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Grand Rapids, Michigan
From world-class attractions and outdoor recreation to nationally ranked food and craft beverage scenes – Grand Rapids, Michigan is filled with unexpected surprises. Discover why we're America’s Best Beer City, the nation’s Craft Beverage Capital, and a Top 20 U.S. Foodie City. Get an eyeful of spectacular art and an earful of live music. Explore our endless opportunities for family fun. Make your travel dreams come true in Grand Rapids!
World of Winter Festival
Visit Grand Rapids during the World of Winter Festival which features more than 20…
Flights of Flavor
Flights of Flavor are unique food and/or drink pairings that let you sample multiple…
Become a Beer City Brewsader!
Eight "stamps" in your passport and you become an official Beer City Brewsader! Get…
Check Out These Black-Owned Restaurants in Grand Rapids
- by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR
- 11 min
Celebrating Grand Rapids means lifting up the people, traditions, cultures and, of course, foods…
Resolutions to Keep During Your Next Trip to Grand Rapids
- by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Ideology for Experience GR
- 9 min
Want a New Year’s resolution you can stick to? Resolve to have more fun in 2026. Make time…
A Luxury Travel Guide to Grand Rapids
- by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Courtesy of AHC Hospitality
- 14 min
Grand Rapids is known for its affordability – but that doesn’t mean you can’t…
Take a Spa & Wellness Trip to Grand Rapids
- by photo by Dorelle Brock for Experience GR.
- 5 min
Grand Rapids, Michigan is a city known for its vibrant food and drink culture – think Flights…
Breakfast in Grand Rapids
- by photo by Addison Causley for Experience GR
- 11 min
Breakfast lovers in Grand Rapids are a passionate bunch, as we found out when we asked our social…
Exploring Cherry Street in Grand Rapids
- by photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR.
- 8 min
While downtown Grand Rapids boasts the city’s largest concentration of shopping and dining…
Grand Rapids: A Winter Wedding Wonderland
- by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Trudy Holtz Photography
- 4 min
With ample churches, ballrooms, event halls, and beautiful “River City” scenery, Grand…
Unique Shopping in Grand Rapids
- by photo by Rashelle Whiteharris for Experience GR
- 10 min
Grand Rapids is a great place to browse one-of-a-kind stores overflowing with items you won't…
Antique Your Way Through Grand Rapids
- by photo by Raelyn Nicole Photography for Experience GR
- 7 min
While Grand Rapids is hailed as a city that successfully reinvented itself for the 21 st century, it…
Your Romantic Getaway Weekend Itinerary in Grand Rapids
- by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Experience Grand Rapids
- 8 min
Grand Rapids has been named 1 of 16 Incredibly Romantic Midwest Getaways by TripAdvisor and 1 of the…
A Guide to Solo Travel in Grand Rapids
- by photo by Mod Bettie for Experience GR
- 7 min
Whether you’re a seasoned solo traveler or you’re just thinking of taking your first…
Locally Owned & Operated LGBTQIA+ Businesses to Check Out
- by photo by Addison Causley for Experience GR
- 17 min
Grand Rapids is home to many locally owned and operated LGBTQIA+ businesses. The city is now a…
Grand Rapids Restaurants with Great Vegan Options
- by photo by Rachelle Welling for Experience GR
- 14 min
Surveys generally put the count of vegans in the U.S. at 2-6% of the population. That may not seem…
Dog-Friendly Spots in Grand Rapids
- by photo by Rachel Greiner for Experience GR
- 8 min
Grand Rapids is a great place for people who prioritize the happiness and well-being of their canine…
A Vegan & Sustainable Weekend Itinerary for Grand Rapids
- by photo by Nick Irwin for Experience GR
- 12 min
Vegan and vegetarian lifestyles often go hand in hand with a desire to live, work and even travel in…
Boutique Hotels in Grand Rapids
- by photo by Courtesy of The Ada Hotel
- 5 min
For an immersive getaway that reflects the local culture and provides a truly original experience…
10 Reasons Grand Rapids is America's Craft Beverage Capital
- by photo by Experience GR
- 5 min
These days, most everyone who enjoys good beer knows that Grand Rapids produces some of the…
more trending stories
Black History Month
- by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR. Art: Black History Series by Bryce Culverhouse
- 7 min
Essence Magazine once named Grand Rapids 1 of 6 Unexpected Destinations to Travel To That Are Full of…
Visiting Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in the Winter
- photo by Courtesy of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
- 6 min
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is an iconic tourist destination in Grand Rapids. Named…
West Michigan Winter Sports
- photo by Aaron Peterson for Experience GR
- 6 min
One of the distinct benefits of living in West Michigan is that we can enjoy the beauty of all four…
Must-Try Spots Featuring Nonalcoholic Beverages
- photo by Rachel Greiner for Experience GR.
- 11 min
Grand Rapids is Beer City USA, home to 40+ craft breweries offering an astonishing array of beer styles…
10 Seriously Funny Facts About LaughFest
- by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR
- 7 min
Gilda’s LaughFest debuted in 2011 in Grand Rapids as America’s first-ever community-wide…
A Local's Guide to Finding Sweet Treats in Grand Rapids
- photo by Ashley Wierenga for Experience GR
- 7 min
If you’re trying to shop locally more often, this list is for you. And if you love dessert, this…
Cannonsburg Ski Area: Ski Lessons, Snowboarding, Tubing, & More
- by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Aaron Peterson for Experience GR
- 6 min
If you like to get out and get active in winter, we’ve got the perfect destination for you right…
Indoor Places Where Adults Can Play Like Kids
- by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR
- 8 min
Tired of kids having all the fun? We have solutions for you! There are a growing number of attractions…
Save 50% with Our Attraction Pass
Receive admission into many attractions around Grand Rapids as well as additional exclusive discounts with our Attraction Pass now with adult, children and senior pricing.
Feb
18
World of Winter 2026
Downtown Grand Rapids
Feb
28
20th Annual Winter Beer Festival
LMCU Ballpark
Mar
11
LaughFest 2026
Various Locations
Mar
14
St. Patrick's Day Parade 2026
Calder PlazaGR
Annual Event
20th Annual Winter Beer Festival
LMCU BallparkGR
Annual Event
World-Class Exhibitions
Natural Connections: The sculptural works of ceramicist Robyn Smith
Get the Inside Scoop!
Locals know where all the best places are from the best pizza to the stores to shop. Check out all the local's guides so you don't miss out!
Family-Friendly Things to Do with Kids in Grand Rapids
- by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Samantha Denman for Experience GR
- 8 min
Grand Rapids is where kids and families come to Play Their Way, in every season and all year ‘round. It’s jam-packed with things to do for every kind of kid and every kind of family, so you can plan a…
Things to do with Teens in Grand Rapids
- photo by Haley Chicoine for Experience GR
- 6 min
Traveling to Grand Rapids with a teenager? The city and region offer plenty of possibilities to satisfy even the hardest-to-please adolescents. Whether your teen prefers outdoor adventure or indoor…
GR FAQ
Visitor Information:
Why visit Grand Rapids?
CNN named Grand Rapids 1 of the 10 Best American Towns to visit in 2024, recommending our “vibrant arts scene, thriving beer culture and family-friendly recreation.” USA Today has named us 1 of the 10 Best Cities Where You Can See Amazing Art, America’s Best Beer City and America’s Craft Beverage Capital. Thrillist says Grand Rapids is “rich in art, food, music and every other big-city amenity, only in a quieter package” and Travel Zoo says Grand Rapids “pairs big-city convenience with small-town charm.” It’s definitely worth a visit!
Where is Grand Rapids?
Grand Rapids is located in West Michigan, about 185 miles from Chicago and 157 miles from Detroit, by car. It’s just 30 miles or so from the clean, sugar-sand beaches of Lake Michigan.
Where should I eat in Grand Rapids?
What are you hungry for? Grand Rapids is home to 1,000+ restaurants offering every kind of cuisine. We’ve been named 1 of America’s Top 20 Foodie Cities and Michigan’s Best Food City, partly because our restaurants source fresh ingredients from dozens of family farms and orchards that circle the city.
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Is Grand Rapids accessible for people with special needs?
Grand Rapids was named the #2 U.S. City for People with Disabilities in 2017 and we’re always striving to get even better. Check out some of our accessibility features.
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What's the airport like?
Airports Council International named Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) the #1 airport in North America in its size class, and the easiest, most enjoyable and cleanest airport of any size. GRR is served by eight airlines connecting to 35+ non-stop destinations and conducting more than 140 flights each day.
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Is downtown walkable?
Very – you can walk to 200+ downtown hotels, restaurants, breweries, shops, museums and entertainment venues within the space of 10 minutes. You can even walk with an alcoholic beverage in hand, as long as you stay within the very spacious boundaries of the Downtown Refreshment Area.
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How far is Grand Rapids from Lake Michigan?
Lake Michigan is about 30 miles due west of Grand Rapids. There are 20+ Lake Michigan beaches and five lakeshore communities (Grand Haven, Holland, Muskegon, Saugatuck/Douglas and South Haven) within a 30-60 minute drive of downtown Grand Rapids.
General Information:
Why is Grand Rapids called Beer City USA?
Grand Rapids was voted Beer City in nationwide polls in 2012 and 2013, and it has held the title ever since. USA Today has also named us America’s Best Beer Town, America’s Best Beer Scene and America’s Best Beer City (4 years running!).
History of Beer City
What else is Grand Rapids known for?
Grand Rapids is also recognized for its art, food, craft beverages, outdoor recreation, live music and family-friendly atmosphere.
What about traveling from downtown to other areas of the city?
The Rapid , Grand Rapids’ easy-to-use public transportation system, operates downtown’s DASH shuttle as well as a fleet of buses that circulate around the city and surrounding suburbs. More than 100 of The Rapid’s buses are equipped to use renewal natural gas (RNG) from the City of Grand Rapids’ biodigester, which breaks down organic waste and turns it into a carbon-negative vehicle fuel.