Well, I wasn't expecting to feel a connection to my deceased Polish grandma at Grand Rapids Public…read moreMuseum. But there I was, making my way through all of the exhibits, when I came across an exhibit about the Polish immigrants who settled in Michigan. My maternal grandmother's parents (my great-great grandparents) emigrated from Warsaw, Poland, to the Detroit area of Michigan more than a century ago, so the exhibit I was looking at pertained directly to me, in a way. It made me wish that my grandma was still around, so I could ask her questions. The room that the exhibit was in was empty and quiet. (It seems like the historical exhibits aren't as popular as the hands-on kid-friendly exhibits). So, it was nice to take in all of this information by myself, quietly. I read about Michigan's Polish culture, and looked at all of the items on display, and thought about what my great-great grandparents were like, living in Michigan. My experience sounds much more sobering than it really was! Really, my family and I had a great time exploring all three floors of the museum. There are lots of things to do. There's a room with giant games, there are displays of taxidermied animals, there's a recreated old-timey Grand Rapids downtown, there's a planetarium for an additional fee, there's a shark exhibit that may or may not be there when you visit because it's temporary. Apparently, there was also a carousel, but I didn't see it! Maybe it was still being repaired. We spent a good hour at this museum, but could have easily spent more time if we weren't on a schedule. The great thing about the Grand Rapids Public Museum is that there's something for all ages. There are things for young kids to touch, and lots of things for older people to read. Truly, this is a museum that will entertain everyone.

I enjoyed the old replica of the streets exhibit. It was neat to see them. It would have been nice…read moreto go in some of the shops. The dinosaurs were neat to see.

You begin the tour with seeing a film that explains all of the renovations that took place. It was…read moresuper interesting to learn about such things as how the carpet was selected and the paint colors. The house was breathtaking to walk through. Especially once you turn the corner and are in the living room with all of the stained glass and the bright suns space. There are limited hours so make sure to book in advance so that you don't miss coming here. The dose sense were extremely knowledgeable in the crowds were small since there are limited numbers of people that can come at a time. The neighborhood is super beautiful as well.

This is a beautiful house, fully restored. Staff and guides are very kind and knowledgeable. I…read morewill need to return.

We chose L&R Rosebud again for our daughter's baptism and were just as impressed this second time…read morearound. Hannah and Joey were excellent coordinators and the rental price hadn't changed at all since we rented from them 3 years ago. We also were still allowed to choose our own caterers and decorate as we pleased. The space was still as bright and beautifully decorated with local artists' masterpieces. Overall, my initial review remains the same! Thanks so much!

Lions & Rabbits. ⁣ ⁣…read moreWhen I think of the Creston neighborhood, I immediately think of them. ⁣ ⁣Lions and Rabbits functions as a gallery, education center, and event space in the Creston neighborhood. They write curriculum for Kent District libraries, host classes, organize artist markets, and do community outreach through public space design and street parties through After Dark GR. (They are a main reason why Creston businesses are covered in incredible murals done by artists).⁣ ⁣ We couldn't be more proud to belong to the same city as the people and minds who work with Lions & Rabbits. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for all the work you do in the community.

Calder Plaza is home to La Grande Vitesse, an Alexander Calder sculpture that was formally…read morededicated in 1969. The plaza is also a popular gathering place for events, art exhibits, festivals, etc. As of January 2023, there are some World of Winter exhibits at Calder Plaza, including a big house of cards that features art from local artists. It lights up at nighttime. I've attended many festivals and events at Calder Plaza throughout the years. The sculpture is impressive and makes for great photos - It's 43 feet tall! Street parking can be tough to find close to Calder Plaza, and there is no natural shade for events that take place there during the summer. The Plaza connects City Hall and the Kent County building in downtown Grand Rapids. La Grande Vitesse is one of the most recognizable icons of Grand Rapids, and is included in the city's official logo.

Calder Plaza. ⁣ ⁣ The…read moreproper name for this 42 ton red sculpture is actually La Grande Vitesse. Translated from French, it means The Grand Rapids. However, us locals refer to it as The Calder, because Alexander Calder, an American sculptor, created it. ‍⁣ ⁣ The Calder is an ode to our city that is home to so many artists and has inspired numerous new art initiatives. It hosts many events, festivals, and even summer food trucks! The Calder is an iconic spot for those of us who call this city home. ⁣

Ah-Nab-Awen Park is a long park along the Grand River with public art, city views, a running trail…read moreand sculptures. Murals line the running trail along the water. There are a few hills inside the park that make for picnic spots with views of downtown Grand Rapids.

You can take a nice walk along the river. Really nice and peaceful however you can see many sign…read moreand evidence of the city needing to cut back on maintenance budget. Over grown weeds, garden sort of out of control, trash along the passage, etc.

This is a perfect mid size Midwest city. There are a ton of great restaurants, breweries, and…read morethings to do for all types of people. Do you like the outdoors? Check out all of the park and gardens, including the Meijer Gardens. One of the best sculpture gardens I have ever been to. There is also a river walk which is nice. This town has a lot of college opportunities as well. It has multiple satellite campuses as well as Grand Valley. Ferris, MSU, Western, and more are all represented here There are a ton of places to eat. We found quite a few that I wrote reviews on. Highly recommended to come here. A little of something for everyone.

Great beer and great art Cheers Beer City USA!…read moreI'm a Brewsader I had been wanting to get to Grand Rapids to visit for probably ten or more years now. It is the long reigning Beer City USA. Founders is the most well known of their breweries and lived up to the hype. I also really enjoyed City Built which is just north of Downtown, Two Guys to the South, and Perrin to the North. Lots of public murals and I have heard nothing but great things about their annual Artprize event every fall. Although I did not partake, there is a free public bus that does loops around the Downtown area (I guess they call it Center City there). The metro population checks in at a little over a million which is not that much smaller than Buffalo or New Orleans. Not quite big enough for any pro sports teams yet. If you decide to go there for the beer like me, make sure to download the BeerCity Brewsader app on your phone. Check into eight different breweries and score a sweet T-shirt which you now pick up at Founders. Hope I make it back to Grand Rapids at some point in the future!

A visit to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is the kind of outing that quietly turns into…read morehours of wandering without you noticing. One minute you're "just taking a stroll," and the next you're deep in a full-on appreciation tour of art, nature, and your step count. The blend of sculptures and natural landscapes is beautifully done. It invites you to slow down, look closer, and occasionally wonder if something is art or just a very confident tree. The butterfly exhibit was a highlight. Peaceful, delicate, and just the right amount of magical without trying too hard. Definitely worth lingering a bit longer there. That said, it was very crowded on a Saturday midday, even with the chilly weather. Apparently, everyone had the same "let's be cultured and outdoorsy today" idea. We're already planning a return visit next time we're in town, likely on a weekday in early fall, when the pace feels a little softer and the experience can breathe a bit more. Highly worth it... just maybe not at peak "everyone had the same plan" hours.

Bought a ticket for their Christmas light show and it was totally worth it!…read more Parking is free. There were attendants in the lot, guiding us where to park. Upon entry, there's a snack bar. You can buy food and drinks and bring them along with you. I got the spiked hot cocoa. I was surprised they have a fireball shot ski!!!! It was so cold that night. I really enjoyed warming up along the walking path at all the fire pits. They also had some pop up tents with heaters and more snacks and drinks. The whole event was well put together. The path was wide enough for adults, kids, strollers and people to pass by or stop and take pics. The sculptures were so pretty! My favorite part was the spot lights because the snow made the lights seem like they were sparkling. The inside of the building had Christmas trees from many countries. I enjoyed reading the captions and learning about their traditions. The gardens were open as well- the desert plants are so cool. The tiny train and building exhibit was nice. They have a ton of local architectural buildings that are miniaturized with natural materials. There is a 15 min Christmas video you can watch; I watched it. It was a little boring. I don't recommend that video for kids. Bathrooms are clean. The gift shop was very nice. They sell ornaments, shirts, plants, etc. Overall, this was such a fun holiday thing to do. I took advantage of all of it. I was there for almost two hours. The pasty was huge and delicious. I took one to go! Worth every penny. The spiked hot cocoa I got was $18 and came in a souvenir cup. It's a really nice cup! It has the museum logo on it. The lid has a great closing mechanism. It has a little air hole though so it can leak. But it kept my drink hot for the whole mile. Bring mittens, wear boots, cover your head and ears, and have hand warmers in your pockets. It's cold out there! But it was so nice to see the lights and the music interacting and to walk the path and enjoy the sculptures lit up. Tickets sell out so buy in advance online.

I was walking around downtown Grand Rapids when this mural caught my attention. It's huge! It's…read morecolorful! It's called Raining Wisdom, and it was created by an artist named Abdoulaye Conde, who is from Guinea. I know this because there was a handy informational sign right by the mural. Grand Rapids hosts an annual international art competition called ArtPrize, and apparently, this mural won the top prize in 2023! That's a cool feather in Conde's cap. The mural depicts elephants in the African wilderness, which are the national animal of Guinea. You can learn more about the mural if you scan the QR code on the sign. But at the time, I wanted to just take in the artwork without knowing anything about it, like I usually do with public art. Sometimes, being ignorant is the best mindset for absorbing art properly.

This place is awesome. Fred Bivins owns this facility, he is an incredible craftsman and…read morewoodworker, one of the few Renaissance men left in this world. Fred hosts a gallery once a year with a handful of local talented artists that is open to public with great art for sale. If you can afford one of Fred's quality crafted bowls I would encourage the purchase, they are really cool.

From the owner: Wood turned items including bowls, bottle stoppers, and a variety of other wood items. Plus,…read moreletterpress-printed note cards.