Southwest Travel Guide
Grand Rapids
Popular places to visit
John Ball Zoo
Visit the native and exotic animals who live at John Ball Zoo during your trip to Grand Rapids. Experience the area's acclaimed theatre scene and great live music.
Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
Let your kids run wild at the sand pits and tree house while you inspect the sculptures and floral displays in this park’s various gardens.
Van Andel Arena
Catch an event at Van Andel Arena during your trip to Grand Rapids. Experience the area's acclaimed theatre scene or attend a sporting event.
Gerald R. Ford Museum
Take a holographic tour of Ford’s White House and see a piece of the Berlin Wall in this tribute to the 38th president in the town where he was raised.
Grand Rapids Art Museum
The sleek design of the modernist building reflects the gorgeous contemporary artworks within. Learn how to make art fun in the workshops and camps.
Heritage Hill Historic District
Lining the streets of this old residential area are more than 1,000 houses of 60 different designs. Spot Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece among these historic homes.
Things to do
Fun Gnocchi Making Class With local Chef in Grand Rapids
An Epic Scavenger Hunt: Grand Rapids Michigan
Top hotels in Southwest
Sonesta Hotel Grand Rapids Airport
Used the airport shuttle, no issues. Coffee maker was pitiful. Breakfast was expensive and not open for long. Can’t comment on staff, hardly saw them.
Reviewed on 25 Apr 2026
Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton
We stayed in the Arizona sweet. Doors to our bedroom were locked. We were unable to get a rollaway. They brought wet sheets and blankets. The amenities were subpar in the room. The pool and space was disgusting with hair floating all in pool and around the pool deck.
Reviewed on 26 Apr 2026
Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown by IHG
My stay at Holiday Inn downtown Grand Rapids was great and very comfortable. They offered a breakfast buffet for $16.99, but we did not check it out. This hotel was clean, the staff was great, and they offered a free shuttle bus to downtown events. I recommend this hotel and I will stay here ...
Reviewed on 20 Apr 2026
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Grand Rapids East, MI
The hotel nice and clean , excellent breakfast choices.
Reviewed on 25 Apr 2026
Hampton Inn & Suites Grand Rapids Downtown
It's a beautiful place! Breakfast and staff were great.
Reviewed on 24 Apr 2026
WoodSpring Suites Grand Rapids Kentwood
If you ever wondered what the worst hotel experience was like, let me introduce you to this woodspring suites. The entire weekend we were there, the hotel smelled like a mix between a hotboxed car and serious body odor. As you enter the locked double doors after the “lobby area” you immediately feel ...
Reviewed on 26 Apr 2026
Other neighbourhoods around Southwest
Roosevelt Park
If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Roosevelt Park and surrounding area, you can visit Downtown Market and Van Andel Arena.
Heartside
Heartside is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Van Andel Arena and Grand Rapids Children's Museum while in the area.
Black Hills
If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Black Hills and surrounding area, you can visit John Ball Zoo and Downtown Market.
Heritage Hill
While visiting Heritage Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Heritage Hill Historic District and Meyer May House.
Garfield Park
Garfield Park might not have many top sights, but Downtown Market and Grand Rapids Children's Museum are two attractions nearby that you can check out.
Downtown Grand Rapids
While visiting Downtown Grand Rapids, you might make a stop by sights like Broadway Grand Rapids and DeVos Performance Hall.
