Creativity is always on display in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where an extensive public art collection, high-profile attractions and a thriving cultural scene inspire groups year-round.
Grand Rapids is located 25 miles east of Lake Michigan and is a three-hour drive from Chicago. Annual events like World of Winter in January and February and ArtPrize, which runs from mid-September to early October, bring global art installations to public spaces, sparking curiosity in a city that established itself as a furniture-making capital.
Lilly Baker, the “group getaway guru” for Experience Grand Rapids, said she is seeing increased interest in immersive explorations. Baker suggested blending stops at the city’s must-see museums and attractions with hands-on activities, such as candle making and cooking classes in Uptown’s walkable shopping districts. Nearby beach towns like Holland, Grand Haven, Muskegon and Saugatuck Douglas can give tour groups a taste of lake life on side trips to communities known for their tulip festivals and picturesque sand dunes.
In downtown, a massive investment in Grand River restoration initiatives is reconnecting Grand Rapids with its namesake natural resource, while new venues, like the 12,000-seat riverfront Acrisure Amphitheater, make a trip to this vibrant Midwest metro more appealing than ever.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Founded in 1995 after 13 years of planning and fundraising by the West Michigan Horticultural Society, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park continues to cultivate its reputation as a rich cultural experience. This lush landmark draws millions of visitors each year and boasts customizable, group-friendly experiences.
“Garden staff are flexible to accommodate groups with niche interests,” Baker said. She has coordinated expert speakers on everything from ecology to irrigation systems and suggested groups schedule between three and four hours to explore the expansive, 158-acre grounds.
Narrated tram tours, held May through October, offer an accessible overview of the Japanese gardens and beyond, while insider stories and expert insights add depth to the visual landscape. Even in chilly weather, the soaring five-story glass conservatory stays warm, housing tropical plants from around the world.
Seasonal cafe menus provide a tasteful sit-down experience. Groups can also pre-order grab-and-go boxed lunches, visit pop-up vendors or enjoy scoops from the ice cream shop.
Work by renowned sculptors including Alexander Calder, Louise Bourgeois and Ai Weiwei anchor a permanent collection focused on the modern and contemporary periods. Special exhibitions such as the current Dale Chihuly glass art installation, which is on display through October, transform these gardens into galleries, giving repeat visitors a fresh perspective.
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
While the rest of the country celebrates America’s 250th, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the United States Bicentennial. Artifacts from that 1976 milestone are among the many on display in collections that tell the Ford administration’s story.
“[President Ford] was focused on doing what was right for the country instead of his career and healing some of the divides that we had in the nation at the time,” said Richard Weld, staff education specialist for the museum.
Ford spent his childhood in Grand Rapids and is interred on the museum grounds alongside his wife, Betty. Groups should plan to spend between one and two hours exploring the burial site and exhibits, which include stairs used to access the helicopters that flew out of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War and items from the Watergate scandal, which unexpectedly elevated Ford to commander in chief.
“We have two of the Watergate break-in tools on display, including probably the most important screwdriver you’ll ever see in your life,” Weld said.
Combine cultural attractions with stops at the three-story Grand Rapids Public Museum and Grand Rapids Art Museum, located within a half-mile radius.
Heritage Hill Historic District Home Tours
One of the largest urban historic districts in the nation, Heritage Hill is a residential neighborhood known for its remarkable concentration of architectural styles. The neighborhood is situated adjacent to downtown Grand Rapids, and a trip down its streets takes groups past noteworthy 19th- and early 20th-century homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can step inside history during Heritage Hill Association’s annual Tour of Homes, a mid-May ticketed event that showcases architecture, craftsmanship and preservation stories across multiple stops.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Meyer May House, designed in 1908, represents some of the Midwest’s most recognizable architecture. Free, docent-led tours occur during limited hours most Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Given the limited capacity, groups should book ahead.
“They have a really good video about the restoration and history of the house, and then guests go tour,” Baker said of the 90-minute experience.
Grand Rapids-based furniture manufacturer Steelcase acquired the Prairie Style home in 1985 and returned it to Wright’s original vision. Historically, river access supplied area craftsmen with a steady stream of logs needed to make furniture, and Steelcase is among the well-known furniture companies still headquartered here.
Grand Rapids Downtown Market
Grand Rapids Downtown Market is a one-stop dining scene unto itself. Open seven days a week, this hub for 21 artisan food merchants and restaurants serves a wide variety of cuisine, available in snackable portions to multicourse meals.
“There’s something for everyone, whether you love Thai food, want to try a new sushi roll or crave a cheeseburger,” said Meghan Dolata, marketing manager. “It’s a delicious destination for groups because everybody can get a meal option that matches their tastes and have that communal aspect sitting in the upstairs atrium, on our outdoor patios or rentable spaces for private events.”
The market is within walking distance of the new riverfront Acrisure Amphitheater and group-friendly attractions like the recently opened Grand Rapids Game Show, an interactive experience that captures the excitement of classic TV game shows. Contestants compete for bragging rights — not cash prizes — in games like Wheel of Fortune, Family Feud, and Deal or No Deal.
During the holiday season, Grand Rapids Downtown Market hosts a European-style Christkindl Markt. Outside, dozens of charming vendor huts sell stocking stuffers, ornaments and delicacies, and servers fill commemorative mugs with traditional glühwein under glowing Christmas lights. The popular pop-up will expand into multiple locations this winter, spreading cheer throughout the city.
