Dream Grand and Go to
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Looking for fun and easy things to do outside meeting hours? Check out some of Grand Rapids’ most popular recreation and entertainment options below. Everything is close and convenient to your hotel and meeting site, so you can experience it all while you’re here.

Downtown Dining

There are so many great options within walking distance of the hotel. Explore all of the restaurant options and use the map to see what is close by.

If you are out on the town with larger groups; we recommend the below options:

Secchia Institute for Culinary Education

Planner's Toolbox a year ago

Dining Options a Half Mile or Less from the Convention Center

13 minute read

One of the best things about meeting in a new host city is the opportunity to get out and explore local flavors. One of the best things about meeting in Grand Rapids is the abundance of dining options within a casual stroll of our convention center. We’ve compiled a list of eateries located a…

National Waffle Day and Flights of Flavor photoshoot at Social Misfits, 2023

Food 2 months ago

Sunday and Monday Dining in Downtown Grand Rapids

68 min

Finding places to dine out on Sundays and Mondays can be a challenge these days – but not in Grand Rapids. We’ve assembled this list of great dining destinations in the downtown area that are open for…

Real Seafood Company

141 Lyon St NW

Allora

201 Monroe Ave. NW

The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck

187 Monroe Ave. NW

Bistro Bella Vita

44 Cesar Chavez Avenue SW

The Atrium at Uccello's

122 Monroe Center St. NW

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar

140 Ottawa Ave. NW

The B.O.B.

20 Monroe Ave. NW

Leo's

60 Ottawa Ave. NW

San Chez Bistro

38 Fulton St W

Peppino's Downtown Grille & Pizzeria Sports Lounge

130 Ionia Ave. SW

Max's South Seas Hideaway

58 Ionia Ave. SW

The Chop House

190 Monroe Ave. NW

Farm-to-Table Dining

Named one of America’s top 20 foodie cities, Grand Rapids is home to one of the world’s best growing regions and one of the nation’s top culinary schools – a delectable combination!

Award-Winning Beer & Craft Beverages

USA Today has saluted Grand Rapids as America’s Best Beer City and Craft Beverage Capitol, thanks to our 80+ breweries, distilleries, cideries, wineries, meaderies and coffee roasters.

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Grand Rapids Attendee Exclusives

Be sure to sign up for GR Attendee Exclusives before you visit. You’ll enjoy special attendee-only discounts at local restaurants and attractions, just by showing your smartphone!

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Things to Do for Attendees

There is so much to see and do in Grand Rapids that we encourage everyone to plan on coming in early (or staying late) to explore the city! Here are some of our recommendations for tours and attractions during your stay.

Experience Grand Rapids

Two People Speeding Across a Bridge on Bikes

Spring Flings

Biking and hiking, zoo babies and all the funny you can handle.

Nick Irwin for Experience GR

Golf photoshoot at Pilgrim's Run, shot by Nick Irwin 2023

Grand Rapids Golf Scene has Something for Everyone

Grand Rapids is a great destination for ‘hitting the links’ during the beautiful spring, summer and fall seasons.

Grand Rapids Public Museum

272 Pearl St. NW

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

1000 East Beltline Ave. NE

Meyer May House

450 Madison Ave. SE

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

303 Pearl St. NW

The Aroma Labs

76 Monroe Center St. NW

The Ruse Escape Rooms

25 Division Ave. S

Grand Rapids Art Museum

101 Monroe Center NW

Founders Brewing Company Facility Tour

235 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW

Tours Around Michigan

Various Grand Rapids locations

Woodrows DuckPin Bowling

200 Lyon St NW

Heritage Hill Historic District

126 College Ave. SE

Grand Rapids Children's Museum

11 Sheldon Ave. NE

Fantastic Family Fun

Often hailed as one of the best places in America to raise a family, Grand Rapids is also a great place to bring the family along on a convention trip. Activities for every age and interest!

Check out these events happening in Grand Rapids!

Search Calendar of Events

Getting to and Around Grand Rapids

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport was named the best in North America for its size a few years ago – and recent multimillion-dollar renovations have made it even better.

Nightlife

Our downtown convention neighborhood includes a dazzling array of after-dark diversions – live-music venues, comedy clubs, sports bars, outdoor concerts and movies, and more.