- 4 min read

10 things to do in Grand Rapids!

Whether you are visiting Grand Rapids for a day, weekend, or even longer, this city has so much to offer. With over 80 breweries, several museums, tons of outdoor activities and an amazing nightlife, you will not get bored while staying here. Below list includes places that you should not miss on your next to the great GR!

1. Happy Cat Cafe

Address: 47 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

If you love cats, this place will melt your heart! Stop by, grab a coffee and hang out with the kitties to boost up your serotonin level. While we were there, a couple was going through an adoption, and it was the sweetest thing to watch. Needless to say, it was really hard not to walk away with one of the cats.

2. House Rules Lounge

Address: 404 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Perfect place for a date night or to bring your friends and hang out. House Rules is a lounge with a full-on bar and endless board games choice. You pay to stay here by the hour, however they get quite busy on weekends, so I suggest booking a reservation online. Bring your own food as well, since (and trust me on this) the time will go by very fast.

3. Amway Grand Plaza Hotel

Address: 187 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

While staying here, you will feel like you are at a Las Vegas resort! Not only is the hotel top notch, they also have quite a few amenities that will make your stay very enjoyable. With their endless food options, a pickleball court, a spa, and a pool, this hotel will ensure you are having the best time staying here.

4. Stoney Ridge Vineyards & Winery

Address: 2255 Indian Lakes Rd NW, Kent City, MI 49330

I don’t know about you guys, but for us it’s usually hard to find a winery that has a full food menu. Well, we hit the jackpot here! Stoney Ridge not only has amazing views and delicious wine, but also great food options outside of just a cheese plater. Highly recommend you try one of their pizzas: paired with one of their wines, it was just delightful!

5. Ed Dunneback and Girls Farm & Pink Barrel Cellars

Address: 3025 6 Mile Rd NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49544

This farm is the best place to visit, especially during sunflower season which ended just after Labor Day. But don’t worry, because apple picking season is now here! Check out their calendar for upcoming events. They have live bands playing throughout the season along with Honeycrisp Festival and October Fest coming soon! Best of all, they have Pink Barrel Cellars Brewery inside, and it’s worth trying out their ciders and beers. Also, if you have a sweet tooth, they make delicious donuts as well. Plenty to do and eat here!

6. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Address: 1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

This sculpture park is really worth visiting and spending a couple of hours walking through the gardens. You will find endless photo opps since the grounds are beautiful and the sculptures are quite striking. Since there is quite a bit of walking, you can grab a ticket for a tram and get a tour instead of exploring the gardens on foot.

7. Grand Rapids Art Museum

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

This museum, being right in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, is the perfect stop while visiting GR. They have collections from Renaissance all the way to Modern Art, so there is something for everybody. Tickets start at $10, but they offer free entrance on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

8. Grand Rapids Public Museum

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

If you are staying at Amway Hotel, this museum is only a quick 5-minute walk across the bridge. During your visit, you can check out a 1928 carousel, 3 floors worth of exhibits, and a planetarium. Currently they are exhibiting a Holiday Display and a Historic Lego Display which are worth checking out.

9. Cruise on the Grand Lady Riverboat

Address: 825 Taylor St, Georgetown Twp, MI 49428

If you are looking for an evening out on a river with some great music, make sure to check out Grand Lady riverboat. There is a bar downstairs so you can grab amazing drinks and enjoy the views. BYOF as well, so stack up on some snacks and don’t go hungry 😊 Additionally, they offer sightseeing cruises during the day, so that’s an option as well if you don’t want to wait till the evening.

10. Grand Rapids Brewing

Address: 1 Ionia Ave SW Ste 100, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Grand Rapids Brewing is one of the most famous breweries here in GR, and for a good reason! Their rustic setting, delicious foods and one-of-a-kind beer, makes it the perfect place for lunch or dinner. There is a game room in the back, so once you are done eating, you can enjoy some air hockey, skee-ball, and so much more.