Overview
Not to be confused with Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
Grand Rapids is in West Michigan, in the United States. Grand Rapids is the second largest city in Michigan with a population of just under 200,000 in the city limits (2018), and nearly 570,000 in the surrounding county (2010). The federal West Michigan metropolitan area, which includes Grand Rapids, Muskegon, and Holland (and some intervening farmland), has 1.4 million people (2010).
7 sights · 14 things to do · 15 places to eat · 10 bars & cafés · 17 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Public Museum
Offers the sights and sounds of centuries gone by, coming alive once again. Downtown on the west bank of the Grand.
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
Chronicles the United States' "accidental" presidency, the only Chief Executive never elected to serve, who restored a measure of trust to the office following its greatest crisis. Permanent and changing exhibits, highli…
Grands Rapids Art Museum
In addition to its permanent collection, features special exhibitions.
Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives
Allendale
Grand Valley State University, the largest university on this side of Michigan, is in Allendale. It's the location of the Meadows Golf Course and the Grand Valley Renaissance Festival. Route 50 of The Rapid (the Grand Ra…
Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
Plan at least four hours and up to eight hours to enjoy all that there is to offer. Walk the outdoor nature trails and boardwalk, study world-class sculpture within the outdoor sculpture park (including "Leonardo's Horse…
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.
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.
- GRR Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Grand Rapids — 9 mi away (major hub). Directions
- MKG Muskegon County Airport, Muskegon — 33 mi away. Directions
Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR). The airport for Grand Rapids and Kent County with daily flights (sometimes several) from most of the country's major hubs. Although it has customs facilities for direct international flights, in practice it has very few. Most flights are on Delta Air Lines, connecting through the Delta hub in nearby Detroit. There are non-stop flights to Grand Rapids Gerald R. Ford International Airport from the following cities (some cities may be seasonal or only offer service certain days of the week): Atlanta, Las Vegas, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Memphis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York, Orlando, Toronto, Phoenix, Tampa Bay, Newark, Fort Lauderdale and Washington.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Grand Rapids Public Museum, Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, Grands Rapids Art Museum
- Lunch Cinco de Mayo
- Afternoon Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
- Dinner Bistro Bella Vita
- Evening The B.O.B.
Day 2
- Morning Allendale, Public Art
- Lunch MadCap Coffee Company
- Afternoon Grand Rapids Ballet, Fulton Street Artisan's Market
- Dinner San Chez Bistro
- Evening New Holland Brewpub
Day 3
- Morning Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives
- Lunch El Burrito Loco
- Afternoon Grand Rapids Griffins, Celebration on the Grand
- Dinner Rose's
- Evening Mulligans
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
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
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
- Grand Rapids tourist information website
Get in
By plane
Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR). The airport for Grand Rapids and Kent County with daily flights (sometimes several) from most of the country's major hubs. Although it has customs facilities for direct international flights, in practice it has very few. Most flights are on Delta Air Lines, connecting through the Delta hub in nearby Detroit. There are non-stop flights to Grand Rapids Gerald R. Ford International Airport from the following cities (some cities may be seasonal or only offer service certain days of the week): Atlanta, Las Vegas, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Memphis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York, Orlando, Toronto, Phoenix, Tampa Bay, Newark, Fort Lauderdale and Washington.
By car
Major highways to Grand Rapids include I-196 (from the Chicago area), I-96 (from Muskegon, or from Lansing/Detroit), and US-131 (from Kalamazoo, or from northern Michigan).
By train
- Route stopping in Grand Rapids:
- Pere Marquette operates daily between Grand Rapids and Chicago with stops in Holland, Bangor, and Saint Joseph. Travel time to Grand Rapids from Holland is 1 hour, from Benton Harbour is 2.25 hours, and from Chicago is 4 hours.
By bus
- Greyhound and Indian Trails offer bus service to Grand Rapids from various Michigan cities.
Get around
Like most mid-sized U.S. cities, an automobile is the most convenient means of getting around, with convenient free parking available most places outside of downtown. Parking downtown can be inconvenient and somewhat costly on weekdays and during major events (e.g. arena concerts). Street parking meters are monitored weekdays from 8AM to 7PM, unless specifically marked (e.g. Monroe Center NW on Saturday). Walking within the immediate downtown area is pleasant enough in good weather, and generally safe.
Several taxi companies operate in the city, and cabs can be picked up at designated locations such as the airport, or by calling their dispatcher; cabs are usually not hailed on the street, except around the time bars close on weekends. Pedicabs are also becoming popular within the downtown area, and operate during special events and weekend evenings.
"The Rapid" bus service has a terminal downtown, and routes throughout the city and its suburbs, running early mornings through late evenings on weekdays. Several routes run with less frequent service on Saturdays and Sundays. The buses are clean, safe, and generally on-time.
Street addresses identify the quadrant of the city by adding NW, NE, SW, or SE after the full street name. There are a few numbered streets just northwest of downtown, but most of the numbered streets are from 28th Street and out on the south side; the far north side instead has Three Mile Road, Four Mile Road, etc. Generally speaking, east-west roads are called "Street" and north-south roads are called "Avenue",
Interwoven bicycle paths and trails make getting around by bike within the city simple.
See
In the city
See Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
Chronicles the United States' "accidental" presidency, the only Chief Executive never elected to serve, who restored a measure of trust to the office following its greatest crisis. Permanent and changing exhibits, highlights include Watergate break-in tools, State Gifts, Bicentennial materials, Oval Office, and interactives. Betty Ford Daylily on display, seasonally, in Betty Ford Garden. President and Mrs. Ford's final resting places are just north of the museum. Free parking is available.
See Public Art
As the website suggests, "The Greater Grand Rapids area has quietly built an impressive collection of modern and contemporary sculpture over the course of the last thirty years." Highlights around downtown include La Grande Vitesse, a particularly good example of an Alexander Calder stabile resplendent in trademark bright red-orange, Fish Ladder, a sculpture-cum-overlook platform with views of the riverfront and migrating fish, and Project X, an earthwork by minimalist artist Robert Morris built into a hillside in Belknap Park. The website has extensive information on the pieces, the artists, and their locations, and a section dedicated to the works at Fredrik Meijer Gardens mentioned above.
Further afield
See Allendale
Grand Valley State University, the largest university on this side of Michigan, is in Allendale. It's the location of the Meadows Golf Course and the Grand Valley Renaissance Festival. Route 50 of The Rapid (the Grand Rapids public bus system) runs between the GVSU Pew Campus in downtown Grand Rapids and the GVSU Allendale Campus.
See Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
Plan at least four hours and up to eight hours to enjoy all that there is to offer. Walk the outdoor nature trails and boardwalk, study world-class sculpture within the outdoor sculpture park (including "Leonardo's Horse", a finished interpretation of the giant sculpture Leonardo da Vinci intended to be his masterpiece), and enjoy endless hours of fun with the kids in the children's garden. Visit the indoor areas including a special sculpture exhibitions in the lovely indoor galleries, see the largest tropical conservatory in the state of Michigan and gaze at exquisite arid and carnivorous plants. The gardens host special concerts in their outdoor amphitheater. Beautiful scenery.
Do
Do Grand Rapids Civic Theatre (GRCT)
The GRCT is the largest community theatre in Grand Rapids and one of the largest in the entire United States. Each season: 110 performances of the six main stage productions; 20 performances of the two productions for children; and special events. GRCT is one of the oldest community theatres in Michigan and in the United States. GRCT has a history of continuity and is one of the more self-sufficient arts organizations.
Events
There are a lot of ethnic festivals during warmer months and are most often held at the downtown Calder Plaza.
Do Fulton Street Artisan's Market
An open-air market, full of arts and crafts from all skill levels. Booth space is fairly cheap. Open June to September, Sundays from 11AM-3PM.
Do ArtPrize
Downtown Grand Rapids and some of the adjoining neighborhoods is transformed into one giant arts showcase, as competing artists place their sculptures, paintings, murals, performances, etc., throughout the urban landscape, vying for the world's largest cash prize for art (first prize: $200,000). Winner is decided by public vote, enhancing the dialogue between artists and the public, both expert and casual observer alike. Runs for 3 weeks late Sep—early Oct.
Buy
There are several enclosed shopping malls and retail centers in the city and its suburbs - most notably [https://www.shopwoodlandmall.com/ Woodland Mall] in the southeast and [https://www.rivertowncrossings.com/ RiverTown Crossing] in the southwest - but they feature much the same stores as similar malls in other cities, so they are mostly of interest to local shoppers and those from less urban areas without such resources.
Eat
Eat Bistro Bella Vita
Fantastic Mediterranean country cuisine. One of the best values in all of West Michigan. This is more like a place you'd find in New York or Chicago. Great wine and beer list. Open for lunch and dinner.
Eat San Chez Bistro
Upscale food, big city atmosphere, casual attire. Cuisine of Spain with a Latin and Cuban flair. Specializing in tapas, sangria, sherries, ports and a wonderful wine list.
Eat Rose's
One of the many Gilmore collection restaurants, this is one of the most popular. It has a great view and many delicious, yet tasty, foods.
Eat Yesterdog
Genuine early-20th-century memorabilia, genuine all-beef hotdogs, seemingly chaotic order-taking/filling procedure (trust them: it works). A quirky local institution in the Eastown neighborhood. (If you want to pass for a regular, skip the "dog" when ordering: e.g. "two Yester[dog]s, one Cheddar[dog]". Buy a T-shirt!)
Eat The Pita House
Made to order eastern-mediterranean food, a local-immigrant success story.
Eat Gaia
Ample servings of delicious vegetarian food in the closest Grand Rapids gets to a bohemian atmosphere.
Eat The Beltline Bar
At Division Avenue. Mexican specialties, including their famous sauce-smothered "wet burrito". (No, it's nowhere near the East Beltline or the South Beltline--way back when they opened, 28th was "the south beltline".)
Eat Silver Derby
This "dive bar" has a great atmosphere and amazing chili dogs.
Eat El Burrito Loco
Popular Tex-Mex eatery with Mexican-American flavors.
Eat Cinco de Mayo
Another popular Tex-Mex eatery with Mexican-American flavors.
Eat Thai Express
Good Thai food, especially on a student budget. Most dishes are between $6-8.
Eat Wolfgang's
This is a breakfast restaurant where you must bring your appetite and expect long waits, particularly on the weekend, but it is worth it.
Drink
Drink Mulligans
A bar/pub for twenty- to thirty- somethings into counterculture and indie rock. Sunday "make- your- own bloody mary bar". Not for the faint of heart. Right across from Yesterdog at the corner of Wealthy and Lake, in the Eastown neighborhood, a few miles East of Downtown. Bus 6.
Drink The B.O.B. ("the Big Old Building")
At is a popular downtown nightspot featuring a diverse assortment of restaurants and bars under one roof, across the street from the Van Andel Arena, downtown. Buses 11,12 are closest, 1,3,4,6,9,13,14,15 all run nearby.
Drink The Intersection
A long-standing venue for live rock and other kinds of music, in a large space downtown. Short walk from Central Station where buses 1-16 and 18 terminate.
Drink The Meanwhile
Opened in 2007, this hipster bar specializes in cheap drinks (numerous specials throughout the week), unique concoctions (try the "Vern Ehlers", named after the city's representative in Congress), pinball, and a great jukebox. Outdoor patio in the back. Bus 5, or 4 and 6 get close.
Drink Billy's Lounge
In Eastown, features live music - especially blues - most nights. Bus 6.
Drink Founders
A great microbrew and taproom. Count on a great variety of beer and occasional live music. Buses 1-16 and 18 all terminate at Central Station across the street.
Drink Hopcat
A great variety of craft and micro brewed beers, next to Bar Divani, on Ionia. Featuring over 40 rotating draft beers, and over 100 bottles to choose from, there is something for everyone (including liquor for those that can't drink beer). Buses 1,3,4,6,9,13,14,15 all get close.
Drink Brewery Vivant
A Belgian-style brewery in an old chapel in the East Hills neighborhood. A small menu of gastro-pub style food is available, along with cider from Spring Lake's Vander Mill. Bus 4 or 6.
Sleep
Stay America's Best Inn
Stay safe
Grand Rapids' crime rate is one of the most uneven in the USA. On the one hand, the city has dealt with rampant property crimes and pick-pocketing in the past. On the other hand, its murder rate is nowhere nearly as bad as Detroit and other Midwestern cities, being usually slightly above the national average.
The downtown area is safe if you use basic precautions. Several areas across the river and to the southwest of downtown are best to be avoided. The rest of the city is safe.
Go next
The lakeside communities of Holland and Grand Haven lie half an hour to the west, with the arty/restaurant/shopping mecca of Saugatuck slightly further, but worth the drive.
Nearby
Wyoming
City / town · 7 listings · 4 mi away
Ada
City / town · 8 listings · 8 mi away
Sparta
City / town · 14 mi away
Lowell
City / town · 7 listings · 16 mi away
Holland
City / town · 24 listings · 26 mi away
Grand Haven
City / town · 14 listings · 30 mi away
Allegan
City / town · 14 listings · 32 mi away
Saugatuck
City / town · 83 listings · 35 mi away
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