Population: 185,437

Elevation:  612 feet

Location: Grand Rapids is located in Kent County (of which it is the county seat) north of Kalamazoo between Muskegon and Lansing along Interstate 96 on the banks the Grand River near Lake Michigan.

Time Zone  Grand Rapids is in the eastern  time zone. When it is noon in New York City; it is also noon in Grand Rapids.

Weather:   

Grand Rapids has a temperate climate which offers mild winters and pleasant summers.  Each season is unique and beauiful.

Average Temperatures:

 Month  

   High

 Low

January  

   30F  

  16F

February

   32F

  17F

March  

   42F  

  25F

April  

   57F

  36F  

May  

   69F

  46F  

June  

   79F

  56F 

July  

   83F

  60F  

August  

   82F  

  59F

September  

   73F

  51F

October  

   61F

  41F

November  

   46F

  31F

December  

   34F

  21F

When to Go 

Summer offers traditional warm weather activities beginning in early June and lasting until early September.  In Autumn, the days are warm; the nights are cool, and the leaves blaze with brilliant colors.  In winter, February is the favored month to enjoy snow sports.  November and April have some gray, cold days with rain and sleet.  May brings a cascade of greenery followed by blossoms and plants and trees in full bloom.    No matter what the season, there are interesting activities to enjoy.

Business Hours 

Banks are usually open weekdays 9 to 3 and some Saturday mornings; the post office from 8 to 5 weekdays and often on Saturday mornings. Shops in urban and suburban areas, typically open at 9 or 10 daily and stay open until anywhere from 6 to 10 PM on weekdays and Saturdays, and until 5 or 6 on Sundays.

Holidays

New Year's Day Jan. 1

Martin Luther King, Jr., Day 3rd Mon. in Jan.

President's Day 3rd Mon. in Feb.

Memorial Day last Mon. in May;

Independence Day July 4

Labor Day 1st Mon. in Sept.

Veterans Day   November 11

Thanksgiving Day 4th Thurs. in Nov.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dec. 24 and 25

New Year's Eve Dec. 31.

Customs & Duties 

Arriving in the United States

Contact the U.S. Customs Service (inquiries, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20229,  202/354-1000

Electricity 

The U.S. electrical standard is 110 volts/60 cycles AC. Visitors from other countries, traveling with dual-voltage appliances will not need a converter, but they will need a plug adapter. The standard U.S. electrical outlet takes a plug of two flat pins set parallel to one another.

Emergencies 

Ambulance, Fire, Police (Phone: 911).

Taxes

The sales tax in Michigan is 6%.

Lodgings and meals are taxed in addition to this.

Tipping

At restaurants, a 15% tip is standard for waiters; up to 20% may be expected at more expensive establishments.

Telephones 

The country code for the United States is 1. The area code for Grand Rapids is 616.

All U.S. telephone numbers consist of 10 digits - the three-digit area code, followed by a seven-digit local number. If you're calling a number from another area-code region, dial "1" then all 10 digits. For calls within the same local calling area, just dial the seven-digit number.

Directory & Operator Information

For assistance from an operator, dial "0". To get a local or national telephone number, dial 411; in a few places it is necessary to dial 555-1212.

International Calls

International calls can be direct-dialed from most phones; dial 011, followed by the country code and then the local number (the front pages of many local telephone directories include a list of overseas country codes). To have an operator assist you, dial "0" and ask for the overseas operator.

Getting There

By Plane

Gerald R. Ford International Airport           

616-233-6000

Gerald R. Ford International Airport has recently gone through a $50 million renovation to give it a sleek new look. Its hassle-free service provides nonstop flights to 16 hub cities including Detroit, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Toronto and more!

Train

Amtrak's Pere Marquette offers daily rail service between Grand Rapids and Chicago, providing fast and convenient rail connections to many destinations. (800) 872-7245

Bus

Intercity bus transportation arrives and departs from the Greyhound Bus Terminal located at Wealthy Street and Grandville Avenue. (616) 456-1709 or (800) 231-2222

Metro Transit

Grand Rapids and surrounding areas are served by Rapid buses of the Interurban Transit Partnership. Rapid buses run 7 days a week and include evening hours. Routes originate at the Downtown Transit Center on Ionia Avenue and Lyon Street. Buses stop at marked stops and shelters. (616) 776-1100

Trolley

Grand Rapids Trolley Co., LLC

332 Kingswood Dr. SE

Grand Rapids, MI

(616) 954-7000

Grand Rapids Trolley is bringing back the best of the past by providing West Michigan with a unique and elegant transportation service. It's fun to ride the trolley.

By Car

Due to  the interstate highway system, Grand Rapids is only a few hours drive from most major midwestern cities.