Getting to Grand Rapids

Air travel to Grand Rapids is easy through Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR). Seven, airlines including Southwest Air which is new this year, provide non-stop service to many non-stop destinations.

Click here for a list of airlines and destinations.

Quilt Show Parking

Ample parking is available in downtown Grand Rapids for Quilt Show attendees.

Click here for a map of parking facilities and rates.

DeVos Place Convention Center

The AQS Quilt Show & Contest will be held at the DeVos Place Convention Center in downtown Grand Rapids! This magnificent facility is pillar free giving AQS a wide open space to display hundreds of quilts and our merchant mall. The public is welcome to attend this show of fiber art at the DeVos Place Convention Center.

Accommodations

AQS has negotiated reduced room rates at these (3) hotels for those attending the AQS Quilt Show in Grand Rapids.

Amway Grand Hotel (headquarters hotel connected to the DeVos Place Convention Center); $114 plus taxes

JW Marriott (indoor walkway access to DeVos Place Convention Center); $114 plus taxes

Courtyard by Marriott Downtown (indoor walkway access to DeVos Place Convention Center) $114 plus taxes

Parking at these hotels is $8.00 per night for registered guests.

Click here to make your hotel reservation with the above hotels.

Holiday Inn  Grand Rapids Downtown $108 plus taxes and includes free parking.

Click here to make your AQS reservation at Holiday Inn Downtown.

Riverfront Hotel Grand Rapids $99 plus tax and includes breakfast and free parking. 

To make your reservation at Riverfront Hotel, please call 855-344-6835 or 616-363-9009 and ask for the AQS rate.

Camping

Camping in or near Grand Rapids lets you take advantage of our awesome natural wonders and still enjoy easy access to our "big-city" amenities.

Click here for a PDF of camping locations.

Dining

Restaurant Week Grand Rapids is in full swing during AQS! More than 30 downtown restaurants are offering creative three-course meals for just $25. Some are offering two complete meals for $25. It's a great way to sample the fresh, farm-to-table cuisine that has made Grand Rapids a culinary destination. There are dozens of eateries within walking distance of downtown hotels and hundreds throughout the city - something for every taste and budget!

View all of the Restaurant Week Menus here.

Click here for a PDF map of downtown restaurants near the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and DeVos Place.

Or, click on the Restaurants Link at left for a complete Grand Rapids inforamtion. 

Grand Rapids Attractions

Grand Rapids Public Museum - General Admission is $8.00 for adults; $7.00 for Senior Citizens and $3.00 for children. The AQS attendees will receive a $1.00 off of admission when showing their conference badge.

The Museum will be open from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm on Tuesday; and 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Wednesday through Saturday during AQS. They will offer a collection of approximately 10 quilts that will be available for White Glove viewing. This bonus will be complimentary with paid admission. White Glove Viewing will be available from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm daily; and 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday night.

Gerald R Ford Museum allows you to experience America's most entertaining presidential museum. Attend a White House State Dinner, step inside the Oval Office and see the original Watergate burglar tools. Visitors can also see President Ford's and First Lady, Betty Ford's burial site. The museum will be celebrating Gerald Ford's 100th Birthday.

Grand Rapids Art Museum will be featuring The Improvisational Quilts of Susana Allen Hunter.  Susana was an African-American woman who made quilts in Wilcox County, Alabama. Created from the 1930s to the 1970s, Hunters' colorful quilts reflect her life in that rural community. Using her innate flair for abstract design, she pieced together and quilted hundreds of colorful improvisational quilts throughout her lifetime.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park  is a 132-acre attraction featuring the most comprehensive outdoor sculpture collection in the Midwest, indoor and outdoor gardens, largest tropical conservatory in the state, guided tram tour and café. 

Shopping

From mega malls to independent boutiques, Grand Rapids is a treasure-hunter's paradise. Unique art galleries and specialty shops are found throughout downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. Click the Shopping link at left to see what's in store for you.

Fabric & Supply Stores

Looking for something new and different? Need supplies after show hours? You'll find it all in Grand Rapids:
• Field's Fabrics - local retailer offers 7 stores open until 9 pm.
• Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores - 2 area locations open until 9 pm.
• Michael's - 3 area stores open until 9 pm.
• Hobby Lobby - 3 area stores open until 8 pm.

View all of the quilter friendly fabric and supply stores.

Art & Culture

Grand Rapids is renowned for its artistic spirit. City streets are lined with sculptures, two downtown art museums captivate visitors and Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park has been named one of the world's "Top 30 Must-See Museums."

Click here to find out what's going on while you are here.

Daytime Diversions

Are you traveling with a spouse and/or children? Grand Rapids offers plenty to keep them occupied while you're at the show. Here are just a few suggestions:

• Golf. There are dozens of excellent courses within 30 mins. of downtown - including The Mines, just 3 miles away!

• John Ball Zoo. Practically right next door to The Mines golf course, the Zoo includes a new tram ride to a treetop view of the city, a zipline, sky trail ropes course and more than 1,100 animals.

• Millennium Park. One of the nation's largest urban parks includes a swimming lake with sandy beach and nearly 20 miles of biking and hiking trails.

• West Michigan Whitecaps Baseball. This Detroit Tiger affiliate plays at nearby Fifth Third Ballpark.

• Craig's Cruisers. Kiddie karts, bumper boats, miniature golf, laser tag and more.

• Beer Tours. Grand Rapids is Beer City USA - downtown alone boasts the World's 2nd Best Brewery (Founders Brewing Co.) and 3rd Best Beer Bar (Hopcat). Many more excellent craft breweries are close by!  Click on Beer Tours for the tour!

Click here for a complete list of events happening during your time in Grand Rapids.