Grand Rapids, Michigan, calls family travelers for summer vacation. The city is home to museums, a thriving culinary scene and outdoor attractions perfect for a family getaway.
Book a stay at historic Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. First opened in 1913, the hotel underwent renovations in 2015 and boasts 682 guestrooms and suites.
© Experience Grand Rapids
There is plenty to see and do during your Grand Rapids trip. Experience the city’s food truck culture. Peak food-truck season begins in May with a kick-off party featuring more than 40 food trucks, as well as a beer tent and live entertainment. Head to Gerald R. Ford International Airport Viewing Park on Wednesday during the summer, where a variety of food trucks sell their offerings while you watch planes land and depart.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park celebrates its 30th anniversary this year with an array of special programming. Other options for nature lovers include John Ball Zoo, home to more than 2,000 animals, and Blandford Nature Center, boasting 140 acres of woods and trails.
© Experience Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Public Museum features an authentic 1928 carousel (closed for renovations through fall 2025), planetarium and permanent exhibits. Bring the kids to the recently reopened Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, with a variety of hands-on exhibits and play-based learning activities.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedHotels
Apr 15, 20268 Hotels to Consider for International Tea Day Travel
Celebrate International Tea Day May 21 with family travel to these properties around the world offering standout tea service experiences.
Sponsored Content
Discover the Azores & Madeira: Portugal’s Island Paradises Await
Embrace the Portugal’s Magical Islands of the Azores and Madeira
Hotels
Apr 14, 2026IHG Properties for World Cup Stays
Millions of fans are expected to travel for this year’s FIFA World Cup, taking place throughout North America this summer. With 11 host cities in the United States, the event gives family travelers the perfect reason to plan a soccer-focused getaway. IHG Hotels & Resorts boasts properties in and around these host cities, ideal for multi-city World Cup travel.
Cruises
Apr 14, 2026Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration Key is First Cruise Destination to Earn KultureCity Sensory Inclusion Certification
Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration Key in Grand Bahama was recently certified as the first cruise destination to earn KultureCity’s prestigious sensory inclusion certification. KultureCity, a non-profit organization training staff and certifying venues with sensory-inclusive modifications, partnered with Carnival Cruise Line for six years.
Sponsored Content
Board a Nile River Cruise with A&K Sanctuary
If Agatha Christie took a Nile voyage today, we like to think she would do it aboard one of our A&K Sanctuary riverboats — consistently voted the best on the river, from boutique cruisers to a handsome six-suite dahabiya.
Hotels
Apr 13, 2026Two Family Escapes Where the Water Park Is Included
With travel costs on the rise, family travelers may be rethinking their spring and summer getaways and seeking out destinations where the built-in entertainment is included. Instead of adding expensive tickets and excursions, look for resorts that deliver high-impact experiences with water parks and activities all included in the stay. Two options, in The Bahamas and Orlando, offer just that:
ShareThis