You don’t have to spring for an organized tour to embark on a curated exploration of Grand Rapids. All you need is a smartphone and an audio tour – it’s like having a tour guide in your pocket! Audio tours direct you to significant local sites and deliver fascinating stories and insights about what you’re seeing. They’re self-guided because you can pause and replay tour narration whenever you like, choose which sites to visit in what order, and take breaks at your leisure.
Audio tours are a cost-effective, flexible and immersive way to discover Grand Rapids at your own pace, without having to keep up with a group. They provide a quick orientation to the area, emphasizing local context, historical background and hidden gems that visitors often miss.
There are a variety of free and low-cost Grand Rapids audio tours available featuring professionally produced audio and content that bring locations to life.
GR Tag Tour - A smart phone tour of downtown Grand Rapids
GR Tag Tour offers two FREE tours – history and art – that are accessed by scanning QR codes on your smartphone. Scan the QR code below to get started, then choose either “History” or “Art Around the Corner.” You’ll get a tour itinerary and a map/directions to each location. Click on each location to listen to an audio history story related to it, read fun facts about it and view a gallery of visitor-submitted photos. You can also check-in at each site and upload your own photos.
Both tours take place entirely in walkable downtown Grand Rapids and can be completed in an hour or so. Thirteen stops on the history tour include such landmarks as the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and Blue Bridge. The art tour includes 10 of the city’s most significant outdoor art pieces, including La Grande Vitesse, the massive, bright red Alexander Calder sculpture that jump-started one of the nation’s most vibrant public art scenes – USA Today called Grand Rapids one of the 10 Best Cities Where You Can See Amazing Art.
Both tours include a “What’s Nearby” link taking you to the Experience Grand Rapids mobile site, where you can find the closest restaurants, shops and other attractions. Learn about QR codes at grtagtour.org.
GR Tag Tours were created in Grand Rapids by Grand Rapids contributors. Additional Grand Rapids audio tours are available via national and global apps. These tours can be downloaded and used offline to save data use.
TravelStorys
“Along the River: Exploring Grand Rapids Michigan” is a walking audio tour of 11 downtown landmarks on the TravelStorys platform. Download the TravelStorys app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Free.
UCPlaces offers a self-guided audio driving tour that will take you through the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, across the Grand River, into historic neighborhoods, and out to some of the area’s most scenic spots – finishing at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. $18.
App availability and pricing are subject to change without notice. Click through to each site for the latest info.
Author
Experience Grand Rapids
Experience Grand Rapids is the foremost storyteller of Grand Rapids, Michigan, showcasing the best the region has to offer to visitors and locals alike. No one knows Grand Rapids better than our team, which ventures out into the community every day to explore what makes Grand Rapids special, from our vibrant arts and culture to our award-winning craft beverages, world-class attractions, outdoor recreation and unique neighborhoods. We work tirelessly to promote the region as a premier travel destination, backed by our own first-hand experiences and the resources of trusted partners throughout Kent County. Rely on Experience GR, the Destination Marketing Organization, for the knowledge you need to make life and travel here more rewarding, including insider information, tips & tricks, and the most comprehensive listing of all the cool things to see and do around the area.
