Insider's Guide to Grand Rapids, Michigan
Get the inside scoop on all things Grand Rapids in one place. Experience Grand Rapids has hundreds of articles about all the best places to visit, get a drink,to have dinner, and make GRAND memories on your next getaway to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Use the categories to narrow your options.
Guide to Canoeing in and Around Grand Rapids
- 5 min
Grand Rapids is a wonderful place to be year round, but summer is when the city really shines. There…
Grand Rapids Murals: North Quarter
- 11 min
Following the Grand River north out of downtown, the historic North Quarter of Grand Rapids is hot…
Grand Rapids Murals: Southtown
- 10 min
Southtown is a large and diverse neighborhood of Grand Rapids. Many of the residents of Southtown…
Grand Rapids Murals: Uptown
- 8 min
USA Today named Grand Rapids one of America’s 10 Best Cities Where You Can See Amazing Art…
Locals’ Guide to Hot Dogs in Grand Rapids
- 7 min
Grand Rapids, Michigan has been recognized as a Top 20 U.S. Foodie City – but you…
Fun Places to Go Bowling
- 8 min
Heading to the bowling center (or alley, as it's often called) is a great activity to enjoy…
Grand Rapids Murals
- 2 min
Grand Rapids art doesn't just live in the museums, it's also part of the structure of the…
Skiing
- 2 min
Every season brings great outdoor recreation opportunities that are easily accessible from downtown…
Where to Find Juice Bars in Grand Rapids
- 5 min
Looking to add some fruits and veggies to your diet? Grand Rapids is home to a few local juice bars…
Annual Beer City Brewers Festival Celebrates the Grand Rapids Beer Scene
- 5 min
Oct. 4, 2025 at Calder Plaza One of the most surprising features of Grand Rapids…
Fourth of July
- 5 min
Fireworks, parades and live entertainment are just a few of the ways locals celebrate the birth of…
Where to Watch the Sunset in Grand Rapids
- 6 min
Savoring the shifting hues that dance across the sky as day makes way to night is a near-universal…
Visiting Blandford Nature Center
- 3 min
Looking for a fun family adventure in Grand Rapids? Head to Blandford Nature Center! Tucked away off…
Bridges
- 3 min
The rivers that criss-cross Grand Rapids and West Michigan were integral to the region's…
Beaches that Make a Great Day Trip from Grand Rapids
- 10 min
If you love the sand, sun and shore, West Michigan is the place for you. With 300 miles of gorgeous…
Grand Rapids Cooking Classes
- 3 min
Grand Rapids is a great food city. Dozens of family farms and orchards grow the food that chefs…
Breweries That Built Beer City: Founders Brewing Co.
- 5 min
With more than 50 breweries along the Ale Trail in the greater Grand Rapids area, it’s no…
Favorite Places for Groups
- 5 min
Grand Rapids, Michigan is easy to get to, easy to get around in, easy to afford – and…
A Parent's Guide to GR-Area Playgrounds
- 17 min
More than 50 of the 160+ public parks in and around Grand Rapids have playgrounds. You can find them…
From Chicago to Grand Rapids: Pride and Juneteenth Celebrations
- 6 min
Chicago residents Shay Collins and Je-Shawna Wholley visited Grand Rapids for Pride and Juneteenth…
Grand Rapids Area Disc Golf Courses to Hone Your Throws
- 8 min
Grand Rapids is ranked the 14 th best disc golf destination in the United States and the 1 st in…
Juneteenth
- 3 min
Juneteenth – short for June Nineteenth – commemorates the emancipation of enslaved…
A Local's Guide to GR Comic Book Shops
- 10 min
There are many different “scenes” in Grand Rapids — performing arts, craft…
Top 10 Reasons to Visit Grand Rapids
- 4 min
Grand Rapids, Michigan, is no ordinary town – in fact, it was singled out as one of…
Grand Rapids Earns Accessibility Seal of Approval
- 3 min
Grand Rapids has achieved “Destination Verified” status as an accessible city through…
Community Legends Sculptures Tour
- 13 min
Two of Grand Rapids’ favorite things – art and history – come together in a…
Taste West Michigan with these Farmers Markets
- 8 min
Farmers market season in West Michigan – a time of year when residents and guests alike can…
Local’s Guide to Weekend Brunch in Grand Rapids
- 11 min
Widely recognized for both its exceptional food and easy sociability, Grand Rapids is a great place…
Perfect Picnic Places in Grand Rapids
- 7 min
Summer in Grand Rapids is a great time of the year to grab some good food and head outdoors to enjoy…
A Local's Guide to Eating Out after 10PM in Grand Rapids
- 9 min
With so many nightlife options around Grand Rapids – everything from concerts and theater…
Heritage Tours
- 16 min
Indigenous peoples lived in what is now Grand Rapids for thousands of years before the first…
Adventure Abounds in Grand Rapids
- 9 min
Attention thrill seekers: you’ll find plenty of activities to get your adrenaline pumping in…
Greenhouses and Markets in the Grand Rapids Area
- 6 min
Putting in a spring garden? Want to dress up a summer or fall occasion with live flowers and…
Where to Buy the Best Wine in Grand Rapids
- 11 min
While we’ll always be fans of the excellent craft brew options we have in Beer City, USA…
Locals' Guide to Grand Rapids Mimosas
- 4 min
A fizzy, fruity mimosa is the true test of a good brunch, if you ask us. (No offense to Bloody Mary…
Sunday and Monday Dining in Downtown Grand Rapids
- 68 min
Finding places to dine out on Sundays and Mondays can be a challenge these days – but not in…
Grand Rapids Children’s Museum Offers Sensory-Friendly Play Environment
- 3 min
For kids and families living with sensory challenges, outings can be hard. New places, unexpected…
Reeds Lake Bike Route
- 4 min
Looking for a (relatively) short, scenic and self-contained bike route in Grand Rapids? Consider the…
Rooftop Bars in Grand Rapids
- 7 min
What’s better than enjoying an adult beverage with friends in Grand Rapids? Enjoying an adult…
Local's Guide to Grand Rapids Donut Scene
- 11 min
Grand Rapids has a vibrant donut scene, with established local bakeries providing a fresh take on…
Wine Bars
- 6 min
Grand Rapids has a national reputation for beer, but that’s not the only beverage in town to…
The Great Burger Round-Up: Grand Rapids’ Must-Try Burger Spots
- 13 min
It should come as no surprise that Beer City USA – aka Grand Rapids, Michigan – also…
What to See, Do & Know in Grand Rapids for Hard-of-Hearing Visitors
- 8 min
A Guide to Visiting Grand Rapids with Hearing Loss If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you know that…
Countryside Tours
- 10 min
One of the coolest things about Grand Rapids is that all our big-city amenities – art…
Free Music Events
- 1 min
In the mood for a concert? You don’t need to buy a ticket to enjoy great live music in Grand…
A Sensory-Friendly Guide to Visiting Grand Rapids
- 6 min
Travel can be a challenge for kids and adults with heightened sensory sensitivities. New and…
Maritime History
- 3 min
Its proximity to Lake Michigan means that a trip to Grand Rapids provides you not only with a city…
Adventure Vacations
- 3 min
Adrenaline junkies will find no end of exciting adventures in Grand Rapids. Get out on one of the…
5 Bike Routes Through Riverside Park and Monroe North Area
- 9 min
One of the best ways to explore Grand Rapids and all it has to offer is by biking it. Lucky for us…
Locally Owned & Operated LGBTQIA+ Businesses to Check Out
- 17 min
Grand Rapids is home to many locally owned and operated LGBTQIA+ businesses. The city is now a…
Promoting Grand Rapids as an Accessible Destination
- 4 min
Experience Grand Rapids wants every visitor to our region to feel welcome and accommodated. That…
20 Fun and FREE Things to do in Grand Rapids
- 7 min
Whoever said nothing in life is free hasn't been to Kent County, Michigan. The greater Grand…
Guide to the Holland Tulip Time Festival
- 2 min
May 2 – 11, 2025 The Tulip Time Festival is an annual spring festival held in Holland…
Locals’ Guide to Frozen Yogurt Shops in Grand Rapids
- 4 min
Frozen yogurt - commonly referred to as “froyo” - is a foodie trend with staying…
Grand Rapids’ Golf Scene Has Something for Everyone
- 10 min
With more than 650 public golf courses throughout the state, Michigan boasts some of the most…
Things to do for Mother's Day in Grand Rapids
- 6 min
Treat Mom (or any nurturing member of your family) to a Grand Rapids getaway this Mother’s…
Bike Grand Rapids: West Side to Uptown and Back Again
- 8 min
Want to get to know Grand Rapids? Spend a day biking through it. “It is by riding a bicycle…
Six Day Trip Destinations from Grand Rapids
- 6 min
Summer is a great time to explore all the amazing things to do right here in West Michigan. Visitors…
Eat Your Way Through the Alphabet in Grand Rapids
- 8 min
With more than 1,000 restaurants in the metro area, Grand Rapids, Michigan offers almost every…
John Ball Zoo Offers Year-Round Learning Opportunities for the Whole Family
- 8 min
Looking for some opportunities for fun, learning, and up-close experiences with animals? A whole…
Historic Homes Worth a Visit
- 4 min
The lumber and furniture industries fueled great fortunes in Grand Rapids during the 19th and early…
Grand Rapids Breweries with Interesting History and Historic Features
- 6 min
One of the beautiful aspects about the rise of craft beer in the United States is the tendency for…
Enjoying the Downtown Refreshment Area with Your Dog
- 3 min
Enjoying the Downtown Refreshment Area with Your Dog Hey, dog people – if you like to bring…
How Grand Rapids Became Beer City USA
- 5 min
Grand Rapids has been known as Beer City USA since 2012, when the city tied Asheville, North…
Downtown Walking Tour
- 7 min
Grand Rapids was named one of the 14 most walkable cities in the U.S. a few years back, largely…
Family-Friendly Things to Do with Kids in Grand Rapids
- 7 min
Grand Rapids is where kids and families come to Play Their Way, in every season and all year…
Grand Rapids Murals: Arturo Morales Romero
- 5 min
USA Today has hailed Grand Rapids as one of the 10 best cities in America where you can see amazing…
Things to Do a Half Mile or Less from Van Andel Arena
- 34 min
A case can be made that Van Andel Arena is the metaphorical heart of Grand Rapids. Its opening in…
Road Biking in Grand Rapids
- 4 min
Bicycling can be a great way to experience a travel destination – it’s healthy…
Grand Rapids Establishments Taking the Gin & Tonic to the Next Level
- 6 min
Several bars and distilleries in Grand Rapids have elevated the standard gin and tonic (G&T) by…
Grand Rapids Area Outdoor Dining Spaces
- 29 min
Outdoor Dining in Any Season Grand Rapidians love the outdoors – so much so that local…
Grand Rapids Pride Festival
- 4 min
June 21-22, 2025 Saturday: 12 - 10 PM Sunday: 12 - 8 PM Calder Plaza Since 1988, the Grand Rapids…
Grand Rapids is a Midwest Hub for Pickleball
- 8 min
Stop by Belknap Park in downtown Grand Rapids any summer or fall evening and you’re liable to…
FAQ About Grand Rapids Public Museum
- 2 min
Founded in 1845, the Grand Rapids Public Museum is the oldest museum in Michigan. It is a place of…
FAQ About Grand Rapids Children's Museum
- 1 min
The Grand Rapids Children's Museum celebrates childhood and the joy of learning by providing an…
FAQ About GR African American Museum
- 1 min
The Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives promotes, preserves, displays, collects and…
FAQ About Grand Rapids Art Museum
- 2 min
The Grand Rapids Art Museum is a beacon of art in an art-loving city, connecting people through art…
FAQ About Blandford Nature Center
- 1 min
Blandford Nature Center invites people of all ages to enjoy, explore and learn in nature. Located…
FAQ About Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
- 1 min
America’s most entertaining presidential museum is both a loving tribute to the U.S…
FAQ About John Ball Zoo
- 2 min
John Ball Zoo has been delighting Grand Rapids residents and visitors since 1891, when a small…
A Vegan & Sustainable Weekend Itinerary for Grand Rapids
- 11 min
Vegan and vegetarian lifestyles often go hand in hand with a desire to live, work and even travel in…
West Michigan Whitecaps: Your Summer Tradition
- 8 min
With dozens of themed nights, special giveaways, new food/drink choices and a variety of…
Local’s Guide to Party Venues in Grand Rapids
- 12 min
Whether you’re planning a birthday bash, a graduation celebration, holiday outings, corporate…
FAQ About Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
- 2 min
Michigan's second most popular tourist attraction ... the country's best sculpture park…
A College Student's Guide to Hosting Friends and Family
- 6 min
If you couldn’t tell from its lively energy and abundance of young faces, Grand Rapids is a…
Road, Trail and Bike Races in Grand Rapids
- 9 min
You might not know it, but races are a big deal in Grand Rapids. There are several very large…
Exploring Cherry Street in Grand Rapids
- 8 min
While downtown Grand Rapids boasts the city’s largest concentration of shopping and dining…
Celebrate the 175th Anniversary of Grand Rapids
- 2 min
Grand Rapids turns 175 years old in 2025 – and the City is inviting you to join in the…
Biking Kent Trails Along Millennium Park
- 6 min
Whether you’re in the mood for a quiet, scenic nature ride or you’re looking for an…
Where to Find Vinyl Records in GR
- 6 min
Vinyl is back! The Recording Industry Association of America reports that vinyl record sales beat…
Women Crafting the Beverage Industry in Grand Rapids
- 15 min
USA Today has recognized Grand Rapids as the Craft Beverage Capital of America. We want to recognize…
Hit the Mountain Biking Trails
- 6 min
The West Michigan Mountain Bike Association (WMMBA) is a group of individuals who help to maintain…
Budget-Friendly Date Night Ideas in Grand Rapids
- 9 min
Financial website MoneyGeek.com calculated the average date in America today…
Women's History Month in Grand Rapids
- 8 min
The story of Grand Rapids cannot be told without acknowledging the tremendous contributions of women…
Grand Rapids Rise Volleyball
- 4 min
The Grand Rapids Rise volleyball team made history when it debuted in January 2024 as the…
Grand Rapids Gold Basketball
- 4 min
Want to enjoy a game of elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun…
Check Out These Black-Owned Restaurants in Grand Rapids
- 9 min
Celebrating Grand Rapids means lifting up the people, traditions, cultures and, of course, foods…
Visit Grand Rapids Like a Cowboy
- 6 min
The Wild West is having a cultural moment. From TV’s Yellowstone universe, to…
Sensory-Friendly Experiences in Grand Rapids
- 6 min
Several Grand Rapids attractions, including John Ball Zoo and the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM)…
Crafting Candles at Wax Poetic Candle Bar
- 4 min
Tap into your sense of smell and flex your creativity by making a hand-poured, scented candle at Wax…
Grand Rapids Restaurants with a French Flair
- 9 min
If you’re not going to Paris anytime soon, but you’re craving a French experience…
Breweries that Built Beer City: Schmohz Brewing Company
- 4 min
Voted Best Beer Town, Best Beer Scene, Best Beer City and Beer City, USA, the Grand Rapids area is…
Irish Pubs in Grand Rapids
- 6 min
In Ireland, pubs are known for their casual and friendly atmosphere, free-flowing conversation…
Music Festivals in Grand Rapids
- 9 min
Grand Rapids loves a good music festival, and we host a diverse range of single-day and multi-day…
Beginner’s Guide to Fishing in Grand Rapids
- 9 min
Anglers of all experience levels will find excellent fishing opportunities in and around the Grand…
St. Patrick's Day
- 3 min
The luck o’ the Irish is with you if you’re spending St. Patrick’s Day in Grand…
Local's Guide to the Best Espresso Martinis in Grand Rapids
- 10 min
Said to have originated in London in the late 1980s, the espresso martini is currently riding a…
10 Seriously Funny Facts About LaughFest
- 7 min
Gilda’s LaughFest debuted in 2011 in Grand Rapids as the first-ever community-wide comedy…
Experience Non-stop Laughs With Grand Rapids' Comedy Scene
- 9 min
Sometimes the weight of life calls for a healthy dose of the best medicine out there: laughter. If…
Speciation Cellars: Where the Wild Things Are
- 5 min
Proprietor and mastermind Mitch Ermatinger, along with wife and partner, Whitney, opened Speciation…
Self-Guided Audio Tours
- 1 min
GR Tag Tour - A smart phone tour of downtown Grand Rapids Scan the tag, take the tour Listen to…
Grand Rapids Cocktail Bars
- 9 min
Thanks to the availability of high-quality craft spirits from local and global sources, the cocktail…
Take a Spa & Wellness Trip to Grand Rapids
- 6 min
Grand Rapids, Michigan is a city known for its vibrant food and drink culture – think Flights…
Things to do with Teens in Grand Rapids
- 6 min
Traveling to Grand Rapids with a teenager? The city and region offer plenty of possibilities to…
Nature Nearby: Parks, Trails, Woods, and Wildlife Within 10 Minutes Of Downtown Grand Rapids
- 4 min
Though Grand Rapids' downtown is often bustling, nature is never far away: green havens can be…
Go Roller Skating in Grand Rapids
- 7 min
Roller skating is cool again. Not since the disco era of the 1970s and ‘80s has the sport…
A Local’s Guide to Accessible Hotels in Grand Rapids
- 12 min
Every year, thousands of visitors and locals enjoy the sights and sounds of Grand Rapids…
Best Bookstores in Grand Rapids
- 5 min
One of the pleasures of travel for book lovers is discovering independent bookstores. Just as…
Local’s Favorite Pizza Places in GR
- 9 min
National Pizza Day is February 9 – and to celebrate, we asked our social media followers to…
Take a Soft Trip to Grand Rapids
- 3 min
Get more out of your getaway by doing less. That’s the idea behind “soft…
Black History Month
- 5 min
Essence Magazine once named Grand Rapids 1 of 6 Unexpected Destinations to Travel To That Are Full…
Grand Rapids Makes Performing Arts Accessible
- 7 min
With professional ballet, opera and symphony companies, a presenter of touring Broadway shows, the…
Valentine's Day
- 11 min
This Valentine’s Day, all you need is love – Grand Rapids restaurants, attractions and…
Escape Rooms: Can Your Group Solve It in Time?
- 5 min
An escape room is an immersive, real-life adventure game that players solve (or not) via…
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…