What to do in Grand Rapids, MI

Activities, attractions and tours

Grand Rapids which includes a city
Grand Rapids which includes a city
Grand Rapids featuring a bridge, a river or creek and a city
Grand Rapids showing a city
Gerald R. Ford Museum showing street scenes and a fountain as well as a small group of people

Grand Rapids Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Grand Rapids has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Grand Rapids is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Grand Rapids to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Grand Rapids Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Grand Rapids.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Grand Rapids attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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What to do in Grand Rapids

Discover the most popular places to visit in Grand Rapids

Van Andel Arena

Van Andel Arena

4.5/5(26 reviews)

Catch an event at Van Andel Arena during your trip to Grand Rapids. Experience the area's great live music or attend a sporting event.

Van Andel Arena
Otter shaking off water after swimming at the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids Michigan

John Ball Zoo

4.5/5(3 reviews)

Visit the native and exotic animals who live at John Ball Zoo during your trip to Grand Rapids. Experience the area's great live music and acclaimed theater scene.

John Ball Zoo
Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park showing outdoor art and wild flowers

Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park

5/5(5 reviews)

Let your kids run wild at the sand pits and tree house while you inspect the sculptures and floral displays in this park’s various gardens.

Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
Gerald R. Ford Museum showing street scenes and a fountain as well as a small group of people

Gerald R. Ford Museum

4.5/5(2 reviews)

Take a holographic tour of Ford’s White House and see a piece of the Berlin Wall in this tribute to the 38th president in the town where he was raised.

Gerald R. Ford Museum
Grand Rapids Art Museum showing art and interior views

Grand Rapids Art Museum

The sleek design of the modernist building reflects the gorgeous contemporary artworks within. Learn how to make art fun in the workshops and camps.

Grand Rapids Art Museum

DeVos Performance Hall

4/5(6 reviews)

You can enjoy a show at DeVos Performance Hall during your trip to Grand Rapids. Experience the area's great live music and acclaimed theater scene.

DeVos Performance Hall

DeVos Place Convention Center

Learn about the events happening at DeVos Place Convention Center during your trip to Grand Rapids.

DeVos Place Convention Center

Downtown Market

4.5/5(8 reviews)

You can search for that perfect souvenir at Downtown Market during your stay in Grand Rapids. Experience the acclaimed theater scene or attend a sporting event in this family-friendly area.

Downtown Market

Calvin College

4/5(1 review)

Take a campus tour or just explore the area of Calvin College, during your trip to Grand Rapids. Experience the acclaimed theater scene or attend a sporting event in this family-friendly area.

Calvin College

Explore areas of Grand Rapids

Downtown Grand Rapids is second largest metropolitan area in entire Michigan state.

Downtown Grand Rapids

4.5/5(8 area reviews)

While visiting Downtown Grand Rapids, you might make a stop by sights like Broadway Grand Rapids and DeVos Performance Hall.

Downtown Grand Rapids
Water falls at Frederik Meijer's garden in Grand Rapids, Michigan in autumn time.

Kentwood

Kentwood is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Woodland Mall or Calvin College Ecosystem Preserve.

Kentwood
Grand Rapids Art Museum which includes a city

Heartside

4.5/5(5 area reviews)

Heartside is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Van Andel Arena and Grand Rapids Children's Museum while in the area.

Heartside
Sunset at Elk Rapids, Michigan

East Grand Rapids

Restaurants and lake views are just a few things travelers like about East Grand Rapids. A stop by Canepa Tennis Center is also recommended if you've got time to explore the area.

East Grand Rapids
Lion lazily laying on a rock on a summer day in an enclosure at the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids Michigan

John Ball Park

While visiting John Ball Park, you might make a stop by sights like John Ball Zoo and Public Museum of Grand Rapids.

John Ball Park
Sunrise Grand Rapids Michigan Drone View

Medical Mile

You'll enjoy the churches and shopping in Medical Mile. You might want to make time for a stop at Heritage Hill Historic District or La Grande Vitesse.

Medical Mile

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Grand Rapids

False Creek between Granville Street Bridge and Burrard Street Bridge, Vancouver in Canada

Grandville

Male Cardinal in Kentwood Backyard

Caledonia

Ravines Barn

Jenison

Frequently asked questions

Is Grand Rapids worth visiting?
One of the most common things to do in Grand Rapids is explore DeVos Performance Hall. Tick this leading attraction off your itinerary, then discover more of this area's history and culture.
How do I spend a day in Grand Rapids?
John Ball Zoo and Grand Rapids Children's Museum are two good places to begin your vacation adventures. Be sure to explore the dining and retail options in Grand Rapids while you're here too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Grand Rapids?
The top tourist attraction in Grand Rapids is DeVos Performance Hall, so make sure to include it on your sightseeing list.
Is three days enough to stay in Grand Rapids?
Three days will be plenty of time to check out some popular city highlights, including DeVos Performance Hall, John Ball Zoo and Grand Rapids Children's Museum. The average stay in Grand Rapids is two days. If you feel the urge to extend your break, Holland isn't far away.
Is Grand Rapids a walkable city?
It depends on what you want to do and see in Grand Rapids. Several top sights, like DeVos Performance Hall and John Ball Zoo, are reachable on foot. If you're up for a wander around some of Grand Rapids's neighbourhoods, Downtown Grand Rapids is 0.16 kilometres away from downtown, while Heartside is 0.64 kilometres away from the centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Grand Rapids with kids?
If you're looking for activities and sights for all of your group, have a look at these excellent ideas for what to do in Grand Rapids with kids.

What to do in Grand Rapids for adults?
There are plenty of things to do in Grand Rapids, with entertainment for adults of all ages. Finish your day off at Gerald R. Ford Museum or Vander Veen's Dutch Store.
Are there free things to do in Grand Rapids?
One of the simplest ways to discover free things to do in Grand Rapids is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider tips on cool neighbourhoods, parks and other highlights you can experience without reaching into your pocket. Downtown Market is one place that doesn't have an admission fee.