Get Together in Grand Rapids.

Get Together for a Meal

Grand Rapids has been named one of America's Top 20 Foodie Cities – and the most affordable one of them all. You and your friends will find a wide range of restaurants for every kind of cuisine and budget preference here. For a one-of-a-kind dining experience, consider MDRD, an award-winning contemporary Spanish restaurant on the 27^th floor of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel; Butcher’s Union, a “meat-and-whiskey” restaurant ranked #11 on Yelp’s Top 100 Restaurants list for 2026; or Grove, named America’s #3 best farm-to-table restaurant by Newsweek.

Have a taste for something different? Check out some of the area’s favorite Black-owned restaurants, breakfast restaurants, breweries with great food, brunch destinations, burger joints, fried chicken restaurants, late-night eateries, pizzerias, taco spots, themed restaurants, waterfront restaurants, restaurants with a French flair and restaurants with fantastic vegan options and gluten-free choices. If you and your friends can’t agree on a cuisine, head to the Grand Rapids Downtown Market, home to 20+ artisan food vendors and restaurants under one roof – everyone can grab their preferred food and drink, and enjoy it together in the second-floor dining hall. In the mood for some fresh air with your meal? There are nearly 200 restaurants with patios and outdoor spaces for al fresco dining!

Get Together for Drinks

USA Today says Grand Rapids is both America’s Best Beer City and the Craft Beverage Capital of the U.S. Which means you and your friends can while away the hours over expertly prepared libations, both adult and not. Check out our local breweries, cideries, coffeehouses and distilleries, and residents’ suggestions for the best cocktail bars, dive bars, happy hour spots, juice bars, rooftop bars and wine bars. Thirsty for something specific? See where locals go for amazing Bloody Marys, espresso martinis, gin & tonics, margaritas and non-alcoholic beverages.

Want to enjoy your drinks on the go? Outdoor Refreshment Areas across the city let you purchase alcoholic and N/A beverages from participating businesses and walk around with them, enjoying the sights and sounds of different neighborhoods. The Downtown Refreshment Area encompasses nearly three square miles of the city center and includes more than 60 places to get to-go drinks.

Get Together for Fun

Make more memories by sharing unforgettable experiences together. Summer fun means getting out into our Grand Outdoors, where you can bond over a round of golf at 30+ local courses, a hot dog and beer at a West Michigan Whitecaps baseball game, or a leisurely hike or bike on 60+ close-by trails. It’s also the perfect season for outdoor concerts – from superstar performances at the brand-new Acrisure Amphitheater in downtown Grand Rapids to free concerts by local and regional acts in parks and public squares – as well as outdoor cultural festivals occurring nearly every weekend.

There are plenty of things to do indoors if you prefer – world-class museums, exceptional shopping, soul-stirring theater and performing arts productions, diverse nightlife options and more. You might also consider taking a guided tour with your group – Grand Rapids Beer Tours, Grand Rapids Party Pedaler, Great Lakes Pub Cruiser, Taste of GR Walking Food Tours, Tours Around Michigan offer public and private tours highlighting unique city experiences.

Traveling with young ones? Grand Rapids offers all sorts of things for families to do with kids and teens. Inviting people to Grand Rapids for a wedding or reunion – family, military, alumni or otherwise? We can help you make sure it all goes smoothly, from choosing the perfect venue to suggesting activities for your guests before and after the event. Just email us to get started.

Visit our Hotels page to find the perfect accommodations for your friend meetup.