Hotel at a Glance: Holiday Inn Grand Rapids - Airport

At the Holiday Inn Grand Rapids - Airport, guests can stay in a place of comfort close to some of Grand Rapids’ memorable attractions. Thanks to the hotel’s 24-hour local shuttle, guests can explore the area and visit places like the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Lake Michigan Beaches.

• Grab a bite at the hotel’s restaurant Grille 29, or relax with a drink at the cocktail lounge.
• Take a dip in the large indoor pool.
• Break a sweat in the 24-hour fitness center.
• Explore local attractions like the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, home to walking trails, sculptures, and botanical displays.

Grand Rapids, Michigan: Scenic Riverwalk and Thriving Arts Scene

Four Great Lakes surround Michigan, so most places in the hand-shaped state aren’t very far from water, and this is certainly true of Grand Rapids. The state’s second-largest city, it sits about 30 minutes from Lake Michigan, and it takes its name from the free-flowing Grand River that cuts through town. The river helped put Grand Rapids on the map as a transportation center. Over the years, though, the city has reinvented itself; there’s now a livelier downtown area with gleaming office buildings, shopping boutiques, and a scenic river walk, all of which helped Grand Rapids top our list of the best US destinations in 2015.

The city has also worked to emphasize its arts and culture scene. The Grand Rapids Art Museum was relocated to a sleek, eco-friendly building in 2007. Inside, the museum has an extensive collection of 19th- and 20th-century paintings, sculptures, and furniture pieces. The Grand Rapids Public Museum is also well worth a visit; its exhibits include a re-creation of 1890s Grand Rapids and an early 20th-century carousel dubbed one of America’s Best by Travel + Leisure. The brilliantly painted carousel is one of only three of its style ever made. It sits within a glass building that juts out over a river.