Grand Rapids is a fantastic group tour destination for lovers of both the visual and performing arts.

USA Today named Grand Rapids 1 of the Top 10 Cities Where You Can See Amazing Art and has ranked our Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park the country’s #1 sculpture park for three years running. Our annual ArtPrize competition – the world’s most attended public art event – fills the sidewalks, parks, bridges and businesses of downtown Grand Rapids with upwards of 900 artworks from global creators each fall. Neighborhood streets are lined with hundreds of murals and sculptures, and even utilitarian structures like parking ticket booths, electrical boxes and storm drains have been transformed into objects of beauty by local artists. The Grand Rapids Art Museum is itself a work of art, a cool and calming modernist oasis named one of the world’s best buildings of 2007.

Our on-stage offerings are equally impressive, from professional ballet, opera and symphony companies to Broadway Grand Rapids, which presents the nation’s hottest touring musicals and plays. Grand Rapids Civic Theatre is one of the nation’s oldest and largest community theatres, and Circle Theatre offers musicals, plays and theatrical concerts all summer long. A wide variety of venues host live music performances most every night.

Want to create your own art? Groups can paint, throw pottery, create their own candles and fragrances, learn the art of floral arrangement, tackle woodworking projects and so much more in Grand Rapids.

You can start building your Grand Rapids art itinerary by reviewing the group tour options below. Reach out to us if you have questions or want additional ideas – that’s what we’re here for!

You may also want to check out our suggestions for itineraries focused on Beer, Hands-On Activities, and Gardens & Agriculture, as well as more general One-Day and Three-Day itineraries.

061125_Meijer-Gardens-Tours_108 Bryan Esler for Experience GR
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (4 hours)

One of the world's 100 most visited art museums showcases both natural and man-made beauty. Enjoy lunch in the Cafe. Guided tours available for a cost.

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Disney's The Lion King performance courtesy Broadway Grand Rapids Disney's The Lion King courtesy of Broadway Grand Rapids
Broadway Grand Rapids (2-3 hours)

See the nation's hottest touring musicals and plays straight from Broadway, in a theater equipped with state-of-the-art performance technologies.

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Grand Rapids Symphony Dreamworks Movie Terry Johnston
Grand Rapids Symphony (2-3 hours)

The Grammy-nominated symphony performs 400 concerts a year, across a wide variety of music genres.

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From Michigan With Love Exploring the Sonic Runway Installation at World of Winter 2024 Bryan Esler for Experience GR. Artists: Rob Jensen & Warren Trezevant. Tour Producers: Creos
World of Winter Festival (Event)

Massive outdoor art installations and dozens of amazing ice sculptures add to the fun of this annual community celebration. Jan-Mar.

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Grand Rapids Ballet Presents The Nutcracker at DeVos Performance Hall Ray Nard Imagemaker
Grand Rapids Ballet (2-3 hours)

Michigan's only professional ballet company presents both classic and cutting-edge dances.

Actors and singers performing in The Magic Flute Grand Lubell, courtesy of Toledo Opera
Opera Grand Rapids (2-3 hours)

Michigan's longest running professional opera company matches visiting artists with local talent.

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Grand Rapids Art Museum Leigh Ann Cobb for Experience GR.
Grand Rapids Art Museum (1 hour)

GRAM boats an impressive permanent collection and hosts the nation's finest touring exhibits. Groups of 10 or more qualify for discounted museum pricing.

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Brush Studio Rachel Greiner for Experience GR.
Brush Studio (2-2.5 hours)

Enjoy wine, beer and food while an artist walks you through the painting process.

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candle making at Wax Poetic in Grand Rapids Experience Grand Rapids
Wax Poetic Candle Bar (1-2 hours)

Create a custom-scented, hand-poured candle with our own personal blend of clean-burning fragrant oils.

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ArtPrize artwork EIRO at Calder Plaza Nick Irwin for Experience GR. Artwork: EIRO: Affinity by Noah Kaplan
ArtPrize (Event)

1,000+ diverse works of art are displayed all over downtown Grand Rapids during the world's largest public art event - and visitor votes determine a grand prize winner every fall.

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Quilt of Belonging Photo courtesy of AQS
AQS Quilt Week (Event)

See hundreds of quilts on display, attend workshops and shop a huge merchant mall in August.

ArtPrize 2023 - Raining Wisdom by Abdoulaye Conde (elephant mural). Photography by Nick Irwin. Nick Irwin for Experience GR Artwork: Abdoulaye Conde
Public Art

Explore 100+ outdoor murals, sculptures, and other public art pieces in and around downtown Grand Rapids.

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Art Extras

Peer into Grand Rapids history via a series of Community Legends sculptures. See 100+ murals on buildings, storm drains, and electrical boxes. Visit Avenue for the Arts to browse artist-run businesses and art spaces. Watch Salmon "climb" the Fish Ladder Sculpture on the Grand River. Listen to live music at 100+ venues across the city. Create your own signature scent at The Aroma Labs. 

Lilly Baker, Sales Research Specialist Mod Bettie for Experience GR
Contact Lilly

For complimentary assistance planning your itinerary or making travel arrangements, contact Lilly, she'd be happy to help!

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