Are you looking for activities for a fun Grand Rapids spring break? These are some of the most recommended places to visit and things to do when visiting Grand Rapids in the spring.
Planning a trip to Grand Rapids is super exciting! If you’re anything like me, you’re here because you love to research and plan your trip ahead of time. As a Michigander and lifelong resident of Grand Rapids, I am giving you a list of the best things to do during a Grand Rapids spring break.
You are going to learn about places to visit like Frederik Meijer Gardens, the Grand Rapids Public Museum, the Gerald R. Ford Museum, John Ball Zoo, and several outdoor activities. After learning about these places, you are going to be ready for your next Michigan travel adventure!
This post is my 13 activities for a fun Grand Rapids spring break.
Grand Rapids Spring Break Activities
Grand Rapids Michigan is a great place to visit for family fun. There are a variety of things to do, and in the spring there are tons of different places, whether indoors or outdoors, to explore. Check out the list below to get ideas when planning your Grand Rapids spring break vacation (or staycation)!
1. Frederik Meijer Gardens
One of my all time favorite places to visit in Grand Rapids is Frederik Meijer Gardens. The outdoor sculpture park is incredible. The expansive outdoor space includes an interactive play area for children, a Japanese garden, farm house, and the famous DaVinci horse. I love taking my time walking around the different sculptures, soaking in the beauty of the surrounding trees and sounds of birds, all while admiring beautiful works of art.
In the spring, the Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies are Blooming exhibition takes place in the indoor tropical conservatory. The exhibition runs March 1 through April 30, perfect for a spring break visit. There are 7,000 tropical butterflies and 60 different species! The tropical conservatory is so magical with all of the butterflies flying around. There’s a good chance you’ll get to experience a butterfly landing on you, wishing you good luck!
2. Grand Rapids Public Museum
The Grand Rapids Public Museum is a great family-friendly place to learn the history of Grand Rapids, as well as exploring unique exhibits. My all time favorite part of the museum is the old city of Grand Rapids. You can walk through old downtown, see Victorian store windows, ride a Victorian style bicycle, and even sit in a train station. If you’re lucky, the printing press might be open!
Within the museum, is the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium. They offer several planetarium shows to explore constellations and planets, and sometimes concerts! I love going to these shows. They are super affordable and educational. It’s the perfect place for a day date too.
3. Gerald R. Ford Museum
Next up on my list of activities for a fun Grand Rapids spring break is the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. Fun fact, the 38th president of the United States grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan! This museum offers a lot of educational exhibits surrounding President Ford, the U.S. government, and politics. There is even a replica of the oval office! If you’re interested in learning historical facts when visiting a museum, this is the one for you.
4. Reeds Lake
If you’re looking for something to do for free and outdoors, check out Reeds Lake. Located in East Grand Rapids, this beautiful inland lake is a must see in the spring. Take a walk around the lake, you’ll see beautiful homes and wetlands. The waterfront park is perfect for picnics and relaxation. Kayaks are available for rent, or bring your own to explore the lake directly from the water.
Next door is Rose’s, a cozy and classic East Grand Rapids restaurant. They offer a variety of American style dishes, and have indoor and outdoor seating. If it’s warm enough during your visit, I recommend sitting on the patio to enjoy the spectacular views of the lake.
5. John Ball Zoo
As a native of Grand Rapids, I have to say, our local zoo has grown immensely over the years. What used to be a very small park has now grown into a substantial zoo but still small enough to visit in just one day. John Ball Zoo opens for the season on March 24, just in time for spring break. My favorite animals to see are the kangaroos and penguins! There are also lions, tigers, bears, and monkeys. In the past they’ve offered special exhibits with koalas, red pandas, and stingrays. Check out their website before you plan your visit to see what special animals might be in town!
6. Millennium Park
As one of the nation’s largest urban parks, Millennium Park is a great place to visit in the spring. If you have a later spring break, this park is a good option as it doesn’t open until May. The open season is from May to October. This expansive outdoor park offers trails for walking, running, and biking, a six-acre beach, splash pad, and boat rentals. I love coming to this park for walks in the spring and summer. You might even see a bald eagle!
7. Tree Runner Grand Rapids
If you’re looking for something unique to do, check out Tree Runner Grand Rapids. This park offers a variety of ropes courses, obstacle courses, and zip lines. A fun activity for the whole family. They open April 21, just in time for spring break! I love to do ropes courses because it takes me out of my comfort zone and often involves trusting myself and those around me. I highly recommend checking this place out!
8. Tarry Hall Roller Rink
I can’t believe it, but roller skating is back in style! Tarry Hall has been around for decades! A Grand Rapids staple for kids and adults alike, this place is a must visit. They offer fun themed skates throughout the year including skating with princesses, black out nights, and have spaces available for parties. Spend the afternoon here with the whole family. Check out their website for an updated schedule of events.
9. Craig’s Cruisers
Craig’s Cruisers offers so many fun activities! They have go karts, miniature golf, laser tag, arcade games, and bumper boats. Recently, they added a trampoline park! I recommend making this a whole day event, and have a pizza party for lunch! They offer special rates for large groups and parties too.
10. Clique Lanes Bowling
A classic bowling alley to check out in Grand Rapids is Clique Lanes. A landmark of the westside, this bowling alley has two floors of bowling! I love this location too because it’s retro style makes you feel like you’re stepping back in time. This is a great family friendly place for a fun Grand Rapids spring break activity.
11. The Mud Room
If you’re feeling artsy, check out The Mud Room. I love going to this place when I want to do a creative activity. When you arrive, you’ll choose from a variety of pottery options from figurines, plates, mugs, and more. Then you’ll get to choose how you want to paint it. If you’re visiting from out of town, I suggest doing the wood sign activity because you’ll be able to take it home with you the same day. If you are a resident of Grand Rapids, you’ll be able to paint pottery and pick it up in a week or two. They also offer potter’s wheel classes!
12. Grand Rapids Public Library
The Grand Rapids Public Library is a great place to check out free, family friendly activities. There is always something going on at the library! You can search their website for activities based on your child’s age, or search their calendar of events. They offer reading programs for little ones, and often have activities planned out just for spring break. If you’re having a staycation spring break, the library is the perfect place to visit.
13. Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park
Another great animal park worth visiting is Boulder Ridge. This park is just outside of Grand Rapids, in Alto, Michigan. Like the name states, there are more wild animals at this park like giraffes and zebras. Note that their open season is May through October, so for some people, it may be closed during their spring break. My favorite things to do at this park are feeding the giraffes and going into the bird enclosure.
Grand Rapids has so much to offer these days! There are a variety of activities to choose from, and there’s something for everyone. A perfect spring break for me is a combination of rest and relaxation along with fun-filled activities. I also love having free things to do mixed into the itinerary, to stay on budget. I hope this list gives you some ideas as you plan your own Grand Rapids spring break vacation!
If you’re looking for more Grand Rapids ideas, including where to eat and shop, check out my post of top things to do in Grand Rapids.
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