Like every year, fall in Grand Rapids means many fun activities! Explore the best things to do in Grand Rapids in October 2023. Whether you're visiting for work or fun, you'll find plenty to keep you busy. Even better, the Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown is centrally located, so enjoying any of these events during your stay is easy.
Flights of Flavor (ongoing)
Grand Rapids is known for its food and beer scene. How do you make the most of the city when you're only visiting for a few days? Try Flights of Flavor, a city-wide guide to the best food and drink combos around town. The program is free. Sign up by text (no app required) to receive a digital passport full of exclusive, curated menu offerings. Flights of Flavors make it easy to sample multiple delicious options at the best destinations in town.
Chrysanthemums and More! (October 1-29)
The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park's annual mum celebration is back for another year. Chrysanthemums and More! is a local favorite because it showcases this classic fall flower. Visitors will enjoy dramatic floral displays throughout the park. The flowers are the show's center, but the changing fall leaves would be worth a visit on their own. Keep an eye out for drop-in activities taking place during your stay.
The Haunt (select dates starting October 6)
If you like celebrating Halloween with a good scare, The Haunt is just what you need. This haunted house offers terrifying experiences for horror fans and thrill seekers. You'll enter a twisted fairytale, an abandoned hospital, a cult headquarters, an evil circus, and other creepy situations. Your ticket includes all the attractions.
The Haunt is open on October 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, and 29.
Blandford Nature Center's Harvest Festival (October 7)
Enjoy a classic, family-friendly harvest festival at the Blandford Nature Center. This event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and offers tons of activities at that time. Experience traditional crafts like candle dipping, scarecrow crafting, and rope-making. There will also be old-fashioned games, log cabins to visit, and blacksmithing demonstrations. You can even have lunch with fresh apple cider, sweet treats, and food from the El Caribe food truck.
Grand Rapids Art Museum Exhibit: "Underneath Everything" (October 7-31)
The Grand Rapids Art Museum is unveiling a new exhibit on October 7. "Underneath Everything: Humility and Grandeur in Contemporary Ceramics" offers a fresh look at an ancient art form. People have worked with clay for millennia. This exhibit showcases why ceramics are still relevant. You'll see exciting pieces by 17 artists that challenge the modern viewpoint of ceramics.
"Underneath Everything" is on display until early 2024. Make sure to check out the museum's other exhibits during your visit!
Zoo Goes Boo (October 13-15, 20-22, 27-29)
Kids can enjoy the Halloween spirit early at the John Ball Zoo. Wear your costume to Zoo Goes Boo, a weekend events full of festive fun. The zoo will be filled with incredible Halloween decorations, treat stations, and entertainers. Visitors may meet costumed characters, strolling jugglers, and even zoo animals. Face painting will also be available if your costume needs something extra.
Grand Rapids Marathon (October 15)
Don't miss out on the Grand Rapids Marathon if you want to challenge yourself or spectate. The 26.1-mile race is the main attraction, but there's also a half-marathon, 5k, 10k, kid's race, relay marathon, and handcycle marathon offered on the same day.
The course includes views of downtown Grand Rapids, Millennium Park, and the Grand River, so there's always something to keep your attention. If you're coming to Grand Rapids to run the marathon, you probably already know it's a Boston Qualifier event. The race planners designed this run to be beautiful and engaging, so it should be a great experience.
Jurassic World Live (October 20-22)
If you've ever wanted to see dinosaurs in action, don't miss Jurassic World Live. This live arena show brings the famous franchise to life. The audience "works" with scientists to stop an escaped dinosaur, uncover an evil plan, and save a friendly Troodon dinosaur. Floor tickets are available if you want the most extreme experience possible.
Jurassic World Live will be at Grand Rapid's Van Andel Arena. The show is only in town for three days, but luckily there are six show times available.
Día de los Muertos Festival (October 28-29)
Día de los Muertos is a Hispanic tradition honoring family, friends, and other loved ones who have passed away. (You might recognize this holiday from the 2017 Disney movie Coco.) Día de los Muertos celebrations often feature skulls and skeletons, so it can be confused with Halloween events. However, the two holidays are very different! Día de los Muertos isn't supposed to be spooky. It's all about maintaining love and respect for those who have moved on.
The Grand Rapids Día de los Muertos Festival takes place at Roosevelt Park. Put on by the Grand Rapids Public Library, the event will feature music, workshops, crafts, activities, and food. Even better, it's free to attend!
Kids Haunt (October 29)
Visiting Grand Rapids with kids? Check out Kids Haunt, a special non-scary event at The Haunt haunted house. This event gives children the chance to see a real haunted house—without the grown-up scare factor. Kids Haunt features music, face painting, and trick-or-treating fun. Dress up to take part in the costume contest! There will even be a semi-scary haunt for big kids who are ready for a bit of a scare.
What event are you looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comments!