Plan your Trip to Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Destination Guide
Grand Rapids rated as the number one travel destination in the country by Groupon in 2015, is a good place to live, work, and play. The city offers a variety of cultural events and activities that make the city a top destination. Grand Rapids has a good number of monuments and sites for tourists to see and explore. Scattered all over the city are highly-ranked, and award-winning restaurants where people can grab something to eat and chill at the exact same time. In addition to the vastness of the city, the city is popular for hosting conventions, major events, and concerts both large and small. There are a lot of cool cultural spots and awesome recreational spaces located in the city for biking and hiking. The buzzing nightlife and plenty of cultural attractions are things that contribute to the popularity of this city.
What Are the Top Attractions in Grand Rapids?
John Ball Zoo is the top destination for tourists in the city. The zoo is known to have over 1000 animals and the habitat and environment of this zoo are built to mimic the natural environment in which these animals are supposed to live as closely as possible. The different species of animals are separated into different sections and people can watch and explore the various animals at the zoo.
Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park are perhaps the best cultural spots in the entire city. The park spans over 150 acres of greenery where you will find a rock garden and waterfall. There are outdoor gardens and also themed indoor gardens all over this park. In the sculpture gallery itself, you would find over 300 pieces of works from famous sculptors from around the world.
Grand Rapids Public Museum which started out in 1854 has been a strong museum ever since it was created. The museum has three floors where you can see diverse items that tell the history of the state. In this museum, there are over 25,000 pieces of collections and items that range from classic cars to ancient animal fossils. It is a great place to explore with family during vacation.
What is the Weather Like in Grand Rapids?
Spring season which falls between March to May has weather that is moderately cold. Days of rain are common as the city experiences 5 to 9 days of significant precipitation during these months. Although this season can be a bit cold, it is still the busiest time for tourism in the city. In the middle of the year during summer the weather is very comfortable with high temperatures that are comfortable for tourists. Summer months experience 7 to 8 days of precipitation and August is the second busiest season for tourism in Grand Rapids. This usually influences higher prices in the cost of hotels and vacation homes. Winter is far too cold for travelers, especially those who are warm-weather travelers. This makes the season the slowest period for tourism. The bright side to this is that travelers can get really cheap and more affordable vacation rentals in Grand Rapid and hotels.
What Are the Best Things to Do in Grand Rapids with Kids?
The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is the place to be for visitors who are with kids. This park has indoor and outdoor gardens, a library, and hiking trails. The park has an array of beautiful rock landscapes, exotic plants from different countries, and a relaxing and beautiful waterfall. Visitors also take their kids to the sculpture section of the park where they can view different artworks that are sculpted in this location. It is a cheap and fun family activity that travelers with kids can engage in.
The John ball zoo is another beautiful place to take your children while on vacation, the 32 acres zoo has over 213 animal species and over 2000 individual animals. Tourists with kids can take the children to view these amazing animals in their different sections, take pictures and also get up close with some friendly animals.
What Are the Best Festivals & Events in Grand Rapids?
The Art prize is the largest annual event in Grand Rapids. This event is a three-week-long event that showcases public art competitions all over the city. This art event was the most attended public art event in the world both in 2014 and 2015. Artists from all over the world come to this event to create new artworks and display them around the city. Gram on the Green is an annual concert usually held during summer, and it is hosted by Grand Rapids Art Museum. For six weeks during the summer there are free live music performances held every Thursday evening and this event features dancing, food trucks, and cash boxes. The museum is also free on Thursday evenings for people to go and explore.
Where to find the best food in Grand Rapids?
Grand Rapids has some award-winning restaurants where mouthwatering dishes which flavors from all over the world are been offered. Sandy Point Beach House is an exact example of this type of restaurant. This restaurant has rotating menus that offer a wide range of dishes that suits the taste of customers. Their Scallops mussels and tuna tacos are highly recommended. The outdoor ambiance is good for good evening dining.
Phil’s Bar and Grille is the home of seafood, Grill, salads, and great martini. The restaurant serves every meal with a free cup of animal crackers for dessert. This restaurant is a great place to visit for anyone in the city.
What Are The Best Places to discover the Arts and Culture of Grand Rapids?
The Gerald R Ford Museum is a place that offers the history of the 38th American President. In this museum are replicas of the Oval Office and cabinet room during his tenure as president. There are several exhibitions of artifacts including merchandise and campaign materials used during his time as the president.
Meyer May House which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright belongs to a prominent clothier in 1909. This house is open for tours on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. This site represents art and culture and is also an example of Franks’s style of design and furnishing.
How to get to Grand Rapids?
The nearest airport to the city is Grand Rapids (GRR) Airport. Travelers can take a flight from anywhere in the world directly to this airport. Travelers can also gain access to the city by taking a commercial bus from surrounding cities or taking a road trip and driving directly into the city of Grand Rapids.
Plan your Trip to Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Destination Guide
Grand Rapids rated as the number one travel destination in the country by Groupon in 2015, is a good place to live, work, and play. The city offers a variety of cultural events and activities that make the city a top destination. Grand Rapids has a good number of monuments and sites for tourists to see and explore. Scattered all over the city are highly-ranked, a...