Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids, one of the Best Places to Visit in Michigan, has a fantastic blend of old-world architecture, educational museums, and family-friendly outdoor activities. Before visiting the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and the Grand Rapids Art Museum, take a self-guided walking tour of this enormous open-air museum at Heritage Hill to see an extraordinary collection of historic architecture that dates back to 1844.

All art enthusiasts should visit the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, and active visitors can go hiking in Millennium Park, ziplining at the John Ball Zoo, or kayaking along the Grand River Heritage Trail before quenching their thirst on one of several craft brewery tours.

This city in western Michigan, which is situated on the banks of the Grand River, is frequently disregarded in favor of the more well-known metropolises that are located across Lake Michigan, such as Chicago and Milwaukee. However, Michigan's second-largest city provides a worthwhile retreat because of its array of cultural attractions, breweries, and closeness to Lake Michigan's beach towns. Grand Rapids, which gets its name from the Grand River that runs through the city, was first inhabited by Hopewell Indians 2,000 years ago. A lumber boom that brought in craftspeople, carpenters, and woodworkers helped it gain notoriety as "America's Furniture Capital" more than a century later.

Grand Rapids doesn't disregard its heritage even though it has developed into a sophisticated metropolis with internationally renowned attractions. At the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum (Ford is arguably the most well-known native son of the city), visitors can brush up on national history. The Grand Rapids Public Museum is one of the country's oldest museums. While taking in the attractions, indulge in a few beers to discover why Grand Rapids is known as "Beer City, USA," or browse the local markets to see why the region is frequently praised as one of the top growing regions in the world.

Rankings:

• #4 in Best Places to Visit in Michigan
• #17 in Best Weekend Getaways in the Midwest

Location: Michigan