Grand Rapids was not on my radar, and I’ll be honest about that. I wasn’t sure what to expect from Michigan’s second-largest city, and y’all, it completely caught me off guard in the best way. Thanks to Experience Grand Rapids for Hosting me. Here are my favorite things to do in Grand Rapids, Michigan, plus a few tips to help you plan.
If you think Michigan is all about the Great Lakes, it’s time to add Grand Rapids travel to your list. This Midwestern city blends expansive green spaces, thoughtful public art, a lively downtown food scene, and cultural institutions that celebrate community and history. Grand Rapids surprised me with how accessible and welcoming it felt. It was perfect for a long weekend or a relaxed midweek escape.
Explore Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
No Grand Rapids travel plan is complete without Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. The 158-acre complex features: Five indoor themed gardens including a lush conservatory that feels like stepping into a tropical rainforest. Don’t miss the orchids, extensive outdoor gardens and nature trails for a gentle hike.
Meijer Gardens has a Japanese garden that’s one of the largest I’ve walked; plan to take the overlook and the boardwalk down along the water for the full experience. I also enjoyed the numerous sculpture installations dotted throughout the grounds.
For first-timers, buy a timed tram ticket at the main building the tram loops continuously and gives you a great overview so you can hop off mentally and return to the pieces that draw you in.
Pro tip: the giant horse sculpture is an iconic photo stop and a comfy place to rest between exhibits. The park also hosts concerts at an amphitheater with surprisingly beautiful acoustics.
Get on the water at Millennium Park
Grand Rapids makes it easy to enjoy water sports. Millennium Park is an urban park with a lakefront beach, plus paddle board, kayak, and paddle boat rentals. We kayaked on the lake, and it was only $8 per person for the first hour. I loved that they made getting outdoors so affordable, and every spot we saw had accessible launches. It was a great way to unwind.
Where to eat: flavorful, community-driven dining
I wasn’t sure what to expect from the Grand Rapids food scene, but we tried a lot of restaurants, and many of them were Black-owned. If you’re searching for Black-owned restaurants in Grand Rapids, start here.
The Candied Yam served soul food that had me covered: catfish, meatloaf, mac and cheese. But it was the desserts that stole the show. Y’all know I’m a Southern girl, and I’m judgy when it comes to soul food. The red velvet and sweet potato tartlet passed, with the spices right on point. I let her talk me into the peach cobbler too, even though my mama makes the best peach cobbler in the whole wide world. I like a lot of dough in mine, and this one got approved. The five-flavor pound cake was moist and melted in my mouth. The owner won’t reveal the flavors, and I couldn’t pick them out, but I ordered another red velvet to take home.
Chez Olga in the Eastown neighborhood serves Caribbean and Haitian-inspired food. The fresh juices, the plantains, plantains, traditional griyo, and the red sauce were so good, and I loved seeing all types of people eating there. It’s clearly a beloved institution.
The Garden District downtown serves New Orleans-style, Cajun-inspired food. I loved the red beans and rice, and everything leaned a little spicy for me, but that’s because I’m a wimp. The gumbo was the surprise. My friend Nicole is a Louisiana native, and she gave it her stamp of approval. That says a lot.
Additionally the Grand Rapids Downtown Market is a cool food hall with all types of things to try. Whatever you do, don’t skip Love’s Ice Cream. They have boozy floats. You heard me. I had an espresso martini cookies and cream float, kind of like an affogato’s boozier cousin.
Soak Up the Culture Downtown
The Grand Rapids African-American Museum & Archives, also known as GRAAMA, is a cultural gem. It holds countless books, memorabilia, statues, and art, all donated for preservation. I got to talk with the executive director, who explained that when they started about ten years ago, nobody else was doing this work on the western side of the state, and historical documents and artifacts were being lost every week. GRAAMA is right in the heart of downtown, super easy to get to, and admission is free. I can’t wait to share our full conversation on the podcast.
Admission is free, and the museum’s presence is a powerful reminder of the importance of local preservation.
Downtown Grand Rapids is very walkable, with lots of shops, bars, restaurants, art installations, sculptures, and murals, and it felt relatively safe. We happened upon the Hispanic Heritage Festival while meandering around, and I’m so glad we did. There was great food from all types of Latin American countries, plus live music and dancing.
Cross the Blue Bridge, a pedestrian bridge over the Grand River, which is where the city gets its name. There are rapids on either side, and it’s a peaceful walk where you can hear the running water. From there, it’s an easy walk to the Grand Rapids Public Museum. It’s great if you’re traveling with kids and want to sneak in some fun, educational entertainment, with hands-on science and natural history exhibits and some pretty cool art installations.
Grand Rapids is also just an hour’s drive away from the historic Black town of Idlewild, known as “Black Eden”. Idlewild, founded in 1912, was a premier vacation spot for Black families who faced discrimination elsewhere, serving as a cultural and economic center.
Where to Stay in Grand Rapids
You definitely want to stay in downtown Grand Rapids. We stayed at the Amway Grand Plaza, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. Our double queen room was modern and comfortable. One tip: you can request a microwave if your room doesn’t have one, and the refrigerator is hidden in the dresser.
Things to Know Before You Plan Your Trip to Grand Rapids
Here’s what I’d keep in mind when planning your own Grand Rapids getaway:
- Stay downtown. Many of the restaurants, museums, shops, and festivals are within walking distance of each other, so you can leave the car parked.
- Plan for transportation to the gardens. Meijer Gardens is outside of downtown, so you’ll want a car or rideshare.
- Give the gardens plenty of time. You could easily spend more than one day there. Wear comfortable shoes.
- Buy your tram ticket early. Tram tickets are sold for scheduled time slots in the main building, so grab yours as soon as you arrive. Check the schedule of upcoming concerts before you go.
- Visit in spring or summer. That’s when the outdoor recreation and garden season are at their best, and it’s a great time to catch festivals downtown.
- Don’t expect a Lake Michigan beach town. Millennium Park has a beach on the lake, but if you want the big Lake Michigan shoreline, plan a separate day trip.
- Budget-friendly fun is everywhere. Kayaking was $8 per person for the first hour, and GRAAMA is free.
- Come hungry. Save room for dessert, and don’t skip the boozy floats.
Final Thoughts on Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids was a pleasant surprise, and it should certainly be added to your itinerary for spring and summer travel. From the gardens to the food to the culture, this Midwest city has something for every kind of adventurer.
Have you been to Grand Rapids? Tell me your favorite spots in the comments, and watch the full video on my YouTube channel for more.
No Comments