Car Rental Grand Rapids

Parking in Grand Rapids

• Monroe Center Ramp (49503) is open 24/7, has 750 spaces and is close to the Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids Children's Museum and Veterans Memorial Park.
• West of the Grand River is Grand Rapids City Lot 7 (49504), which is open 24/7 and has over 450 spaces. It's also nearby Grand Rapids Public Museum, Ah-Nab-Awen Park and Apollo Space Capsule.
• Napa Lot (49503) is located close to Heartside Park, Meyer May House and Beckering Family Carillon Tower.

Key roads in Grand Rapids

• Interstate 96 (I-96) travels through the north-east part of the city and connects Grand Rapids to Michigan's state capital of Lansing.
• US Route 131 (US-131) heads along the edge of the Huron-Manistee National Forests in the north and can be followed south to Indiana.
• Interstate 196 (I-196) connects Grand Rapids to Holland and the coast of Lake Michigan.

Traffic in Grand Rapids

Rush hour traffic in the city begins to build up from 7am, calming around 9am. Afternoon and evening traffic starts at about 3pm, quietening after 6pm. Plan your trips outside this time in the center for a faster journey.

How to get from Grand Rapids to Lansing

It takes one hour to drive the 60 miles from Grand Rapids Downtown to Lansing.

1. Head north towards I-196 E out of the city.
2. After five miles, merge onto I-96 E.
3. Stay on this route for over 65 miles.
4. Use the right two lanes to take Exit 95 and I-496 E.
5. Take Exit 6 towards Downtown Lansing.
6. Turn left onto South Walnut Street to arrive.

Best hotels in Grand Rapids

JW Marriott Grand Rapids

235 Louis St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Located in Downtown, this four-star hotel is located close by Grand Rapids Art Museum and Grand Rapids Children's Museum. Several of its 300-plus rooms, across 23 floors, also offer views of the Grand River that flows gracefully below.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Grand Rapids Downtown

710 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Situated in the Belknap Lookout area, this hotel features a range of amenities. Enjoy balcony views of the Grand River from many of its rooms, a fabulous indoor pool - complete with hot tub - and a sports bar. While parking is also available for your rental car.

Courtyard by Marriott Grand Rapids Airport

4741 28th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512

If you're travelling on business and need accommodation close to Gerald Ford Airport, the Courtyard by Marriott Grand Rapids Airport is ideally placed. Contemporary rooms, social spaces and a handy business center await - plus there's free Wi-Fi.

Best restaurants in Grand Rapids

Butcher's Union

438 Bridge St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

This welcoming gastropub has a warm atmosphere and specializes in serving prime butcher's cuts, sourced from local farms. Try an eight-ounce charred flank steak with crispy onion flakes and potato gratin, or a classic half chicken and hand-cut fries.

The Green Well

924 Cherry St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Located in the city's East Hill neighborhood, The Green Well serves up classic American fare. Look out for their weekly special offer days, including Burger Tuesday, Chicken Sandwich Wednesday and Kind Veggie Burrito Thursday.

Lucy's Cafe

1747 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505

Lucy's Cafe is a charming eatery that's ideal if you're dropping by for a lighter bite, a quick lunch and has an enviable collection of entrees for dinner. Expect eggs served any way you like them, biscuits and gravy and more.

What to do in Grand Rapids

John Ball Zoo

1300 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Located on the west side of the city in John Ball Park, John Ball Zoo is home to an array of fascinating creatures. Visit tigers, grizzly bears, chimpanzees and even 50 different types of frog, to learn more about their lives. And why not book a night time walk to illuminate your trip with a special light show?

Grand Rapids Public Museum

272 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is the oldest in Michigan and aims to educate about a range of topics, through more than 250,000 artifacts. Explore Native American culture, walk around a recreation of Downtown Grand Rapids in the 1890s and marvel at the ancient Egyptian exhibits.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

This stunning garden is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and can be found east of the city, where the I-96 and I-196 meet. The 158-acre park features a beautiful botanical garden, an art museum and an outdoor sculpture park.