The Public Museum of Grand Rapids traces back its roots over 150 years to 1854, placing it among the oldest museums in the United States. In 1994, the museum moved from Jefferson Ave to its current location, the Museum Center on Pearl Street.

The center hosts a number of traveling national exhibits, as well as permanent exhibits. On the first floor, visit the Streets of Old Grand Rapids and see what the city workshops, businesses and stores looked like over one hundred years ago. Across from the exhibit, take a ride for just $1 on an authentic 1928 carousel that overlooks the Grand River. Upstairs, 'Furniture City' tells the story of Grand Rapids' heritage and history of furniture making and how the industry catapulted the city into the manufacturing spotlight. The exhibit features over 120 masterworks on display, spanning from 1840 to present day, as well as on-site furniture making demonstrations and hands-on games and activities. The second floor also houses a planetarium that hosts both traditional sky shows and rock music laser light shows, and a full service cafe. On the third floor, learn the story about the Anishinabek, the native peoples of West Michigan through clothing, photographs, decorative artwork and artifacts of daily life. 'West Michigan Habitats' showcases the diverse plant and animal life of the area and the Ancient Egyptian room is highlighted by a mummy and coffin nearly 3,000 years old. In 2003, the Museum hosted the only North American stop of the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit.

The Public Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 pm. , and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission on non-special exhibit dates is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $3 for children 3-17 and free for kids 2 and under. Tickets to the planetarium are $3 extra. Parking in the nearby ramp is half price with museum admission receipt.