Introduction
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Renting a car

Grand Rapids travel guide

Grand Rapids Tourism | Grand Rapids Guide

You're Going to Love Grand Rapids

With a population of 188,040, Grand Rapids is a must-see destination in Michigan, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Grand Rapids deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

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Where to Eat in Grand Rapids

Downtown is the neighborhood with the most restaurants in Grand Rapids. These include popular favorites such as Leo's (60 Ottawa Ave NW), Divani (15 Ionia Avenue, SW Suite 130) and Ruth's Chris Steak House - Grand Rapids (187 Monroe NW). If you’re looking for affordable options, Bistro Bella Vita (44 Grandville Ave SW) and The Chop House - Grand Rapids (190 Monroe Ave NW) are great picks. For delicious green meals, Noto's Old World Italian Dining (6600 28th Street SE) and Friesian Gastro Pub (720 Michigan St NE) are recommended spots to get vegetarian or vegan food in Grand Rapids.

When to visit Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids in August
Estimated hotel price
$128
1 night at 3-star hotel
Grand Rapids in August
Estimated hotel price
$128
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to Grand Rapids in July, when the average temperature is 73.4 °F, and the highest can go up to 82.4 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 17.6 °F, with an average temperature of 24.8 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in September, when precipitation is around 4.3″. In contrast, February is usually the driest month of the year in Grand Rapids, with an average rainfall of 1.8″.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Grand Rapids

Plane

When flying to Grand Rapids, you’ll arrive at Gerald R. Ford Airport (GRR), which is located 9 miles from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Grand Rapids include Air Canada, Frontier and United Airlines. The shortest domestic flight to Grand Rapids departs from Raleigh and takes around 1h 54m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Grand Rapids. The train station in Grand Rapids is called Grand Rapids, and is located 0.8 miles from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Grand Rapids is to pick up a car rental from Chicago, which is about 125 miles from Grand Rapids. You’ll find branches of Routes Car & Truck Rentals and Ace, among others, in Chicago.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Grand Rapids, including Tornado Bus, FlixBus and Greyhound. From Chicago, the bus ride to Grand Rapids takes 200 miles and will cost you around $66. From Washington, D.C., the ticket costs about $165 for a journey of 1235 miles. Grand Rapids’s bus station is located 0.7 miles from the city center.

Plane

When flying to Grand Rapids, you’ll arrive at Gerald R. Ford Airport (GRR), which is located 9 miles from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Grand Rapids include Air Canada, Frontier and United Airlines. The shortest domestic flight to Grand Rapids departs from Raleigh and takes around 1h 54m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Grand Rapids. The train station in Grand Rapids is called Grand Rapids, and is located 0.8 miles from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Grand Rapids is to pick up a car rental from Chicago, which is about 125 miles from Grand Rapids. You’ll find branches of Routes Car & Truck Rentals and Ace, among others, in Chicago.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Grand Rapids, including Tornado Bus, FlixBus and Greyhound. From Chicago, the bus ride to Grand Rapids takes 200 miles and will cost you around $66. From Washington, D.C., the ticket costs about $165 for a journey of 1235 miles. Grand Rapids’s bus station is located 0.7 miles from the city center.

Airports near Grand Rapids

GRRGrand Rapids Gerald R. Ford Intl
LANLansing Capital City
SBNSouth Bend/Michiana

Airlines serving Grand Rapids

Lufthansa
Good (7,407 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,385 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,361 reviews)
Delta
Good (7,954 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,924 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,929 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,469 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,334 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,624 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,140 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,484 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (10,883 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,323 reviews)
Frontier
Okay (3,172 reviews)
ANA
Excellent (962 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (1,270 reviews)
Japan Airlines
Excellent (1,559 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (1,847 reviews)
Korean Air
Excellent (1,139 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (1,696 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to Grand Rapids

Where to stay in Grand Rapids

If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Holiday Inn Express & Suites Grand Rapids Airport - South By IHG and Tru by Hilton Grand Rapids Airport. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Grand Rapids, with prices from $55 to $609 per night. Downtown is the neighborhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Grand Rapids are about 59% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Where to stay in popular areas of Grand Rapids

Most booked hotels in Grand Rapids

See all
Drury Inn & Suites Grand Rapids
3 stars
Excellent (9.3, 1006 reviews)
$120+
View
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Grand Rapids East
3 stars
Excellent (9.1, 1558 reviews)
$111+
View
Canopy by Hilton Grand Rapids Downtown
4 stars
Excellent (9.1, 313 reviews)
$184+
View
Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, 972 reviews)
$260+
View
Hyatt Place Grand Rapids-South
3 stars
Excellent (8, 519 reviews)
$112+
View
Country Inn and Suites Radisson, Grandville-Grand
2 stars
Good (7.8, 260 reviews)
$103+
View

Renting a car in Grand Rapids

Renting a car in Grand Rapids costs $62 per day, on average, or $124 if you want to rent if for 2 days. Avis, Dollar and Budget are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Grand Rapids is the Dollar branch at 5500 44th Street Se, which is 9 miles from the city center.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 5% more expensive than at Grand Rapids Gerald R. Ford Intl.

Expect to pay $3.56 per gallon in Grand Rapids (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $42.70 and $56.93. The most frequently booked car type in Grand Rapids is Full-size (Kia Optima or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Intermediate rental cars (Hyundai Elantra or similar) are, on average, 48% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Grand Rapids costs $62 per day, on average, or $124 if you want to rent if for 2 days. Avis, Dollar and Budget are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Grand Rapids is the Dollar branch at 5500 44th Street Se, which is 9 miles from the city center.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 5% more expensive than at Grand Rapids Gerald R. Ford Intl.

Expect to pay $3.56 per gallon in Grand Rapids (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $42.70 and $56.93. The most frequently booked car type in Grand Rapids is Full-size (Kia Optima or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Intermediate rental cars (Hyundai Elantra or similar) are, on average, 48% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Best car rental deals in Grand Rapids

Compact

4 Adults, 2 Bags

$36/day

Compact

Intermediate

5 Adults, 3 Bags

$37/day

Intermediate
Find car rentals in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Grand Rapids city guide for the best Grand Rapids travel tips. To help you organize your Grand Rapids trip ideas, this Grand Rapids visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more.