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!

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.

I cannot say enough good things about Meijer Gardens. It is the one thing I would recommend for…read moreanyone to see who is new to Grand Rapids or just visiting. I love to bring out of town guests there. It is fun for adults and children. Every staff member is friendly and knowledgeable. These are some pics from the most recent event/exhibit featuring CHIHULY!

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.

It is a really nice park! It is usually very very crowded. I usually have a hard time parking here…read more I would not go here by yourself and I often walk fast past this when leaving late theater rehearsals. The coffee shop is lovely.

This park is up a small mound or hill…read more A nice short walk up to the Veteran's memorial. At the top, feels like you are away from the downtown.

내쇼날 파크 찾아 다니며 도장 모으다가 프레지덴츠 뮤지엄과 라이브러리도 찾아 다니다. 울동네 가까이 레간 대통령, 요바린다의 닉슨 댜통령, 텍사스의 죤슨 대통령, 보스톤의…read more케네디 대통령 뮤지엄과 생가 등을 식구들이 함께 관람했다. 제랄드 포드 대통령은 미시간 그랜 래핏스에서 소년시절을 보내며 Eagle Scout을 한 기록들로 전시를 보여준다. The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is one of the most important landmarks in Grand Rapids. Gerald Ford grew up in Grand Rapids and always considered it his hometown, even though he was born in Nebraska. Ford was the only President of the United States who became an Eagle Scout. He joined the Boy Scouts in Grand Rapids as a boy and earned the Eagle Scout rank in 1927. Scouting remained very important to him throughout his life. There is even a famous bronze statue of young Gerald Ford as an Eagle Scout in Grand Rapids. Another version is displayed inside the museum. The museum itself sits on the Grand River downtown and includes exhibits about Ford's presidency, a replica Oval Office, and the burial site of Gerald and Betty Ford. Many visitors say the museum is surprisingly interesting and well done, even for people who are not deeply into politics.

I love saying that I spent my birthday with a dead president. But I couldn't imagine going…read moresomewhere more fun and interesting for my birthday. Since I love history, this was a great spot to soak in history. The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum tells the story of the first president to never be elected president or vice president. This story is told with a movie about the former football player, boy scout, and soldier. Then you can walk through a timeline of his life complete with many artifacts. Experience a life size replica of his Oval Office and Cabinet Room during his tenure in office. While we there, there was a special exhibit on how he celebrated the country's bicentennial, by dancing with the Queen of England. President Ford and his wife are both buried on the grounds. I highly recommend visiting the Gerald R Ford Presidential Museum!

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. ⁣

The dedication of this monument took place 19 April 2007 (on the 96th anniversary of the 1911…read moreFurniture Strike). The statues are located on Pearl St. in a recessed area near the Indian Mounds at the entrance to the Ford Museum property along the Grand River. The figures were carved and cast by Roberto Chenlo. The project was the work of the Labor Heritage Society of West Michigan. It's a rare thing to commemorate organized labour in West Michigan...

I've been coming to Gallery 154 for a couple of decades now and I always love it. So many unique…read moretreasures to be found here. Walking around and looking at the walls, shelves, and ceiling is such an adventure. The ornament selection at the holidays is unmatched by any other retailer and the quality of them is exquisite. I think they're celebrating their 33rd year here - let's give them another 33 years, Yelpers!

WOWZA! Every time I leave this store I think about what I should of gotten and go back. I first…read moreentered the store a few days before Christmas and have been back 4x now. Right now the store is covered with an amazing selection of beautiful ornaments. Which are dwindling fast, but the store was covered with ornaments, hanging from the ceiling, everywhere. And such a wide selection. Just to give you an idea of a few of the ornaments: avocado, pickle, cardinal, hamburger, jalapeno and I am so not doing the place justice. The ornaments are glass blown and handpainted /decorated -truly pretty. You could spend all day in there and still see something new you missed, especially on the way out or waiting to check out. Really a lovely place. There is a wonderful selection of handmade jewelery and home decorating pieces. Very eclectic. The people there are lovely and do a great job. Check the place out for a unique gift or something for yourself.

Hagar Park is a great old growth forest with trails, old and "new" playground. Many shelters…read moreavailable for rent and picnic tables everywhere for a fun/ low key get together. I love biking or walking through the trails. I love how this park backs up to a neighborhood and feels quiet yet is still residential. There is a huge wooden play ground that overlooks a grass and rock replica of the USA complete with hills representing mountain ranges. You can walk the perimeter of it for a close up view, but the best vantage point is from the top of the hill. Many things to play on and do at Hagar Park. Pack yourself a picnic and enjoy the facilities during these warmer summer months.

We have a family reunion here most summers, reserving Maples Shelter. It is a gazebo styled covered…read morepicnic area with a concrete floor. There are several picnic tables, AC power outlets to plug in crock-pots, etc., and a counter to lay out food to serve. There is a drinking fountain just outside the shelter. Parking is close and the adjacent grassy area is great for yard games. It is also reasonably close to the massive wooden play structure and modern restrooms.