Michigan · United States
Where to stay in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids is a city in Michigan, United States, home to about 199,000 people.
- Nearest airport
- GRR15 km · Gerald R. Ford International Airport
- Currency
- USDUnited States dollar
- Time zone
- America/New York
- Language
- Carolinian, Chamorro, Hawaiian
About
About Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids is a city in and the county seat of Kent County, Michigan. The city had a population of 198,917 at the 2020 census and an estimated population of 201,183 in 2025.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Grand Rapids
See
- Grand Rapids Public Museum
- Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
- Grands Rapids Art Museum
- Public Art
- Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives
- Allendale
- Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
Do
- Grand Rapids Symphony
- Grand Rapids Ballet
- Opera Grand Rapids
- Van Andel Arena
- West Michigan Whitecaps
- Grand Rapids Griffins
- Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
- Circle Theatre
- Actors' Theatre
- Dog Story Theatre
- Grand Rapids Children's Museum
- Fulton Street Artisan's Market
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Grand Rapids
5 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| Plaza Towers | 1991 | 0.5 km |
| Amway Grand Plaza Hotel | 0.6 km | |
| JW Marriott Grand Rapids | 0.6 km | |
| Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton | 0.5 km | |
| The Leonard at Logan | 1.3 km |
All 5 hotels in Grand Rapids, with their history and operators
When to go
The best time to visit Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 28 °C; May is the wettest, with about 101 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Grand Rapids: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR), about 15 km from the city centre in a straight line; Muskegon County Airport (MKG, 52 km) and Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO, 82 km) are also within reach.
Getting in
Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR). The airport for Grand Rapids and Kent County with daily flights (sometimes several) from most of the country's major hubs. Although it has customs facilities for direct international flights, in practice it has very few. Most flights are on Delta Air Lines, connecting through the Delta hub in nearby Detroit.
Getting around
Like most mid-sized U.S. cities, an automobile is the most convenient means of getting around, with convenient free parking available most places outside of downtown. Parking downtown can be inconvenient and somewhat costly on weekdays and during major events (e.g. arena concerts). Street parking meters are monitored weekdays from 8AM to 7PM, unless specifically marked (e.g. Monroe Center NW on Saturday). Walking within the immediate downtown area is pleasant enough in good weather, and generally safe.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
GRR · Gerald R. Ford International Airport
MKG · Muskegon County Airport
AZO · Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Grand Rapids
Stay safe
Grand Rapids' crime rate is one of the most uneven in the USA. On the one hand, the city has dealt with rampant property crimes and pick-pocketing in the past. On the other hand, its murder rate is nowhere nearly as bad as Detroit and other Midwestern cities, being usually slightly above the national average. The downtown area is safe if you use basic precautions. Several areas across the river and to the southwest of downtown are best to be avoided. The rest of the city is safe.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Grand Rapids: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Grand Rapids?
Grand Rapids has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 28 °C; May is the wettest, with about 101 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Grand Rapids?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR), about 15 km from the city centre in a straight line; Muskegon County Airport (MKG, 52 km) and Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO, 82 km) are also within reach.
What currency is used in Grand Rapids?
United States dollar (USD).
Nearby
Destinations near Grand Rapids
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.