Michigan is known for long, cold winter months. However, you can still get the family out and have a great time. Check out Things To Do in Grand Rapids In The Winter!
Things To Do in Grand Rapids In The Winter
Grand Rapids is your destination spot for beating the winter blues and falling in love with winter, instead! The nearby lakes lend to plenty of snowfall, making this city a true winter wonderland. Grand Rapids offers so much more than a white Christmas, though! Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or you’re making it a family affair, Grand Rapids has everything you need to make the most of wintertime.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Frederik Meijer hosts the “Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World” exhibition every year that is an absolute must-visit for the whole family! Not even the Scrooge among us could resist that Christmas feeling while soaking in nearly 400,000 lights on more than 40 international trees and displays. Be serenaded by the Original Dickens Carolers and rub the scruffy nose of a rooftop reindeer. You’ll find the celebration of all sorts of authentic holiday traditions from around the world.
Stop by the Railway Garden exhibition to round out the fun and excitement. Stroll through the unique horticultural display that incorporates garden design, miniature buildings made from natural materials, and of course the model trolleys and trains.
Grand Rapids Symphony
This community supported orchestra was established back in 1930. Enjoy the incredible sounds of a top-notch symphony inside an attractive venue called the DeVos Place. Excellent acoustics allow you to take in the full musical experience of world-class musicianship. Whether you’re looking for a classical orchestra, or hoping to see a rock band, the Symphony has it all! Including a series that features a movie played on a large screen while the symphony performs the soundtrack. Music lovers of all kinds will love the GR Symphony.
Carriage Rides
Take in the idyllic winter scenery that makes up Grand Rapids in a horse-drawn carriage. Make it a romantic ride snuggled together while enjoying the lights around town on a Friday or Saturday evening. Walk up and request a ride or make a reservation for a beautiful, relaxing ride you don’t want to miss out on. An optional narrated tour is also included. Several packages are available to reserve, including an old-fashioned sleigh ride for the family!
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is a beloved West Michigan winter pastime. Head over to Blandford Nature Center to rent some snowshoes and grab a map to route your adventure. Frederik Meijer Millennium Park also offers miles of unplowed trails, including 6 miles of frontage on the Grand River. Make sure to rent some snowshoes from Bill and Paul’s Sporthaus or purchase your own at Play It Again Sports before heading to Millennium Park.
Ice Skating at Rosa Parks Circle
What is winter without a little ice skating? Right in the heart of Grand Rapids, rent some ice skates and take a few laps around the circular outdoor rink. You’ll enjoy the beautiful displays of Christmas lights surrounding you, making it the perfect Christmastime activity. Check their schedule of events so you don’t miss out on any of the fun, including the Annual Great Skate Winterfest which benefits the Griffins Youth Foundation, or the Human Hungry Hungry Hippo Tournament. Skating lessons are also available!
Beer Tours
Grand Rapids has been voted Beer City USA in both 2012 and 2013, which is probably why it’s often referred to as a “Cool City with Great Beer.” You do not want to leave the city without warming up with the best-brewed beers! Hop on over to Founders, the 3rd best brewery in the world, or HopCat which is the #1 brewpub in the US. Take a self-guided tour of the Beer City using the Ale Trail map downloadable HERE. You’ll find over 40 local craft breweries in the Grand Rapids area, many of which offer an insider look into the whole process behind the scenes, from fermenting to bottling.
Don’t let the winter give you the blues this year! Take a trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan to chase the blues away by finding beauty in the snow, the lights, the activity, the music, and of course, the beer. During our recent trip to Grand Rapids, we tested out the 2018 Toyota C-HR XLE Premium! It’s a mix between a car and a small SUV. Even though it was on the smaller side, I didn’t feel cramped in it. Let’s talk more about the 2018 Toyota C-HR XLE Premium and what else I loved about it!
A small, yet affordable vehicle that can get you where you’re going. The 2018 Toyota C-HR XLE Premium comes with standard features, but the XLE does have some top-notch features that offer more safety and luxury. I had to admire how good this vehicle did in the Michigan snow. I say that if the vehicle can get through the snow, like a champ, then it’s a good contender for a keeper car.
Super nice interior and exterior
The exterior of the vehicle has a nice fresh design. I could get used to seeing this vehicle in my driveway. It’s definitely a vehicle that stands out, in all the right ways! The inside follows the fresh design, but is full of comfort and has lots of space. The interior of the vehicle is inspired by the diamond look. As soon as you open the driver’s door, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.
Enough technology to keep rocking your world
The 2018 Toyota C-HR XLE Premium has the technology to rock your driving world. Toyota Safety Sense is at it again, looking at for your safety and keeping you as safe as possible. Every time you turn the wheel, you’ll fall in love with the tech features in this vehicle. I think I love the dual-zone automatic climate control the most.
My husband and kids like to be cold, but I like to stay warm. No joke that I can have the heat full blast and still be cold. This dual-zone automatic climate control is an amazing part of this vehicle. Yes, the front bucket seats come with a heating feature that can help everyone stay the perfect temperature, while in the car.
In these cold Michigan winters, it sure is nice to have the push button start. The auto-folding outside mirrors are helpful when you’re trying to squeeze into a tiny parking spot. The next time you’re in a market for a vehicle, the 2018 Toyota C-HR XLE Premium is a great one to check out. It’s affordable, roomy, and an amazing vehicle to drive around town. And although it is smaller, I’ve added it to my Toyota car list. Learn more about the Toyota C-HR XLE Premium by visiting their website.
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