Hey earth muffins, Happy Thanksgiving!! ๐ฆ As many of you know, I recently lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Back in July, I moved home to be closer to family… And I am extremely grateful that next month I will be moving into my new house! ๐ Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks – so I wanted to write a tribute post to my year in Grand Rapids. I am incredibly thankful for the time I spent in the city; here is my travel guide for the best things to do in Grand Rapids, Michigan!
Things to Do in Grand Rapids
First, I highly suggest taking a walk around Downtown. I’m a huge believer in exploring cities on foot, and Grand Rapids has plenty of fun things to do as you walk around. From embracing the beauty of the Amway Hotel (which also has public restrooms you can use!) to shopping around near Rosa Parks Circle, there is fun for everyone in the family. I also suggest taking a walk over the Blue Bridge. It is an iconic part of the city, so make sure to take a photo!
There are also many awesome secondhand stores to check out in the city. Downtown there is a whole block of old furniture factories that has been converted into antique malls. My absolute favorite is Warehouse One Antiques located at 449 Century Ave SW. You can literally spend a whole morning wandering around all of the booths. Along with antiques, Grand Rapids also has some great thrift spots as well – check out this list of the best thrift stores in Grand Rapids!
The city has a plethora of museums to visit as well! My two personal favorites are the Grand Rapids Public Museum and the Grand Rapids Art Museum. The Public Museum is perfect if you have children, but it is still fun as an adult too. If you are interested, the museum has a planeterium that you can pay a bit more with your ticket to watch a show. The Art Museum isn’t too big, but it has a lot of great artwork to look at! They have rotating exhibits that come in, so there is always something new to see. On Tuesdays and Thursday nights you can even get in for free!
More Things to Do
Sticking with the art theme, you should definitely check out ArtPrize if you are visiting when it is taking place. This art competition results in artwork everywhere in the city – it is such a fun way to explore Downtown and see some great local artwork.
Lastly, you need to visit some sort of music venue when you are in the city. The Van Andel Arena brings in pretty awesome music guests and the DeVos Performance Hall has everything from Broadway shows to orchestra concerts. There are plenty of smaller venues as well! The B.O.B is iconic for music and food, and Mojo’s Dueling Piano bar is always a fun time.
Things to Eat in Grand Rapids
A “things to do in Grand Rapids” post would not be complete without me sharing my favorite places to eat. That being said, you really can’t go wrong with any of the restaurants… There are SO many tasty foods to try! One of my favorite fancier restaurants is Bistro Bella Vita downtown (44 Grandville Ave SW). They serve delicious Mediterranean dishes that taste like they were made by your Italian grandmother. ๐ฉโ๐ณ Their menu also rotates with the seasons, which means there is always something new to try.
Grand Rapids is also known as “Beer City, USA” – there are tons of breweries to try! One of the most iconic is Founders Brewery Co (aka Founders) at 235 Grandville Ave SW. I’m not a big drinker, but this place is a staple of the city. And, the food they have is also super tasty too!
For those of you looking for a farmer’s market vibe, check out Downtown Market (435 Ionia Ave SW). They have a farmer’s market outside but also a huge market inside year-round with everything from fresh fish to ice cream. There are also restaurants scattered around inside too. Slows Bar-B-Q is always a hit as well as delicious Mexican food from Tacos El Cunado. ๐ฎ
If you are looking for something further from downtown near the Woodland Mall, I would recommend Tea Garden (2500 E Beltline Ave SE). This is just a Chinese takeout restaurant, but their food is really delicious! My boyfriend would drive by it on his way home from work, so we would often order takeout on Fridays. Their crab rangoons are the best I’ve ever had!
Final Thoughts on Things to do in Grand Rapids
There are so many awesome things to do in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I think the city is located in such a perfect spot, as you can explore the Downtown area and/or head out to the shopping district near the mall. The lake is only about 30 minutes away too, so you can visit nearby cities such as Grand Haven and Holland easily. The sunset views in West Michigan are definitely amazing! ๐ In terms of things to do in the city, there is everything from music venues to taking selfies on the Blue Bridge; and then there are so many delicious places to eat food too. Have you ever been to Grand Rapids, Michigan? Comment below your favorite places to visit and your favorite restaurants!
Love,
Jenna โฅ
I haven’t been to Michigan yet (the closest I’ve been is Windsor, Ontario) but it isn’t too too far away, and I am sure that I will visit there at some point! Good to know there is lots to see and do!
Thanks for the travel tips. Very nice.
Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in GR is beautiful and well worth a visit too.