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Life in Grand Rapids

Internship opportunities. A thriving arts scene. Restaurants and shops. Parks and bike lanes throughout the city, and new places to explore every weekend. We think you’ll like living and learning here. Come and see.

A sketch of the map of the midwest, with the Calvin logo placed on Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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Two students stand on the blue bridge in Grand Rapids.

You'll Love This City

A Big-Small City

200,000 residents call Grand Rapids home, and a little over one million people live in the greater metropolitan area. So Grand Rapids is small enough you can get to know it—and big enough you’ll always be finding your new favorite thing. 

GR night time
students walking in downtown GR

A Downtown for Exploring

You’ll find plenty of places to play, eat, and people watch downtown. Get from Calvin to the heart of the city in 30 minutes by bus or bike, and half that time with an Uber or Lyft ride. 

Hole-in-the-wall Finds

So much to discover here: coffee shops, vintage clothing shops, breakfast joints, great takeout places, board game stores and bookstores, movie theaters and music venues . . .

interior view of downtown cafe
GR blue bridge daytime

Charming, day or night

With its unique neighborhoods and historic character, Grand Rapids manages to feel dynamic and cozy at the same time.

Study Spots Abound

Head to a park or one of many cafés that offers outdoor seating. In the cooler months, you’ve got the city’s multiple libraries and one of the largest independent bookstores in the nation.

Gr cafe interior
sculpture art in GR

Study Spots Abound

The arts thrive here. You’ll find several art museums and galleries, theaters, murals and sculpture spread throughout the city, and art festivals like ArtPrize.

It's Easy to Get Here

By plane

We're a 15-minute drive from the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

By train

We're 15 minutes from Grand Rapids' Amtrak Train Station, offering affordable access to Chicago.

By automobile

We're a short drive away from most big midwestern cities (1–5 hours).

It's Easy to Get Around

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BUS

Grand Rapids' public transit system, The Rapid, offers cheap and easy access to 28 stops in and around the city.

PERSONAL VEHICLE

There's room to park on campus! You pay just once for an entire academic year.

See vehicle info

UBER/LYFT

Uber and Lyft rides are reasonably priced and drivers won't keep you waiting long.

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BIKE

Grand Rapids has bike lanes! Plus you can take your bike with you onto a Rapid bus at no extra charge.

Explore for the Afternoon or the Weekend

Eastown and Gaslight Village

13 minutes by bike | 8 minutes by car

Eastown and Gaslight Village

A charming neighborhood where you can grab excellent coffee and ice cream. Visit nearby Collins Park (where you might glimpse a bald eagle) or jog around Reeds Lake.

A charming neighborhood where you can grab excelle...

Biking and skiing in Rockford

25 minutes by car

Biking and skiing in Rockford

In downtown Rockford you can kayak or tube the Rogue River and "refuel" at one of the local restaurants and coffee shops.

In downtown Rockford you can kayak or tube the Rog...

Beaches & dunes in Holland and Grand Haven

45 minutes by car

Beaches & dunes in Holland and Grand Haven

Lake Michigan: it's huge, it's fresh water, and we challenge you to name a beach with softer sand. You'll fall in love with the greatest lake at first blush.

Lake Michigan: it's huge, it's fresh water, and we...

Historical music venues and baseball in Detroit

2 hours 15 minutes by car

Historical music venues and baseball in Detroit

If one of your favorite bands passes through the Midwest there's a good chance they'll play a show in nearby Detroit. Or catch a game from Detroit's sports teams in any season.

If one of your favorite bands passes through the M...

Shopping and small-town charm in Traverse City, MI

2 hours 15 minutes by car

Shopping and small-town charm in Traverse City, MI

Northern Michigan is always beautiful, but especially stunning in the autumn. Consider a road trip north when you start to see the leaves turn color. If you head north, consider visiting Traverse City and Leelanau Peninsula.

Northern Michigan is always beautiful, but especia...

Weekend getaway in Chicago

3 hours by car

Weekend getaway in Chicago

Take the Amtrak train to Chicago or make a weekend road trip with friends.

Take the Amtrak train to Chicago or make a weekend...

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