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Grand Rapids boasts a high-energy, walkable downtown with dining, nightlife, sports and entertainment venues, and museums. Located just a few miles away, discover the splendor of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, a 125-acre botanical garden and world-class sculpture park, or take in a round of Michigan golf at one of several championship courses. With plenty to do out-of-doors, Grand Rapids is also the gateway city to Michigan's West Coast, a region of unparalleled natural wonders dominated by the crystal-clear waters and beaches of Lake Michigan.

    

Maps

map Downtown Grand Rapids
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Grand Rapids Radio Ad – "Good Life"

Grand Rapids Radio Ad – "Good Life"
Click above to play: Few places are like Grand Rapids. See yourself through brand new eyes and start living the artful life with a trip to a one-of-a-kind city where creative living means the good life.

Photo courtesy of Richard Deming Jr.

ArtPrize! – Arts Alive in Grand Rapids

ArtPrize! – Arts Alive in Grand Rapids
Western Michigan has a long history of art and design, showcased with a citywide exhibition and the world's largest ArtPrize. Get ready for next year's event and, in the meantime, enjoy all the amazing art exhibits in Grand Rapids at our local museums and area attractions.

Photo courtesy of Richard Deming Jr.

Grand Rapids Riverside Nightlife

Grand Rapids Riverside Nightlife
Enjoy a unique riverside experience – Grand Rapids has a variety of options for planning a night on the town. Depending on your mood, you can enjoy intimate walks with beautifully lit bridges or get more lively with a dueling piano bar or comedy show.

Photo courtesy of Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Ionia Street – Downtown Grand Rapids

Ionia Street – Downtown Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids is the perfect place for nighttime entertainment with 36 hip night spots! Explore the renovated historic buildings of downtown where you'll diverse dining options including tapas, bistros and brew pubs.

Photo courtesy of Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention & Visitors Bureau (Photographer Brian Kelly)

Grand Rapids Shopping

Grand Rapids Shopping
Unique shopping abounds in Grand Rapids where you can find it all – antiques, furniture, boutiques, malls and brand name stores. Known as "furniture city" in the 1800 and 1900s, Grand Rapids today is a place where the shopping selections are outstanding

Photo courtesy of Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Fall Brings Color to Grand Rapids

Fall Brings Color to Grand Rapids
Fall is full of reasons to visit Grand Rapids. Enjoy a stroll through local parks or a bike ride along our trails as the trees turn. Visit an apple orchard, pumpkin patch or enjoy a hayride. Grand Rapids area attractions have plenty for all ages to enjoy this fall.

Photo courtesy of Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Monroe Center – Downtown Grand Rapids

Monroe Center – Downtown Grand Rapids
Visitors and locals alike flock to Grand Rapids to stroll along the store fronts or bike through the city parks. The downtown area is very walkable with many attractions, dining options and accommodations all in close proximity to one another.

Photo courtesy of Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Public Museum of Grand Rapids

The Public Museum of Grand Rapids
Visit the Public Museum of Grand Rapids and enjoy a world-class facility full of exhibits for every age. You won’t want to miss Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion exhibit coming Sept. 5, 2009, through Jan. 3, 2010. A hands-on experience for the whole family!

Photo courtesy of Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Spectacular Outdoor Play in Grand Rapids

Spectacular Outdoor Play in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids is host to eight golf courses in its outlying area and been named one of the top 10 golfing destinations by Golf Digest. A variety of courses provide business travelers with the opportunity to combine work and leisure all in one trip!

Photo courtesy of Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Zipline at the John Ball Zoo

Zipline at the John Ball Zoo
John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids is home to over 1,000 animals and has many exhibits including an aquarium, Bissell’s Lions of Lake Manyara, chimpanzees and stingrays. Soar in the air on the new zipline and climb the adventure course. Something fun for all ages!

Photo courtesy of Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Van Andel Arena – Home of Grand Rapids Griffins

Van Andel Arena – Home of Grand Rapids Griffins
Van Andel Arena has attracted the biggest names in family shows, concerts and sporting events. Grand Rapids is alive with team sporting events all year. Join the thousands of fans who come to support the Grand Rapids Griffins ice hockey team.

Photo courtesy of Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention & Visitors Bureau
    

Explore Downtown Grand Rapids

ArtPrize
The streets in and around downtown Grand Rapids were transformed into a citywide exhibition earlier this month in response to a new annual art competition. With 37,264 registered voters, 334,219 votes placed, 1,262 artists and 159 venues, ArtPrize was a huge success! Take a moment to view the winners from ArtPrize 2009. Next year's event is already being planned, but you don't have to wait. Plan a trip to discover the art and museums of Grand Rapids, and explore the permanent installations from ArtPrize 2009.

FREE iPod Shuffle with Hotel Stay -- Now Extended!
We are extending Feel the Grand Rapids Beat until Oct. 31, 2009. Book a two-night package at any of the participating Grand Rapids area hotels and you'll receive a FREE iPod Shuffle. Download Touring Tunes podcasts to your Shuffle for great ideas on what to see and do while you're visiting. One iPod per household, quantities are limited. Reserve your room today!

Touring Tunes Podcasts
Download or listen to Grand Rapids' original podcasts, providing inside tips on what is new and fun to do in the city while you visit. Check out new podcasts on fun fall events and stop back often as new podcasts are being added all the time!

Culture & Events
There's always plenty to do in Grand Rapids thanks to a thriving performing arts community, four downtown museums, a world-class botanical gardens and sculpture park, a remarkable zoo, festivals, fairs, concerts and special events!

Accommodations
The night is yours with an overnight stay in Grand Rapids. Take in a concert, enjoy a late night dinner and dance the night away knowing your hotel is just minutes away. It's time to stay up late in Grand Rapids!

Downtown Grand Rapids
Downtown Grand Rapids, where urban beat meets carefree retreat, is the cultural and entertainment center of West Michigan. Discover rich nightlife, superb restaurants, amazing cultural centers and events in a walkable historic setting.

Dining
A delicious variety of restaurants will entice you, including upscale seafood and steakhouses, exotic ethnic eateries, friendly neighborhood establishments, pizzerias and sandwich shops. Grand Rapids has it all, including Michigan's only five-star dining experience.

Nightlife
If it's nightlife you're after, you're in the right place  downtown's bustling entertainment district offers chic jazz clubs, inviting brewpubs and rollicking sports bars.

Shopping
Nearby shopping opportunities abound! Neighborhood retail districts feature one-of-a-kind boutiques and art galleries. Two massive shopping malls each house more than 100 famous brand-name stores. Antique stores delight treasure hunters with high-quality retro, Victorian and primitive pieces at reasonable prices.

Sports & Recreation
For spectators and participants alike, there's plenty of sporting excitement in Grand Rapids. Cheer at a game or get in the action yourself in Grand Rapids' great outdoors, offering miles of trails, river walks and boardwalks, trout-rich streams, inland lakes and dozens of golf courses.

    
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