Experiences
Experience Non-stop Laughs With Grand Rapids' Comedy Scene
- 8 min
Must Read
Sometimes the weight of life calls for a healthy dose of the best medicine out there: laughter. If…
Food
Local’s Favorite Pizza Places in GR
- 12 min
Must Read
National Pizza Day is February 9 – and to celebrate, we asked our social media followers to…
Music
Visit Midtown for Live Music and Comedy
- 4 min
Must Read
There are more than 100 live-music venues in Grand Rapids, ranging from the 12,000-seat Van Andel…
Events
10 Seriously Funny Facts About LaughFest
- 7 min
Must Read
Gilda’s LaughFest debuted in 2011 in Grand Rapids as America’s first-ever…
Experiences
Grand Rapids Gold Basketball
- 4 min
Must Read
Want to enjoy a game of elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun…
Experiences
Your Romantic Getaway Weekend Itinerary in Grand Rapids
- 8 min
Must Read
Grand Rapids has been named 1 of 16 Incredibly Romantic Midwest Getaways by TripAdvisor and 1 of the…
Food
Sunday and Monday Dining in Downtown Grand Rapids
- 64 min
Must Read
Finding places to dine out on Sundays and Mondays can be a challenge these days – but not in…
Events
Mark Your Calendars for these Grand Rapids Cultural Festivals & Celebrations
- 12 min
Must Read
You don’t have to travel the world to experience global cultures. West Michigan hosts a…
Events
Valentine's Day
- 12 min
Must Read
This Valentine’s Day, all you need is love – Grand Rapids restaurants, attractions and…
Beer City
Enjoy Historic-Style Beers at Archival Brewing
- 5 min
Must Read
A tour of the Beer City Ale Trail will take you across the world via the different global beer…
Experiences
LGBTQIA+ Weekend Getaway in Grand Rapids
- 11 min
Must Read
No matter who you are or who you love, you’ll find a warm welcome in Grand Rapids. What was…
Experiences
Indoor Places Where Adults Can Play Like Kids
- 8 min
Must Read
Tired of kids having all the fun? We have solutions for you! There are a growing number of…
Experiences
Go Roller Skating in Grand Rapids
- 7 min
Must Read
Roller skating is cool again. Not since the disco era of the 1970s and ‘80s has the sport…
Accessibility
A Local’s Guide to Accessible Hotels in Grand Rapids
- 12 min
Must Read
Every year, visitors and locals alike enjoy the sights and sounds of Grand Rapids’ vibrant…
Shopping
Gift Shops at Local Attractions
- 7 min
Must Read
The gift shops in Grand Rapids’ local attractions offer one-of-a-kind items perfect for…
Experiences
FAQ About GR African American Museum
- 1 min
Must Read
The Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives promotes, preserves, displays, collects and…
Accessibility
Accessible Transportation: The Rapid
- 10 min
Must Read
There’s so much to see and experience in Grand Rapids that determining how to travel from…
Experiences
Escape Rooms: Can Your Group Solve It in Time?
- 5 min
Must Read
An escape room is an immersive, real-life adventure game that players solve (or not) via…
Events
Resolutions to Keep During Your Next Trip to Grand Rapids
- 9 min
Must Read
Want a New Year’s resolution you can stick to? Resolve to have more fun in 2026. Make time…
Experiences
Best Bookstores in Grand Rapids
- 7 min
Must Read
One of the pleasures of travel for book lovers is discovering independent bookstores. Just as…
Experiences
Family-Friendly Things to Do with Kids in Grand Rapids
- 8 min
Must Read
Grand Rapids is where kids and families come to Play Their Way, in every season and all year…
Experiences
Running Events
- 2 min
Must Read
It's no coincidence that America's largest 25K road race – the Amway River Bank Run…
Experiences
Veronica The Explorer Explores Grand Rapids
- 8 min
Must Read
Veronica Gordon – also known as @VeronicaGordonOfficial on Instagram – is an…
Experiences
Where to Find Great Karaoke in Grand Rapids
- 4 min
Must Read
Whether you’re a seasoned karaoke pro or a nervous novice, you’ll find plenty of…
Sports
Cannonsburg Ski Area: Ski Lessons, Snowboarding, Tubing, & More
- 6 min
Must Read
If you like to get out and get active in winter, we’ve got the perfect destination for you…
Experiences
Fun and Educational Winter Break Activities for All Ages
- 9 min
Must Read
Holiday school breaks are a great time to explore Grand Rapids with family and friends. In addition…
Experiences
Top Things to Do
- 8 min
Must Read
Looking for fun things to do on your Grand Rapids getaway (or staycation)? Ask 10 people for…
Events
Meijer State Games of Michigan
- 1 min
Must Read
Meijer State Games of Michigan is a multi-sport, Olympic-style event that welcomes state residents…
Events
New Year's Celebrations
- 8 min
Must Read
Say goodbye to 2025 and ring in 2026 in Grand Rapids, which celebrates the new year with everything…
Recreation
Cross-Country Skiing in Grand Rapids
- 7 min
Must Read
One of the great thing about Grand Rapids is the city’s close proximity to wildlife, nature…
Beer City
Speciation Cellars: Where the Wild Things Are
- 5 min
Must Read
Proprietor and mastermind Mitch Ermatinger, along with wife and partner, Whitney, opened Speciation…
Food
Themed Bars and Restaurants in the Grand Rapids Area
- 9 min
Must Read
Grand Rapids has seen an influx of themed bars and restaurants over the course of the past few…
Drinks
Where to Find – or Make – the Perfect Bloody Mary in Grand Rapids
- 6 min
Must Read
Another year, another round of crowd-sourcing Grand Rapids’ favorite Bloody Mary…
Recreation
Grand Rapids becomes a fatbike-friendly community
- 4 min
Must Read
When Experience Grand Rapids first profiled the local fatbiking community back in 2018, it was clear…
Experiences
These Grand Rapids-Area Spots Starred in Feature Films
- 15 min
Must Read
It’s not uncommon for celebrities to visit the city of Grand Rapids, whether making…
Experiences
Experience GR, One Day Itinerary
- 3 min
Must Read
Does your group have only a single day to get a feel and flavor of Grand Rapids? No problem…
Art
Revisiting ArtPrize With Permanent Works of Art
- 8 min
Must Read
ArtPrize is an international art competition entered by hundreds of artists from around the world…
Experiences
Experience GR, Three Day Itinerary
- 10 min
Must Read
Grand Rapids is a destination like no other - one on the leading edge of art, culture, dining, and…
Recreation
Skiing
- 4 min
Must Read
Every season brings great outdoor recreation opportunities that are easily accessible from downtown…
Beer City
TwoGuys Brewing Offers Craft Brews & Food in Wyoming, MI
- 5 min
Must Read
A beautiful aspect of having more than 7,000 breweries in the United States is they exist in all…
Experiences
Snowshoeing in the Grand Rapids Area
- 8 min
Must Read
Snowshoeing has been around for almost as long as civilizations have interacted with deep snow…
Experiences
Beer Itinerary
- 2 min
Must Read
Welcome to Beer City USA! Grand Rapids has held this title since 2012, along with such USA Today…
Experiences
Gardens & Agriculture Itinerary
- 2 min
Must Read
Located in the middle of one of the world’s finest growing regions, influenced by the…
Beer City
Beer City Coming to a TV Near You
- 3 min
Must Read
Grand Rapids’ meteoric rise from a town without a brewery in 1996 to Beer City USA less than…
Experiences
Hands-on Activities Itinerary
- 2 min
Must Read
“At its core, this city is one of crafters, designers, innovators and artists,” wrote…
Experiences
Visiting Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in the Winter
- 6 min
Must Read
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is an iconic tourist destination in Grand Rapids. Named…
Art
Grand Rapids Murals: Heartside
- 14 min
Must Read
Public art has long been a vital element of Grand Rapids, from well before the installation of an…
Drinks
Distilleries
- 2 min
Must Read
Let the spirits move you to Grand Rapids, where excellent local distilleries play a vital role in…
Experiences
A Luxury Travel Guide to Grand Rapids
- 14 min
Must Read
Grand Rapids is known for its affordability – but that doesn’t mean you can’t…
Recreation
West Michigan Winter Sports
- 6 min
Must Read
One of the distinct benefits of living in West Michigan is that we can enjoy the beauty of all four…
Events
Holiday Lights in Grand Rapids: Downtown & Around Town
- 9 min
Must Read
Grand Rapids always celebrates the year-end holidays in high style, generating so much excitement…
Shopping
Unique Shopping in Grand Rapids
- 10 min
Must Read
Grand Rapids is a great place to browse one-of-a-kind stores overflowing with items you won't…
Food
The Local’s Guide to the Best Nachos in Grand Rapids
- 8 min
Must Read
America celebrates National Nachos Day on November 6 every year, and we like to build up to the…
Food
Grand Rapids Restaurants with Great Vegan Options
- 14 min
Must Read
Surveys generally put the count of vegans in the U.S. at 2-6% of the population. That may not seem…
Beer City
Breweries that Built Beer City: Vivant Brewery + Spirits
- 5 min
Must Read
When Kris and Jason Spaulding opened the doors to Brewery Vivant (now Vivant Brewery + Spirits) in…
Experiences
FAQ About Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
- 1 min
Must Read
America’s most entertaining presidential museum is both a loving tribute to the U.S…
Food
A Local's Guide to Finding Sweet Treats in Grand Rapids
- 7 min
Must Read
If you’re trying to shop locally more often, this list is for you. And if you love dessert…
Shopping
Antique Your Way Through Grand Rapids
- 7 min
Must Read
While Grand Rapids is hailed as a city that successfully reinvented itself for the 21 st century, it…
Events
Halloween in Grand Rapids
- 17 min
Must Read
Halloween isn’t just day in Grand Rapids – it’s several weeks’ worth of…
Shopping
Shopping Malls and More in Grand Rapids
- 6 min
Must Read
Grand Rapids is filled with all sorts of great shopping options – but for convenience…
Experiences
8 Fun Facts About the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Spillman Carousel
- 6 min
Must Read
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) welcomes more than 250,000 visitors every year for a wide…
Drinks
Dive Bars to Check Out in Grand Rapids
- 13 min
Must Read
The term “dive bar” used to conjure up images of a seedy, run-down place in a…
Experiences
Historic Cemeteries of Grand Rapids
- 7 min
Must Read
There are a lot of great ways to explore Grand Rapids history. You can browse the exhibits at the…
Food
Locals' Guide to Grand Rapids' Taco Scene
- 10 min
Must Read
Now that we have your attention – let’s “taco bout” tacos! We asked our…
Sports
Golf Year Round in Grand Rapids
- 6 min
Must Read
Grand Rapids is a great golf town, offering “perhaps the best combination of affordable golf…
Experiences
Take a Tour of Grand Rapids’ Ghostly History
- 6 min
Must Read
As Halloween draws near, Grand Rapids comes alive (or is that undead?) with terrifying haunted…
Food
Grand Rapids Area Outdoor Dining Spaces
- 28 min
Must Read
Outdoor Dining in Any Season Grand Rapidians love the outdoors – so much so that local…
Music
Rock Out at These 18 Grand Rapids Concert Venues
- 8 min
Must Read
As Grand Rapids continues to grow, the music scene continues to evolve with it. New developments all…
Drinks
Must-Try Spots Featuring Nonalcoholic Beverages
- 11 min
Must Read
Grand Rapids is Beer City USA, home to 40+ craft breweries offering an astonishing array of beer…
Experiences
A Vegan & Sustainable Weekend Itinerary for Grand Rapids
- 12 min
Must Read
Vegan and vegetarian lifestyles often go hand in hand with a desire to live, work and even travel in…
Events
Driving Tourism Through Festivals
- 2 min
Must Read
Cultural festivals are a big part of the social fabric of Grand Rapids. Collectively, they bring…
Experiences
Off the Beaten Path: 10 Fall Hikes and Trails Around Grand Rapids
- 6 min
Must Read
Just because the air starts to turn cooler and the leaves start to turn doesn’t mean…
Experiences
Fall Color Tours in Grand Rapids
- 6 min
Must Read
West Michigan's abundant forests helped fuel Grand Rapids' rise as "furniture capital…
Experiences
Budget-Friendly Date Night Ideas in Grand Rapids
- 9 min
Must Read
Financial website MoneyGeek.com calculated the average date in America today…
Experiences
Grand Rapids Griffins Hockey
- 4 min
Must Read
Calling all hockey fans! Gear up to cheer for the Grand Rapids Griffins, a development affiliate of…
Drinks
Fall Cider in Grand Rapids
- 8 min
Must Read
Michigan is one of America’s top three apple-producing states – and Grand Rapids is…
Drinks
10 Reasons Grand Rapids is America's Craft Beverage Capital
- 5 min
Must Read
These days, most everyone who enjoys good beer knows that Grand Rapids produces some of the…
Experiences
Arcades in Grand Rapids
- 5 min
Must Read
Polish your gaming skills, relive some of your childhood memories and/or introduce your young ones…
Experiences
Dog-Friendly Spots in Grand Rapids
- 8 min
Must Read
Grand Rapids is a great place for people who prioritize the happiness and well-being of their canine…
Food
Breakfast in Grand Rapids
- 11 min
Must Read
Breakfast lovers in Grand Rapids are a passionate bunch, as we found out when we asked our social…
Experiences
Roaming with Romie: A Family-Friendly Grand Rapids Itinerary
- 6 min
Must Read
Romie Robertson is an Atlanta-based content creator who specializes in affordable travel with a…
Art
Grand Rapids Sculptures: Downtown West
- 13 min
Must Read
“Grand Rapids showcases sculptures and artwork throughout the city,” writes USA Today…
Experiences
Explore These 6 Totally Pawesome Dog-Friendly Trails in Kent County
- 7 min
Must Read
One of the most distinctive reasons for living in and visiting Kent County is the diverse mix of…
Drinks
Craft Cider Scene: Crisp Hard Ciders
- 3 min
Must Read
Already internationally acclaimed for its craft beers, Grand Rapids is now earning recognition for…
Experiences
Step Back in Time with Historical Grand Rapids Buildings
- 9 min
Must Read
Downtown Grand Rapids has exploded in the last decade with the grand openings of breweries…
Recreation
Steelhead Fishing in the Grand Rapids Area
- 5 min
Must Read
They hit hard, leap high and run like a freight train when hooked. It’s no wonder steelhead…
Experiences
Visit John Ball Zoo's Red Pandas & More
- 7 min
Must Read
For more than 125 years, John Ball Zoo has given Grand Rapids locals and visitors of all ages the…
Accessibility
A Guide to Visiting Grand Rapids with Vision Loss
- 7 min
Must Read
Travelers who are blind or visually impaired can enjoy a comfortable and stress-free trip to Grand…
Accessibility
Ideas for Accessible Parks and Trails in Grand Rapids
- 5 min
Must Read
WalletHub named Grand Rapids, Michigan the #2 Best City in America for People with Disabilities in…
Accessibility
Ideas for Accessible Attractions to Visit in Grand Rapids
- 4 min
Must Read
Travelers looking for accessibility will find a lot to love about Grand Rapids, Michigan. The city…
Experiences
Education Experiences
- 6 min
Must Read
If your family is homeschooling or loves taking educational vacations, you may want to take…
Accessibility
Grand Rapids Restaurants That Focus on Accessibility
- 5 min
Must Read
When you go out to your favorite local restaurant, are you aware of how high the tables are? Before…
Recreation
Grand River Coho Salmon Fishing
- 4 min
Must Read
As summer winds down and thoughts turn to fall, area sport anglers often turn their attention to the…
Art
Five Facts About Maya Lin, the Artist of Ecliptic
- 4 min
Must Read
What do Grand Rapids and Washington D.C. have in common? They are both home to award-winning outdoor…
Experiences
Locals' Guide to Grand Rapids’ Dance Floors
- 8 min
Must Read
Grand Rapids is home to more than 90 music venues, and many of them open up a dance floor on select…
Experiences
Family Farm Markets
- 6 min
Must Read
You can purchase fresh-picked produce - or pick your own - at many of the farms and farm markets…
Art
Grand Rapids Murals: Rockford
- 7 min
Must Read
Downtown Rockford is a quaint, walkable business district filled with unique shops, restaurants and…
Experiences
Local’s Guide to U-Pick Apple Farms & Orchards
- 8 min
Must Read
Grand Rapids is the Apple Capital of Michigan, the nation’s #2 apple producing state…
Experiences
Gun Lake Casino Resort
- 2 min
Must Read
Just 25 miles south of downtown Grand Rapids, Gun Lake Casino Resort offers more than 2,500 slot and…
Food
Pet-Friendly Restaurants in Grand Rapids
- 5 min
Must Read
Grand Rapids is known for its hospitality, and we’re just as welcoming to four-legged…
Events
Labor Day
- 5 min
Must Read
It’s the last big hurrah of summer – and Grand Rapids knows how to make it memorable…
Beer City
Grand Rapids Craft Breweries
- 2 min
Must Read
If you love beer, you owe yourself a trip to Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has been known as Beer City…
Experiences
Ideas for Your Girlfriends’ Getaway in Grand Rapids
- 11 min
Must Read
Looking for a place to relax and have fun with your gal pals without breaking the budget? Look no…
Experiences
Sample Exclusive Wines & More With GR-Area Wine Tours
- 5 min
Must Read
Grand Rapids’ status as the Craft Beverage Capital of the U.S. may be grounded in our…
Experiences
Exploring West Leonard Street in Grand Rapids
- 10 min
Must Read
West Leonard is one of three main commercial districts on Grand Rapids’ historic West Side…
Drinks
Local's Guide to Sports Bars in the Grand Rapids Area
- 8 min
Must Read
Grand Rapids is home to a number of pro sports teams, including the West Michigan Whitecaps…
Art
Grand Rapids Murals: Downtown - Center City
- 13 min
Must Read
Art doesn’t just live in the museums of Grand Rapids, it’s also part of the structure…
Shopping
The Inside Scoop on Secondhand Shops & Thrift Stores in Grand Rapids
- 10 min
Must Read
Grand Rapids is bursting with local shopping destinations that will help you maintain your personal…
Beer City
Locals’ Guide to Breweries with Great Food
- 8 min
Must Read
You don’t have to order a beer to have a great time at Grand Rapids breweries. Our breweries…
Food
Locals’ Guide to Grand Rapids Ice Cream Shops
- 9 min
Must Read
Has there ever been a more perfect pair than summer and ice cream? Ice cream in all its many forms…
Experiences
Studio Park in Downtown Grand Rapids Has Something for Everyone to Enjoy
- 5 min
Must Read
It can be hard to please everyone when planning an outing. Some people want to go out to eat, while…
Recreation
Plenty of Places to Launch in Grand Rapids
- 4 min
Must Read
Summer days and boating go hand-in-hand. When temperatures climb and days get longer the urge to hit…
Experiences
Explore Greater Grand Rapids: Bike the White Pine Trail
- 7 min
Must Read
Biking the White Pine Trail provides a simultaneous exercise in solitude and solidarity. The trail…
Recreation
Paddling Grand Rapids: So Much Water, So Many Choices
- 6 min
Must Read
Grand Rapids has been named America’s Best River Town (Outside Magazine) and one of the…
Experiences
Discover the Best Scenic Drives Near Grand Rapids
- 6 min
Must Read
Want to see all the beauty the Grand Rapids region has to offer? Look no further than through your…
Drinks
Coffee in Grand Rapids
- 11 min
Must Read
Beer isn’t the only brew Grand Rapids does exceptionally well – local coffee roasters…
Experiences
West Michigan Lighthouses
- 3 min
Must Read
Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state. Over 100 of them sit along the Great Lakes and…
Food
Gluten-Free Dining in Grand Rapids
- 8 min
Must Read
Gluten, a natural protein found in many grains, is a key ingredient in bread, pasta, pizza, salad…
Experiences
La Grande Vitesse at Calder Plaza
- 3 min
Must Read
What’s bright red, weighs 42 tons and has been a popular Grand Rapids photo spot for five…
Experiences
Veen Observatory: A Hidden Gem in The Grand Rapids Area
- 6 min
Must Read
City lights aren’t the only wonders in the night sky over Grand Rapids. Just minutes from the…
Art
Grand Rapids Murals: West Side
- 5 min
Must Read
The near west side of Grand Rapids, just across the Grand River from downtown, has undergone a…
Experiences
Guide to Canoeing in and Around Grand Rapids
- 5 min
Must Read
Grand Rapids is a wonderful place to be year round, but summer is when the city really shines. There…
Art
Grand Rapids Murals: Uptown
- 8 min
Must Read
USA Today named Grand Rapids one of America’s 10 Best Cities Where You Can See Amazing Art…
Art
Grand Rapids Murals: Southtown
- 11 min
Must Read
Southtown is a large and diverse neighborhood of Grand Rapids. Many of the residents of Southtown…
Art
Grand Rapids Murals: North Quarter
- 11 min
Must Read
Following the Grand River north out of downtown, the historic North Quarter of Grand Rapids is hot…
Categories
Things To Do
Grand Rapids, Michigan offers fun things to do for everyone, including attractions…
Restaurants
Explore the many dining options of Grand Rapids restaurants, including steakhouses…
Events
There are tons of fun events happening in Grand Rapids throughout the year. View the…
Hotels
Find the perfect hotel in Grand Rapids, MI for your next vacation. Book a hotel room…
Beer City
Grand Rapids has been voted Beer City, USA and for good reason! It's the perfect…
Outdoors & Sports
Find outdoor recreation and things to do in Grand Rapids, including hiking through…