City Tour Grand Rapids
History, Culture, & Architecture
Enjoy a mix of history, culture, and architecture as we tour Grand Rapids. Learn about what makes this city so unique with stories from its past and present. See the iconic sights and learn about the famous figures that have put this city on the map, The Waters Building, the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum, La Grande Vitesse sculpture, and more! Learn about the social groups and various cultures that helped shape the city as we hear about immigration throughout the centuries.
Highlights
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Experience Details
The Details
Price
- Person (over 5): $30
- Children 5 and under: Free
Departure Time
- 8:30 AM
- 11 AM
- 6 PM
Meeting Point
146 Monroe Center NW – the public area outside Biggby Coffee, McKay Tower
Availability
Mon-Sun, year-round
Duration
1.5+ hours
Walking Distance
2 miles approx.
Group Size
Min. 4 – max. 20 people
Included
1 professional tour guide
Not Included
- Water
- Snacks
What to Bring
- Walking shoes
- Sunscreen
- Dress for the weather (layers in winter)
Participation Requirements
- Guests should be comfortable with walking 2 miles.
- This tour is wheelchair accessible. Please let us know if you have mobility issues or anything else that would help us make sure you have fun!
- Pet friendly. Your pet must be controlled with a leash or carrier, able to stay quiet during the tour, and comfortable around downtown activity, including horses. Please let us know if you’d like your pet to come.
About Your Guide
Certified tourism ambassador guide
What You'll Do & See
Soak up our city’s rich history as we stand where the Grand Rapids’ first settler had his fur trading post. These days, a building named after an infamous mob boss and political leader, McKay Tower, takes its place and you’ll learn the story behind it all. Moving away from Greek Revival architecture, we’ll move on to spot what was once the tallest building between Detroit and Chicago. We’ll continue our tour as we head over to one of West Michigan’s most iconic buildings, The Waters Building, the world’s largest building dedicated to furniture exhibition. Here we will learn how the ‘Furniture City’ got its name.
Learn about the people who made the city what it is today and the social groups that shaped and influenced Grand Rapids society. We are proud to have thousands of years of Native American history spread out along the banks of the river and in the 19th and 20th centuries, Grand Rapids saw waves of immigration from the Dutch, French, Polish, and Germans. As industries grew, people from all over the world, and other parts of the U.S., flocked to the city to find work and flee oppression. Grand Rapids’ rich heritage continuously becomes more diverse as our community attracts the best minds in science, innovation, the arts, and entrepreneurship.
Finally, we will discover Grand Rapids’ affinity with culture and the arts as we stroll through the city. Spot the many murals which line our streets thanks to the festival/competition ArtPrize. We’ll also learn about the inspiration that led to Maya Lin creating her famous Ecliptic in Rosa Parks Circle in the heart of the city. And we can’t forget La Grande Vitesse, Alexander Calder’s 43-feet high red sculpture. This sculpture was the first public work of art funded by the National Endowment of the Arts and we’ll fill you in on the initial controversy it caused upon its unveiling.
We are constantly researching our tours to find new stories about our fascinating city. We can guarantee you won’t be disappointed!
