Looking for an under-the-radar summer getaway? Consider booking your travelers a trip to Grand Rapids. With a vibrant downtown, river-based attractions and summer temperatures that max out in the low 80s, this midsized Michigan hotspot is the perfect place to beat the heat.
Grand Rapids is perfect for lovers of the great outdoors. Travelers can boost their pulses by kayaking on the scenic Grand River or by challenging themselves to a ropes course at TreeRunner Adventure Park. Afterward, they can cool off and enjoy a forest vista on the park’s dozen ziplines. For more waterfront fun, Grand Rapids is only a 45-minute drive from the beaches of Lake Michigan.
To recharge and refuel, visitors might enjoy a waterfront picnic at Riverside Park or lunch from one of Grand Rapids’ locally-owned restaurants. Travelers can nosh on fresh salads and bowls at Anna’s House or choose from 90 sandwich options at Two Beards Deli. For a downtown retreat, travelers can also visit Ah-Nab-Awen Park, a grassy space nestled on the Grand River.
Grand Rapids offers plenty of family-friendly cultural attractions, too. People of all ages can immerse themselves in natural science and history at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. The museum, which stands on the bank of the Grand River, houses one of Michigan’s largest collections of artifacts. It currently features an exhibit on the Ice Age. As part of the exhibit, visitors can touch fossils and view bones from the era.
For more indoor fun, travelers can take a dip in The Kroc Center’s lazy river via the 28-foot waterslide.
Travelers can let melodies guide them at Frederik Meijer Gardens Summer Concert Series. Music and nature converge at this outdoor venue, which features terraced lawn seating and a garden dotted with artwork. The summer concert series comprises multiple shows a week from artists of all genres, as well as the Grand Rapids Symphony.
As for accommodations, travelers can opt to stay at the luxurious and historic Amway Grand Plaza, situated on the Grand River with easy access to downtown Grand Rapids. For those seeking a boutique property, the upscale AC Hotel Downtown is the way to go.
Whether kayaking on the Grand River, picnicking at the park or enjoying live music, Grand Rapids offers something for every traveler. If your clients are looking for a getaway this summer, be sure to keep this Michiganian hidden gem in mind.
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