auditory media. All the volunteers we encountered were friendly and helpful. We spent 1 1/2 hours here but could have stayed another 1/2 hour or more to read everything! We didn't see any food offered in this building. We parked next to the museum for free. This museum is across the river from main downtown and close to the public museum. This is my first presidential museum/library and if the others are anything like this one, I'm in!

A very educational museum. The displays are engaging and provided lots of details. Our current president could learn a lot about how to be a respected leader from Gerald Ford.

Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Jerry Ford was our congressman before he became Vice President and President. He was an admirable man and his wife Betty was special! A new exhibit on the life of Betty Ford opened last month and we hadn’t been to the Ford Museum in years, so we decided to make a visit. It made us love and respect Betty and Jerry even more than we already did! The exhibits are well done and it is worth the time to read the descriptions. Also worthwhile are the short videos about the life and times of the couple. We actually shed a tear or 2 watching the video of Ford’s funeral. The museum is set on the banks of the Grand River on beautiful grounds. Just to the north of the museum is Jerry and Betty’s tomb. To the south of the museum, just across the street is the VanAndel Grand Rapids Public Museum. Both museums can easily be seen in half a day.

The museum traces the life of President Ford, our only president not elected to the office. President Ford was a superb athlete and football player who went on to become a lawyer and served in the House of Representatives. His goal was to become Speaker of the House. Instead, in 1973 he was selected by President Nixon to become Vice President, replacing Spiro Agnew, who resigned in the wake of a bribery scandal. He then became President after Nixon resigned following the Watergate scandal. He got us through Our Long National Nightmare and pardoned Nixon because he believed it was the right thing to do to heal the country. That move probably cost him the 1976 election.
His wife, Betty, was also featured. She was known for her outspokenness but lauded for going public with her breast cancer surgeries and her later struggles with addictions.
An additional exhibit featured the artwork of Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel. I thought an art museum would have been a more appropriate setting.
When in Michigan, this museum is a must see.

Has an replica of the oval office. Information about an ethical and honest man who was our president. Interesting items in gift shop--got placemats of previous presidents, and of previous first. Ladies.

We’re not museum fans but this was an exception. Very well done and told an important story during a difficult time in America. Well worth a visit

Since President Ford never sought the nomination of either the Vice Presidency or Presidency we were suspect of the museum and what it might have to offer. First, we learned that he was an excellent athlete. He coached football and might have played for the NFL if he hadn't chosen another field of endeavor. We also learned that he was a very astute business person and managed the "Misery index" bringing down unemployment and inflation from around 12% to just at 4% during his office. He also pardoned Richard M. Nixon (which may have been the reason he did not get elected to the Presidency when he ran for office against Carter.

The federal government does a good job in general with our presidential museums. It was very moving to visit the Ford family burial site and learn about his presidency. I loved the oval office and cabinet room.

A great memorial to a great President and First Lady. Very informative. Beautiful artifacts. The grounds are so peaceful in the middle of the city of Grand Rapids. Easy to get to, easy and free parking. This is our 5th presidential library visited so far and one of my favorites. I always thought Ford was just fill in President, but he actually had really great accomplishments. So much was clouded by Nixon and the “the pardon”. He did a lot to facilitate healing in very divisive times and was an excellent example of bipartisanship during his many years of public service. That is the gift of presidential libraries, to view history with the perspective of the present, in order to see what was either great or not so great. Great job Gerald Ford Presidential Library and Museum!

The Gerald R. Ford Museum was inexpensive, well laid out and extremely informative.

I highly recommend this museum to anyone who moots history or politics.

Drove two hours to Grand Rapids to spend the day with a friend visiting two museums, including the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum to see the Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel exhibit. Impressive lobby display gets you started...and then upstairs to the special exhibition space for more panels. It was an enjoyable interesting experience to see some of the familiar Sistine Chapel images up close. Afterwards we wandered through several museum galleries, stopping in the Cabinet Room and Oval Office reproductions. Having been here several times in the past, always enjoying the exhibits, remembering Jerry and Betty Ford and all they did for our country. Before we left the museum campus, we paid our respects at the graves of Mr and Mrs Ford. Lovely riverside setting too!!

This was our first presidential library and we were very impressed with how much was in it. President Ford was a very well accomplished man before he got into politics and married Betty that became accomplished and it was nice that they also showcased her work and contributions to our country.

Gerald Ford was way more than his laid back personality suggests. He was a man of integrity. And this museum does him jJustice. My absolute favorite? Richard Nixon's letter of resignation!

My husband and I visit our Presidents’ libraries and museums whenever we can and was happy to visit President Ford’s in Grand Rapids. Our visit encompassed at least 2 hours and there was a lot to see from humble beginnings through the end of his life. Grounds are beautiful and Gerald and Betty are buried there. I highly recommend!

This presidential museum is beautifully situated in the home town of Gerald R. Ford and reflects his service to the state and country extremely well.

We stayed at the Amway across the river and this is an easy walk over the bridge. Beautiful museum with lots of photos and memorabilia related to Ford’s life and presidency. We spent several hours and easily could have stayed longer. I learned so much that I didn’t know previously about this man of such great character and integrity. Highly recommend.