With more than one million residents in the metro area, Grand Rapids, Michigan, is nobody’s idea of a small town. Yet it’s the perfect place for a small-town getaway, thanks to an array of unique and memorable communities just 15-40 minutes from downtown GR.

Our small towns offer delightful downtowns, abundant outdoor adventure and family-friendly fun along with a slower pace than the big city. Visit Ada for trendy shopping and dining, along with 1,000 acres of parks and trails. Stroll Lowell’s Main Street to browse enchanting art, antique and gift shops. Discover 50+ locally owned shops and restaurants in quaint downtown Rockford. All three are situated on scenic rivers: the Thornapple River in Ada, the Flat River in Lowell and the Rogue River in Rockford, so be sure to bring your camera.

Four Lake Michigan coastal communities – Grand Haven, Holland, Muskegon and Saugatuck/Douglas – offer their own Instagram-worthy views. There are 20+ gorgeous beaches spread between them, punctuated by historic lighthouses, romantic piers and soaring sand dunes. Each of these lakeshore cities boasts a distinctive personality and the kind of laid-back shopping and dining you’d expect from a resort town.

Book a Grand Rapids hotel so you can spend the day exploring any or all of these small towns, then spend the night soaking up our cosmopolitan culture and entertainment.

Grand Rapids allows you to easily experience the best of both worlds – the excitement of a big city and the charm of a small town. Scroll down to start planning your inclusive adventure!

Ada

Just under 10 miles east of downtown Grand Rapids, Ada is a historic township with a newly reinvented downtown. Christened Ada Village, the downtown area was rebuilt from the ground up over the last decade. The revitalization is set to continue with enhancements of the parks and trails near the Ada Covered Bridge, built in 1867 and now serving as a pedestrian walkway connecting Ada Village with Leonard Park.

Ada

photo by Addison Causley for Experience GR. Artwork by Christina Hutton

Cedar Springs

From its small but vibrant business district to its numerous recreational areas, parks and lakes, Cedar Springs is a joy to explore. Bring the kids, they’ll love Deer Tracks Junction Adventure Park and even Cedar Springs Brewing Company is family-friendly. The city’s Red Flannel Festival, held every October since 1939, celebrates the famous “drop-seat” long johns that were made here. Cedar Springs is about 20 minutes north of Grand Rapids.

Grand Haven

Grand Haven’s historic downtown is just a short stroll from a shop- and restaurant-lined boardwalk that runs along the harbor and to Grand Haven State Park beach, home to an 1839 lighthouse. Grand Haven City Beach, named one of America’s Top 25 Beaches by Travel + Leisure Magazine, is also close by. This small town is less than 40 minutes from Grand Raids.

Holland

About 30 minutes southwest of Grand Rapids, Holland hosts what is widely considered one of America’s best small-town festivals each May: the Tulip Time Festival celebrates the area’s Dutch heritage with millions of tulips on display and 10 days of cultural events. Much of it takes place in a picture-perfect downtown lined with cobblestone sidewalks and 100+ locally owned shops and eateries. Sugar-sand Lake Michigan beaches are about a 10-minute drive from downtown.

Lowell

Known as “Showboat City” for a succession of riverboats that served as a community gathering place since 1932, Lowell features a vibrant arts community, eclectic shopping district and excellent food-and-drink scene, all just 20 minutes east of downtown GR. It’s the kind of place where you can attend a 4-H Fair in the morning and attend an art gallery opening a few hours later.

Muskegon

The largest of our small towns, with a population of about 37,000, Muskegon has a walkable downtown shopping district as well as numerous other shopping centers featuring well-known brand names. Muskegon boasts 26 miles of white sand beaches and beautiful Lake Michigan views, plus an amusement park and performing arts theater, about 45 minutes northwest of Grand Rapids.

Rockford

With its idyllic downtown, scenic beauty and vibrant community life, Rockford is a quintessential Michigan small town. Though the shopping and dining district isn’t quite seven blocks, its one-of-a-kind treasures will keep you browsing (and tasting) for hours. Numerous golf clubs, trails and fishing spots will satisfy your thirst for adventure. Rockford is about 15 minutes north of downtown GR.

Saugatuck/Douglas

The twin cities of Saugatuck and Douglas, also known as the Art Coast of Michigan, feature a thriving art scene, world-renowned culinary landscape, award-winning beaches and scenic waterways, along with a well-deserved reputation as the most LGBTQIA+-friendly small town in Michigan. The area’s cozy downtown is brimming with one-of-a-kind retail and dining experiences for every person and every price range. Saugatuck/Douglas is about 40 minutes southwest of GR.