If your family is dreaming of a white Christmas, Grand Rapids, is the perfect snowy escape. This riverside city turns into a cozy wonderland once winter arrives — twinkling lights and frosted streets make the city glisten and glow.
At Christmas time, the coziness is amplified by scents of hot cocoa and Glüwein, or mulled wine, from the European-style Christkindl Markt, all wrapped up in a bow with the town’s impressive light shows. Combined with charming shops and cozy cafés, Grand Rapids feels straight out of a Christmas movie.
Even beyond Christmas, Grand Rapids is a family’s ideal winter getaway. There are tons of winter sports — and the World of Winter, Grand Rapids’ massive winter festival in January, if you’re looking to visit in the new year.
Read on for our guide to Grand Rapids’ best Christmas lights, festive markets and family-friendly winter adventures. And make your season extra magical by exploring:
- Some of the best Christmas towns in the Midwest
- The big holiday fun waiting for you in Frankenmuth
- A European holiday getaway right in Holland, Michigan
- Even more fun things to do in Grand Rapids
Getting to Grand Rapids
Leaving from Detroit, it typically takes two and a half hours to get to Grand Rapids via the I-96. The route is smooth and scenic, especially once snow begins to blanket the roadside pines, making it the perfect spectacle for kids in the back seat.
Though road trips can be made comfortable in the roomy interiors of Ford SUVs, it’s always nice to make a few pit stops to break up the drive. Here are some stops to check out along the way to Grand Rapids:
- Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum: These fun and interactive exhibits are the perfect break for restless kids, and only a 20-minute detour.
- MSU Dairy Store: For a quick ice cream stop, the MSU Dairy Store in East Lansing is known to have some of the best ice cream in the state. They also have coffee floats to keep parents powered through the drive.
Christmas in Grand Rapids
By late November, Grand Rapids falls under the spell of the season. Christmas in this city means two things: dazzling light displays and warm and cozy shopping experiences.
Grand Rapids’ Tree Lighting and Holiday Parade begins the season with a burst of Christmas cheer. Think: free hot cocoa, local food trucks, festive floats and plenty of kid-friendly fun make it the perfect start to the season.
Later in your trip, prepare to be blown away by ENLIGHTEN at Frederik Meijer Gardens. Returning for its second year, this show combines art, nature and lights to display the magic of Christmas — and makes for the perfect family photo or Christmas card.
Follow up the glow of ENLIGHTEN with a cozy morning at the Christkindl Markt, Grand Rapids’ recreation of a European Christmas market. Peruse the vendors for a souvenir ornament or stocking stuffer, and treat your family to one of the Grand Rapids community’s favorites: Alpine-style melted Raclette cheese sandwiches.
After enjoying a hot cocoa or mulled wine at the glass-covered beverage hall, take your best shot on the reservable curling sheets, or interact with the Christmas characters that bring the market to life.
Winter wonders beyondÂ
Christmas time in Grand Rapids is only the tip of the iceberg. There are plenty more winter activities to complete your family’s stay.
Winter sports take center stage in Grand Rapids: tubing, ice skating, skiing, snowshoeing and more. Some community favorites are skating loops at the lighted rink in Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids or racing down the tubing slopes at Cannonsburg Ski Area.Â
For indoor excitement, embrace the competitive winter spirit with a Grand Rapids Griffins hockey game. This AHL affiliate team packs a punch, promising a rowdy game sure to get your family going. Check out the Griffins’ schedule for special game nights.
Can’t get enough of Grand Rapids in winter? Extend your stay beyond Christmas for the World of Winter Festival, the largest winter celebration in the Midwest. The free festival is packed with public art, live music, theater performances and more activities that celebrate the most magical parts of the season.
Where to stay in Grand Rapids
The winter wonders of Grand Rapids attract crowds early, so it’s best to start reserving your stay as soon as possible. There are numerous hotels and cozy cabins to choose from for the perfect family getaway.
Stay close to the downtown festivities at the highly revered Amway Grand Plaza by Hilton, or the Embassy Suites by Hilton that neighbors the Christkindl Markt. There are plenty of other hotels in Grand Rapids centered around downtown to find what’s best for your family.
If a cozy winter cabin is more your style, try a quick search on Airbnb or Vrbo for cabins near Grand Rapids.
Where to eat in Grand Rapids
Downtown, try Little Bird for classic brunch and dinner dishes with an elevated touch, or head to Tupelo Honey Cafe for a southern taste of breakfast, lunch and dinner.Â
On the drinks end, Grand Rapids has earned its title as Beer City USA. Better yet, the city’s brewery scene is totally family-friendly — many local breweries welcome all ages and offer full food menus alongside their craft brews. Founders Brewing Co.’s wood-fired pizzas and Brewery Vivant’s chapel-turned-brewery are two must-visits.
For something sweet to cap off your meal, save room for the ice cream at Furniture City Creamery or the artisanal chocolates at Mokaya. A great spot for baked goods is Nantucket Baking Company, serving up breakfast pastries and dessert cakes for tasty sweets all day long.
Don’t forget — you can find even more Grand Rapids fun in our guide. And extend the holiday magic with our guide to the best Midwest Christmas towns — including more Michigan options in Holland and Frankenmuth!
This content is sponsored by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers. Visit buyfordnow.com. Find more articles like this at Metro Parent’s Ultimate Family Road Trip Guide.
