Grand Rapids is Michigan's second-largest city, built along the Grand River, and it works as a day trip because its main attractions sit within a compact downtown and a short drive southeast of it. It's known nationally for the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, a strong beer scene that earned it the 'Beer City USA' nickname in online polls, and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, which anchors the riverside downtown. Expect a mix of museum time, a large botanical/sculpture park, and a sit-down brewery meal rather than a single dominant sight.
| Distance | 150 miles from Detroit |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 2.5 hours by car via I-96 west |
| Getting there | Car on I-96 west; Greyhound/FlixBus available ($15-35, 3 hours) |
| Address | Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (downtown) |
How to get there
- Drive I-96 west
- Greyhound or FlixBus from Detroit (~3 hours)
Location
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (downtown)
42.9634, -85.6681 View on map
Highlights
- Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - a large indoor tropical conservatory paired with outdoor sculpture gardens, including works by Rodin
- Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum - downtown on the riverfront, covering Ford's presidency and the Nixon pardon
- Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) - a compact downtown art museum, easy to fit around other stops
- Grand Rapids Public Museum - local and natural history exhibits, family-oriented
- Founders Brewing Co. - a founding name in the city's craft beer reputation, with a downtown taproom
- Fulton Street Farmers Market - an outdoor market for produce and local food if visiting on a market day