Whoever said nothing in life is free hasn't been to Kent County, Michigan. The greater Grand Rapids area offers a wide variety of no-cost activities to keep you busy throughout the fall. So take out your planner and get moving - here are 20 ideas for fun, free things to do this autumn!
Harvest Dome 3.0 by SLO Architecture was one of the many projects entered in ArtPrize 2018.
Photo by Experience Grand Rapids, featuring Harvest Dome 3.0 by SLO Architecture- ArtPrize 2018
1. ArtPrize
Roam the streets of Grand Rapids and experience more than 1,500 pieces of art for free!
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Beautiful fall weather and dozens of nearby courses make Grand Rapids a disc golfer's paradise.
Photo by Experience Grand Rapids
2. Disc Golfing
Get your disc on at free disc golf courses at Brewer Park, Garfield Park, Fallasburg Park, Johnson Park and Riverside Park.
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Explore the waterfront of the Grand River.
Photo by Experience Grand Rapids
3. Riverwalks
Stroll the paths alongside the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids, the Rogue River in downtown Rockford and the Flat River in downtown Lowell – keep your phone ready for photo ops!
Riding Through the Trails at Cannonsburg Ski Area.
Photo by Experience Grand Rapids
4. Trailventures
Bike, hike, rollerblade, snowshoe or cross-country ski on endless miles of non-motorized trails through all sorts of terrain. Many paved trails are accessible to people with disabilities.
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5. Downtown Skate Park
Grind the rails on your BMX bike, skateboard, scooter or skates at the 555 Monroe Skate Park alongside the Grand River. It’s open year ‘round!
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Fallasburg Park offers plenty amenities including three playgrounds, fishing, disc golf, hiking trails, and a bridge built in 1871 that you can still drive over.
Photo by Experience Grand Rapids
6. Fallasburg Covered Bridge
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Fallasburg Covered Bridge near Lowell is one of only three covered bridges in Michigan that allows car traffic.
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Enjoy the exhibits featured in the Grand Rapids Art Museum Gallery.
Photo by Photo: Experience Grand Rapids
7. Museums
Enjoy fascinating exhibits at both the Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives and Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts at no charge. (Donations are gratefully accepted.) Browse the galleries at the Grand Rapids Art Museum during Meijer Free Tuesdays (noon-6pm) and Thursday nights (5-9pm).
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8. Fish Ladder Park
Visit downtown’s Fish Ladder Park to watch migrating fish jump up a sculptural artwork to get around the powerful water flow of the Grand River.
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9. Millennium Park
There’s a small fee to use the beach and splash pad at this 1,400-acre park, but everything else is free – including 20 miles of trails, a Ninja Warrior Playground, picnic shelters and tables, birdwatching and even parking!
10. Walking Tours
Download the free GR Walks and Vamonde Live GR Stories apps to access self-guided tours exploring local art, culture, history, neighborhoods and more.
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11. Lookout Park
Take a picnic meal to Lookout Park and take in the bird’s-eye views of downtown GR and the Grand River.
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Gerald R. Ford International Airport
Photo by Experience Grand Rapids
12. Gerald R. Ford International Airport
As many as 300 aircraft take off or land at Gerald R. Ford International Airport on any given day. You can watch them from a special Viewing Park equipped with parking spaces, picnic tables and restrooms.
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Meyer May House
Photo by Experience Grand Rapids
13. Meyer May House
Tour the Meyer May House designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1908-09. This classic example of Prairie School Architecture is open to the public Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays (online reservations required).
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Get outside with your pup at the Downtown GR Dog Park.
Photo by Experience Grand Rapids
14. Dog Parks
Bring Fido for some free exercise at Covell Dog Park, Downtown GR Dog Park, Grand Ravines Dog Park, Hillcrest Dog Park, Lowell Dog Park at Stoney Lakeside Park or Rockford Dog Park.
Millennium Park
Photo by Experience Grand Rapids
15. People Parks
Explore 75 city parks and 43 county parks – picnic, play ball, hike trails, watch wildlife, swim, boat, sled, ski and more.
An audience experiencing Live Music at the Listening Lawn
Photo by Experience Grand Rapids
16. Music
Treat your ears to a free concert at numerous venues throughout the city, from no-cover-charge bars to community festivals.
17. Calvin Ecosystem Preserve & Native Gardens
Connect with nature at this serene oasis of forest and wetlands filled with 174 native plants and 179 bird species.
Rosa Parks Circle during Grand Rapids Asian Festival
Photo by Regina Grove
18. Festivals
Celebrate our diverse cultures, arts tradition, 2SLGBTQIA+ community and winter wonderland at community-wide gatherings throughout the year. LaughFest, our annual festival of funny, offers many free events as part of its comedy lineup every March.
Ride the Grand Rapids' downtown area shuttle (DASH).
Photo by Experience Grand Rapids
19. Downtown Rides
Hop on the Dash West and Dash North Shuttles (they’re pink!) for free transport around downtown from 6:30am-10pm Monday-Friday and 10am-10pm Saturday. Or use your smartphone to connect with a free driverless shuttle.
20. FREE Postcards
Send a free postcard to friends and family telling them how much you enjoy Grand Rapids – and inviting them to visit!