3 Days in Grand Rapids, Michigan: The Ultimate Weekend Itinerary

Visiting Grand Rapids, Michigan

There’s no arguing that Michigan is an unrivalled summer destination. With the longest freshwater coastline in the world and perfect temperatures, it makes a lot of sense to spend some time here each year. There’s so much to do in this hidden gem of a city, and while we only scratched the surface, we were able to see quite a bit. Planning a trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan? This 3-day itinerary covers the best things to do, where to eat, where to stay, and can’t-miss attractions—from the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Chihuly exhibition to Beer City USA’s incredible brewery scene.

Day 1: Explore Downtown Grand Rapids: Riverwalks, the Presidential Museum, Local Breweries & Rooftop Dining

We set up camp downtown in the Amway Grand Plaza. This location was perfect for exploring on foot: next to the river, walking distance to most attractions, and plenty of restaurants and pubs to explore. It’s also very easy to stash your rental car until you need it, so don’t fear parking or congestion. If you want coffee in the morning, hit up Foxtail. Visit Wolfgang Puck’s for lunch, then Ruth Chris or MDRD for dinner. After dinner, finish the night with a libation at IDC, Lumber Baron, or Rendezvous. You can do all of this without even leaving the hotel, so if you want to fully relax, this is the hotel for you.

If you’re staying downtown, the Grand Rapids Downtown Market is an easy walk and perfect way to start your day. With so many local vendors and food options (21 choices, in fact) all in one place, you’re liable to spend a couple hours here shopping, eating, and drinking. We ate at Sav Sav and would recommend it if you enjoy a European café vibe. They have an excellent wine bar and great sandwiches and small plates. They also serve nice coffee, so grab one to go as you explore the rest of the market. If we lived in Grand Rapids we’d be here all the time buying fresh fish and bread, maybe even an ice cream cone or two! Whatever your style, the Downtown Market can provide a great experience.

After our lunch we explored the Grand River by the Blue Bridge, which was constructed in 1892 and is one of the longest truss bridges in the state. Walking across the bridge it’s interesting to think it was once a railroad bridge. On nice days you can access the boardwalk from the bridge and walk along the river. The more “river towns” I visit, the more I appreciate their appeal. Something about walking across a river makes me feel like I’m really “discovering” different parts of the city. Grand Rapids must have at least five or six street bridges where you can cross the river, so lace up those walking shoes! 

We ended our river tour at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. If you visit this museum, you’ll be able to gain an insight into Gerald Ford’s life and presidency, including his time growing up in Grand Rapids and helping the country navigate the Watergate scandal. There are ten different galleries and several interactive displays, including a ‘Waltzing with the Queen’ special exhibit through early October of 2026. You’ll also find a wealth of information about Betty Ford, an iconic and refreshingly transparent first lady. Her story about her battles with breast cancer and substance abuse were just as impactful to learn about as Gerald Ford’s tenure as president. As an unexpected bonus, there is a piece of the Berlin Wall in the lobby of the museum with a very nice story that I found moving. 

After digesting the weight of presidential matters, we decided to digest a couple cold beers at New Holland Brewing just down the street from the museum. Before visiting Grand Rapids, I had no idea that it’s considered America’s Best Beer City. After visiting, I can assure you that it is indeed a heavyweight in the hops category. There are over 100 local craft beverage producers, so even if you aren’t a beer drinker, you can find a seltzer, cider, or spirit that appeals to you. What struck me most was the diversity and quality of all the libations we sampled in our time there. All the drink menus we experienced were unique and put their own spin on the scene in Grand Rapids. There is a Beer City Brewsader passport you can use to track your visits, and if you’re serious about it, the Beer City Brewers Festival Pro-Am Competition is coming up in September. 

We spent some more time walking around the city during the evening, particularly enjoying all the different murals we could find. We must have casually found at least a dozen murals on our walk to dinner, and a local told us there are almost a hundred spread across the city. For dinner we ended up at Rapid River Stillhouse, which has a nice rooftop patio with city views and live music. This place has three full levels of dining with a Southern-inspired menu full of comfort food. If whiskey is your thing, the second level has a Gatlinburg-style whiskey tasting bar that’s sure to deliver good times. Rapid River distills its own whiskey just steps away. This place feels like a piece of Nashville dropped right into downtown Grand Rapids. 

Day 2: Visit Frederik Meijer Gardens, Chihuly Exhibition, Uptown Grand Rapids & Local Shopping

Nothing says summer Saturday mornings like Farmer’s Markets. Fulton Street Farmer’s Market was established over 100 years ago and is still flourishing today. Even though we got there early, the Grand Rapids community was out in force and you could feel the social connections buzzing. I’ve never seen so much fresh, local produce so perfectly displayed. There were also several stands selling handmade artisan goods. It was easy to see that the market is an integral part of the community. People were streaming in from all different directions to buy groceries, grab a bite, chat with friends, and just enjoy the atmosphere. Fulton Street Market is a testament to what grassroots activism can accomplish when it comes to supporting local agriculture and growing the social fabric of a city.  

After walking around the market, we hopped in our rental car and drove to the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Through November 1, 2026 the museum is hosting Chihuly at Meijer Gardens, the only stop in the United States for this collection. I’m not exaggerating when I say this was my favorite museum experience in the last decade. The exhibition is broken into two parts. The outdoor exhibition is included with general admission, but the indoor exhibition (called Radiant Forms) requires an add-on ticket. Definitely do both – they’re spectacular! The indoor exhibition showcases four decades of Chihuly’s work, including original drawings of pieces on display. You can see how his work integrates the use of light, color, and form and evolves over time. Outside of visiting the Chihuly Museum in Seattle, this is the closest you can be to seeing the sheer scale of the work he attempts. It’s a mesmerizing journey through the gallery until you get outside, where the exhibition takes on a whole new dimension in the natural world. Beautiful glass work spread across almost 160 acres of pristine gardens is something you just can’t help but fall in love with. From the floating orbs in water, to two-story sculptures spiraling toward the sun – this has it all. We spent a few hours discovering different parts of the park, each adorned with unique work by Chihuly. We actually had to take a break and grab lunch at the James and Shirley Balk café to rejuvenate! The café also has a beautiful installation to admire while you eat. I can’t recommend this exhibition enough, so be sure to visit if you’re in the area.

After walking most of the day, we decided to slow down and stroll around Uptown. This area is a mile east of downtown and includes four distinct business districts: Wealthy Street, East Fulton, East Hills, and Eastown. You could easily spend a whole day exploring all the shops and galleries, eating and drinking at the restaurants and pubs, or just admiring the collection of murals the neighborhood has to offer. We stopped by both Vivant Brewery and Speciation Cellars to rest, both of which are worth a stop. They both have outdoor patios to enjoy and brew great beer. Afterward we stepped in and out of several shops, with some of our favorites being Commune, Covet, Nestology, Books & Mortar, Furniture City Creamery, Art of the Table, Fox Naturals, The Counting House, MoKAYA, & Picnic on Wealthy, a garden with food trucks.

For dinner we drove back downtown and stopped at Knoop Rooftop at the Canopy Hotel. Knoop offers a menu of scratch made shareables and handhelds while overlooking downtown Grand Rapids. It has a lively atmosphere in the summer and a nice menu of cocktails to enjoy while relaxing at the end of the night.

Day 3: Discover Grand Rapids Art, Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture & Iconic Breweries

The Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) has plenty of different exhibitions and genres to appeal to anybody looking for some inspiration. GRAM has been a fixture in the community for over 100 years and continues to help build community through its educational programs and events. We especially liked the exhibit ‘Decadent Spirit: French Art at the Turn of the Century.’ It focuses on works produced in France between 1880 and 1910 and offers a unique view on how French society was navigating technological, industrial, and social change. The works cover a variety of mediums, from painting to metalwork to early film.

After the museum we grabbed coffee just up the street at Madcap Coffee. We sat at the bar and watched the baristas work while enjoying our cappuccinos and croissants. The coffee was excellent and the staff were all great. The café had a clean and cozy vibe that was easy to appreciate. If I lived downtown I’d be there often! 

Fueled up by our coffee pit stop, we next drove to the Meyer May House for a tour. This is a Frank Lloyd Wright house built in 1908 and restored to its original design in the mid 80’s. It’s considered a strong example of the Prairie Style of architecture that he helped found, highlighted by horizontal lines, open interiors, and integration with nature. The restoration took two full years and included tasks like restoring an original mural, rebuilding the roof, tearing down an addition, and recreating the interior of the house with authentic furniture. We took a tour that began with a video showing how it was restored during that time, which really gave us a greater appreciation when touring the home itself. If you’ve never toured a Frank Lloyd Wright home before, I’d highly recommend that you give it a shot. The architecture and design will be very different than any other home you’ve ever been in before.

We decided on one last beer stop in the nation’s craft beer capital before our return flight. Founders Brewing Company hardly seems like a craft brewery given the size of its tap room and distribution, but the beer list is strong. Every beer we sampled was quite good, though the food was average. It seems like a great spot to hang out before catching a show at the nearby amphitheater. The staff were very friendly and helpful and we enjoyed watching the World Cup matches before a short drive to the airport. 

Until Next Time, Grand Rapids

After three days in Grand Rapids, it’s easy to see why this city continues to surprise so many visitors. From world-class art museums to award-winning breweries, vibrant neighborhoods, and a thriving local food scene, Grand Rapids offers the perfect mix of culture, outdoor beauty, and Midwest hospitality. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or adding it to a larger Michigan road trip, this itinerary is a great starting point—and chances are you’ll leave with a list of reasons to come back and explore even more!

Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my latest blog posts on Minnesota’s Iron Range, Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, and the historic Grand View Lodge.