Grand Rapids Winter Activities from A-Z

Got a case of cabin fever? Here’s a list of activities to keep you busy all winter long.

“And Then There Were None”

This January, step out of the cold and into a world filled with mystery and intrigue as Grand Rapids Civic Theatre takes on “And Then There Were None,” based on Agatha Christie’s book of the same name.

Ten strangers are summoned to a remote island. All that the guests have in common is that each carries a past filled with dark secrets. When they gather for dinner expecting to meet their host, it becomes evident that they have been summoned to atone for those secrets. Which is the greater struggle, the burden of guilt or the quest for retribution?

Beer Tours

There are several ways to discover Beer City USA. Download the Beer City Ale Trail Map and head out on a self-guided tour of the city’s breweries, join the Brewsader’s club and start gaining stamps on your passport, or book a Beer City Hotel Package at one of several participating hotels. There are also a handful of beer events taking place this winter. Beer Month is being held in Grand Rapids from Feb. 15 – March 15. The annual Winter Beer Festival takes place Feb. 22.

Cross Country Skiing

West Michigan is full of trails for cross country skiing. This is a great way to enjoy Michigan in all its winter splendor and also get a great workout. Head deep into the woods or enjoy a river view while you ski.

Drag

Winter can be a “drag!” Harmony Hall & Beauty Beyond Drag Productions have teamed up for drag bingo on January 15. Hosted by DeeDee Chaunte and with special performances by Petty Divine and Miss Moscato, this will be one fun night.

More of a morning person, enjoy Drag Brunch by DT Promotions. Drag Brunch takes place on Sundays at a different restaurant each week. In January, you can find the ladies at CityFlats Hotel, Garage Bar & Grill, and The Mitten Brewing Co.

Eat Healthily

The culinary medicine team at Spectrum Health is offering a plant-based cooking series at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market, with the first class taking place on Jan. 24. You will learn delicious ways to increase the amount of seasonal whole plant foods in your diet along with the science of achieving optimal health through a plant-based lifestyle.

The class includes a hands-on cooking lesson, shared family meal and beautiful recipe cards to take and use in your home kitchen. Individual classes can be purchased for $75 per class or the entire four class series can be purchased for a discounted rate of $275, under our four-class bundle option. The full series takes place throughout 2019. Find out more, including dates & times, here.

Fishing

It’s ice fishing time! Bundle up and sink your line into the icy depths of one of Michigan’s 11,000 inland lakes or 36,000 miles of rivers and streams. Reeds Lake is a popular nearby spot for winter fishing enthusiasts. You can use warming huts or shanties, but they must be removed daily.

Griffin’s Hockey

Take in a Grand Rapids Griffin’s game this winter. See the team’s schedule here. Don’t forget to find out what specials and promotions are taking place.

Horse & Carriage Ride

Every Friday & Saturday evening in winter Classic Carriage LLC offers downtown horse-drawn carriage rides. You can choose from a guided tour or a quiet ride. Winter is the busiest time of year for carriage rides so be sure to book your trip in advance.

Ice skating

Take a spin around the rink at Rosa Parks Circle or Griff’s IceHouse. You can rent skates at both locations.

January Series at Calvin College

The Calvin College January Series is a wonderful opportunity to hear from some of the nation’s most thought-provoking speakers. Its goal is to “cultivate deep thought and conversations about important issues of the day in order to inspire cultural renewal and make us better global citizens in God’s world.”

This free 15-day lecture series takes place at Calvin College on weekdays from Jan. 3–23 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. See this year’s speaker lineup here.

Kombucha @ Sacred Springs

The new Sacred Springs kombucha taproom opened in mid-December. Head there this winter to try kombucha from its 12 rotating taps. Sacred Springs boasts over 100 flavors, so you’re sure to find a new flavor to taste test each time you stop in. Be sure to ask about their sound infused kombucha brewing process.

Lake Michigan

Take a day trip to Lake Michigan. We promise the sights will be Insta-worthy. Stop in at one of the lakeside restaurants and enjoy a bit of local shopping, too.

Michigan Adventure Race

Michigan Adventure Race’s Amazing Race Snow Adventure is the perfect remedy for cabin fever. This three-hour race consists of on trail and off-trail running (4-6 miles depending on how many checkpoints you get), Amazing Race-style challenges, orienteering (beginner to intermediate), and snowshoeing (snowshoes provided).

November Project

This outdoor fitness club stays active all winter. The club meets Wednesdays at 6:01 a.m. at the corner of Lyon Street and Bostwick Street, near the Grand Rapids Community College Ford Fieldhouse. Workouts are different every week, with various movements and intensities that can be made to suit any level of athlete.

Outside Adventures

Kent County is full of parks and trails where you can have endless adventures during the winter months. Bundle up, pack some hot chocolate and head outside.

Planetarium

Head to the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium this winter for the Concert Under the Stars Music Series or one of its magnificent shows that will have you pondering the depths of the universe.

Queen

Don’t forget to check out the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s newest laser light show honoring rock band Queen. Experience 10 of Queen’s greatest hits in this brand new show, including favorites like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Another One Bites the Dust” and “You’re My Best Friend.”

Reading

Cuddle up with a good book and then join the Kent District Libary for KDaLe, a book club that pairs reading and brews. Some of the events will be held at different KDL branches while others will take place at the breweries themselves. There aren’t specific book selections, so you can show up and talk about whatever you are reading and hear from others about the great page turners they’re flipping through. Find out dates, locations and times here.

Sledding & Snowshoeing

A few great sledding hills to take your sled to this winter include Richmond Park, Belknap Park, Cascade Township Park. Grand Rapids is also a great place for snowshoeing. Blandford Nature Center offers snowshoes for rent and you can sign up for one of its snowshoe events, like Snowshoe Hiking or Snowshoeing with Your Sweetie.

Thursday Nights at GRAM

Thanks to a donation by Meijer, Thursday nights at the Grand Rapids Art Museum are free. Check out the exhibits from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. “Who Shot Sports: A Photographic History, 1843 to the Present” runs through Jan. 13, and “A Legacy of Love: Selections from the Mable Perkins Collection” opens on Jan. 26 and runs through April 28.

UICA

The UICA’s newest exhibition, “Warm Water, New Works by Charles Williams,” runs from Jan. 11 – April 28. You can also catch “The Animation Show of Shows,” which will present 15 thought-provoking, poignant, and very funny animated shorts from around the world. The works in this year’s show “remind us of both the universality of shared ideals, as well as the diverse challenges we face.” Show dates and times run from Jan. 11 – Feb. 7.

Valent Ice

Valent Ice is just one event within a larger event called World of Winter that is taking place Feb. 15-17 in downtown Grand Rapids. Ice sculptures go out throughout downtown by noon on Feb. 15. You can check out the sculptures on your own or join a walking or running tour.

Wax Poetic Candle Bar

No doubt you’ve heard about the Danish lifestyle trend “hygge.” Synonymous with “cozy,” this is the time of year to up your “hygge.” To help create a coveted cozy environment to escape from the blustery elements, head to Wax Poetic Candle Bar and create your own seasonally-inspired candle.

X Golf Grand Rapids

If you’re a golfer, you’re probably aching for the first spring thaw and a chance to get out onto the course for the first time in 2019. While you wait, head to X Golf Grand Rapids and practice your swing.

Yoga

It’s a new year and whether you’ve resolved to up your fitness or take a chill pill, yoga is a great way to work on either. Since it’s chilly outside, warm up with hot yoga at one of Grand Rapids’ many yoga studios such as Funky Buddha Yoga Hothouse, Yoga Fever and Twisted Hot Yoga.

Zoko 822

Have you been to Zoko 822 yet? This is the place to go if gin is your drink of choice. The bar boasts over 75 selections of gin. Stop in on Mondays and enjoy discounted tastes and cocktails with the gin of the week. You can also take advantage of happy hour Monday – Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you get hungry, try out the Basque-inspired small plates menu.

*Main image courtesy of Experience GR