May 22, 2025

Grand Rapids skyline along the Grand River.

Get Away to Grand Rapids This Summer

A family on a paved trail beside the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids.

Dream Grand and Go to Grand Rapids

Don’t just dream big for your summer getaway – Dream Grand and Go to Grand Rapids, where big-city excitement meets awesome outdoor adventure. Spend your days on the trail, the water, the beach and the golf course, and your nights on the town in all kinds of entertainment venues. See why CNN named GR a Top 10 Best Town to Visit!

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Live music being played outside in downtown Grand Rapids during a festival.

Enjoy Summer in the City

Summer in Grand Rapids means outdoor festivals, concerts, movies, dining, shopping and more, in the city’s walkable downtown and throughout Kent County. It’s also peak season for Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and John Ball Zoo, two of Michigan’s most popular attractions. We make the most of summer in Grand Rapids – and you can, too.

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A spread of pizza, pasta and other meals with craft cocktails on a table.

Treat Your Taste Buds

Named a Top U.S. Foodie City and the country’s Craft Beverage Capital, Grand Rapids offers delicious delights for every palate. Get the Flights of Flavor® digital pass to earn cool merchandise for enjoying amazing food and drink flights, and download the Beer City Brewsader® app for free t-shirt and sweatshirt offers plus fun challenges and badges.

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People examining paintings displayed in an art museum.

Soak Up Some Culture

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy Grand Rapids’ art and culture scene. See for yourself why USA Today named Grand Rapids one of the 10 Best U.S Cities Where You Can See Amazing Art. Visit the Grand Rapids Art Museum and Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, attend 15+ community celebrations honoring diverse cultures and much more.

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A group of golfers playing beside an inland lake.

Play More Golf for Less

Grand Rapids boasts 30+ golf courses as close as five minutes from downtown and is “home of some of the best value golf in America,” according to a popular golf website – so you can play more golf in less time, for less money. The Grand Rapids golf scene includes designs by Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, plus perk-filled hotel-golf packages.

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Sunset over lake Michigan from the top of a sand dune.

Hit the Beach

Downtown Grand Rapids is 30-45 minutes away from the sugar-sand beaches and charming resort towns of Lake Michigan. It’s just five minutes from the sandy swimming beach at Millennium Park, which also offers boating, fishing and one of America’s Top 10 Splashpads. Pack your sunscreen and your beach towel, and leave your stress behind!

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A family walking beside a public art installation of large lanterns shaped like gold fish.

An Ideal Family-Fun Road Trip

Grand Rapids is where kids can Play Their Way, thanks to attractions and activities that appeal to every age, interest and temperament. Visit zoos, parks, beaches, go-kart tracks, laser tag arenas, a virtual reality arcade, children’s museum, children’s garden and more. Some of them provide sensory-friendly experiences so every family feels welcome.