Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
The headline sight in Grand Rapids: 158 acres of gardens, a tropical conservatory and one of the largest sculpture collections in the Midwest, from Rodin to a 24-foot bronze horse.
Michigan
Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids is West Michigan's biggest city and one of the Midwest's most rewarding short breaks: a walkable downtown on the Grand River with the Gerald R.
Ford Presidential Museum, the Public Museum and a glass-walled art museum, the sculpture park and tropical conservatory of Frederik Meijer Gardens, and a craft-beer scene that earned the nickname Beer City. This guide books the region properly, with museums, guided food, ghost and cycle tours and brewery visits, then widens the frame to the Lake Michigan shore at Grand Haven, Holland and Saugatuck, plus the Gilmore Car Museum and an indoor adventure park for rainy days. It matches you to the right hotel across downtown, the airport corridor, the southwest suburbs and a Holland lakeshore base.
Don't miss
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
The headline sight in Grand Rapids: 158 acres of gardens, a tropical conservatory and one of the largest sculpture collections in the Midwest, from Rodin to a 24-foot bronze horse.
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
The museum of the only president from Michigan, set on the Grand River downtown: Watergate, the pardon, a replica Oval Office and the grave of Gerald and Betty Ford on the grounds.
Grand Rapids Public Museum
A big, hands-on city museum beside the Grand River: Streets of Old Grand Rapids, a 1928 carousel, a planetarium and the story of the Furniture City.
Grand Rapids Art Museum
A bright, glass-walled downtown art museum in a landmark green building, with American and European works, design and rotating exhibitions facing Rosa Parks Circle.
Things to do in Grand Rapids
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
The museum of the only president from Michigan, set on the Grand River downtown: Watergate, the pardon, a replica Oval Office and the grave of Gerald and Betty Ford on the grounds.
Grand Rapids Public Museum
A big, hands-on city museum beside the Grand River: Streets of Old Grand Rapids, a 1928 carousel, a planetarium and the story of the Furniture City.
Grand Rapids Art Museum
A bright, glass-walled downtown art museum in a landmark green building, with American and European works, design and rotating exhibitions facing Rosa Parks Circle.
Downtown Market Grand Rapids
An indoor public market and food hall on the edge of downtown, with local vendors, a greenhouse, event spaces and a guided bites-and-board-games experience.
Walking Food Tour of Downtown Grand Rapids
A guided walk through downtown Grand Rapids that stops at local restaurants and food shops, with tastings and stories about the city's dining scene and history.
Beer City: Founders Brewing and the Grand Rapids Ale Trail
The reason Grand Rapids calls itself Beer City: Founders' big taproom, Belgian-style Brewery Vivant in a former funeral chapel and dozens of independents within a short ride.
Grand Rapids Wraiths and Witches Ghost Tour
An after-dark walking tour of downtown Grand Rapids' haunted history: old hotels, lumber-baron mansions, tragedies and the legends behind them.
Grand Rapids Guided Cycle Tour
A guided cycle tour of Grand Rapids that links the riverfront, neighbourhoods and street art at an easy pace, with a guide for stories and stops.
John Ball Zoo
A hillside city zoo west of downtown with lions, wolves, bears and primates, a chairlift ride over the habitats and plenty of space for families.
Grand River, Calder Plaza and Downtown Public Art
A free downtown walk linking the Grand River, the Blue Bridge, Ah-Nab-Awen Park, Rosa Parks Circle and the red Calder sculpture that became the city's symbol.
1-2 hoursDetails →
Heritage Hill and the Meyer May House
One of the largest urban historic districts in the country, with over a thousand buildings in dozens of styles, plus a restored Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie-style house.
1-2.5 hoursDetails →
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Amway Grand Plaza Curio Collection by Hilton
Downtown Grand Rapids, riverfront
The grand dame of downtown Grand Rapids: a historic hotel and modern tower on the Grand River, linked by skywalk to the convention centre and close to the museums.
Check rates →
$$$JW Marriott Grand Rapids
Downtown Grand Rapids
A modern, upscale downtown hotel near Van Andel Arena and the riverfront, popular with business travellers, concert-goers and couples.
Check rates →Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown
Downtown Grand Rapids, Pearl Street
A reliable mid-priced hotel on Pearl Street within walking distance of the Ford museum, the Public Museum and the Grand River.
Check rates →Hampton Inn and Suites Grand Rapids Downtown
Downtown Grand Rapids
A modern, value-focused downtown hotel with breakfast included, walkable to restaurants, breweries and the river.
Check rates →Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Grand Rapids
Downtown Grand Rapids
A comfortable mid-range Marriott in the city centre, with a bistro, a fitness room and an easy walk to the arena, museums and restaurants.
Check rates →Holiday Inn Express and Suites Grand Rapids South Wyoming
Wyoming, south of downtown
A budget-friendly Holiday Inn Express south of downtown with breakfast included and easy highway access.
Check rates →Holiday Inn Express Grand Rapids SW
Southwest Grand Rapids
A budget-friendly hotel on the southwest side of the metro, with breakfast and free parking, good for drivers heading to the lakeshore.
Check rates →Hampton Inn and Suites Grand Rapids Airport 28th St
Kentwood, near the airport
A Hampton Inn near the airport and the 28th Street shopping corridor, with breakfast included and easy access to Meijer Gardens and downtown.
Check rates →Courtyard by Marriott Grand Rapids Airport
Near Gerald R. Ford International Airport
A comfortable Marriott near the airport with a bistro, a fitness room and quick road access to Meijer Gardens and downtown.
Check rates →Courtyard by Marriott Holland Downtown
Downtown Holland, lakeshore
A Marriott in downtown Holland, about forty minutes from Grand Rapids, for a lakeshore base near Windmill Island, the beach and Big Red.
Check rates →Tour + stay
Ready-made pairings: a top sight and a hotel that suits it. Add both to your trip and book each when you are ready.
Do
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture ParkStay
Hampton Inn and Suites Grand Rapids Airport 28th StKentwood, near the airport
Do
Gerald R. Ford Presidential MuseumStay
Holiday Inn Grand Rapids DowntownDowntown Grand Rapids, Pearl Street
Do
Grand Rapids Public MuseumStay
Amway Grand Plaza Curio Collection by HiltonDowntown Grand Rapids, riverfront
While you are there
What’s on in Grand Rapids
200+ concerts, shows and games are on sale in the coming months, from stadium nights to small rooms. Our sister site Purveyor lists them with dates, venues and seats.
Grand Rapids guides
Grand Rapids in Three Days: Museums, Gardens, Beer and the Lakeshore
A three-day plan for Grand Rapids that mixes the museum district and Meijer Gardens with a brewery evening and a Lake Michigan beach day.
Where to Stay in Grand Rapids: Downtown, Airport and the Lakeshore
A practical guide to choosing between downtown Grand Rapids, the airport and suburbs, and a lakeshore base in Holland.
Grand Rapids Beer City Guide: Founders, Taprooms and How to Plan a Crawl
How to explore Grand Rapids' craft beer scene, from Founders to neighbourhood taprooms, with tips on planning, getting around and pairing it with food.
Lake Michigan Day Trips from Grand Rapids: Grand Haven, Holland and Saugatuck
How to plan a beach and lakeshore day from Grand Rapids, comparing Grand Haven, Holland State Park and Saugatuck, with timing, parking and what to bring.
Grand Rapids with Kids: Zoo, Gardens, Beaches and Rainy-Day Ideas
A family guide to Grand Rapids covering the zoo, Meijer Gardens, the Public Museum, lakeshore beaches and indoor options for wet days.
Best Time to Visit Grand Rapids: Seasons, Festivals and What Is Open
A season-by-season guide to Grand Rapids and the Lake Michigan shore, covering weather, events, crowds and what to do in each part of the year.
