Things to do in Grand Rapids

The Grand Rapids Art Museum is conveniently located in the city of Grand Rapids and features stunning collections of Renaissance and Modern Art. The museum’s building is one of the world’s first LEED Gold Certified buildings and offers over 20,000 feet of space for various exhibitions and gallery displays. The central pavilion of the museum boasts beautiful glass skylight lanterns for guests to enjoy.

The museum offers both permanent collections and traveling exhibitions, as well as educational areas, a retail shop, and a cafe. In addition to art exhibits, guests can also view photo collections and pieces from local Michigan artists.

Grand Rapids Art Museum Address: 101 Monroe Center St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Website: www.artmuseumgr.org 

Millennium Park is one of the largest and most popular outdoor recreation spots in the Grand Rapids area, with the park also spreading through the cities of Wyoming, Walker, and Grandville. The park is open for guests to enjoy from May 1 to October 31 each year, with hours ranging from 7 am to closing at sunset. The outdoor park has ample opportunities for viewing wildlife and also has a six-acre beach and splash pad for families to enjoy.

If you are looking to enjoy the outdoors, Millennium Park is a must-see location. Guests can take advantage of boat rentals, over 15 miles of trails, or various sports courts. During the winter season, many guests use the trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Millennium Park Address: 1415 Maynard Ave SW, Walker, MI 49534

Website: https://www.kentcountyparks.org/millennium/index.php

One of the most popular family attractions in Grand Rapids, the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a botanical garden, museum, and sculpture park all in one location! Some of the most popular areas at the park include The Caterpillar Room and Butterfly Maze. For those who enjoy art exhibits, the museum offers popular attractions like Torso of a Knight and Working Model for Divided Oval: Butterfly.

The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is considered one of the most notable botanical gardens in the country, with over five indoor gardens available for viewing. Inside the museum, there are over 300 different sculptures on display as well as temporary exhibits that rotate periodically.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Address: 1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Website: www.https://www.meijergardens.org 

The John Ball Zoo is conveniently located on the west side of Grand Rapids and is noted as the fourth most visited cultural facility in the state of Michigan. The exhibits at the zoo feature animals from across the globe, with some of the most popular attractions being the saki monkeys and grizzly bears. In total, the zoo houses over 2,000 animals from over 230 different species.

Visitors of the zoo can also opt for a more hands-on experience, with interaction options like the Hobby Farm and Budgie Aviary available. For those who enjoy rides, the zoo offers a 600-foot zip line course and a four-story Sky Trail ropes course.

John Ball Zoo Address: 1300 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Website: www.jbzoo.org

Perfect for couples or families, the Downtown Market Grand Rapids is an outdoor market featuring a variety of vendors and dining options. In total, the market has over 20 vendors selling artisan food items and 2 full dining restaurants available for guests to enjoy. Throughout the month the market has many different outdoor events and often holds professional cooking classes!

Throughout the market, guests can find products from top-rated butchers, bakers, and countless other specialties. There are over 138,000 square feet filled with shops, food options, and rooftop greenhouses that make this spot a must-see when in Grand Rapids.
Downtown Market Grand Rapids Address: 435 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Website: www.downtownmarketgr.com 

Riverside Park in Grand Rapids is a must-see location for those who love nature and outdoor activities. Often referred to as Comstock Riverside Park, this location offers over 100 acres for guests to enjoy along with free Wifi. There are many walking and biking trails throughout the park and grills for preparing food.

This park is known for its premier bird-watching area and popular disc golf course. There are also water areas available with access to fishing and kayaking.

Riverside Park Address: 2001 Monroe Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505

Website: https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Directory/Places/Parks/Riverside-Park

The Blandford Nature Center and the Land Conservancy of West Michigan transformed a former golf club into this sanctuary for nature preservation and land conservation. The nature center is home to many previously injured animals that now act as wildlife ambassadors. Some of the animals include owls, hawks, falcons, and vultures.

The nature center has trails available for guests to walk and observe nature throughout all four seasons. The farm is available for guests to visit with the animals and the center even offers different camps in the summer and winter seasons.

Blandford Nature Center Address: 1715 Hillburn Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Website: www.blandfordnaturecenter.org 

The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum is a great spot for families to visit and experience a hands-on learning environment in many different subject areas. One of the most popular exhibits at the museum is the live beehive, where guests are invited to observe these incredible creatures hard at work in the indoor observation hive. There are two floors of hands-on exhibits for kids and their families to enjoy.

In addition to exhibits, the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum also offers interactive workshops that focus on things such as robotics or bubbles. There is even a giant-sized Lite Brite toy for guests to create and have fun with.

Grand Rapids Children’s Museum Address: 11 Sheldon Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Website: www.grcm.org

Rosa Parks Circle is a popular ice rink that has been enjoyed during the winter season for many years and has been named one of the 5 Great Public Spaces in America by the American Planning Association. In the winter, this space in the heart of Grand Rapids is transformed into an ice rink that offers skating sessions for guests.

The Rosa Parks Circle is also used throughout the summer months and functions as a space for concerts or dance events. It’s also a popular location for events like food festivals and live events.

Rosa Parks Circle Address: 135 Monroe Center St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Website: https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/Departments/Parks-and-Recreation/Rosa-Parks-Circle-Ice-Rink 

The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre first opened in 1925 and has since grown to be one of the largest community theatres in the entire United States. Throughout the year, the theatre puts on various productions of plays, musicals, and dance productions, with an incredible focus on costume details and overall set design.

The theatre also offers different educational programs and classes for guests at the School of Theatre Arts. Each year, the theatre puts on over 9 full productions featuring the help of over 800 volunteers.

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Address: 30 Division Ave N, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Website: www.grct.org

The Grand Rapids Public Museum once operated as a flour mill but is now considered one of the oldest museums in the United States. It first opened in 1945 and now features 3 floors of stunning exhibits that rotate and change throughout the year. Some of the most popular exhibits are the Amazing Pollinators, Grand River Fish, and Egypt: Be Curious.

The museum is also home to a 90-year-old carousel, the 1928 Spillman Carousel that is a true icon to the city of Grand Rapids. The carousel has over forty hand-crafted horses and this ride is one of only 3 of these carousels in existence.

Grand Rapids Public Museum Address: 272 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Website: www.grpm.org

Located at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium is an immersive experience that allows guests to view the wonders of the galaxy. The planetarium offers premium seating options and multiple different shows throughout the week.

Some of the most popular shows at the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium include Starlight Safari and Dark Side: The Light Show.

Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium Address: 272 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Website: https://www.grpm.org/planetarium/