35 Fun Date Ideas in Grand Rapids, MI

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Are you looking for some fun date ideas in Grand Rapids, MI? This list of grand Rapids couples activities is here to help! When in this western Michigan city, you'll discover an array of cool attractions, romantic restaurants, trendy bars, and much more to visit with your other half.

Some places to add to your date list include the spa at Amway Grand Plaza, the Fulton Street Farmers Market, and GRNoir Wine & Jazz Bar. Keep reading for 35 of the best date ideas in and around Grand Rapids!

• 35 Grand Rapids date ideas

35 Fun Date Ideas in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Romantic Things to Do in Grand Rapids for Couples

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Stay at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel

If you and your other half are visiting Grand Rapids for a romantic trip, treating yourselves to a room at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel is a must!

The luxury hotel features sophisticated rooms, plus fine dining restaurants, bars, a spa, and many other amenities. This hotel is also pet-friendly if you're bringing a pup or other pet with you.

Relax at the spa at Amway Grand Plaza

Unwinding with some spa treatments at the Amway Grand Plaza hotel is one of the most romantic things to do in Grand Rapids, MI. Both those staying at the hotel and non-guests can book treatments at the spa.

Treatment options include various massages and facials as well as manicures and pedicures. You can even opt for a wine pedicure, complete with a wine foot soak!

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Stroll around the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

One of the prettiest places to go for a romantic walk in Grand Rapids is the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. The 158-acre park features beautiful plant displays and many unique sculptures. Wandering around allows you to unwind, enjoy the fresh air, and find many places to take cute pictures together.

Plan a day at Robinette's Apple Haus & Winery

One of the romantic things to do in Grand Rapids, Michigan, during the day is going to Robinette's Apple Haus & Winery to stroll through the orchards and taste some local wine and cider. During some parts of the year, U-Pick is also available. Fruits on offer include cherries, peaches, apricots, and apples.

Sip wine and listen to jazz at GRNoir Wine & Jazz

GRNoir Wine & Jazz is a great romantic date night spot. At the wine bar, you can order from an extensive menu of white, red, rose, and sparkling wine. Small plate dishes for sharing are available too. While enjoying your drinks in the evening on Wednesdays, you can also listen to live jazz.

Grand Rapids Date Night Ideas

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Attend an event at Van Andel Arena

Van Andel Arena is a 12,000-capacity venue that hosts concerts and other events. Things to see include concerts and performances like Disney on Ice.

You can also watch local sports teams play, including the Grand Rapids Gold G League team and the Grand Rapids Griffins American Hockey League team. You'll find no shortage of fun events to attend together at Van Andel Arena!

Share tapas at San Chez

San Chez is a cozy tapas spot that's perfect for a dinner date. You and your partner can choose from a vast selection of small plates, including many vegetarian options. Paella is also available, as are delicious desserts like tres leches cake.

You can accompany your meal with wine, beer, cocktails, or sangria, and happy hour offers run in the afternoon and early evening.

Sip cocktails at Buffalo Traders Lounge

Another of the fun date night ideas in Grand Rapids, MI, is getting drinks at the trendy Buffalo Traders Lounge. The speakeasy-style bar has an extensive cocktail list, with a range of signature house cocktails, classics, and seasonal specials. Craft beer is also available if your date isn't a fan of cocktails.

Grab beers at Brewery Vivant

Brewery Vivant is a trendy bar and eatery housed within a former chapel. The brewery has an extensive beer menu, and beer flights are available. You can also get cocktails and cider, and a range of bar snacks and pub dishes are on offer.

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Go to a show at DeVos Performance Hall

If you want to plan a memorable date night in Grand Rapids, MI, going to a show at the DeVos Performance Hall is a must. Performances to see at the theater include tribute band shows and dance performances like ballets, among many other events.

Experience the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra

Another performance to see at DeVos Performance Hall with your date is a Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra concert. A range of shows can be seen with many guest artists featured.

While most shows are in the evening, the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra also hosts some daytime events, like Beethoven's First - Coffee Classics hosted in the mornings at St. Cecilia Music Center.

Watch the Grand Rapids Ballet

The Grand Rapids Ballet is a performing arts company that puts on fantastic ballet performances. Taking your date to one of the company's shows makes for a memorable night out. You can see an array of shows, from Romeo and Juliet to the Nutcracker during the holidays.

Spend an evening at Steel Cat Bar

Steel Cat Bar is a cool place to spend an evening with your other half in Grand Rapids. At the bar, you'll find a range of beers on tap, including seasonal specialties. There's also a cocktail menu that includes fun shots, and drink deals are available every day. Events like live music nights with DJs are hosted weekly as well.

Cute Date Ideas in Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Snap photos with the LOVE Sculpture

Located downtown, the LOVE sculpture is a public artwork by artist Robert Indiana. It features the letters for the word love in a pop art style. When downtown, stopping by the sculpture to take pictures with your loved one is a cute thing to do that can't be missed!

Get sweet treats at Love's Ice Cream & Chocolate

Love's Ice Cream & Chocolate is the perfect place to pick up some sweet treats with your other half. This ice cream shop has something for everyone, with options like dairy-free and nut-free ice creams. Just a few of the flavors to try include almond toffee crunch, coconut fudge ripple, and milk chocolate brownie.

Shop at Fulton Street Farmers Market

Opened in 1922, the Fulton Street Farmers Market remains a much-loved attraction over 100 years later. It also makes a great place to explore with your date!

Vendors sell various locally produced products, and the market is a fun place to go shopping if you and your date plan to make dinner together. You can also find some florists at the market, so you can treat your date to a pretty bouquet.

Look around the Grand Rapids Downtown Market

Going to the Grand Rapids Downtown Market is another of the couples activities in Grand Rapids that allows you to discover local food vendors. This indoor market has merchants selling ready-to-eat items, and there are also some sit-down eateries.

Things on offer range from ice cream and gourmet popcorn outlets to restaurants serving tacos, sushi, poke bowls, and more. If you and your date can't decide on what to get for lunch or an early evening meal, heading to Grand Rapids Downtown Market will give you lots of options!

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Walk along the riverfront

A laid-back thing to do with your date on a nice day is taking a walk along the riverfront. There are scenic tree-lined paths along the riverfront that offer beautiful views of the Grand River. You'll also pass the fun Blue Bridge, which often has art installations along it.

Skate on the ice rink at Rosa Parks Circle

Heading to Rosa Parks Circle to go ice skating is one of the cutest winter date ideas in Michigan. The rink is generally open from December through February.

Skate sessions last an hour and a half, and skate rentals are free with admission if you don't have your own pair. The rink is open throughout the day, but going in the evening is a great idea to enjoy a skate under the stars.

Have brunch at Little Bird

Little bird is a cute place to share brunch with your other half on the weekend or even on a weekday morning. Menu options at the family-owned bistro include bread pudding French toast sticks, overnight oats, and omelets. Alcoholic drinks, as well as coffee, tea, and various juices, are also available.

Pick fruit at Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm

Visiting Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm is another of many cute date ideas in Grand Rapids, MI. At the farm, you can pick fruits like strawberries, cherries, and apples. There's also a charming farm shop with lots of locally produced items, and you can get seasonal treats during the year, like cocoa flights or reindeer ice cream cones!

Chat with a coffee in an igloo at Outside Coffee Co!

There are many places to go on a coffee date in Grand Rapids, with one of the cutest options being Outside Coffee Co. Once you pick up your coffee from the food truck-style coffee bar, you can hang out in a heated igloo, chatting with your date outdoors no matter the weather!

Paint pottery at the Mud Room

Couples that like crafts can plan a cute and laid-back date painting pottery at the Mud Room. You'll be able to choose from various pieces of pottery and then customize them with your own pair designs. Those wanting more of a challenge can also take a pottery wheel class to create their own piece of pottery before painting it.

Best Date Ideas in Grand Rapids, Michigan

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View exhibits at the Grand Rapids Public Museum

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is a Michigan landmark that's interesting to explore with your partner. The museum sits right on the Grand River and has exhibits on the area's history, with some science topics also covered. After wandering around the museum, you and your date can take a scenic stroll along the river.

See wildlife at the Blandford Nature Center

If you and your partner like exploring the outdoors, one of the best date ideas in Grand Rapids, MI, is going to the Blandford Nature Center! The center collaborated with the Land Conservancy of West Michigan to turn 112 acres of land into a wildlife habitat.

Visitors can explore the area, looking out for animals like deer, squirrels, and many birds. There's also a wildlife rehabilitation center that features an array of creatures.

Tour the Meyer May House

Couples that are interested in architecture and great design should plan a tour of the Meyer May House. This home was designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1908. The property is designed in a Prairie School style, and tours will allow you to explore the beautiful interior and pretty gardens.

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Appreciate art works at Grand Rapids Art Museum

The Grand Rapids Art Museum is a must-visit date location for art lovers. The gallery features a range of works, from Renaissance art to modern pieces. While the museum often closes early in the evening, it remains open until 9 PM on Thursdays, so you can plan a daytime or nighttime date at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

Hang out and watch the fish at Fish Ladder Park

Fish Ladder Park's name is quite literal, as there is a special ladder that makes it easier for fish to migrate. During a visit, you can see the fish as they jump up the ladder! After witnessing this unique sight, you and your date can follow some scenic trails that run next to the Grand River.

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Go to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

Another interesting museum to check out in Grand Rapids is the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. This landmark is President Ford's presidential museum and is also the burial place of him and his wife, Betty Ford.

Exhibits cover the 18th president's life and career. If you both enjoy this museum, you can also go to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, located about two hours away in Ann Arbor.

Try to break free from an escape room

Solving puzzles and using clues to get out of an escape room is a highly fun date idea and is a good thing to do when the weather is bad.

The Great Escape Room, located on the edge of Downtown Grand Rapids, has a selection of themed rooms to choose from of varying difficulty. Once you and your partner have chosen a theme, you'll have an hour to work together to break free.

Bowl at AMF Eastbrook Lanes

Spending the evening or afternoon bowling and playing arcade games at AMF Eastbrook Lanes is sure to be a good time! The venue has 40 bowling lanes, a range of arcade games, and billiards. After enjoying the amusements, you and your date can get drinks and snacks at the on-site sports bar.

Things to Do Near Grand Rapids for Couples

Organize a trip to Detroit

Couples that want to explore more of Michigan can easily organize a trip to nearby Detroit. You can reach Motor City in about two and a half hours when driving. Things to do in Detroit include visiting the city's unique museums, watching a Detroit Tigers or Red Wings game, and wandering along the Detroit Riverfront.

There are also many fun couples activities in Detroit to enjoy, like getting cocktails at Candy Bar at the Siren Hotel or relaxing at Woodhouse spa.

Go ski-diving with Skydive Grand Haven

If you're willing to drive about 40 minutes outside Grand Rapids, then you can reach Grand Haven, where you can go skydiving together!

With Skydive Grand Haven, you can tandem skydive with a professional, an activity that is appropriate for first-time skydivers. During your dive, you'll be able to take in views of Lake Michigan and the surrounding area.

Take your date to the pretty Tulip Time Festival

A fun fact about Michigan is that it has a Tulip festival in May. This tulip festival is aptly held in a city called Holland, located about 30 minutes outside Grand Rapids.

Going with your partner is a fun and romantic thing to do, and you'll be able to take some cute photos together with the colorful blooms. You can also listen to live music at the festival, visit some of the unique attractions in Holland, and more!

Sunbathe at the beach at Millennium Park

Located about 15 minutes outside of Grand Rapids in Walker, Michigan, Millennium Park is the ideal place to go on a nice day. You and your date can sunbathe on the sandy beach, enjoying the weather. Swimming in the lake is also allowed, and there are scenic trails to follow if you want to explore more of the park.

In Conclusion

As you can see, there's no shortage of fun and romantic date ideas in Grand Rapids, Michigan! No matter what you enjoy doing together, you'll find an array of unique places to go on a date in and around Grand Rapids.

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