Whales are Coming to the Grand Rapids Public Museum

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) is opening the new exhibit Whales: Giants of the Deep this Saturday, October 22, beginning with a special Opening Party. This exhibition will be really immersive with lots of hands on components, life-size skeletons, models and a whole lot more.

Whales: Giants of the Deep was developed and is presented by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, and was made possible through the support of the New Zealand Government and the Smithsonian Institution.

Opening day of The Whales: Giants of the Deep will be an Opening Party from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. next Saturday, October 22nd. Tickets to this event include admission to the exhibit, a variety of hands-on activities, seeing live animals from the John Ball Zoo, performances by traditional Maori dancers, admission to Dynamic Earth in the Museum's Chaffee Planetarium and lunch!

Admission to the Whales Opening Party is $10 for member adults and FREE for member children. Non-members can purchase a year family membership and receive incredible savings for the Opening Party. Purchase a one year, basic family membership plus 4 tickets to the event for only $80, saving $57! Non-member adults are $18 for event-only tickets and non-member children are $13. To purchase tickets to the Opening Party visit grpm.org, call 616.456.3977 or visit the Museum’s front desk. To purchase a membership package with tickets to the Opening Party non-members must call 616.456.3977.

In the exhibit, you'll find a life-size replica of the largest living creature’s heart, the blue whale. The exhibit will include two fully-articulated sperm whale skeletons, including a 58-foot male. There will also be video portholes that allow you to be transported into an underwater world via a large immersive projection.

Tickets are currently on sale for the exhibition, which runs through April 15, 2017. Members will be $2 per ticket, and non-member adults will be $13, non-member children will be $8. Admission to Whales: Giants of the Deep includes general admission to the Museum. Tickets can be purchased by visiting grpm.org/Whales or calling 616.929.1700.Al