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If the BBC is hyping up America, you know it has to be good!
They recently featured a surprising Midwest city as a top destination that doesn’t even get the recognition it deserves stateside.
Detroit is in the midst of an epic comeback, and Mackinac Island was just named America’s top summer destination 3 years running.
Clearly, Michigan has a lot going for it right now, and even more overlooked gems are coming to light.
Despite the mundane nickname of “Furniture City”, dare we say Grand Rapids tops them all as the fabric of Michigan, at least according to BBC.
This vibrant waterfront city (yes, with a deep-rooted background in furniture manufacturing) is perhaps the Midwest’s biggest surprise for a summer escape, offering grand hotels (with a touch of controversy), outdoor thrills, and a thriving food and arts scene.
Waterfront Wonders: Riverside Delights & Lake Michigan Beaches
Lake Michigan is the ultimate loophole for vibrant, blue-water beaches. No need to fight for space with retirees in Florida or overpay for practically everything in California when there are beautiful beaches in the middle of the country.
Grand Rapids doesn’t quite hug the luscious lake, but it’s close enough to be considered a Lake Michigan destination.
In fact, it’s a great base to spend numerous beach days here. Wake up and grab breakfast at locals’ favorite Littlebird and drive just 35 minutes to Lake Michigan’s stunning shores, such as Buchanan Beach and Olive Shores, where one recent beachgoer said, “Olive Shores is a stunning hidden gem along the Lake Michigan shoreline. If you’re looking for a quiet, scenic place to relax or hike, this is a must-visit”.
Inland, lies the Grand River splitting downtown Grand Rapids, where you can enjoy numerous scenic parks nestled along the water and miles of multi-use trails perfect for walking, biking, or even fishing.
In fact, GR (as locals call it) was just featured by Sports Illustrated as an underrated fly-fishing spot, but the better question is who still reads Sports Illustrated?
Visitors to GR will find no shortage of ways to spend time outdoors, another reason this vastly under-hyped city made the cut on the BBC’s list for its splendid spring-like weather during summer.
Of course, there’s no better way to spend time outdoors in my eyes than on a scenic patio with a fresh-cooked meal and an ice-cold beer, which GR’s secondary nickname just happens to be: “Beer City, USA.”
Trendy Restaurants, Dynamic Arts & Never-Ending Breweries
‘Beer City’ has a better ring to it than ‘Furniture City, especially when there’s not even an IKEA here.
Beyond the waterways and manufacturing plants, Grand Rapids’ craft beer scene is its claim to fame.
Just as Kentucky has the ‘Bourbon Trail’, the same goes for Grand Rapids with their own rendition — Beer City Ale Trail as well as the Beer City Brewsader Passport, not to mention numerous beer-themed festivals throughout the year, such as the Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer, and Food Festival held in November.
Until then, you can grab a pint at countless popular breweries, but most notably Founders Brewing Co., The Mitten Brewing Company, and Vivant Brewery.
I doubt you’ll find anyone saying the food doesn’t match (or even exceed) the beer scene. MeXo was named “Restaurant of Year” in 2024, but many locals would likely throw Søvengård in the mix.
As for GR’s vibrant arts, you can’t help but notice the vibrant murals scattered across downtown facades and Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is an absolute must-visit.
If you happen to be an artist yourself, check out ArtPrize, a open art competition that transforms the whole city into a massive, interactive gallery for weeks in September.
Where To Stay: Grand Rapids’ Grand Hotels
You might not think of Grand Rapids as a luxury destination, and it easily couldn’t have been if it weren’t for a controversial multi-level marketing (MLM) company saving the day from a historic hotel ready to meet its demise.
Thrillist wrote a fascinating piece on the hotel’s steep history and immaculate transformation.
Now the Amway Grand Plaza, the former Pantlind Hotel has been restored to perfection and anchors downtown as an unmissable city cornerstone. For a summer stay, you can snag a room for under $200 – just lock your wallet in your room safe so you don’t fall for any pyramid schemes!
Beyond the Amway, there’s also the JW Marriott Grand Rapids and Canopy by Hilton Grand Rapids to round out upscale stays, but there are numerous budget chains under $100 too if you’re willing to stay near the airport.
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.