“At its core, this city is one of crafters, designers, innovators and artists,” wrote CNN in naming Grand Rapids to its inaugural list of the 10 Best American Towns to Visit. “Grand Rapids exudes a creative energy that extends from the art and flower beds at the Meijer Gardens to downtown parks and from industrial design to breweries.”

Your group can tap into our creative energy with immersive, hands-on cooking and crafting experiences led by accomplished experts. Whether you make a meal to enjoy together on the spot or a custom keepsake each individual can take home with them, these activities will bring your group together for fun, inspiration and discovery – and give you a better sense of what Grand Rapids is all about.  

You can combine these activities with suggestions from our art, beer and gardens & agriculture itineraries for even richer experience. Pair a painting class with a docent-led tour of the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Follow up a cooking workshop with a brewery tour to appreciate how our Beer City USA prowess complements our nationally recognized farm-to-table dining scene. Learn to make a stunning floral arrangement, then visit Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, named the most beautiful garden in all of Michigan as well as the nation’s #1 sculpture park.

You can easily customize a full itinerary with our suggestions. (Check out our group-friendly restaurants and hotels for dining and lodging, and our Grand Gift for groups that book an overnight in GR.)  We also offer one-day and three-day itineraries that showcase our most popular group-friendly attractions and activities. And you can always reach out to us for additional recommendations – there are many more possibilities beyond what we’ve listed here!

Cooking class at the Local Epicurean Haley Chicoine for Experience GR
Cooking Classes (2-3 hours)

The Local Epicurean offers a wide variety of classes that will help beginners and experienced cooks alike build their culinary abilities.

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Brush Studio in GR. Hands-on Activity. Rachel Greiner for Experience GR
Brush Studio (1.5-2.5 hours)

Bring home a souvenir of your own creativity - Brush Studio provides the paint, instruction, music and beverages you need to make a masterpiece.

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Two people smelling scents to begin their candle making. Brain Craig for Experience GR
Candle Making (1-2 hours)

Visit Wax Poetic Candle Bar to create your own custom-scented candle, complete with soy wax, cotton wicks and clean-burning, toxin-free fragrance oils.

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Flower arranging in Eastern Floral Rachel Greiner for Experience GR.
Floral Design (1-2 hours)

Expert designers from Eastern Floral, serving for 70+ years, will walk you through the steps of a beautiful floral arrangement.

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Thought_Design_002 Courtesy of Thought Design
Culinary Workshops (2-3 hours)

Choose from a variety of cooking classes that engage all five senses to deepen the learning experience at Thought Design, a "mind lab" that fosters creativity and connection.

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Hands-on Extras

Transform unfinished wood into a wall-worthy art piece. Learn how to assemble a charcuterie board, make a quilt, or create your own beauty products.

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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