Around GR: Winter Activities in Grand Rapids

By Caylie Peet, CTA, and Elizabeth Sinclair

Throughout 2020 and into the early days of 2021, we’ve been stuck inside as we navigate through the pandemic. Further complicating things is the recent arrival of winter in West Michigan, which adds ample snow and bone-chilling temperatures to the equation. With all of this at play, you might think, “Yeah, inside sounds great!” But if you’re looking for something fun to do outside, Grand Rapids offers plenty of reasons to bundle up and spend your time safely outdoors this winter.

Trails and Hikes

Looking for some water views? Drive a few miles outside of downtown and visit Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids. Then, make the 4.4-mile trek around the well-paved, well-trafficked lake. Prefer to stay closer to the center of the city? Take the Riverwalk from the North Monroe corridor into downtown by the Hotel District. Your reward will be a lovely view of the Grand River. You can also head just a few miles north of town and catch Riverside Park’s 4.6-mile trail for an easy yet enjoyable hike. For something a bit more challenging, bundle up and climb the Stairs on Division.

For more information on trails and their associated terrain, try the All Trails app. The app offers photos, reviews, difficulty levels and much more for your outdoor winter adventures. If you’d like to explore options outside of Grand Rapids, consider Ludington State Park for a variety of different trails to traverse or the Saugatuck area for hitting a few sand dunes.

(N)ice activities

The City of Grand Rapids has transformed into an icy paradise with the start of World of Winter. The annual festival kicked off on Jan. 15 and runs until Feb. 28. Events include The Singing Tree at Canal Park, Winter Tumbleweeds at the Blue Bridge, Impulse on Monroe and many more. All events are free and socially distanced for everyone to enjoy.

Need something with a little more speed? The Ice Rink at Rosa Parks Circle is open until Feb. 21, weather permitting. Reservations are required to maintain safe staking.

Winter offers so many great outdoor activities in Grand Rapids, including hikes, events and everything in between. This winter guide and interactive map offers something for anyone to enjoy while remaining active, such as sledding, cross-country skiing, fat tire biking and more. See you outside!