Introduction
What to do
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), Ruth's Chris Steak House - Grand Rapids (187 Monroe NW) and HopCat - Grand Rapids (25 Ionia Ave SW). If you’re looking for affordable options, Bowdies Chophouse - Grand Rapids (2237 Wealthy St) and MDRD (187 Monroe Ave NW) are great picks.

When to visit Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids in November
Estimated hotel price
$120
1 night at 3-star hotel
Grand Rapids in November
Estimated hotel price
$120
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 15 km from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Grand Rapids include American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta. The shortest domestic flight to Grand Rapids departs from Philadelphia and takes around 2h 05m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Grand Rapids. The train journey from Grand Rapids to Chicago takes 4h 04m and costs around $48 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Detroit, expect to pay about $72 for a 17h 08m trip. The train station in Grand Rapids is called Grand Rapids, and is located 1.3 km from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Grand Rapids is to pick up a car rental from Chicago, which is about 201 km from Grand Rapids. You’ll find branches of Routes Car & Truck Rentals and Turo, among others, in Chicago.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Grand Rapids using Tornado Bus or FlixBus. From Detroit, the bus ride to Grand Rapids takes 330 km and will cost you around $34. From Chicago, the ticket costs about $320 for a journey of 422 km. Grand Rapids’s bus station is located 1.1 km from the city center.

Plane

When flying to Grand Rapids, you’ll arrive at Gerald R. Ford Airport (GRR), which is located 15 km from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Grand Rapids include American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta. The shortest domestic flight to Grand Rapids departs from Philadelphia and takes around 2h 05m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Grand Rapids. The train journey from Grand Rapids to Chicago takes 4h 04m and costs around $48 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Detroit, expect to pay about $72 for a 17h 08m trip. The train station in Grand Rapids is called Grand Rapids, and is located 1.3 km from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Grand Rapids is to pick up a car rental from Chicago, which is about 201 km from Grand Rapids. You’ll find branches of Routes Car & Truck Rentals and Turo, among others, in Chicago.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Grand Rapids using Tornado Bus or FlixBus. From Detroit, the bus ride to Grand Rapids takes 330 km and will cost you around $34. From Chicago, the ticket costs about $320 for a journey of 422 km. Grand Rapids’s bus station is located 1.1 km from the city center.

Airports near Grand Rapids

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

Airlines serving Grand Rapids

KLM
Good (1,481 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,882 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,841 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,368 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,164 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,561 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,535 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,737 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,551 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,732 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,880 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,376 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Good (12,149 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (1,495 reviews)
Frontier
Okay (3,004 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (1,907 reviews)
ANA
Excellent (1,162 reviews)
Japan Airlines
Excellent (1,760 reviews)
Korean Air
Excellent (1,203 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (1,554 reviews)
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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 Holiday Inn Express & Suites Grand Rapids - Airport North By IHG.

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, 1066 reviews)
$117+
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Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Grand Rapids East
3 stars
Excellent (9.1, 1642 reviews)
$121+
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Canopy by Hilton Grand Rapids Downtown
4 stars
Excellent (9.1, 339 reviews)
$180+
View
Home2 Suites by Hilton Grand Rapids Northeast
3 stars
Excellent (8.8, 168 reviews)
$111+
View
Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, 1021 reviews)
$225+
View
Home2 Suites by Hilton Grand Rapids Airport
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, 29 reviews)
$131+
View

Renting a car in Grand Rapids

Renting a car in Grand Rapids costs $67 per day, on average, or $134 if you want to rent if for 2 days. Dollar, Avis and Enterprise Rent-A-Car are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Grand Rapids is the Hertz branch at 5500 44th Street Se Unit 4, which is 10 km from the city center.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 3% more expensive than at Grand Rapids Gerald R. Ford Intl.

Expect to pay $4.28 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 $51.33 and $68.44. Full-size (Hyundai Santa Fe or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Grand Rapids, while also 33% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in Grand Rapids costs $67 per day, on average, or $134 if you want to rent if for 2 days. Dollar, Avis and Enterprise Rent-A-Car are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Grand Rapids is the Hertz branch at 5500 44th Street Se Unit 4, which is 10 km from the city center.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 3% more expensive than at Grand Rapids Gerald R. Ford Intl.

Expect to pay $4.28 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 $51.33 and $68.44. Full-size (Hyundai Santa Fe or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Grand Rapids, while also 33% cheaper than other types, on average.

Best car rental deals in Grand Rapids

Intermediate

5 Adults, 3 Bags

$33/day

Intermediate

Economy

2 Adults, 2 Bags

$36/day

Economy
Find car rentals in Grand Rapids