Grand Rapids is West Michigan’s big city, and it has more going on than its size suggests. It is Michigan’s second-largest city, with about 199,000 residents at the 2020 census, and it sits on the Grand River at the spot where a French trader set up a post in 1826. It later became known as “Furniture City,” then “Beer City,” and today it is also a destination for art, presidential history, a world-class sculpture park and one of the biggest public art events in the country.
This guide covers the best things to do in Grand Rapids, from the downtown museum cluster to Meijer Gardens, ArtPrize, the markets and the riverfront. It also includes sample itineraries, a season planner, getting-around tips and easy day trips to Lake Michigan. What I love about Grand Rapids is the Meijer Gardens. We’ve been to Meijer Gardens three times out of the last three summers, and it’s one of my favorite stops in Grand Rapids. We started in the indoor gardens during the Bonsai sale, then walked the outdoor sculpture park. If you go, wear comfortable shoes, and plan for the weather. We spent about 8 hours there and could have stayed longer. For the wider region, see our West Michigan guide.
Grand Rapids at a Glance
| Best for | Museums and art, presidential history, gardens, markets, craft beer, festivals and a city base for West Michigan beaches |
|---|---|
| Don’t miss | Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park; the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum; the Grand Rapids Art Museum; Heritage Hill’s Meyer May House |
| Getting there | Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR); Amtrak’s Pere Marquette from Chicago; I-96, I-196 and US-131 |
| Best seasons | Fall for ArtPrize; summer for markets, patios and parks; winter for ice skating and indoor museums |
| Day trips | Holland, Grand Haven, Muskegon and Saugatuck on Lake Michigan |
The Best Things to Do in Grand Rapids
The Downtown Museum Cluster
Downtown Grand Rapids packs several major museums close together. Experience Grand Rapids describes the Grand Rapids Art Museum, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, the Grand Rapids Public Museum and the Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives as a short walk or a free bus ride from one another.
- Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum: Ford grew up in Grand Rapids, and his gravesite is on the museum grounds. The museum tells the story of his presidency and the Watergate era.
- Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM): A modern building that opened in 2007, with changing exhibitions and a permanent collection.
- Grand Rapids Public Museum: Founded in 1854 as the Grand Rapids Lyceum of Natural History, it sits on the Grand River and includes the Chaffee Planetarium and the Streets of Old Grand Rapids, a three-quarter-scale 1890s business district. It also traces the city’s furniture history.
- Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives: Explores the history and culture of the city’s Black community.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
What I love about Grand Rapids is the Meijer Gardens. Just outside the city, Meijer Gardens has been a draw since 1995, with indoor theme gardens, outdoor gardens, trails and a large sculpture collection. We’ve been to Meijer Gardens three times out of the last three summers, and it’s one of my favorite stops in Grand Rapids. We started in the indoor gardens during the Bonsai sale, then walked the outdoor sculpture park. If you go, wear comfortable shoes, and plan for the weather. We spent about 8 hours there and could have stayed longer. Experience Grand Rapids notes that it has been named America’s #1 Sculpture Park by USA Today.
Heritage Hill and the Meyer May House
Heritage Hill, just east of downtown, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and is one of the largest urban historic districts in the country, with homes in a dozen architectural styles. The Meyer May House (completed around 1908 to 1909) was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and has been restored with original-style furnishings. Free guided tours are offered on select days, so check the current schedule. The Heritage Hill Association holds an annual home tour in May.
Public Art and Calder’s La Grande Vitesse
Grand Rapids is known for public art, led by Alexander Calder’s huge red sculpture La Grande Vitesse in the center of downtown. You will also find murals, painted ticket booths and sculptures throughout the city. Rosa Parks Circle, in the heart of downtown, hosts events and an outdoor ice-skating rink in winter.
ArtPrize
ArtPrize is Grand Rapids’ signature event, an open art competition that fills downtown with installations in parks, museums, storefronts and public spaces. The 2025 edition drew more than 900,000 visitors, according to organizers, and showed work by more than 1,100 artists at 155 venues. The 2026 event was expanded to 22 days, running September 12 to October 3, with added dance, music and fashion weekends. Check artprize.org for 2027 dates, which are typically in September and early October.
Markets: Fulton Street and Downtown Market
The Fulton Street Farmers Market, about five minutes from downtown, offers local produce, arts and food trucks from May through October, with a second season in winter. The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is a year-round food hall with roughly 20 vendors and public events, and it has no admission fee.
John Ball Zoo
John Ball Zoo, a nonprofit on the city’s west side, has more than 2,000 animals, indoor and outdoor exhibits and an aquarium. It is one of the city’s most popular family attractions.
The Grand River and Downtown Parks
The Grand River runs through downtown, with riverfront paths, the Riverwalk Trails and the Blue Bridge, a former railroad bridge now used as a pedestrian crossing. A new riverfront venue, the Acrisure Amphitheater, a 12,000-plus-seat outdoor concert site on the river, opened in 2026. Grand Rapids has about 30 parks.
Beer City
Grand Rapids has held the title of Beer City USA for more than a decade, according to Experience Grand Rapids, and the city has dozens of craft breweries, with 35 or more by the visitors bureau’s count. If you want to explore the beer scene, ask locals or check the visitors bureau’s brewery guides for current taprooms.
Furniture City History
After Grand Rapids displayed its furniture at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, the city became known as the furniture capital of America, and furniture manufacturing employed up to a third of residents at one point. That legacy shows up in the Public Museum’s furniture exhibits and in the city’s library, which holds a significant collection of books on furniture design.
Sample Grand Rapids Itineraries
These plans are built around the places above. Check hours and seasonal schedules before you go.
One Day in Grand Rapids
- Morning: Pick two downtown museums, such as the Ford Museum and the Art Museum.
- Midday: Lunch at the Downtown Market, or the Fulton Street Farmers Market in season.
- Afternoon: Walk the Grand River and see La Grande Vitesse and Rosa Parks Circle.
- Evening: Taproom hopping or a show downtown.
A Long Weekend (Three Days)
- Day 1: The downtown museum cluster and the riverfront.
- Day 2: Meijer Gardens in the morning, then Heritage Hill and the Meyer May House.
- Day 3: John Ball Zoo, or a day trip to Lake Michigan (see below).
With Kids
- Morning: John Ball Zoo.
- Afternoon: The Grand Rapids Public Museum, with the planetarium and Streets of Old Grand Rapids.
- Evening: Downtown Market or Rosa Parks Circle, which has outdoor skating in winter.
If It Rains
Grand Rapids is strong on indoor options: the downtown museums, the indoor theme gardens at Meijer Gardens, the Downtown Market and the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum.
Day Trips to Lake Michigan
One of Grand Rapids’ biggest advantages is how close it is to the Lake Michigan shoreline. Each of these makes an easy day trip or an add-on to a longer stay:
- Holland: Tulip Time, downtown and Holland State Park.
- Grand Haven: The pier, the lighthouses and the Musical Fountain.
- Muskegon: Ship museums and Muskegon State Park.
- Saugatuck: The chain ferry and Oval Beach.
When to Go: A Season-by-Season Planner
| Season | What’s happening | Planning notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Heritage Hill home tour (May); farmers markets reopen in May | Seasonal sites are opening |
| Summer | Fulton Street Farmers Market; music festivals; the Grand River; the amphitheater | Great for outdoor events; book lodging for big weekends |
| Fall | ArtPrize (September into early October); Meijer Gardens in fall color | ArtPrize is the busiest time of the year; book lodging early |
| Winter | Ice skating at Rosa Parks Circle; indoor museums; the winter farmers market season | A good time for museums and fewer crowds |
Getting to and Around Grand Rapids
- By air: Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) is the region’s main airport.
- By train: Amtrak’s Pere Marquette runs daily between Grand Rapids and Chicago.
- By road: I-96 links Grand Rapids with Muskegon, Lansing and Detroit. I-196 runs west to Holland and southwest to Benton Harbor, and US-131 runs north-south through the city.
- Getting around: The downtown museum cluster is walkable, and free downtown bus service can fill the gaps. A car is easiest for Meijer Gardens, the zoo and the lakeshore.
Practical Tips
- Book early for ArtPrize and big weekends: Lodging fills up fast.
- Check the Meyer May House schedule: Tours are only offered on certain days.
- Pair museums with the Downtown Market: It is free to enter and a good lunch stop.
- Bring layers: Weather can change quickly, especially in spring and fall.
Grand Rapids FAQ
What are the best things to do in Grand Rapids?
Popular picks include the Ford Presidential Museum, the Grand Rapids Art Museum, the Public Museum, Frederik Meijer Gardens, Heritage Hill, John Ball Zoo, the Downtown Market and the craft beer scene.
Why is Grand Rapids called Beer City and Furniture City?
It earned the Furniture City nickname after its 1876 display at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, and it has held the Beer City USA title for more than a decade thanks to its craft breweries.
When is ArtPrize?
ArtPrize is held each fall. The 2026 event ran September 12 to October 3. Check artprize.org for 2027 dates.
How many days do you need in Grand Rapids?
A long weekend covers the museums, Meijer Gardens and the markets. Add a day for a Lake Michigan day trip.
Is Grand Rapids close to Lake Michigan?
Yes. Holland, Grand Haven, Muskegon and Saugatuck are all easy day trips on the Lake Michigan shoreline. See our West Michigan guide.
Can I visit Grand Rapids without a car?
Partly. Amtrak serves Grand Rapids, and the downtown museum cluster is walkable, but Meijer Gardens, the zoo and the lakeshore are easiest by car.
Is the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids?
Yes. The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is in downtown Grand Rapids, and the president grew up in the city.
When is the best time to visit Grand Rapids?
Fall is best for ArtPrize and color, summer for markets and outdoor events, and winter for museums and ice skating.
Keep Planning
Sources and Further Reading
We build these guides from official and primary sources wherever possible. Details like hours, prices and festival dates change, so confirm them with the sources below before you go.