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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.

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.

Accessibility
DASH bus 2024
Accessibility

Accessible Transportation: The Rapid

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Nick Irwin for Experience GR
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  • 11 min

There’s so much to see and experience in Grand Rapids that determining how to travel from…

Events
07162025_Summer_Skyline_009
Events

Fourth of July

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  • 7 min

Fireworks, parades and live entertainment are just a few of the ways locals celebrate the birth of…

Experiences
DGRI GVSU
Experiences

Explore West Fulton Street

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  • 10 min

Anchored on one end by the burgeoning downtown campus of Grand Valley State University and on the…

Events
Batty Davis performing at Pride Festival 2018 at Calder Plaza in Grand Rapids
Events

Grand Rapids Pride Festival

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Pride Festival. Performer: Batty Davis, 2018. Photographer: Eric Zuniga
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  • 6 min

June 20-21, 2026 Saturday: Noon - 10 PM Sunday: Noon - 8 PM Calder Plaza Since 1988, the Grand…

Drinks
Flights of Flavor at EB Coffee and Pub.
Drinks

Coffee in Grand Rapids

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  • 15 min

Beer isn’t the only brew Grand Rapids does exceptionally well – local coffee roasters…

Experiences
Group taking selfie at Fredrick Meijer Gardens.
Experiences

Favorite Places for Groups

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  • 5 min

Grand Rapids, Michigan is easy to get to, easy to get around in, easy to afford – and…

Shopping
candle-making at Wax Poetic in Grand Rapids
Shopping

Crafting Candles at Wax Poetic Candle Bar

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  • 4 min

Tap into your sense of smell and flex your creativity by making a hand-poured, scented candle at Wax…

Recreation
Images of the landscape and wildlife experiences hosted at the Blandford Nature Center, 2023
Recreation

Visiting Blandford Nature Center

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  • 4 min

Looking for a fun family adventure in Grand Rapids? Head to Blandford Nature Center! Tucked away off…

Events
Two women in the foreground enjoy food from black bowls, while in the background, tents and a Jamaican flag suggest an outdoor festival.
Events

Juneteenth in Grand Rapids

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  • 5 min

Juneteenth – short for June Nineteenth – commemorates the emancipation of enslaved…

Experiences
Cooking class at the Local Epicurean
Experiences

Grand Rapids Cooking Classes

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  • 4 min

Grand Rapids is a great food city. Dozens of family farms and orchards grow the food that chefs…

Experiences
Downtown Skyline with Golden Hues and Moon, 2021
Experiences

Why Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Visit

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  • 1 min

Is Grand Rapids, Michigan worth visiting? CNN certainly thinks so – the news network named…

Accessibility
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Accessibility

Sensory-Friendly Experiences in Grand Rapids

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  • 7 min

Several Grand Rapids attractions, including John Ball Zoo and the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM)…

Experiences
Blue Bridge at sunset
Experiences

Bridges

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  • 3 min

The rivers that criss-cross Grand Rapids and West Michigan were integral to the region's…

Experiences
A shopper selects an apple from one of several vibrant baskets on a table at the Fulton Street Farmers Market
Experiences

Grand Rapids is Michigan's Emerging Apple Capital

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  • 4 min

Did you know that Michigan consistently ranks among the top three apple-producing states in the…

Sports
River Bank Run drone shot.
Sports

Road, Trail and Bike Races in Grand Rapids

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  • 10 min

You might not know it, but races are a big deal in Grand Rapids. There are several very large…

Experiences
Families and couples at Reeds Lake/ John Collins Park
Experiences

Perfect Picnic Places in Grand Rapids

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  • 6 min

Summer in Grand Rapids is a great time of the year to grab some good food and head outdoors to enjoy…

Experiences
Calder in the Spring
Experiences

La Grande Vitesse at Calder Plaza

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Nick Irwin for Experience GR. Artwork: La Grande Vitesse by Alexander Calder
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  • 3 min

What’s bright red, weighs 42 tons and has been a popular Grand Rapids photo spot for five…

Family
Father observing son play on playground equipment on a sunny day
Family

A Parent's Guide to GR-Area Playgrounds

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  • 16 min

More than 50 of the 160+ public parks in and around Grand Rapids have playgrounds. You can find them…

Grand Rapids Events

No Ordinary Town

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