Grand Rapids is, in our opinion, one of the most underrated vacation getaway destinations in the country. If you’re a fan of lively urban environments packed full of culture and dripping in style, Grand Rapids is definitely a place you should consider visiting. It’s downtown region is full of trendy cafes, brewpubs, and top-tier restaurants dishing out some genuinely mouthwatering offerings. There are also numerous museums and galleries covering a wide range of topics.
It’s a town that truly knows beer inside and out. In fact, it’s even earned itself the nickname of ‘Beer City’. If you fancy yourself a craft beer connoisseur, you really should make it a point to sample the local flavor. If you are a history buff or art snob, you’ll find plenty of entertaining things to do, and if you’re traveling with children, you’ll be pleased to learn that Grand Rapids is as kid-friendly of a city as they come.
It doesn’t matter what you’re interests may be, chances are, if you visit Grand Rapids, you’ll spend several days absolutely blown away by all that this Michigan city has to offer. Join us as we explore the many thrilling and unique best things to do in Grand Rapids such a remarkable place.
Take A Street Art Tour
One of the first things that you’ll notice when visiting as one of the best things to do in Grand Rapids is the abundance of street art peppered around town. There’s actually an on-going project that aims to honor ‘rad women from A to Z’ that draws inspiration from a New York Times bestselling book authored by Kate Schatz and illustrated by Miriam Klein Stahl.
That book presents dozens of influential women listed in alphabetical order. The corresponding Grand Rapids street art project does a great job representing these noteworthy women on nearly every corner of town. It won’t take long to spot these pieces as they are pretty abundantly scattered around the city.
Additionally, you’ll find fantastic works of street art in all kinds of unexpected locales, such as the ‘You’re Neat’ mural, which can be found at One Bourbon, right across the street from one of the best bars in town, O’Toole’s Public House.
Explore A Foodie Utopia
Grand Rapids is a culinary aficionado’s paradise. It doesn’t really even matter what your dietary preferences are – vegan, carnivore, keto – you’ll find grub here that is certain to blast your taste buds off into another solar system.
If you have a hankering for a tender, juicy steak, check out the Butcher’s Union. You’ll probably want to book reservations in advance because there is almost always a wait – even on a weekday – but it’s definitely worth it. In addition to delectable recipes with large portions, this restaurant is also known for it’s warm and inviting ambiance. Plus, they serve up some truly killer cocktails.
If you’re looking for something a bit more causal but equally delicious, the tacos over at Donkey Taqueria are worth writing home about. On top of that, they also have margaritas that will definitely require you to enlist the aid of a designated driver. Not only are they strong, but they pack a punch in the flavor department as well.
For all of our vegan viewers, first of all, sorry about all of that steak talk, but we’ve saved the best for last and it’s bound to be right up your alley. Dank Street on Monroe Avenue absolutely lives up to it’s name. Hands down, the best vegan food we’ve ever had. Try out the buffalo tofu sandwich or the cauliflower burritos. Even if you’re not vegan, you’ll find something here that is going to rock your socks off. Seriously, we might sound like we’re over-hyping this place up a bit, but it’s as good as we say it is.
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Stroll Through The Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
This indoor and outdoor attraction can be enjoyed any time of the year. The gardens display a colorful medley of flowers and other regional foliage. It’s the perfect place to go to meditate or have a peaceful mid-afternoon picnic. Many different garden styles are represented, and the grounds are immaculately maintained.
Sculptures are scattered about amid a backdrop of gorgeous natural scenery. You’ll be amazed by the creations that skilled artisans crafted for this serene destination. Be sure to take a walk around, as there are numerous winding paths that take you on a very pleasant, zen-like journey throughout the grounds.
Lena Meijer Conservatory can also be found here. It’s a five-story building that showcases a collection of tropical and exotic plant life from all four corners of the globe. Inside you’ll find bronze sculptures from world-renowned artists.
See Animals Up-Close At The John Ball Zoo
Now, you might feel like if you’ve seen one zoo, then you’ve seen them all. This Grand Rapids establishment aims to blow that notion out of the water. Animals both small and large from all over the planet can be found here. While most zoos only give you a glimpse of animals at a distance, The John Ball Zoo offers it’s guests up-close and personal experiences with their resident wildlife. They also have several interactive, hands-on experiences for visitors. For instance, you can feed spider monkeys, penguins, bears, and pelicans.
If that’s not exciting enough, they offer a behind-the-scenes experience that gives you a chance to witness a chimpanzee training session. In the process, you’ll learn all about these majestic animals needs and interests. On top of that, you’ll get to meet experts in the field who work with animals for a living and really know their stuff. Some of them will even give you the opportunity to handle smaller creatures like birds, reptiles, and mammals.
Other highlights of the John Ball Zoo include camel rides and the hands-on petting zoo where little ones can get a chance to brush a goat. The zoo is packed full of animals from all over the world – from lions and tigers to sloths and bald eagles.
Brush Up On History At The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
The US’ 38th president, Gerald Ford, was a native of Grand Rapids. At this well-curated museum, several permanent exhibits give informative insights into his life. Collections include well-preserved items from Ford’s childhood and academic years. Examples of things that you’ll see include his old college football uniform and his collection of Eagle Scout’s patches. Beyond that, the museum also proudly displays precious relics and information about his political career. Come see items related to his 1976 presidential campaign alongside gifts that were given to him while he was serving his nation in the White House.
In addition to exhibits covering the former presidents life story, guests will see displays dedicated to his children as well as First Lady Betty Ford.
Aside from the permanent exhibits, The Gerald R. Ford Museum also has several rotating exhibitions from the Presidential Library System, The National Archives, and The Smithsonian Institution. Check ahead on their website to see what kinds of workshops, educational programs, and events they are currently holding as well, as they host numerous of these throughout the year.
Let The Kid’s Burn Off Some Energy At The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
For those visiting the city with younger travel companions, The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum offers them plenty of opportunities to play and learn. One of the most popular exhibits is called ‘Little Grand Rapids’, where children can attempt to be miniature grown-ups while exploring a pint-sized version of the city. This area has everything from banks and grocery stores to doctor’s offices and auto shops where your kids will get to experience what it’s like to work in a wide range of professions.
A few other favorite areas at the museum include the music room, where kids can get as noisy as they like while trying their hand at various musical instruments. The bubble room and the creative play area complete with Lincoln logs, erector sets, and legos are also standouts.
Go Art Museum Hopping
Regardless of what style of art you’re into, there is a museum in Grand Rapids for you to get lost in. If you’re a fan of modern work, The Union Institute of Contemporary Arts presents a wide range of contemporary artwork by both internationally renowned and local artists. Their scope isn’t just limited to the visual arts either, as the museum frequently hosts performance art shows as well.
For classic art appreciaters, the Grand Rapids Art Museum has a collection of more than 6,000 pieces with collections that include paintings, photos, sculptures, and 18th and 19th-century prints. They also have several temporary collections, a research library, and a historical archive.
Tour A Local Brewery Tour
Like we’ve already mentioned, Grand Rapids is a city that has a strong appreciation for the art of fermentation. Beer flows in this town like fresh water does at Niagara Falls. A great way of experiencing the local brew scene in Grand Rapids is by taking a tour of a brewery. A few of our favorites include Speciation Artisan Ales, Brewery Vivant, Arvon Brewing Company, City Built Brewing Company, and Greyline Brewing Company.
Since beer and food go hand in hand, many of Grand Rapids’ breweries also feature taprooms and brewpubs that serve a full menu. So, grab a pint and order some sliders or pizza and have yourself a good time.
For the local breweries that lack dining rooms, a tour of the facility will still be just as enjoyable of an experience. We recently took a tour of Founders Brewery and got to see how their signature Kentucky Breakfast Stout is made. If you’ve never tried it, you’re really missing out. It’s a rich and heavy, lightly carbonated masterpiece that drinks like a meal! And in case you’re wondering, tours are now being offered to the public again after a long yet necessary hiatus due to the pandemic.
Unfortunately, we’re just about out of time for this video. But hopefully, now you have a better idea of why Grand Rapids is such a great vacation destination.
What are you most excited to see and do on your upcoming trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan? And if you’ve already been before, what are some of your favorite attractions in and around town? Let us know in the comments.
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As always, thanks for watching and safe travels!