Downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan
Are you feeling stuck on how to spend Valentine’s Day in Grand Rapids this year? I've got you covered with some great GR date ideas. From budget-friendly to creative and romantic, Grand Rapids has plenty to offer for couples celebrating Valentine's Day in 2025. Most of these date spots can work for newer couples and long-term pairs, so pick what sounds most appealing to you and your significant other. Keep reading to find your perfect Grand Rapids Valentine’s Day date ideas.
Top 5 Valentine's Day Date Ideas in Grand Rapids, MI
1. Staycation at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel A downtown staycation is a great way to celebrate your love for each other and the city of Grand Rapids. Be a tourist for a day by booking a hotel in downtown GR, and if you're looking for luxury, I recommend the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel specifically. This date idea is especially great for those who rarely spend time downtown and want to get reacquainted with all the new restaurants, bars, and activities happening here. For those who are keen on staying inside the hotel, the Amway has some luxurious amenities as well. Book a couples massage at the hotel’s spa. Get dinner at MDRD, a newer Spanish-inspired restaurant with incredible views. Or grab drinks at the chic Lumbar Baron Bar. 2. Ice Skating at Rosa Parks Circle Ice skating on Valentine’s Day is both cute and romantic. Not everyone has the budget for a lavish Valentine's Day night, but ice skating in the heart of the city is actually a sweet way to celebrate that won't cost you a fortune. Ice skating at Rosa Parks Circle is scheduled to remain open through February 22. According to the city's website, tickets for adults 18 and older are $6 or $3 for anyone 17 and under. A pair of ice skates is included with your admission. 3. Grand Rapids Art Museum The Grand Rapids Art Museum is perfect for those who have a more creative side and want to do something other than a traditional dinner-and-drinks date. Plus, the museum is in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, so you have your pick of restaurants and bars if you want to continue the date afterward. Just be sure to check the museum's hours before planning your date! 4. World of Winter Festival Another great art-inspired date idea is the World of Winter Festival in Grand Rapids, which is happening now through March 2. It's full of art installations that are fantastic for sparking conversation, making it a great choice for couples who are newly dating. Make a list of the outdoor art installations you want to see or pick one of the special festival events to partake in. Once you’re done catching your favorite art pieces, head indoors to warm up with some hot cocoa. 5. GR Noir Wine & Jazz If you're in a long-term relationship, you're past the stage of getting to know each other and can just move into enjoying each other's company without always having to do a lot talking. This means that date ideas where you can watch something together, such as a live performance, can be a lovely way to spend a romantic evening together. On the same note, couples who've been together a while may need to find ways to mix up their date nights. GR Noir Wine & Jazz is an excellent way to have a unique date night where the two of you can get dressed up and have a fun night out enjoying some great live jazz music. I would recommend making reservations on GR Noir's website ahead of time just in case. Transparency Disclosure — The opinions on this website are independent and based on my own personal experiences. I may receive a referral fee for stays booked through the links on this site. 
Me in Barcelona, one of my top-recommended cities for solo female travelers
I’m of the mindset that women should be able to travel anywhere. But what I feel and what’s reality doesn’t exactly match up. As women, there are certain factors we have to consider, particularly safety. Then, you have to consider basic interests and what different women might be interested in seeing and doing.
I’ve done some extensive solo traveling, and if you’re looking for the best cities for solo travelers, I’ve got you. I want to emphasize that everyone can have different experiences in travel destinations, but from my personal experience, I have felt safe and had no issues in these cities.
Puerto Vallarta - Best City in Mexico for Solo Female Travelers At just 18 years old, I moved to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I wasn’t a wealthy retiree or a jet-setting digital nomad, just a regular girl who scored an amazing job on the entertainment staff at an all-inclusive resort. Moving there was also the very first time in my life that I traveled on my own. I spent a total of nine months there, and not once did I feel unsafe. While I understand that some folks understandably have concerns as to whether Mexico is safe to visit, Puerto Vallarta has remained steadfastly welcoming in the years since then. Nowadays, there are a lot more Americans and Canadians living there than there (for better or worse), which some travelers may find solace in. But I would emphasize that if you are visiting Mexico, make an effort to get to know the local Mexican people there; they are truly some of the nicest people.
Edinburgh - Best City in Scotland for Solo Female Travelers Edinburgh was the first stop on my big solo 30th birthday trip, and it did not disappoint. My time there coincided with the city’s famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival, so there were many people there at the time. I always felt safe, even out at night with some friends I made at my hostel. I would add that Scotland, in general, felt safe to me and day trips were easy to navigate from Edinburgh. Glasgow is the other major city there. While Edinburgh has a unique medieval charm to it, Glasgow seemed to be a more modern business hub. Some Edinburgh highlights for me where the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle. I would also recommend day trips to Stirling (to see Stirling Castle) and North Berwick (to see Tantallon Castle).
Barcelona - Best City in Spain for Solo Female Travelers Barcelona is a stunning coastal city in Spain that was a gem to wander around in; I especially loved their beautiful Gothic Quarter. It’s also where you’ll find the famous Sagrada Familia Cathedral. Barcelona is usually a bucket list destination in Spain, and I also found it to be a great place when I traveled there by myself. What really set this city apart, though, was a moment in the wee hours of the morning when I had to catch a shuttle to the airport. The time was about 3:00 a.m. and while the shuttle pick was about a five-minute walk from my hostel, I was nervous because of the time and whether it would be safe. After leaving my hostel, I was surprised to see friend groups still out and about, along with people already waiting for the shuttle. My nerves were immediately calmed and just made me love this city even more.
Salzburg - Best City in Austria for Solo Female Travelers If you’re a gal who also loves The Sound of Music and beautiful scenery and architecture, then I would add Salzburg to your next itinerary. This Austrian city is known for being where the real von Trapps are from and where they filmed the iconic 1965 movie, which means you can look for famous movie locations while you’re there. You can either opt to stay in Salzburg or make it a day trip if you’re staying near Munich, Germany. I did a day trip here, but I would say no more than two days should be plenty to really see all the sites here. For those who love to shop, there’s also plenty of that in the city’s old town area. They even have a Sound of Music bicycle tour there. While I didn’t do it myself, I definitely wish I had in hindsight.
Sydney - Best City in Australia for Solo Female Travelers I happened to be in Sydney for an acting job, but I was also able to do some exploring there on my own. I will say the Australian people are some of the friendliest folks out there. I remember having to ask someone for directions, and this man was super nice and happy to help. I never felt unsafe walking around the city, and for those gals who, like me, are terrified at the idea of encountering one of Australia’s infamous spiders, I thankfully didn’t see one when I was there – even when we did a day of filming in the suburbs. Bondi Beach is a great place to check out when you’re in Sydney as well.
Boston - Best U.S. City for Solo Female Travelers I was recently in Boston to experience a genuine New England autumn, and let me just say this city really impressed me with how safe and easy it was to explore. As someone who lives in LA, I’m kind of used to encountering lots of garbage on the streets, but Boston was super clean, and there were always people walking about. It’s got a lot of great U.S. history to it, but it’s also a very busy, modern city with lots to do. Boston is also a great hub if you want to take a day trip to Salem, though I would recommend that if you go to Salem in October, book any shows, tours, or museums there well in advance. And just know that there will be a lot of people there.
Galway - Best City in Ireland for Solo Female Travelers I stayed in three major cities in Ireland during my trip there, and Galway was, hands down, my favorite. Galway is located on Ireland’s western coast. Despite it being one of the larger Irish cities, it always felt very quaint, safe, and easy to explore. Galway is also a great place to stay if you want to do a day trip to Ireland’s Aran Islands. On the flip side, I didn’t feel safe in Cork, though it was the closest city to see Blarney Castle and kiss the famous Blarney stone. Dublin was a cool city, and I did enjoy that one too; I would just say that Galway was more my pace.
FAQS Where do most female solo travelers go? While I couldn’t find any statistical data, some popular destinations among solo female travelers appear to be Spain, Italy, Germany, Japan, Australia, the U.S., and the U.K. Where is the best place to travel solo as a female? Honestly, this just depends on what you’re going for. I would say to go somewhere generally considered safe for women, and if you’re newer to solo travel, consider a country where you speak the language so you don’t have that barrier at least in your first few trips. Which country is best for a solo trip for girls? I would say Spain is the best all-around country for solo trips for girls. Every city I was visited there has felt safe and there are all kinds of places to explore depending on your interests. What is the safest city for solo female travelers? The great news is there are many different cities I would consider safe for solo female travelers, but the city where I’ve felt the safest overall would be Edinburgh, Scotland. Transparency Disclosure — The opinions on this website are independent and based on my own personal experiences. I may receive a referral fee for stays booked through the links on this site.
Hostels are a budget travel hack to more frequent and longer vacations. As a cheaper alternative to hotels and Airbnbs, hostels are often centrally located, a great way to meet fellow travelers, and a nice space to set up shop with your laptop if you’re a digital nomad. I’ve stayed in my fair share of hostels over the years and am sharing my top hostels in Europe and the United States.
10 Top Hostels in the World
Líbere Córdoba Spain - My Top Pick Córdoba is located in southern Spain in the country’s Andalusia region. It’s perhaps most famous for the Mezquita, a mosque originally built in the 700s. Other notable sites include the Alcazar de Los Reyes Cristianos, the Synagogue of Córdoba, their ancient Roman bridge, and the Calahorra Tower. Why the Líbere Córdoba Earned the Top Spot on My List The Líbere Córdoba is not your run-of-the-mill hostel. First, it appears newer and not so rundown like other hostels I’ve been to, but it still retains the charming southern Spanish design you’ll find all around this city. The building surrounds a beautiful outdoor patio with plenty of tables and seating for people to hang out or work remotely. If sitting outside isn’t your cup of tea, they also have an indoor area where people can eat or work. Another plus is how clean the rooms are. Pros: What I Love About This Hostel
Cons: Possible Drawbacks
Learn more in my full-length Líbere Córdoba Hostel review HI Boston - Best U.S. Hostel Boston is one of my favorite cities in the United States. Washington D.C. may be the nation’s capital, but Boston and Philadelphia feel more representative of America’s founding fathers and history. Plus, Boston is just a 40-minute train ride from Salem, which means you can see two great places in one trip. Why the HI Boston Earned Best U.S. Hostel Surprisingly, Boston has very few hostels, and the HI Boston is pretty much the Boston hostel. Despite limited options, this is a great choice for those who want to visit Boston and save money by skipping expensive hotels. Pros: What I Love About This Hostel
Cons: Possible Drawbacks
Learn more in my in-depth HI Boston Hostel review New Samay Seville - Best Hostel for Solo Female Travelers Seville is a well-known city in Spain’s Andalusia region in the south, featuring incredible architecture like the Plaza de España and Giralda Tower, along with vibrant cultural charms like flamenco dancing. Why the New Samay Seville Earned Best Hostel for Solo Female Travelers If you’re a woman traveling by yourself, safety will be a priority. From my experience, I felt very safe at the New Samay Hostel in Seville. The hostel felt safe and secure, and the neighborhood it’s in felt safe, too. Plus, it was easily walkable to popular tourist sites. This isn’t a party hostel either, which made it feel safer. Pros: What I Love About This Hostel
Cons: Possible Drawbacks
Find out more about this hostel in my full-length New Samay Hostel review HI New Orleans - Best Hostel for a Group Trip New Orleans is one of the most unique cities in the U.S., with a rich history and culture unlike any other city I’ve ever been to. It’s also a great place to go on a trip with friends. My friend Kirsys and I spent a long weekend in Nola for my birthday, and the HI Hostel allowed us to have a great stay while saving some money. Why the HI New Orleans Earned Best Hostel for a Group Trip This HI Hostel is a clean, well-kept hostel on Canal Street in the heart of the city, within walking distance of New Orleans’s iconic French Quarter and the Mississippi River. Of course, the French Quarter is a prime spot for friend groups to take tours, explore, or hit exciting bars and restaurants. While most folks go to New Orleans to see these spots, the HI New Orleans is also within walking distance to the street cars to take you to other areas of town like the old cemeteries and the Garden District. Pros: What I Love About This Hostel
Cons: Possible Drawbacks
Helpful Tips: Guide to Visiting New Orleans for the First Time ECO Hostel Granada - Best Hostel for 30-Year-Olds Granada is located in southern Spain and is most famous for the Alhambra Palace, which sits atop a hill overlooking the city. However, I would encourage you to also visit the Royal Chapel there, which is where Spain’s most famous monarchs, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, are buried. Why the ECO Hostel Granada Earned Best Hostel for 30-Year-Olds There’s a slight misunderstanding that hostels are only for twentysomethings, but from my experience, I’ve seen people of all ages stay at them. That said, if you’re over 30, odds are you’ll probably want something more low-key than a rowdy party hostel. Hey, we need our sleep, right? The ECO Hostel was a quiet, calm hostel with a good mix of adults of all ages, which is why I think this is a good choice for the over-30 budget traveler. Pros: What I Love About This Hostel
Cons: Possible Drawbacks
Find out more in my ECO Hostel Granada review YHA London Oxford Street - Best Hostel in London London is one of the biggest and most famous cities in the world, but that also means staying here can get expensive. In this case, hostels are a great workaround for this. That said, in such a big city, you want to make sure the hostel you’re staying at is in a decent, safe location. Why the YHA London Oxford Street Earned Best Hostel in London There are multiple YHA hostels around London, but I chose to stay at the YHA London Oxford Street as this seemed like a good central location for someone who had never been to London before. The YHA on Oxford Street is near London’s West End, and even though it’s a busier area, I never felt unsafe here. The hostel is a secured building a block behind Oxford St., where you can get to buses. It’s also just a 10-minute walk to the Oxford Circus subway station. During my stay, the YHA London Oxford Street was clean and well-maintained. Also, even though the ‘Y’ in the title stands for ‘youth,’ I saw people of all ages, including families, there. Pros: What I Love About This Hostel
Cons: Possible Drawbacks
Discover more tips about London in this London Travel Guide Young and Happy Latin Quarter - Best Hostel in Paris Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements that sort of work their way up from the center out. This means that the lower your arrondissement number is, the more central you’ll be to the popular sites. For your first trip to Paris, I’d recommend finding accommodations within the first 10 arrondissements so that you’re close to the best sightseeing. Why the Young and Happy Hostel Latin Quarter Earned Best Hostel in Paris The Young and Happy Hostel is located in the Latin Quarter (A.K.A. Arrondissement 5) on a street called Rue Mouffetard. What’s special about the Latin Quarter is that it’s one of the city’s oldest and most historic neighborhoods, particularly for education, and it was where Ernest Hemingway lived during his time there in the 1920s. Rue Mouffetard is also home to a local market, so you can find lots of yummy foods from local vendors. The Young and Happy Hostel’s excellent location made it easy for me to walk to the must-see Paris sites like Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower, among others. As for the hostel, I loved that it felt more historic, like the neighborhood it was in. I think my favorite part was the cozy hangout area below the main floor, which kind of felt like you were entering some catacombs or something. Pros: What I Love About This Hostel
Cons: Possible Drawbacks
Learn more about what to do in Paris with this Paris Travel Guide Kick Ass Greyfriars - Best Hostel in Edinburgh Scotland is one of my favorites of all the countries I’ve traveled to, with Edinburgh being one of the most magical cities I’ve ever seen. Seriously, I’m still dreaming of living there and writing in cozy coffee shops. Why the Kick Ass Greyfriars Earned Best Edinburgh Hostel The Kick Ass Greyfriars (previously known as Budget Backpackers) Hostel in Edinburgh was the very first hostel I ever stayed at, and it clearly left a positive impression. This hostel is in the heart of Old Town Edinburgh at the bottom of the iconic Victoria Street. If you’ve seen images of Edinburgh, you’ve likely seen that street. It curves and has colorful buildings along it. Because it’s so central, I could easily walk to major sites in the city like Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. It’s also close to coffee shops, restaurants, bars, tours, etc. This hostel was also only a 15-minute walk to Waverly Train Station. Aside from a great location, the hostel felt safe and even provided meal and drink coupons for their restaurant and bar. Pros: What I Love About This Hostel
Cons: Possible Drawbacks
Find out more on what to do in Scotland in this Scotland Travel Guide Euro Youth Hostel Munich - Best Hostel for Digital Nomads Munich was my favorite of the three big cities I’ve visited in Germany, which included Frankfurt and Berlin. While Frankfurt seemed too industrial and Berlin too overwhelming, Munich had some great character to it. To offset the price of a hotel, I stayed at the Euro Youth Hostel (also referred to as the Euro Youth Hotel Munich), which was conveniently within a roughly 10-minute walking distance of the city’s Central Station. Why the Euro Youth Hostel Munich Earned Best Hostel for Remote Workers Working remotely while staying in a hostel can present a unique set of challenges. I ideally want somewhere with good Wi-Fi and a communal space with tables to plug in my laptop as needed. I’ve certainly found this at other hostels (and if I had to give a runner-up in this category, the ECO Hostel Granada would get that title). However, I picked this one because they have a larger community dining and hangout area next to the lobby with plenty of tables where I could easily get work done and order food and beverages. On the flip side, I understand that some folks may want something quieter, and the good news here is that the Euro Youth Hostel in Munich also provided a table and chairs in the dorm room, so if I had to take a meeting, I was able to do it there with my headphones on. Pros: What I Love About This Hostel
Cons: Possible Drawbacks
Learn more about my experience in Munich here St. Christopher’s Inn - Best Hostel in Barcelona Barcelona sits on Spain’s eastern coast along the Mediterranean Sea. The city has a lot to offer travelers, from the visually stunning Gothic Quarter and famous La Sagrada Familia cathedral to the beautiful beaches and food; I’d recommend it in a heartbeat. Why St. Christopher’s Inn Earned Best Hostel in Barcelona The St. Christopher’s Inn Hostel is centrally located near Barcelona’s Las Ramblas neighborhood, so you have lots of access to shopping and food. The hostel's location also made it easy for me to walk to all the sites I wanted to check out, including La Sagrada Familia, the Gothic Quarter, and Barceloneta Beach. Another location perk was how close this hostel is to the Barcelona Airport shuttle. I remember having to leave for the airport around 3 in the morning. I’ll admit I was pretty nervous since it was the middle of the night, but to my surprise, there were many people out and about (likely coming back from nightclubs), and people were already waiting for the shuttle. As far as the hostel itself, they have a great bar area where people can socialize and watch games. I actually had the best three-hour conversation with a fellow female traveler from Denmark. They also have privacy curtains on the beds in the rooms. Pros: What I Love About This Hostel
Cons: Possible Drawbacks
Learn more in my St. Christopher’s Inn Barcelona review Also visiting Madrid? Read my Ok Hostel Madrid review Transparency Disclosure — The opinions on this website are independent and based on my own personal experiences. I may receive a referral fee for stays booked through the links on this site. |
About the author
Jill Zwarensteyn is a writer and comedian who has been featured on Amazon, truTV, The New York Times, Matador Network, BUST Magazine, Sleep Advisor, Tiplr, ARTRPRNR Magazine, YourTango, Thought Catalog, GoMad Nomad, Mashable, The Daily Mail UK, the Cannes Film Festival, LaughFest, Women's Lifestyle Magazine, and the Funny Women Festival LA. Archives
December 2024
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