Dream Grand and Go to
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Don’t just dream big for your next getaway … DREAM GRAND! Plan a trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan’s second largest city, and see why CNN called it one of America’s Top 10 Best Towns to Visit. Grand Rapids is the hometown of Gerald R. Ford, 38th President of the U.S., and his namesake airport has been named the easiest and most enjoyable airport in North America. The Gerald R. Ford International Airport is just 20 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids, where 300+ restaurants, bars, breweries, entertainment venues and cultural attractions – including the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum – are within a 10-minute walk of 13 excellent hotels.
Summer is the perfect time to vacation in Grand Rapids, thanks to the unique climate of nearby Lake Michigan. Take advantage of temperate weather and long hours of daylight to enjoy outdoor dining, festivals, concerts and all manner of outdoor recreation, including the world-class beaches of Lake Michigan, just 30-45 minutes from downtown GR.
Food & Dining
Enjoy every kind of food you can imagine along with views you have to see to believe.
Things To Do
Grand Rapids is a destination like no other: art, culture, dining, and nightlife…
Beer City USA
Visit 40+ (!) local craft breweries.
Spring Activites
We've got all sorts of ways to captivate kids this spring. Even virtual ones!
20 Free & Fun Things to Do in GR
You don't need a dime to do these fun things.
Things to Do in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Visit Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, named America’s #1 Sculpture Park by USA Today, and dozens of other fascinating attractions. Treat yourself to some of the nation’s finest food and dining experiences, courtesy of local family farms and expertly trained chefs. Learn why Grand Rapids is known as Beer City USA and America’s Craft Beverage Capital at 75+ breweries, distilleries, cideries, meaderies and coffee roasters. Discover endless opportunities for family fun, including the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, Lena Meijer Children’s Garden, John Ball Zoo, Deer Tracks Junction Adventure Park and so much more.
Check our Events Calendar to find events and activities that coincide with your travel dates and browse our Hotels page to find the perfect combination of location, budget and amenities for you – there are 90+ hotels to choose from!
Getting to Grand Rapids, Michigan
Fly into the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, which offers daily nonstop flights on seven airlines to 30+ U.S. destinations, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit and Houston. Drive to Grand Rapids in fours or less from Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, Toledo and other Midwest destinations. Grand Rapids is also served by Amtrak and Greyhound Bus.
Exploring Cherry Street in Grand Rapids
- photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR.
- 8 min
While downtown Grand Rapids boasts the city’s largest concentration of shopping and dining…
FAQ About Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
- photo by Courtesy of Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
- 1 min
America’s most entertaining presidential museum is both a loving tribute to the U.S…
Biking Kent Trails Along Millennium Park
- photo by Experience Grand Rapids
- 6 min
Whether you’re in the mood for a quiet, scenic nature ride or you’re looking for an…
Where to Find Vinyl Records in GR
- photo by Paul Jendrasiak for Experience GR
- 6 min
Vinyl is back! The Recording Industry Association of America reports that vinyl record sales beat…
Women Crafting the Beverage Industry in Grand Rapids
- photo by Alina Albin for Experience GR
- 15 min
USA Today has recognized Grand Rapids as the Craft Beverage Capital of America. We want to recognize…
Hit the Mountain Biking Trails
- photo by Aaron Peterson for Experience GR
- 6 min
The West Michigan Mountain Biking Alliance (WMMBA) is a group of individuals who help to maintain…
Grand Rapids Pride Festival
- photo by Pride Festival. Performer: Batty Davis, 2018. Photographer: Eric Zuniga
- 4 min
June 21, 2025 Calder Plaza Since 1988, the Grand Rapids Pride Festival has celebrated local LGBTQIA+…
Budget-Friendly Date Night Ideas in Grand Rapids
- photo by Brian Kelly for Experience GR
- 9 min
Financial website MoneyGeek.com calculated the average date in America today…
Sunday and Monday Dining in Downtown Grand Rapids
- photo by Addison Causley for Experience GR
- 68 min
Finding places to dine out on Sundays and Mondays can be a challenge these days – but not in…
Women's History Month in Grand Rapids
- photo by Jasmine Bruce
- 8 min
The story of Grand Rapids cannot be told without acknowledging the tremendous contributions of women…
Grand Rapids Rise Volleyball
- photo by Courtesy of Grand Rapids Rise
- 4 min
The Grand Rapids Rise volleyball team made history when it debuted in January 2024 as the…
Grand Rapids Gold Basketball
- photo by Courtesy of the Grand Rapids Gold
- 4 min
Want to enjoy a game of elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun…
Check Out These Black-Owned Restaurants in Grand Rapids
- photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR
- 9 min
Celebrating Grand Rapids means lifting up the people, traditions, cultures and, of course, foods…
Visit Grand Rapids Like a Cowboy
- photo by Alina Albin for Experience GR.
- 6 min
The Wild West is having a cultural moment. From TV’s Yellowstone universe, to…
Sensory-Friendly Experiences in Grand Rapids
- photo by Brian Craig for Experience GR
- 6 min
Several Grand Rapids attractions, including John Ball Zoo and the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM)…
Crafting Candles at Wax Poetic Candle Bar
- photo by Experience GR
- 4 min
Tap into your sense of smell and flex your creativity by making a hand-poured, scented candle at Wax…
Grand Rapids Restaurants with a French Flair
- photo by Haley Chicoine for Experience GR
- 9 min
If you’re not going to Paris anytime soon, but you’re craving a French experience…
Breweries that Built Beer City: Schmohz Brewing Company
- photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR
- 4 min
Voted Best Beer Town, Best Beer Scene, Best Beer City and Beer City, USA, the Grand Rapids area is…
Irish Pubs in Grand Rapids
- photo by Bree Girard for Experience GR
- 6 min
In Ireland, pubs are known for their casual and friendly atmosphere, free-flowing conversation…
Music Festivals in Grand Rapids
- photo by Nick Irwin for Experience GR.
- 9 min
Grand Rapids loves a good music festival, and we host a diverse range of single-day and multi-day…
Beginner’s Guide to Fishing in Grand Rapids
- photo by Aaron Peterson for Experience GR
- 9 min
Anglers of all experience levels will find excellent fishing opportunities in and around the Grand…
St. Patrick's Day
- photo by Experience Grand Rapids
- 3 min
The luck o’ the Irish is with you if you’re spending St. Patrick’s Day in Grand…
Local's Guide to the Best Espresso Martinis in Grand Rapids
- photo by Rachel Greiner for Experience GR
- 10 min
Said to have originated in London in the late 1980s, the espresso martini is currently riding a…
10 Seriously Funny Facts About LaughFest
- photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR
- 7 min
Gilda’s LaughFest debuted in 2011 in Grand Rapids as the first-ever community-wide comedy…
Experience Non-stop Laughs With Grand Rapids' Comedy Scene
- photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR
- 9 min
Sometimes the weight of life calls for a healthy dose of the best medicine out there: laughter. If…
Grand Rapids Events
Family-Friendly Things to Do with Kids in Grand Rapids
- photo by Samantha Denman for Experience GR
- 7 min
Grand Rapids is where kids and families come to Play Their Way, in every season and all year ‘round. It’s jam-packed with things to do for every kind of kid and every kind of family, so you can plan a…
Things to do with Teens in Grand Rapids
- photo by Haley Chicoine for Experience GR
- 6 min
Traveling to Grand Rapids with a teenager? The city and region offer plenty of possibilities to satisfy even the hardest-to-please adolescents. Whether your teen prefers outdoor adventure or indoor…
No Ordinary Town
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Save on Attractions with Our Culture Pass
Receive admission into many cultural attractions around Grand Rapids as well as additional exclusive discounts with our $28.00 Culture Pass.