Free Things to Do in Grand Rapids
Discover the vibrant city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, without breaking the bank with our guide to “15 Free Things to Do.” From art installations to outdoor adventures, this post unveils budget-friendly activities that showcase the city’s cultural richness and natural beauty. Explore the renowned Frederik Meijer Gardens, stroll through the heart of downtown to experience public art, or immerse yourself in the serene surroundings of Millennium Park—all without spending a dime. Whether you’re a local seeking new experiences or a traveler on a budget, Grand Rapids offers an array of cost-free attractions that promise both enjoyment and discovery.
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Outdoor Fun!
Grand Rapids has become one of the most walkable cities in the Midwest.
Here is a myriad of places to stretch your legs and see what Grand Rapids is all about:
- Kent County Parks: Kent County Parks offer 50 picnic areas, 17 open picnic shelters, and seven enclosed shelters. Their website is extensive and each facility carries unique and varied possibilities for an enjoyable afternoon.
- The GR Walks App: This is a free mobile app that provides access to self-guided tours exploring local art, culture, history, neighborhoods, and more within the Grand Rapids region.
- Disc Golf: Grand Rapids is acclaimed as one of the top 15 disc golf cities in the nation. The latest rage in outdoor recreation is disc golf! It’s fun for all ages and abilities and doesn’t cost much to get started.
- Grand Rapids Splash Pads: With 15 public splash pads across the city offering free admission from June 9 to September 10 (including July 4), there is always a place to cool off in Grand Rapids!
- Fish Ladder Park: Designed by artist Joseph Kinnebrew, this functional piece of architectural artwork serves many purposes. Its practical use is to allow migrating fish to find a way around the powerful water flow from the Grand River. The sculpture also allows visitors to watch the fish jump up the “ladder.”
- Free Fitness Classes: Many classes, courtesy of Grand Rapids Recreation’s Free Outdoor Fitness Series, are back for their eighth year! Enjoy staying in shape with a summer of cardio, dance, and yoga classes at parks and public spaces across Grand Rapids. Classes run for 15 or 17 weeks starting May 15. All you have to do is drop in—no registration is required! For a lineup of events and locations, visit their website.
Walk the Dog!
Bring Fido for some fun exercise at area dog parks! Here are a few of the many options:
- Covell Dog Park: This one-acre, off-leash area offers plenty of room for your pup to play. However, please be aware that there are no separate areas for small and large dogs.
- Cambridge Park: This 10 acre neighborhood park serves as the recreational and social focus of the neighborhood. It offers a picnic shelter with tables, a soccer field, and ball diamond.
- Downtown West Side Dog Park: A fenced-in park features seating, shade, and a colorful mural of dogs completed by a local artist. Pets must be spayed or neutered and need to be current on their vaccinations.
- Hillcrest Dog Park: This 10 to 20 acre park is located on the northeast side of Grand Rapids and offers separately fenced areas for small and large dogs. Amenities include an expanded entryway, benches, shaded areas, a seasonal water station, and waste bags. A wooded nature path is also available with optional nature play from recycled city trees that have fallen. Also at the park are a ball diamond, soccer field, and parking.
Music Soothes the Soul, and free concerts can’t be beat!
Nothing screams “summer” quite like an outdoor concert! So, grab a blanket and a basket of treats and enjoy these free concerts.
- Sounds of Summer @ Cutler Park: 6701 Cutler Park Dr SW, Grand Rapids, Thursday evenings, 7 p.m., during the month of July.
- City of Wyoming’s Concert in the Park: Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St SW, Wyoming, Tuesday nights at 6-8 p.m.
- Rosa Parks Circle: Relax at Rosa gives workers the opportunity to step away from their desks, get out of the office, and enjoy the benefits of working in a vibrant Downtown. The lunch break is from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. every Thursday from May 4 to September 28. This is a dog-friendly event and will feature live music.
- Summer Concert Series in Kentwood: On the lawn behind Kentwood City Hall, the Summer Concert Series Concerts take place on Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:30pm and feature a variety of food trucks. Come early and check out the Kentwood Farmers Market which takes place next door in parking lot behind Kentwood City Hall from 4:30-7:30pm. Concertgoers are also welcome to bring their own beer or wine to the show.
Outdoor Movies
- East Grand Rapids Movies in the Park: Free family-friendly entertainment on the shores of Reeds Lake. Movies will be shown on an inflatable screen at dusk. Come early for the best seat and bring your own lawn chair or blanket.
- Movies on the Lawn at the Grand Rapids Public Library: Bring a chair or blanket and join us for an outdoor family movie! Free refreshments and a take-home craft will also be available.
Arty Smarty!
- The Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives: Centrally located in the heart of downtown, GRAAMA has been the ideal setting for unique and memorable exhibits and events. The museum offers a wide range of lectures, concerts, readings, performances, symposia, films, workshops, and more throughout the year. Most events are open to the public and free, but there are, from time to time, special events GRAAMA hosts that may require the purchase of tickets.
- Grand Rapids Art Museum: Enjoy free general admission at the Grand Rapids Art Museum during Meijer Free Tuesdays (Noon to 6 p.m.) and Thursday nights (5 to 9 p.m.).
- St. Francis of Assisi Sculpture Garden: The garden pathway illustrates the life of St. Francis of Assisi in 17 bronze statues throughout 11 acres of natural beauty. The pathway is ADA-wheelchair accessible. The Saint Francis Sculpture Garden is a continuous evolution of art and nature, with plans for new garden sites, sculptures, meditation areas, and ongoing landscape design changes, including a new east-to-west 150-foot bridge installation.
Nature
- The Grand Rapids City Parks: There are over 70 city-owned parks providing over 2,000 acres of public space. Each park has unique features and amenities. The various trails and natural areas offer a serene escape from the bustle of Grand Rapids. From wooded natural pathways to wetland boardwalks and paved multi-use paths, trails can be enjoyed year-round.
- Calvin Ecosystems Preserve and Nature Gardens: Located at Calvin College, the Calvin Ecosystem Preserve and Native Gardens is a one-of-a-kind oasis in the city of Grand Rapids. The preserve’s excess of over 100 acres of native plants and natural habitats offer boundless opportunities to explore and connect with nature.
Look Locally
Grand Rapids’ local institutions offer many enjoyable hours of entertainment and events!
- Gerald R. Ford Airport Viewing Area: The viewing park, situated on Kraft Avenue, north of 52nd Street, is the ideal place to watch aircraft take off and land at Gerald R. Ford International Airport. It’s especially popular during the summer months when dozens of “bird-watchers” flock to watch the planes come and go. The airport viewing park provides unmatched entertainment for aviation buffs and families. This newly renovated space provides a pavilion with permanent restroom facilities and filtered drinking fountains, an abundance of picnic tables, and seating availability.
- The Grand Rapids Public Library: With eight branches throughout the city, there’s always something to do at the library—including arts and crafts, book clubs, games, storytimes, movies, author talks, lectures, workshops, and readings. The Grand Rapids History Center is a realm unto itself, with many mind-opening resources to wile away a rainy day. The GRPL also utilizes mobile library visits throughout the region.
Time to Get Festive
The list of festivals held in Grand Rapids is ever-changing and suitable for everyone!
- ArtPrize– the world’s largest public art event.
- See the country’s funniest people take the stage (and raise money to fight cancer) for LaughFest
- Kick off summer with the three-day Festival of the Arts
- Discover an unexpected side of cold weather during the weeks-long World of Winter Festival
Read the full list of fun summer festivals- here!
A trip to beautiful Grand Rapids is more than worth your vacation time—the memories, alone, will be worth it!
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Make a weekend of it!
Carmelitta Tiffany
“Carmelitta Tiffany is a semi-retired journalist living a quiet life in rural West Michigan. She’s an avid gardener, voracious reader, and enjoys spending lots of time with her dog, MissDottie, and her grandson Henry. She serves those needing “wordy” advice through her business, West MI Editorial Services.
