Grand Rapids, Michigan

photo credit: Russell Sekeet

Upcoming in Grand Rapids

• Jun 8 → Aug 3:Blues on the Mall - Live blues and classic rock every Wed 6:30pm - free admission and local food vendors.
• Jun 12 → Sep:Fulton Street Artisan's Market - Open-air market, full of arts and crafts every Sunday from 11am-3pm until Sep.
• Want more?Read /r/GrandRapids to see what's going on in town. They were the locals instrumental in putting this summary together.

Getting in & out

• Air:GRR - Gerald Ford International Airport: Daily flights from most major U.S. hubs, primarily Delta.
• Car: I-196 (from Chicago); I-96 (from Muskegon or Lansing/Detroit); US-131 (from Kalamazoo, or northern Michigan).
• Train:GRR - Grand Rapids Train Station: Daily Amtrak service from Chicago's Union Station (CHI).
• Bus:Greyhound bus from the Central Station terminal (Grandville and Cherry St.) to all over Michigan.

To do

• Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park: Beautiful place to spend an afternoon.
• Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts: [CLOSED until Jul 27] Michigan's largest for contemporary arts and always a fun time.
• Bike along White Pine Trail: Exercise and beautiful scenery all in one!
• ArtPrize: Art festival that hosts the single largest prize for art in the world. $250,000 for 1st.
• Grand Rapids Art Musem (GRAM): Another great place for getting your art on.
• Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum: Experience the 70s with the story of the "accidental President."
• Grand Rapids Children's Museum: Hands-on environment for your wee ones to learn through interaction and exploration.
• The Giant Tire Swing behind City Hall: It's rad. And a bit of a local secret. Plenty of Grand Rapidians don't even know about it.
• The B.O.B (Big Old Building): Multi-story gathering place full of bars and even a comedy club.
• Van Andel Arena: Check the schedule, there could be an AHL hockey match, a concert, or even the circus in town.
• Rob Bliss Events: Remember the Grand Rapids Lip Dub? That's one of the many awesome things coordinated at a city-wide level by Rob and his team.
• Beaches: Tunnel Park, Grand Haven, and Holland Lakeshore.
• Shopping: East Town and Gaslight Village.
• Walking: Around Reed's Lake or along the Grand.

To eat

• Yesterdog: Get a fabulous hotdog. Considered by some the best in the state.
• San Chez, A Tapas Bistro: Shows up on a variety of local blogs as a local favorite.
• Choo Choo Grill: Arguably the best burgers in Grand Rapids.
• Stella's Lounge: Vegetarian (and vegan), unpretentious restaurant.
• The Electric Cheetah: Don't let the name fool you, it's a restaurant -- and one with lots of fans.
• Nantucket Baking Company: If it's baked, it's here, and delicious.
• Little Africa: Ethiopian food. Cash only. It's injera time.
• Wolfgang's: Delicious breakfast. Loads of recommendations.
• Real Food Cafe: Another contender for best breakfast in town.
• Marie Catrib's: Locals love this spot for breakfast, too, as well as lunch and dinner. Localvore-friendly!

To drink

• Brewery Vivant: Drink and eat well here. Popular as of late.
• Mulligan's Pub: Sunday features a "make-your-own-bloody-mary" bar.
• Hopcat: Like craft beer? Won't find any of the "Big 3" beer here. Great beer-battered fries.
• Founders: Local brewery. They make some of the best brews you'll find - including some of the highest-rated beers in the world.
• The Meanwhile Beergarden. Pinball. Jukebox. Shark on the wall.
• The Green Well: Happy Hour features 99cent retro cans of beer. Yes.