Things To Do in Grand Rapids In The Winter

Michigan is known for long, cold winter months. However, you can still get the family out and have a great time. Check out Things To Do in Grand Rapids In The Winter!

Things To Do in Grand Rapids In The Winter

Grand Rapids is your destination spot for beating the winter blues and falling in love with winter instead!

The nearby lakes lend to plenty of snowfall, making this city a true winter wonderland. Grand Rapids offers so much more than a white Christmas, though!

Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or you’re making it a family affair, Grand Rapids has everything you need to make the most of wintertime.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Frederik Meijer hosts the “Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World” exhibition every year that is an absolute must-visit for the whole family!

Not even the Scrooge among us could resist that Christmas feeling while soaking in nearly 400,000 lights on more than 40 international trees and displays.

Be serenaded by the Original Dickens Carolers and rub the scruffy nose of a rooftop reindeer. You’ll find the celebration of all sorts of authentic holiday traditions from around the world.

Stop by the Railway Garden exhibition to round out the fun and excitement. Stroll through the unique horticultural display, which incorporates garden design, miniature buildings made from natural materials, and, of course, model trolleys and trains.

Grand Rapids Symphony

This community-supported orchestra was established back in 1930. Enjoy the incredible sounds of a top-notch symphony inside an attractive venue called the DeVos Place.

Excellent acoustics allow you to take in the full musical experience of world-class musicianship.

Whether you’re looking for a classical orchestra or hoping to see a rock band, the Symphony has it all! Including a series that features a movie played on a large screen while the symphony performs the soundtrack. Music lovers of all kinds will love the GR Symphony.

Carriage Rides

Take in the idyllic winter scenery of Grand Rapids in a horse-drawn carriage. Make it a romantic ride snuggled together while enjoying the lights around town on a Friday or Saturday evening.

Walk up and request a ride, or make a reservation for a beautiful, relaxing ride you won’t want to miss. An optional narrated tour is also included. Several packages are available, including an old-fashioned sleigh ride for the family!

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is a beloved West Michigan winter pastime. Head to Blandford Nature Center to rent snowshoes and grab a map to plan your route.

Frederik Meijer Millennium Park also offers miles of unplowed trails, including 6 miles along the Grand River. Rent snowshoes from Bill and Paul’s Sporthaus or buy your own at Play It Again Sports before heading to Millennium Park.

Ice Skating at Rosa Parks Circle

What is winter without a little ice skating? Right in the heart of Grand Rapids, rent some ice skates and take a few laps around the circular outdoor rink.

You’ll enjoy the beautiful displays of Christmas lights surrounding you, making it the perfect Christmastime activity.

Check their schedule of events so you don’t miss out on any of the fun, including the Annual Great Skate Winterfest, which benefits the Griffins Youth Foundation, or the Human Hungry Hungry Hippo Tournament. Skating lessons are also available!

Beer Tours

Grand Rapids has been voted Beer City USA in both 2012 and 2013, which is probably why it’s often called a “Cool City with Great Beer.” You do not want to leave the city without warming up with the best-brewed beers! Hop on over to Founders, the 3rd-best brewery in the world, or HopCat, the #1 brewpub in the US. Take a self-guided tour of the Beer City using the Ale Trail map downloadable HERE. You’ll find over 40 local craft breweries in the Grand Rapids area, many of which offer an insider look into the whole process behind the scenes, from fermenting to bottling.