Here are a few suggestions for your itinerary:

*Image: Kaleidoscopic, Amanda Browder - Project 1 by ArtPrize (2019)

Cultural Delights

Be among the first to experience PROJECT 1 by ArtPrize, the all-new art extravaganza from the creators of ArtPrize®. Five specially commissioned artists are creating large-scale installations in three locations across the city – and there all sorts of community projects, performances and other public events that will also take place during Project 1’s Sept. 7-Oct. 27 run.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids Art Museum and the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts unveil new exhibitions in fall.

See a show – Actor’s Theatre Grand Rapids, Broadway Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Ballet, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Grand Rapids Symphony, Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids, Master Arts Theatre and Opera Grand Rapids all launch new seasons in fall.

See the biggest show to hit town in 2019 – Broadway Grand Rapids presents Disney’s The Lion King Nov. 20-Dec. 1. (Hamilton, the biggest Broadway hit of the decade, rolls in to Grand Rapids Jan. 21-Feb. 9 – get your tickets now!)

See your favorite singer(s) in concert – Miranda Lambert, the Jonas Brothers, Eric Church, The Black Keys, Judy Collins and MercyMe are just some of the big names coming to GR this fall.

Attend a Fall Festival – there are celebrations organized around African-American art & music, Mexican heritage, ale, art, the fall harvest and more.

Natural Wonders

Take a self-guided Fall Color Tour that showcases the region’s lush forest canopy, abundant apple orchards and charming covered bridges.

Bike or hike trails through scenic woodlands, wetlands and meadows for a different perspective on the changing season.

Explore Fruit Ridge Markets for fresh-picked apples and fresh-baked treats plus pumpkin patches, hayrides, corn mazes, petting zoos, gift shops and more.

Get in more golf before the weather turns – there are 39 courses within a 30-minute drive of downtown Grand Rapids.

Fall is salmon and steelhead season in the nation’s 6th best fishing city – bring your fishing gear or get it (and a guide) here.

Fall Food & Drink

Savor the flavors of fall on the Grand Rapids Food Trail, at the Downtown Market and in 800+ local restaurants.

Give your palate a thrill during Cocktail Week GR (Nov. 13-24) and the Grand Rapids Wine, Beer & Food Festival (Nov. 21-23).

Taste fall’s fuller-bodied beers – including pumpkin-flavored brews – at the 40+ breweries in Beer City USA (aka Grand Rapids).

Visit Hill Bros. Orchards & Cider Mill or Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery for fresh-pressed apple cider and other goodies.

Like your cider with a little kick? Our craft cider community offers a tremendous variety of hard ciders made with local apples.

Fall Family Time

Celebrate Halloween in Grand Rapids with trunk ‘n treats, a pumpkin train, corn mazes and more. (We’ve got plenty of adult-oriented thrills and chills, too.)

Visit the 2,000 animals at John Ball Zoo all the way through November 3 – many of them are more active in cooler fall temperatures.

Check out Grand Rapids Children’s Museum and the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden at Meijer Gardens.

Cheer on our pro sports teams: the Grand Rapids Griffins ice hockey team plays its first home game of the season on October 11 and the Grand Rapids Drive basketball team opens at home on November 15.

Kick off the winter holiday season at the 2019 Art Van Santa Parade in downtown Grand Rapids, November 23.

Find more eye-popping, heart-pounding, soul-stirring, mind-blowing ideas at our Fall in the City page.