Grand Rapids outlaws discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in both housing and employment. The Dunes Resort in Saugatuck/Douglas, a 40-minute drive from downtown Grand Rapids, is an LGBTQ+ hotel and bar set on 20 wooded acres. is located in the community garden at Woosah Outfitters and is open all year long – check out the heated “igloos” in winter. Michigan’s Original Drag Bunch features live dance performances, fabulous outfits, and delicious food and cocktails at different local restaurants each Sunday.įrederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park , Grand Rapids Art Museum and Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts appeal to a wide range of aesthetic sensibilities – as do ArtPrize and Project 1 by ArtPrize, two massive outdoor art events held in alternating years.
The West Michigan Gay Men’s Chorus presents a regular schedule of concerts around town. It hosts the city’s annual Pride Festival – featuring 100+ vendors, local LGBTQ+ artists and national performers – each June. The Grand Rapids Pride Center is the epicenter of LGBTQ+ support. Spend a day on Saugatuck’s Oval Beach and the night on the town in Grand Rapids! Grand Rapids is also the perfect home base to explore the Lake Michigan shore – including Saugatuck/Douglas, one of America’s premier LGBTQ+ resorts. Get your exercise in on lakes, golf courses, and biking and hiking trails as close as five minutes from the city center. Attend ballet, opera, symphony and touring Broadway productions. Visit 40+ craft breweries on the Beer City Ale Trail and 50+ local-food purveyors on the Grand Rapids Food Trail.
Head to Uptown for the trendiest shopping, the West Side for the hottest urban renewal scene and Southtown for the most diverse dining choices. Both are within a 10-minute walk of 200+ restaurants, breweries, museums, shops and live-music venues. Downtown is home to the Apartment Lounge , Michigan’s oldest gay bar, and Rumors Night Club , a dance bar with DJs, karaoke and drag shows. You’ll find welcoming destinations all over the city.
In short, Grand Rapids is a perfect destination for LGTBQ+ travelers – inclusive, hip and just plain (affordable) fun. The Advocate honored Grand Rapids as one of the “Gayest Cities in America.” Expedia ranked it among “the cream of the crop of cool cities to visit in the U.S.” Thrillist hailed it as offering “much of the art, food and music trappings you’d find in Chicago or Detroit, only at half the price.” Things To Do By Season Spring Summer Fall Winter Attractions & Tours Tours & Experiences Arts, Culture & History Performing Arts Museums Historic Sites Beer City Nightlife Outdoors & Sports Beaches Biking Boating & Paddling Fishing Golf Lakes & Rivers Parks Trails Sports Shopping Grand Rapids Store Refreshment Areas Events Annual Events ArtPrize LaughFest Festival of the Arts World of Winter Holiday Events Concerts & Live Music Food & Drink Events This Month This Weekend Submit Events Restaurants Carryout & Delivery Dine in Food Trucks Drinks & Breweries Plan & Stay Hotels Bed & Breakfasts Extended Stay & Vacation Rentals Pet-Friendly Hotels Hotel Packages Trip Planning Travel Updates Accessibility Maps & Transportation Public Transportation Roadwork Updates Deals & Discounts Weather Newsletter Sign-Up Visitors Magazine About Grand Rapids Development Green Grand Rapids History of Grand Rapids Our Community African Americans in GR Asians in GR Dutch in GR Europeans in GR Latinos in GR LGBTQ+ in GR Native Americans in GR Grand Rapids Regions Downtown Colleges & Universities Close Menu