Things to Do Inside

Whether it's a snow day, a rainy day or a day you just want to play inside, Grand Rapids offers a wide range of fun indoor activities for all ages, in all seasons.

Exploration

Delve into history, culture and outer space at the Grand Rapids Public Museum and its Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium.

Browse the indoor gardens and galleries at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park – the Tropical Conservatory is always warm and toasty!

Peruse vast collections of paintings, prints, photographs and other visual delights at Grand Rapids Art Museum.

Discover the lived experience of the local Black community at the Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives.

Explore the life and times of Grand Rapids’ own Jerry Ford at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.

Visit the Meyer May House to see a meticulously restored Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie home complete with original furnishings and faithfully executed reproductions.

Shop 18 artisan food vendors under one roof at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market.

Shop for everything under the sun in malls and neighborhood shopping districts.

Get Attraction Pass GR to enjoy discount admission to some of the area’s top attractions!

Entertainment

See a movie in downtown’s Studio Park entertainment complex or at Celebration! Cinema locations on the city’s north (with giant IMAX screen), south or southwest side.

Attend a play or musical at Broadway Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Actors’ Theatre Grand Rapids, Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids or Circle Theatre.

Treat yourself to a professional ballet, opera or symphony production.

Check the Van Andel Arena schedule for superstar concerts, family shows and professional sporting events – including Grand Rapids Griffins hockey (October-April), Grand Rapids Gold basketball (November-March) and Grand Rapids Rise volleyball (January-May).

Enter the world of virtual reality via 50 games and escape rooms at Amped Virtual Reality.

Play a board game at House Rules Lounge – they have hundreds of games to choose from – while enjoying an adult beverage.

Test your code-breaking, problem-solving and combination-cracking skills at The Great Escape Room, Grand Rapids Escape Room, Locked 460 Escape Rooms and The Ruse Escape Rooms.

See a comedy show at The Comedy Project, Dr. Grin’s Comedy Club or Midtown – the laughs come fast and furious.

Bowl and play laser tag, billiards, video games and more at Main Event in Woodland Mall.

Polish your gaming skills and relive childhood memories at pinball and video game arcades.

Enjoy a live-music concert – check out who’s playing where during your stay.

Activity

Get your steps in when the weather outside is frightful – walk the mile-long downtown skywalk or two indoor malls: Rivertown Crossings and Woodland Mall (be prepared to brake for bargains).

Go fowling – a combination of football and bowling – at the Fowling Warehouse in Grand Rapids.

Indulge in some Break Room Therapy – smash printers, TVs, dishware, computer monitors and more for fun and frustration release.

Scale the walls at Higher Ground Rock Climbing Center and Terra Firma Bouldering Co.

Play a round of indoor miniature golf at Great Lakes Glow Golf and Big Mini Putt Club. 

Play golf all year round at 13 indoor golf simulator lounges.

Try your skill at hundreds of the hottest new arcade games (and enjoy some delicious food) at Dave & Buster’s.

Gear up for a family-friendly game of indoor laser tag at Battle Grand Rapids Tactical Games.

See if you can hit the bullseye at FlannelJax's and Battle Grand Rapids – it’s like darts on steroids.

Play indoor pickleball – and enjoy beer, wine and cider – at Broad Leaf Brewery + Spirits and Pickle & Pin.

Head to a bowling alley – including Woodrows Duckpin Bowling in downtown GR’s Amway Grand Plaza Hotel – for a friendly game of 10-pin.

For the young and young at heart: learn through play at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, ride indoor go-karts and play arcade games at Craig’s Cruisers, roller skate at Tarry Hall or Byron Fun Spot, swim at The Kroc Center and other indoor pools, hit the trampolines at Altitude, Launch, Rebounderz and Sky Zone,

Enlightenment

Tour local breweries to discover why Grand Rapids is Beer City USA and America’s Best Beer City.

Sample exclusive wines and more on a guided Wine Tour of greater Grand Rapids.

Head to Sacred Springs Kombucha Bar for “a life-giving beverage and a life-changing conversation.”

Take an Italian-inspired cooking class at The Local Epicurean – they have classes for all abilities.

Learn or hone creative skills during an artist-led “paint-and-sip” class at Brush Studio.

Get hands-on instruction in fresh floral design from Eastern Floral.

Create your own custom-blend candle at Wax Poetic Candle Bar and Sable Candle Co.

Check out The Aroma Labs to create your signature scent that can be used in a one-of-a-kind perfume, room spray, hand soap, and more

Browse Spruced Studio workshop listings for DIY opportunities – learn to make your own signs, pillows, doormats, blankets, earrings and more.

Visit Zoology, an indoor zoo offering exciting, hands-on experience with reptiles, amphibians and insects.

Browse the DeVos Place event calendar for annual lifestyle shows focused on automobiles, weddings, golf, boating, home & garden, outdoor sports, cottages and lakefront living, tequila, oddities & curiosities, comics & pop culture, and much more.