Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids is a Michigan city on the Grand River, east of Lake Michigan. On the outskirts, the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park has a tropical conservatory and multiple gardens. Its art collection includes works by Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore, and Ai Weiwei. Downtown, the Grand Rapids Art Museum spotlights Michigan artists in its rotating shows. Grand Rapids is known for its many breweries dotted around town.
This city in western Michigan, located on the banks of the Grand River, is sometimes disregarded in favor of the more well-known metropolises that sit across Lake Michigan, such as Chicago and Milwaukee. However, Michigan's second-largest city provides a worthwhile retreat due to its diverse cultural activities, breweries, and closeness to Lake Michigan beach villages. Grand Rapids, named for the Grand River that runs through the city, was first inhabited by Hopewell Indians 2,000 years ago. After a timber boom brought in craftspeople, carpenters, and woodworkers, it became recognized as "America's Furniture Capital" more than a century later.
Grand Rapids has grown into a contemporary metropolis with globally known attractions, but it has not forgotten its roots. Visitors can learn about local history at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, one of the country's oldest museums, or national history at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum (Ford is undoubtedly the city's most famous native). In between tours, have a pint or two to understand why Grand Rapids is known as "Beer City, USA," or explore local markets to see why the area is usually cited as one of the world's top growing regions.
The Best Hotels in Grand Rapids:
- JW Marriott Hotel Grand Rapids
- Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton
- Canopy By Hilton Grand Rapids Downtown
The Best Things to Do in Grand Rapids:
- Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
- Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
- Grand Rapids Public Museum
Rankings:
- 4 in Best Places to Visit in Michigan
- 17 in Best Weekend Getaways in the Midwest
Rating:
- 17 in Best Weekend Getaways in the Midwest
