Big Rapids, Michigan travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Big Rapids is a small city in West Michigan. It is the home of Ferris State University.

8 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Apr and May. (climate data from nearby Grand Rapids)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
MKG Muskegon County Airport, Muskegon — 53 mi away. Directions
GRR Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Grand Rapids — 57 mi away (major hub). Directions

Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR), [2]. The airport for Grand Rapids and Kent County with daily flights (sometimes several) from most of the country's major hubs. From Grand Rapids airport, travel north on US-131 approximately 50 miles to exit 139 or 142 and follow the posted signs to town.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Get in

Do

Big Rapids is a college town with plenty of activities to do. During the summer months one of the best things to do is tubing down the Muskegon River. There are two ways to go about it, either through buying your own tube and arrange travel between your starting and ending points if you have the resources or through renting a tube through a local business. If you are uncertain about travelling arrangements your best bet is through rental. Most people who do not rent usually start off from Northend Riverside Park and end at Highbanks Park. On the river it's a fairly relaxed, party-like atmosphere with plenty of fun opportunities. Most people will bring alcohol but be forewarned that glass bottles and Styrofoam coolers are prohibited by being punishable by fines. Most starting points for tubing are on the north side of town on the eastern side of the river.

Another fun thing to do is Disc Golfing at Northend Riverside Park. It is quite majestic during the summer months but is really hard to retrieve discs in the undergrowth, best off to go during the spring/fall months. It is an 18 hole course through a woods with a few holes over open grassy areas.

If none of the above are for you, then maybe try fishing in the Muskegon River or on one of the Lakes near Big Rapids. Most notable is Chippewa Lake, which has plenty of fish and is the largest inland lake nearby, or Rogers Dam, which is just south of town. If you enjoy hunting, there is also the Haymarsh Lake State Game Area. It is usually quite crowded during deer hunting season, but apart from that, it is a great area to view Michigan's beautiful natural wildlife and go target shooting.