Hours of Operations
Monday: 9:30am-5:00pm
*Open on Mondays through August 30th*Tuesday: 9:30am-5:00pmWednesday: 9:30am-5:00pm
Thursday: 9:30am-8:00pm
*Thursday is Family Night from 5:00pm-8:00pm
with $1.50 admission per person
Friday: 9:30am-5:00pm
Saturday: 9:30am-5:00pm
Sunday: Noon-5:00pm
I-196 Construction
Please click here for directions on how
to get to GRCM during I-196 construction.
*****
Directions
Location: 11 Sheldon NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503
From I-196 W or E - Take the Ottawa Ave. downtown exit (exit 77C) to Lyon St. Left on Lyon to Division Ave. Right on Division to Library St. Left on Library, and an immediate right on Sheldon Ave. will bring you to our front doors. From US-131 S - Take the Pearl St. exit (exit 85B) and turn left on Pearl to Division Ave. Right on Division to Library St. Left on Library, and a quick right on Sheldon Ave. will bring you to our front doors. From US-131 N - Take the Market Ave. exit (exit 85A). Head left on Market. Right on Fulton St. Left on Division Ave. to Library St. Right on Library, and a quick right on Sheldon Ave. will bring you to our front doors. View Larger Map
Parking Tips
Parking is available throughout the area surrounding the Grand Rapids Children's Museum. GRCM is a private, non-profit, and as such does not have access to city funding, city ramps or dedicated parking. However, we will continue to work with the City to make parking convenient for you. In the meantime, we suggest the following options:
- Bring quarters! Meters surround Veteran's park, the Grand Rapids Public library, and the Museum. Time limits vary. You can secure two hours in most locations and where there are one-hour meters, GRCM will be working to extend those times. Directly in front of the Museum, you do not need to pay after 5 p.m.
A NOTE ON MAKING CHANGE: The Museum can often make change for you in order for you to park at one of the meters.
- Cash for quarters is fine.
- If you are paying by check, we will be happy to provide change for up to $5.00.
- However, if you are paying by credit card, we are unable to charge your card extra to make change. Our system does not allow us to do this.
- Parking is sometimes available at the parking lot belonging to Park Church for $5.00. If the church is not hosting an event, parking is available at this lot. The church will occasionally lift the gate at Night and on weekends, as will St. Cecilia Music Society on Ransom and Fulton.
- There is an Ellis parking lot on the corner of Library and Division.
- The City operates a fairly convenient parking ramp at Ionia between Louis and Monroe Center (Monroe Center Ramp.) If you enter before 6 p.m., the first 60 minutes are free.
- There is a privately-owned parking lot at 20 E. Fulton, directly across the street from GRCM. There are often spaces available (especially after 5 p.m. and on weekends) in this lot for a $5 fee.
- GRCM finds that, barring any major downtown event, parking is especially available weekdays around 9:00-9:40am and after 2:00pm
- We encourage car-pooling and GRCM is also located on a bus-line, if you are inclined to take public transportation.
The GRCM is committed to its downtown location and we want to give our visitors the best possible experience. We know that parking - or lack thereof - can set the tone for a visit, and we want that to be positive.
Please call (616) 235-4726 if you have any further questions.
For a printable version of these parking tips, please CLICK HERE!
For additional parking tips in downtown Grand Rapids, CLICK HERE.
- General admission to the museum is $6.50 per person. Pals Members and children under 1 year are FREE! (For more information about Pals Memberships, please CLICK HERE)
- Thursday nights from 5:00pm-8:00pm are Family Nights with $1.50 admission!
- For Group Rates please call (616) 235-4726 ext. 103 or e-mail schedule@grcm.org
If you're planning where you will eat lunch, please enjoy these nearby downtown restaurants recommended by the Museum:
One Trick Pony offers a full menu of wood-fired pizzas, pastas, salads, soups and sandwiches. Located on the corner of Fulton & Jefferson.
XO Asian Cuisine offers a full menu of Asian Cuisine including Chinese, Japanese and Thai foods. Located on Monroe Center, within walking distance of the Museum.
Jimmy Johns offers tasty sandwiches, chips, cookies, and drinks. Located on Monroe Center, within walking distance of the Museum.