ArtPrize Field Trip Route

If you’re bringing a whole field trip to ArtPrize and don’t have a ton of time, this quick route hits the highlights and is what we’d walk.

Twenty-two stops, laid out in an order that works: start at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, cross to Lyon Square and DeVos Place, then loop through the heart of downtown and back up toward the Amway.

highlights

What: 22 hand-picked ArtPrize stops

Length: 90 minutes of actual walking.

Start/End: Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum (great for bus drops off and pick ups.)

Using the Map

• The map below is numbered in walking order, so stop 1 to stop 22 is the whole route.
• Tap any pin to see what’s there, or scroll the list underneath for photos and details on every piece.

(Of course, you don’t have to do all of it. The first half sits close together and makes a decent morning on its own. Or, make your own completely custom map here or use our more comprehensive kid-friendly ArtPrize Map.)

ArtPrize Field Trip Route Overview

Start at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum where there are several kid-friendly pieces inside and out, including a 26ft tall lighthouse!

From there, cross the Gillett Bridge to Lyon Square (stop 2) where there’s an actual car turned upside down. Next, DeVos Place is where you’ll find Bones to Live By, a 10′ long 6′ high dog-and-bone-shaped sculpture.

Head inside for “My Poem Your Topic,” a fun interactive poetry stop.

Stops 4-6 are for kids on the older side. Before making the trek, check out the exhibits at these spots

• (4) Art For Honor – City Hall Outdoor Space behind Calder Plaza
• (5) Grand Rapids City Hall
• (6) Kendall College of Art and Design – Ferris State University

Homewood Suites by Hilton is stop 7 – there are pieces for all ages.

Across the street at stop 8, Hyatt Place, an internet sensation comes to life.

The Atrium at Uccello’s Downtown is full of exhibits again this year but it’s hard to tell how many will be kid-magnets. It’s a fun hide-out to visit either way.

Courage & Soar (stop 11) has several pieces that are full of fun – a giant sunflower mural, circus cats, and a sea turtle search to get started.

The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum (stop 12) has a LEGO exhibit that is only open during museum hours, which is 9-4 most days, noon-4 on Sundays.

If your legs are holding up, head to stop 13: Rewind, where Ocean Mache – overheard aquatic display of paper mache sea creatures – is waiting for you.

Don’t miss your chance to check out the new home for the Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives (GRAAMA) – it’s stop 15.

After that, Birdy Buffet is looking interesting at Arts Marketplace at Studio Park (stop 16).

The B.O.B. (Big Old Building) is stop 17 and is once again full of art. The JW Marriott (stop 18) will be a favorite this year because that’s where Midnight in the Pumpkin Dragon’s Garden is at.

Next, we’re headed inside the Amway. Make sure to look for the giant Mackinac Bridge piece, named “Suspended.”

Outside again, it’s the windows of Horizon Bank on Pearl St. that house a collection of 26 dog paintings, one for every letter, in all shapes, sizes and breeds. (stop 21)

Complete your tour with a stroll through stop 22 – Holiday Inn, looking for The Portal of Transformation that you can walk through. That gets you close to the GR Ford Museum, completing your loop!

Next, pass through Uccello’s Atrium if you have time.