The Top Things to Do in Grand Rapids, Michigan: From Museums to Murals, Sports to Sculptures
Grand Rapids, Michigan is the second most populous city in the state and has a little dash of everything for a visitor to enjoy and appreciate. From murals to museums, breweries to beautiful hotels, and a surrounding region that makes Grand Rapids an ideal spot for day-trips, Grand Rapids has been turning more heads in the travel world as of late, and it’s for good reason.
The presence of the Grand River means that Grand Rapids is a city of vantage points, perfect for the playful photographer. Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
Longtime readers will already know that it’s always been places like Grand Rapids that have intrigued me. Destinations with a rich history, a clear energy and pulse, a strong sense of community and identity, but also a place where not enough travellers know all that is here waiting for them.
The city itself has a population of around 200,000, but it’s best to think of the city in terms of the Grand Rapids Metropolitan Area, which is more around that 1.2 million mark, and better demonstrates why this city is able to support the sports culture it does, and why it has a thriving restaurant scene and is a destination for conferences and the like.
In short, they have the infrastructure, and there’s genuinely quite a bit to do.
We had ample time to explore Grand Rapids, and we still left with things on our to-do list, which, to me, is always the surest sign that a place is happening to a certain degree. In fact, I’d go back in a heartbeat.
Combined with our day trips from Grand Rapids, it’s hard to imagine how we could have had a better time, and I can say with honesty that Grand Rapids was a trip that Bri and I enjoyed from start to finish — and it was also a much easier road trip from Toronto than many Canadians might realize.
About Grand Rapids, Michigan
Everywhere you look - murals, murals, murals! Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
Grand Rapids was originally inhabited by the Anishinaabe peoples, specifically the Odawa (Ottawa), who lived along the Grand River for ages before the arrival of European settlers. The name of the city, as you might imagine, was a nod to the once-powerful rapids of the river, which I’m to understand was actually a bit of a tourist attraction unto itself in the early 19th century.
French settlers arrived in the 1820s, and shortly thereafter, the area became an important trading post. More and more American settlers arrived, and many who could be classified as “European-American” settlers since either they had just emigrated or hadn’t been on American soil for all that long.
As the city was built out to handle and process the incredibly abundant timber resources, more craftsmen poured into the city, and Grand Rapids became known as “The Furniture Capital of the World.” I’d argue that you’d have to look no further than some of the Victorian homes still present in the Heritage Hill neighbourhood to understand just how good that craftsmanship was (and to the wealth that was present here).
Whenever I visit a city, I like to read extensively about it. While the city did shift more into industry and manufacturing before long (though not necessarily to the assembly line scale of Detroit), it doesn’t appear the city ever lost it’s focus on unique craftsmanship. Personally, I think this is why it was easy for the city to transition in the 20th and 21st century to become arguably the leader in the US in craft beer production. Brewing beer, well it’s an artistic endeavour in its own right — at least in my humble opinion.
Around the time that the craft beer industry hit its stride, cultural institutions were born in the form of gardens and sculpture parks, and a bevy of new museums appeared as well.
It’s a pleasure to walk around this city, especially in the Downtown Core, because you can see all of this history at once. The beautifully restored buildings from a bygone era serve as a backdrop for events in places like Rosa Parks Circle in the present. If you’re looking for it, you can clearly see the Grand Rapids of yesteryear while appreciating the energy of the city today.
Grand Rapids is a place that’s seemingly always going through some sort of transformation, and I think its current focus on the power of street art and murals to signify the city’s place as a legitimate artistic and cultural hub are a signifier of today’s movement. To be clear, it’s always been a place where the creative or the craftsman could thrive, but the output of today can be seen by its citizens (and visitors) as a testament to that — another reason this city is a pleasure to stroll around, camera in hand.
*Please note that this post contains affiliate links. Simply put, this means we may receive a small commission for some of our heartfelt and honest recommendations.
What to Do in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Make the Most of Your Visit!
When you’re here, it makes sense to make the most of your time here, so here’s what I’d suggest you have on your radar.
Visit the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
I’d file the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in the “can’t miss’ category when you’re visiting Grand Rapids. You could, rather easily, spend an entire day here, but Bri and I earmarked a morning to explore in order to get a taste for what it was all about — but it’s the sort of place that, if I lived nearby, I’d have a membership.
It’s offers a beautiful change of pace that lends itself awfully nicely to travellers who lean more towards the reflective and introspective. The Sculpture Park is the crown jewel, home to works by some of the most celebrated artists in the game, including Louise Bourgeois, Anish Kapoor, and Alexander Calder. What’s neat is that these pieces are woven seamlessly into the landscape, so as you wander, you’ll find art emerging from a grove of trees here, or turn left and come across an open meadow with a piece of art as its centrepiece.
The gardens themselves are no less impressive. The Richard & Helen DeVos Japanese Garden is a masterpiece, what with its koi-filled ponds, waterfalls, and immaculately placed stones. You could fool yourself into thinking you’d taken a quick flight over to Kyoto, quite honestly.
There’s also the Tropical Conservatory, which houses exotic plants and butterflies, and I feel like hanging out here in the winter months would feel like a cheat code. A sensorial sauna of sorts.
You can also spend time in the Seasonal Garden, the surest place to ground yourself in the present, or explore the imaginative Children’s Garden. When we walked near the Children’s Garden we could hear laughter coming from the area, and as former educators ourselves, it was something that put a smile on both of our faces.
The last thing I’ll note here is that, depending on when you’re visiting, their may be (and likely will be) some timely programming. In winter, there’s usually a Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibit, whereas in the summer, there’s usually a Tuesday Evening Music Club which takes place in the ampitheatre.
Just writing about this place again makes me want to return, if I’m honest. It’s most certainly a photographer’s playground, and it’s not a mistake that this is often thought of one of, if not the, attraction to visit in and around Grand Rapids.
Stop By The Meyer May House
Once we visited The Martin House, a Frank Lloyd Wright Masterpiece, in Buffalo, we knew we were bound to be Frank Lloyd Wright fans for life. If you’re like us in any fashion, then you’re going to want to visit the Meyer S. May House, often just called the, “Meyer May House.”
It’s known for being one of the finest examples of his work in the “Prairie School” style. For those unfamiliar with what that means, generally speaking the “Prarie Style” is all about utilizing natural materials that fit in seamlessly with the surrounding environment, and with a dedicated emphasis to the power of strong, horizontal lines.
It’s one of the most faithfully restored Wright homes in all of the United States. Every detail—down to the textiles, light fixtures, and color schemes—was researched and recreated to reflect Wright’s original vision.
If you have the time, I’d strongly recommend taking a free guided tour here. It’ll help you understand why Wright made certain design choices, and how it all comes back to the idea that you can, through architecture, blur the lines between inside and outside. Talk about a man well before his time — that’s still all the rage in many respects.
You can find all the details for booking your tour etc. here.
Take Note of Grand Rapids’ Wealth of Murals
There are more than 100 murals on display throughout Grand Rapids. Much of this is a result of Grand Rapids’ dedicatation to their ArtPrize initiative, which takes place every fall in the city, and is actually noted as being one of the most attended public art events on the planet. It’s not unusual, for example, for upwards of 700,000 people to visit during this time (typically taking place from mid-late September until early October).
To give you an idea of scale, in 2024, 950+ artists from 42 U.S. states and 53 countries displayed their work in 170+ venues across downtown Grand Rapids.
You can approach this a number of ways. Personally, when I was walking around, I was keen to simply stumble across murals, then would cross reference the Grand Rapids Mural Guide so that I had context for the piece and the artist.
Here are a few of the “must-sees”:
A must-see mural is Raining Wisdom by Abdoulaye Conde, grand prize winner of ArtPrize 2023. (Located 45 Ottawa Ave. NW (corner of Ottawa/Louis across Rosa Parks Circle).
Another must-see is Seeking A Pleasant Peninsula by Maddison Chaffer, which showcases Michigan’s ecology, including fish, plant life, and geographic landmarks. (Located 140 Monroe Center, on the building housing Le Macaron).
You can see her work across the city, by the way, and she has many murals now.
La Grande Vitesse at Calder Plaza is a 43-foot-tall red Alexander Calder sculpture that symbolizes Grand Rapids’ creative vitality.
I’d urge you to use these murals as a way to acquaint yourself with the city. I put in a pair of headphones, threw on some music, and just explored the city using murals as my guide. I’d come across one, read about it, and almost implicitly place a little marker on the map in my head in relation to where we were staying (which I’ll get to later).
Check Out the Grand Rapids Brewery Scene
You may have heard that one of the nicknames for Grand Rapids is indeed “Beer City USA.” As you might imagine, as a lover of craft beer, it was something of a beer heaven for me. Here are a few spots that you might want to consider if you happen to be like yours truly.
Founders Brewing Co: It would not be too much to call this the crown jewel of Grand Rapids’ beer scene, Founders is known worldwide for its innovative, bold brews. Don’t miss classics like All Day IPA and the legendary KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout). The taproom has a laid-back vibe, great pub food, and frequent live music. In fact, while we were there, there was an open-mic, which was an awfully nice touch to accompany our dinner.
Greyline Brewing Co.: A little smaller and more off-the-beaten-path, but excellent all the same. I was drawn initially by their slogan: “there exists a space between right and wrong, good and evil, black and white. This area is the grey area, and it is different for all of us. We knowingly and unknowingly separate this area according to our ideals. We draw the line. Each of us has our own determination of where that line is. This is the greyline.” Their Mosacca (IPA) and DryPA (Pale Ale) are both a delight.
Vivant Brewery: Set in a refurbished chapel, Brewery Vivant is known particularly for their Belgian-inspired beers. Try the Farm Hand or the rich and bold Big Red Coq. And why not pair with a plate of duck nachos in their cozy pub-style setting? The duck fat frites are also a delight, by the way.
The Mitten Brewing Co.: Housed in a historic firehouse, The Mitten combines baseball-themed decor with some of the best beer and pizza pairings in town. Their Peanuts & Crackerjack Porter is a hit, and the creative specialty pizzas are just as much of a draw.
Other breweries that regularly make the list and you may want to check out if you’re a big beer drinker (scratch that, let’s go with the word connoisseur) include City Built Brewing Company, Harmony Brewing Company, Specialization Artisan Ales, Arvon Brewing Co. and Perrin Brewing Company.
Support Grand Rapids SPorts Teams
The exterior of the Van Andel Area in Downtown Grand Rapids. Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
So, it’s true, there aren’t any major league teams here, but that doesn’t mean this city isn’t a sports centric city.
The city’s most beloved team has to be the Grand Rapids Griffins who play at Van Andel Arena. They are, of course, the AHL team of the Detroit Red Wings. Also playing at Van Andel are the Grand Rapids Gold, an NBA G League team that are affiliated with the Denver Nuggets, and the Grand Rapids Rise Pro Volleyball, the city’s first major league woman’s sports team.
The one other professional sports teams in the city is the West Michigan Whitecaps, a High-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers (who play at the lovely LMCU Ballpark).
The semi-professional teams include the Grand Rapids Football Club (soccer), and the Grand Rapids Cyclones (indoor football).
Pop on By Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery
I’m a fan of apple wine and cider, and I certainly don’t mind a baked good or two, but the real draw for me in visiting Robinette’s was to get more of an appreciation for Michigan’s rich agricultural history.
Robinette’s is, to put it bluntly, an institution. They’ve been around for over 100 years. The first thing I would do when you arrive is get your hands on a freshly made donut, and have some warm cider alongside it. You imagine it, it’s probably here — we’re talking homemade jams, pies aplenty, fruit juices and more.
We popped down to the winery and brewery and loaded up on their Blueberry Hard Cider, which was excellent. We also nabbed a bag of apples for the car to fuel our adventures, and boy was that the right call.
In the fall, families may want to know that there’s the opportunity to pick your own apples, as well as take part in the corn maze, as well as the obligatory wagon rides, and a hiking trail or two.
It’s a great excuse to get out of the downtown core and appreciate some of the pastoral surroundings of the greater city area.
Stay Somewhere Special
Personally, we chose to stay in the ever opulent Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, and it certainly more than lived up to our expectations. It had a classic sort of elegance that you just can’t manufacture, and the location was absolutely ideal. The cornerstone of what was the Pantlind Hotel (and is now the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel) was laid all the way back in 1913.
If you read the history of the hotel, it’s been all about restoring the hotel to its former glory, while adding modern amenities in along the way. A microcosm for the city if there ever was one, and we loved it there.
That being said, I respect the fact that all travellers have differing budgets, so here’s a map I’ve put together for you with some options:
Spend Time at the Gerald R. Ford Museum
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about US travel, it’s that presidential museums are always fascinating. Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
For many people visiting Grand Rapids, especially the historically inclined, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is a place that resides at the top of the Grand Rapids’ to-do list.
The museum is what you’d expect - it’s a fascinating tribute to the 38th President of the United States, offering visitors an intimate look into Gerald Ford’s life, presidency, and legacy.
One of the main draws, at least to me, is the Oval Office Replica, which basically feels like you’ve accidentally stumbled into a 1970s time machine. There are many personal affects, as you might imagine, and they tell the story of Gerald’s Ford childhood, his prowess as a football player at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and just a general glimpse into the life of the man behind the presidency.
That being said, there are also interactive exhibits which aim to showcase what was going on while he was in office, as well as the decisions he made that defined his legacy. Notably, the aftermath of Watergate, his controversial pardon of Richard Nixon, and his efforts to restore trust in government. As you might imagine, he’s also buried here, alongside his wife, Betty.
Museums like this have a way of bringing you back to another time and era, but simultaneously shedding light on the world of today.
Continue Visiting Some of the Top Museums in Grand Rapids
It’s not just the Gerald R. Ford Museum that’s worth visiting in Grand Rapids, in fact that’s far from the case. If you, like me, like to get your fix for museums when you’re visiting a new city, here are some other spots that I’d have on your radar.
The exterior of the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
Grand Rapids Public Museum: This is one of the city’s largest and most family friendly museum, and it’s a great spot to visit first so that you have the context you’ll need to understand and explore the city thereafter.
Grand Rapids Art Museum: We loved our visit here, as this place is a hub for contemporary and historical art, with a stunning collection that spans centuries. You can tell, just by the nature of the exhibits, that the GRAM, as it’s often called, is not scared to be eccentric or experimental, and there’s a dedication here to highlighting a variety of voices — something we always love to see when we visit a museum. If art if your thing, by the way, you may also want to visit the Urban Institute for Contemporary Art.
Grand Rapids Children’s Museum: Okay, if you’ve got a children’s museum that has a child-sized grocery store, you’re going to win some emotional points from the travelingmitch team. Bri and I are former teachers, so we’ve got all the time in the world for interactive museums lie this which prioritize play-based learning.
I’m not personally much of a zoo visitor, but I have heard great things about the John Ball Zoo, especially because they have a treetop ropes course there and, from what I can gather, try to be much more than a conventional zoo. You’ll likely want to allot some time to spend in John Ball Park, which is essentially connected to the zoo, and has spots for picnics, as well as playgrounds.
Finally, ardent nature lovers may also want to take note of the Calvin University Ecosystem Preserve & Native Gardens.
Show Your Appreciation for Local Vendors at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market
You’re best bet is to head first for the Market Hall where dozens of vendors are offering everything from homemade food to artisanal goods, all with an emphasis on the local side of things.
There’s also a rooftop greenhouse with some epic views of the city. It’s a space that can be rented out for events, but it is indeed publicly accessible. There are restaurants and breweries, classes and events, and the market is LEED Gold Certified, so you know that sustainability is at the forefront of this whole endeavour.
Sometimes, as a visitor, it’s just nice to be a part of the local culture. This is a nice way to do just that, and be amongst the citizens of the city, while also supporting local businesses.
Think of Grand Rapids Not as One City, but As A Collection of Neighbourhoods
Gaslight Village in East Grand Rapids. Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
Grand Rapids isn’t a massive city, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a collection of unique neighbourhoods worth exploring. Downtown Grand Rapids (in and around Rosa Parks Circle) is where many of the tourist draws are, but Eastown is where to go if you’re looking to visit a vintage shop or two and appreciate a more bohemian vibe.
Heritage Hill is one of the largest urban historic districts in the US, whereas the West Side is home to many of the popular breweries as well as spots like Ah-Nab-Awen. East Grand Rapids is home to Reeds Lake. Creston was once known simply for being a large neighbourhood but it’s slowly getting a funky gallery or two, and there are plenty of green spaces here if you’re travelling with kids in tow.
Be sure to visit both Wealthy and Cherry Street, which are located primarily in the Eastown and Heritage Hill neighbourhoods, respectively. This is where we did most of our shopping. We first went to Outside Coffee, then some shops nearby like Woosah, and, of course, grabbed a little ice cream at Jersey Junction Ice Cream Parlor.
My main point here is that your job isn’t done here once you’ve visited the downtown core. There’s plenty to see in the downtown core to be sure, but the city is much more than just that.
What Else Should You Consider Doing in and Around Grand Rapids?
Here are a few more ideas!
We thought that Grand Rapids was an ideal place to base ourselves to take some lakeside day trips. That’s why we dedicated an entire article to our day trips from Grand Rapids to Grand Haven and Holland, Michigan, respectively! Two highlights of our visit to this area, without a doubt.
A smaller spot that sometimes doesn’t get on the tourist radar is Fish Ladder Park. It’s known, as you might imagine, for its “fish ladder,” a functional sculpture that allows migrating fish to bypass the dam on the Grand River.
You might also want to consider kayaking on Reeds Lake, which you’ll find in East Grand Rapids. It’s minutes away from downtown, yet offers a bit of a peaceful escape, and it’s not difficult kayaking by any means, meaning it’s fit for kayakers of all skill levels. During the summertime it gets rather busy, so I’d recommend doing what we did, and planning for fall, especially because the lake is surrounded by tree-lined shores, so it’s a lovely way to spot some fall foliage in full bloom.
If you’re looking to dine with some intention, some of our favourites from our visit included Butcher’s Union (where meat meets whiskey), Rose’s on Reeds Lake, The Old Goat, Divani (nice for a date night), Olive’s and Terra.
For a cup of coffee, we’d say our top choice was Madcap Coffee, Lantern Coffee Bar and Lounge, Sweetwaters (if you, like me, enjoy matcha), Common Ground (for espresso drinkers), and Stovetop Coffee Roasters.
In terms of bars and nightlife, consider The Pyramid Scheme (with pinball machines aplenty), Mertons Rooftop, I Don’t Care Lounge, The Meanwhile Bar, and for something a little different, check out Mojo’s Dueling Piano Bar and Restaurant.
Grand Rapids Awaits
Keep your eyes open in Grand Rapids, and you’ll stumble across some awfully cool spots. Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
It was easy to get around Grand Rapids, though you’ll want to have access to a car to ensure you, like us, can see some of the surrounding area as well. It’s not an overwhelming spot to come and visit and see it all, and that’s part of the magic of Grand Rapids, and why I think more travellers need to have this city on their radar.
It’s the perfect spot to come and get a feel for what makes this part of Michigan so very worth visiting.
We want to thank Experience Grand Rapids for hosting us as media. All thoughts and opinions are completely our own.