Among the zoo's inhabitants are tigers, chimpanzees, grizzly bears, and 50 different frogs, toads and salamanders. Along with 18 miles of trails, the park also boasts a 6-acre beach, a splash pad, boat rental facilities and picnic areas, among other features. Shop, dine and enjoy the sights in the beach towns of Holland, Grand Haven, Muskegon and Saugatuck/Douglas each boasts its own unique personality and style. 15 Best Things to Do in Grand Rapids | U.S. News Travel Van Andel Arena hosts some of musics hottest tours this summer: Legendary rocker John Mellencamp brings his Live and In Person Concert Tour to DeVos Performance Hall June 21. For art aficionados, Calder Plaza is one of the best places to go just for this sculpture! Grand Rapids Nightlife You'll find plenty of things to do after dark in Grand Rapids. The association provides a self-guided walking tour of the area that highlights 37 of its finest homes. Others praised the interactive children's garden, which includes treehouses, a log cabin, a maze and a sense garden, among other features. The Gerald Ford Presidential Museum is dedicated to the titular 38th United States Presidents life, achievements, and legacy. Recent travelers said this is an interesting sight to see and that if you're patient you'll spot all different types of fish, including salmon and carp, jumping up the ladder during a seasonal migration in the spring and late summer. July 30. The museums permanent exhibit boasts an impressive holographic presentation and interactive video that allow you to feel like youre taking an active part in history. Ill-Natured: Natures Poisonous Beauties & Venomous Beasts collects the work of nine diverse artists interpreting the nasty side of nature. The sound of the river is relaxing, too, making for a perfect tranquil day out. Find your vibe secluded or close to city amenities, bustling or laid back, dog-friendly or not at 20+ Lake Michigan beaches. Did you know Grand Rapids is a Midwest hub for pickleball? Fresh food just tastes better in fresh air check out 130+ restaurants with great outdoor dining & drinking spaces. Get off the trail and onto the streets for the Grand Rapids Gran Fondo, a bicycling event with 80-mile, 40-mile, 25-mile and family-ride courses. With 125,000 square feet to its name and 20,000 square feet of gallery and exhibition space, its home to over 6,000 works of art. The Grand Rapids Childrens Museum first opened in 1992 and is designed for kids between the ages of two and twelve. With over 1,100 animals within its walls, all housed within realistic and suitable habitats, its filled with activities and fauna from across the globe! Grand Rapids/Muskegon; Jackson; Kalamazoo; Saginaw/Bay City; . Address: 1750 E Beltline Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, United States. 38 Grand Rapids, MI Date Ideas | TripBuzz Fun Activities & Games in Grand Rapids - Tripadvisor Graydons Crossing is a gastropub with 46 on-tap beers from across the planet and a welcoming, cozy atmosphere. Bar, Club & Pub Tours Beer Tastings & Tours. Disneys Frozen is the theatrical version of the mega-smash movie, featuring sensational songs, special effects, sets and costumes. Aug. 19. Many said the house is a "hidden gem" in Grand Rapids. June 17. If you can, reviewers recommended timing your visit for the park's annual butterfly exhibition. 3 Places You Can Get Creative In Grand Rapids - Awesome Mitten A unique aspect of ArtPrize is that it's about more than just being a spectator the public gets to help choose the winners of the prize money to help them continue their work. Other interesting displays are ones on the native Anishinabek people. Midtown GR offers a series of Listening Lawn concerts on the piazza at downtowns Studio Park: Summer Spectacular, a whole weekend of animal activities, live music and specialty food, June 2-4. Brewery Vivant is among the top Grand Rapids attractions in Michigan for beer culture and drink! Grand Rapids, Michigan Things to Do, Events and Deals | Pure Michigan Slather on your sunscreen, grab a lawn chair and groove to the music every night of the week: Many of these concerts are FREE. From the animals at the John Ball Zoo to the interactive exhibits at the Grand Rapids Children's Museum. Know your airline's carry-on luggage size restrictions before you fly. 1. The Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts is also the host of the much-loved Holiday Artists Market, an annual event. Did you know Grand Rapids is nicknamed Beer City, USA? The branch is a beer and burger establishment with 190 seats, packed with photographs, flat-screen TVs, and earth tones. Cristina Iglesias: Under and In Between surveys 20 years of captivating work from one of Spains most renowned artists. Kids can go to the Puppet Stage, play in the Treehouse, explore Aunt Daisys Farm, giggle in a bubble room, and try out musical instruments in a noise-making room. It takes place every year in downtown Grand Rapids and is free for public viewing. Better yet, this allows fisheries and fishermen to get a lot of fish in rich supply. It also has a genuine 1928 Spillman Carousel in the Cook Carousel Pavilion that can be ridden. When the dam was first built, migratory fish were unable to travel past it in order to go upstream. It opened in 1995 as a recreational, cultural, and educational site for the midwest. Along with a theater, a cafe, a gift shop, a carousel and a planetarium, the museum boasts three floors of exhibits. 12-7 pm. It opened in 1982 and has become one of the important Grand Rapids attractions. Address: 1000 East Beltline NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Scroll down to search our nightlife options by region and category. 2. ArtPrize is one of the most awesome things to do in Grand Rapids when it comes to annual events! 5. Architecture aficionados will find this to be the best place to explore in the city! Get a 3-day savings pass to area attractions for $20! 40+ Exciting Indoor Playgrounds and Kids Play Places - grkids.com Looking for more thrill outside Grand Rapids? At Riverside Park June 10 & 11. Indoor Places Where Adults Can Play Like Kids. You can take a tram ride that goes up to the high peaks of the city. Exhibits on 19th- and 20th-century European and American art are especially popular. For an art-filled afternoon spent outdoors, head to the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Celebrate Independence Day at the Annual 4th of July Fireworks Show in downtowns Ah-Nab-Awen Park July 1. The permanent exhibits at the Gerald R. Ford Museum contain many insights into the life and times of this Grand Rapids native. Escape Rooms: Can Your Group . 1 - Visit Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park 1000 Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 We love Meijer Gardens at any time of year, but especially when the weather turns grey. Address: 435 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, United States. Looking for more stuff to do in this part of Michigan? One of the best things to do in Grand Rapids, Michigan for art lovers and artists is to visit the Grand Rapids Art Museum. 27 Fun Things to Do in Grand Rapids, MN [By a Local in 2023] The Grand Rapids Symphony is definitely among Michigans top 10 entertainment groups. These incredible trips are sure to inspire romance and relaxation. The Grand Rapids Public Museum contains three entire permanent exhibit floors focusing on various topics of culture, science, and history. Kids will love the various seasonal programs, from Spring Break to Summer Camp to Winter Break. The Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts is dedicated to providing the west Michigan and Grand Rapids communities with access to innovative art. In the summer, the trail is a hot spot for runners and bikers. Galleries also contain examples of decorative arts and modern art and design. This allows children to learn by brave exploration and play. Galleries contain everything from pencil drawings to prints and from photographs to paintings. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. Often times, it can be difficult to find something fun to do. Affordable Limousine & Party Bus 22 Limos Airport Shuttles Party Bus Rentals "Great company, friendly, competitive pricing, very clean, super responsive. Lowell Pride is a small-town celebration of LGBTQ+ culture on the banks of the beautiful Flat River, just 20 minutes from downtown GR. Grand Rapids Escape Room lets you exercise your clue-hunting, code-cracking and puzzle-solving skills as you work together with friends to discover a way out of one of four scenarios - a secret lab, cabin in the woods, abandoned castle or top-secret government research facility. While youre visiting, check their schedule to see where theyre performing and youll be rewarded with a treat for the ears! A great place to stop for a local history lesson, the Grand Rapids Public Museum specializes in science, history and culture. During the temporary tropical butterfly exhibition, which is held in March and April, more than 7,000 butterflies take flight in the conservatory. Check out the fun and urban John Ball Zoo, near the downtown area! Types of Attractions Fun & Games Nightlife Nature & Parks Museums Sights & Landmarks Zoos & Aquariums Boat Tours & Water Sports Traveler rating & up Good for Good for Big Groups Good for Kids Budget-friendly Good for a Rainy Day Others appreciated the opportunity to rent kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards. THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Grand Rapids - Tripadvisor Receive admission into many cultural attractions around Grand Rapids as well as additional exclusive discounts with our $20.00 Culture Pass. Planning a road trip around Michigan? Address: 1415 Maynard Ave SW, Walker, MI 49534, United States. It can be seen performing all across the city in various public venues. Explore festivities ideal for maximizing the sweater weather season. The five story Lena Meijer Conservatory provides a tropical setting with exotic plants from around the world. With nature and gardens, art events and cultural festivals, and lots of great food and drinks, theres much to be enjoyed! Chroma Passage, Grand Rapids Art Museum. 2.4 Gerald R Ford Presidential Museum. Address: 1145 Fulton Street E, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Official site: www.fultonstreetmarket.org. The Svengrd is a great Scandinavian and New American eatery with a focus on sustainability. The exercise is a good intermission between all the yummy pub fare! It tells the tale of numerous presidents and their endeavors with the recordings of the Oval Office. Through Sept. 1. Dont forget the extensive 280-bottle wine list! The famed travel expert will present context for musical selections by the Symphony and project images from his travels on the big screen. From exciting family holiday events to fun adult activities that explore the city with some of Beer City's best brews. Purchase your Culture Pass now! With our orchards, cider mill, winery, bakery, restaurant and family activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy. 2023 Experience Grand Rapids. Here are our picks for the 27 best and fun things to do in Grand Rapids, Michigan! Artists from around the world converge in late September each year to present their creations in whatever media they choose. Their burgers are pretty well-known, made from USDA grain-fed beef! The platform looks a lot like Twitter, with a feed of largely text-based posts although users can also post . Home to more than 2,000 animals representing 200-plus species, the John Ball Zoo is a hit with visitors traveling with kids. It is a foodie's paradise, with plenty of choices for a quick bite, full meal, tasty treat, or specialty ingredients for you to take home and create your own gourmet meals. Outdoor sculptures are set in the beautiful natural scenery, backed by trees and waterways, with winding paths. At this place, the Grand Rapids Gold professional sports team competes. 1.3 Where to Stay in Grand Rapids. Shop the Fulton Street Farmers Market five minutes from downtown GR and other farm markets to enjoy fresh-picked fruits, vegetables, flowers and more, all summer long. Youll see different species depending on the time of year. Discover GR Stories, Subscribe to the Travel Link for Vacation Ideas, Save on Attractions with Our Culture Pass. The B-93 Birthday Bash celebrates its 30th year with country stars Jon Pardi, Gabby Barrett, Michael Ray and Shane Profitt in concert at LMCU Ballpark. 11 Fun Team Building Ideas in Grand Rapids - Peerspace A farmers market is a lovely way to spend a morning or afternoon. See more ideas about grand rapids, fun things to do, during the summer. Receive admission into many cultural attractions around Grand Rapids as well as additional exclusive discounts with our $20.00 Culture Pass. The symphony is packed with renowned musicians and is well-respected for its impeccable performance in various fun events and festivals. Dec 16, 2022 - A board of fun things to do during the summer in Grand Rapids, Michigan!. Its primarily famous for its grain-fed Midwestern USDA Prime beef, but there are tons of other finely seasoned meats to try. It takes about 20 minutes to get from one bar to the next and some tours have more difficult routes than others. Those who need a quick pick-me-up will enjoy a gourmet coffee shop or a few scoops of organic, homemade ice cream. Food & Drink Garden Parties Lake Break Outdoor Recreation Back to Top of List Grand Rapids is an outdoor paradise in every season - but summer is especially near and dear to our hearts. At the same time, the Great Lakes Pub Cruiser gives you the chance to sightsee. At Martin Luther King Jr. Park Aug. 12. Looking for unique things to do and unusual points of interest? Outdoors lovers will want to plan a visit to the Blandford Nature Center. Top 9 Things to Do in Grand Rapids, Michigan - Trips To Discover Crafting Candles at Wax Poetic Candle Bar. 20 Fun and FREE Things to do in Grand Rapids. There are numerous things to see in Millennium Park. A Glimpse of Africa Festival beckons people to Calder Plaza to celebrate, educate and share the diversity of African cultures through food, music, dance, fashion, arts & crafts, and community activities. There are 33 events on tap from June 11-July 15, including girls lacrosse, water skiing, rugby, bocce ball, tennis, archery, skeet shooting and boxing. 1.2 Where to Eat in Grand Rapids. Threads is a new app from the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. 'Handfuls of Small Stones'. 2023 Best Winter Things to Do in Grand Rapids Michigan - Awesome Mitten Spread across 1,400 acres, the park technically occupies land in four cities: Grand Rapids, Walker, Grandville and Wyoming. The project involves multiple markers across the planet, each one honoring a parallel universe person or event. A working 1928 Spillman carousel is available for rides, and visitors can walk through recreated sections of a working furniture factory from the early 20th century. Pleasant, MI, 11 Top-Rated Things to Do in St. Joseph, MI, 12 Top-Rated Things to Do in Ludington, MI, From Queenstown to Wanaka: 4 Best Ways to Get There, 24 Best Places to Visit in the United States, 21 Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts in the World, www.michigan.org/property/fish-ladder-park, Average minimum and maximum temperatures for Grand Rapids, MI in, Average monthly precipitation totals for Grand Rapids, MI in, Average monthly snowfall totals for Grand Rapids, MI in.