Getting Here & Getting Around
Getting Here
By Air:
We recommend flying into Grand Rapids, MI (Code: GRR). Delta and United have the most flights, with layovers in Chicago, Atlanta, Minneapolis, or Detroit. However, you can make it a road trip: fly into Chicago O’Hare (ORD) or Midway (MDW), rent a car, and drive 3 hours to Grand Rapids, or fly into Detroit (DTW), rent a car, and drive 2.5 hours to Grand Rapids.
Where to Stay
Hotels:
We reserved hotel blocks from Wednesday, April 7 - Monday, April 12 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and the Courtyard by Marriott Grand Rapids Downtown. Reservations within either block can be made here.
Getting Around
Grand Rapids is a small, sprawling city, so when we visit, we mostly drive because our people are all over the city. But you don’t have to. Our hotel blocks are close to the venue and lots of other amenities, making a car optional.
There are plenty of Uber and Lyft rides in Grand Rapids, particularly from the airport and in downtown. You can be confident that if you need a ride in the city center, a car will be available within 8 minutes.
From the hotels, you can rideshare or walk the Historic Blue Bridge or Pearl Street Bridge to the wedding venue. It’s about .7 miles about a 10-15 minute walk.
If you want to stroll around Downtown, it is certainly walkable, or you can hop on the “DASH” (Downtown Area Shuttle). There are stops throughout downtown; the shuttle stops every 8 minutes, and it’s free.
However, if you do get a car, we have a Hertz discount code. Enter 2187703 in the Corporate Discount Program (CDP) field.
What to see
Since you will be in Grand Rapids, you should check out the following:
Yesterdog - A Grand Rapids icon (a stop for any celebrity or politician that has done their research on Grand Rapids; Dog Years in American Pie is based on this restaurant). It’s Cash Only and no substitutions. Be clear, be confident when you order.
Blue Bridge - Great photo opportunities
Motu Viget (AKA The Tire Swing) - On the lawn behind the Gerald R. Ford Federal Building, my (Marla) teenage years were spent hanging with friends late at night here.
Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park - Art and nature are on full display at this 158-acre botanical garden, art museum, and outdoor sculpture park.
Beer City Ale Trail! Grand Rapids is Beer City USA, with over 40 craft breweries within 25 minutes of downtown. You can find the brewery for national favorite Founders beer and find some new favorites.
