Visit Grand Rapids.
When you deplane at Gerald R. Ford International Airport, you’re just 13 miles east from everything Grand Rapids has to offer. You can call a cab or hop on The Rapid to head into town, but renting a car may offer you the freedom and flexibility you crave when you visit somewhere new. However you choose to get around town, you’ll want to get going as soon as you land.
Grand Rapids is a growing city that has managed to retain its small-town feel. You’ll find seasonal attractions all year long, from arts and music festivals to ice skating downtown. Of course, there’s also fun to be had that doesn’t depend on the season. Walk through Heritage Hill, a neighborhood known as one of the largest urban historic districts in the United States. After exploring the unique architecture in this area, you’re just a five-minute walk from downtown and more sight-seeing opportunities.
Spending time in downtown Grand Rapids is a must while you visit. For fans of brewery culture, there are a number of tours to enjoy. The local food scene has plenty to explore, too. Thanks to the proximity to Lake Michigan and ideal agricultural conditions, visitors can have an authentic farm-to-fork experience. Many local restaurants boast that they use the freshest ingredients provided by local farmers, with which they craft quality dishes that keep people coming back for more.
Lovers of architecture and design should head to the east of downtown, though, to visit the historic Heritage Hill neighborhood—the first neighborhood in Grand Rapids. On an afternoon walk in the area, you can see homes dating back to the 1840s representing over 60 architectural styles, including the Meyer May House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Take a tour of this Prairie School gem and see for yourself why its 1980s restoration is widely considered to be the most complete, accurate restoration of a Wright design.
Get your Midwestern adventure started by booking a flight to Grand Rapids with Southwest®. Southwest Airlines flies to Gerald R. Ford International Airport, making it easy to embark on your adventure. And when you book with Southwest, you can book with confidence, knowing that the process will be simple from flight selection to checkout. We know that having a great trip is about more than finding a convenient flight and deals on airfare. Learn more about the Southwest® Experience and book your upcoming flight to Grand Rapids.
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Find flightsThings to do in Grand Rapids.
- Aman Parks
- Riverside Park
- Rosa Parks Circle
- Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
- Grand Rapids Public Museum
- Urban Institute of Contemporary Arts
- Grand Rapids Ballet Company
- Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
- Grand Rapids Music Trail