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
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Book between March 13th – September 30th for stay dates between March 28th – September 30th 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.
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Book between March 13th – September 30th for stay dates between March 28th – September 30th Idyllwild, California has some personal significance to me, so it was extra exciting to finally be able to see this California mountain town. I went with my fiancé and our dog to celebrate my fiancé's (somewhat) recent milestone birthday. Our overnight trip was in late February, and we were driving from Los Angeles. Idyllwild is a mountain town located in the San Jacinto Mountains and is about a two-hour drive from Los Angeles. Idyllwild makes for a great day trip, overnight trip, or weekend trip. In this article, I’ll share what to know if you’re considering a mini-getaway to this quaint town in the mountains. What is Idyllwild known for? Idyllwild is a mountain town located in the San Jacinto Mountains in Southern California. It’s about a two-hour drive from Los Angeles. Idyllwild provides access to hiking, wilderness, and local businesses such as restaurants, shops, and wineries. The town is ideal for a short escape from the hustle and bustle of busier SoCal cities. Idyllwild is perfect for a day trip, overnight visit, or weekend getaway. Does Idyllwild have snow? Yes, Idyllwild has snow. This may be surprising considering it’s located in Southern California, but once you start driving up into the San Jacinto Mountains, it’s as if you’re being transported into a whole other world. You leave the desert climate of inland SoCal and enter a wintery landscape full of snow, beautiful mountains, and pine trees. Now, don’t expect snow in Idyllwild all-year-round, but if you go in the winter, there’s a good chance you’ll hit a beautiful snowfall. Is Idyllwild worth it? Yes, Idyllwild is worth visiting. Idyllwild definitely embraces the quaint mountain town aesthetic. From cabin-like lodging to adorable local shops, you shouldn’t be disappointed. Plus, Idyllwild is super-relaxing and quiet; I slept the best I had in months during our overnight stay! Our dog, Piper, also got to meet the Idyllwild Mayor, an adorable golden retriever who made the rounds visiting folks in town. What is the best time of year to go to Idyllwild, CA? I imagine different people will have different answers for this, but in my opinion, the best time to go is the winter to (ideally) see a real snowfall near LA. As someone originally from Michigan, it's really cool treat to just drive a few hours and experience a pretty snowfall in the mountains. We stayed in February, but I imagine this would be a gorgeous place to stay during the holidays i you're craving that snowy Christmas weather. Where to Stay in Idyllwild We stayed at the Silver Pines Lodge, which is located right around the corner from the center of town, so the location is great. Silver Pines Lodge offers cabin-style rooms that are very cozy. The rooms come with a fireplace that runs on a thermostat system, so it's easy to control. The main issue we encountered with our room was that the bathroom does not get heated, and as a result, the floor in there was extremely cold. A refrigerator was included with the room, though, which was a nice addition. They are also pet-friendly, so feel free to bring your dog on the trip if you stay here! How long should you stay in Idyllwild? You should stay in Idyllwild for a day, overnight, or for the weekend. Idyllwild is not very big, so any time longer than a few days isn’t necessary. 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.
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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
March 2025
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