| Check out our free interactive Grand Rapids vacation guide and discover Grand Rapids's biggest attractions, best restaurants and much more. If you've visited Grand Rapids before tell us your vacation tips and help other travellers enjoy great vacations in Grand Rapids. |
| Free Grand Rapids Holiday Guide |
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Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park - This 125 acre attraction offers a different experience with the changing of the seasons in its unique collection of scenic gardens. It hosts the most comprehensive outdoor sculpture collection in the Midwest by some of today’s foremost sculptors. Its other attractions include the largest tropical conservatory in the States as well as the monumental Leonardo da Vinci’s horse. A large interactive children’s garden, nature trails and a farm garden complete this attraction. Admission fee.
Robinette’s Apple Haus and Gift barn - This family-operated fruit farm dates back to 1870 when a fruit tree salesman thought that the soil in this area would produce excellent peaches. He cleared the land, built the barn in 1881 (now the Gift barn) and wholesaled fruit all over the Midwest. By 1911, it was a successful fruit farm and the Robinette family took it over and expanded to produce a variety of crops. With the shortage of labour during the Second World War, a scheme to pick your own cherries was introduced. This practice still continues today. A cider mill was added in 1971 and business diversified and now includes a market, bakery and lunchroom. Admission is free.
Van Andel Museum of the Public Museum of Grand Rapids - If you have ever wanted to ride on a 1928 carousel with the music from a Wurlitzer Bond organ or drive in an authentic street car down a 1890 reconstructed Grand Rapid street, then this is the museum for you. It also offers world class exhibitions about nature, cultural heritage, Native Americans and the 19th Century Grand Rapids cityscape. When this has all been enough, relax and eat in the café overlooking the river. Admission fee charged.
The Big Dip - Holiday Inn Express Hotel, 6569 Clay Ave. SW, Grand Rapids, Telephone - (616) 871-9700, toll free number (800) 875-6000. A water park that puts the rest to shame. Although admission is for residents only, it's worth staying, if only for one night, to enjoy their indoor family water park. There is a three story waterslide and a large hot tub. In addition, there are also activity pools and lap and vortex pools.
Blandford Nature Centre - 1715 Hillburn Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, Telephone - (616) 819-5540. Woods, ponds and streams all preserved within the city. There are animal exhibitions and trails to enjoy that are open to the public every day. Admission is free.
Roger B Chaffee Planetarium at Van Andel Museum Centre - 272 Pearl St. NW Grand Rapids, Telephone - (616) 456-3663. An educational multi-media sky show for the whole family. The shows changes several time in the year but all shows are equally spectacular. The laser lights are amazing as they dance to music. Please call for the admission fee.
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Big Boy Restaurant – 407 Pearl Street. Home to the first double-decker hamburger, this family restaurant has been a Michigan tradition since 1936. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and besides the Big Boy hamburger, also offers health-smart choices like their summer salad spectaculars.
Charley’s crab – 63 Market Street. Part of the Landry’s Seafood Restaurants Inc. Charley’s is situated on the former site of the Grand Rapids Ice Company overlooking the Grand River. Walls of this restaurant are covered with the 56 names of the original founding local businesses. Its combination of dining and casual atmosphere caters for all with a menu that ranges from the finest fresh fish to aged cut of beef and homemade pastas.
Grand Rapids Brewing Co – 3689 28th Street. The original beer brewery was opened in 1893 and became the largest producer of beer in West Michigan. After Prohibition, it went dry and sold its last beer in 1928.It was recreated in 1993 and shows off photographs from the original brewery. Menu covers salads, sandwiches, homemade soups, steaks and chicken with lunch costing between $5 - $10 and dinner $6 - $18.
Bantham’s Riverfront Restaurant - 187 Monroe Ave. NW Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Grand Rapids, Telephone - (616) 774-2000. Overlooking the Grand River, this wonderful restaurant should not be missed. Their creative starters and mouth dazzling desserts are an absolute must. They are open every day of the year from 6.30 am to 11.00 pm.
The Bull’s Head Tavern - 188 Monroe Avenue NW Grand Rapids, Telephone - (616) 454-3580. A family restaurant that takes extra care of the kids. The menu is vast and meals are tasty. From seafood and steaks to sandwiches and burgers, while the atmosphere is a relaxing one. In addition there is wireless internet that is available free of charge. For further info log onto bullshead03@yahoo.com
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Billy’s Lounge – 1437 Wealthy Street. Live entertainment, with the Blues every Friday and Saturday night. They also have jazz, R & B, rock, folk, reggae bands and open mic nights -music to cater for all tastes.
The BOB – 20 Monroe Ave. This has something for all in one place. Entertainment complex, comedy club, nightclub,micro- brewery and live music every night.
The Delta Plex Entertainment and Expo – 2500 Turner Street. From live entertainment by artists such as Snoop Dogg to Boston, to dance contests, 2 days of continous live bands to the American Senior Life expo and the Gun Collectors and Knife Show. Its diversity of entertainment offers something to all.
Diversions Video Bar & Grill - 10 Fountain St. NW Grand Rapids, Telephone - (616) 451-3800. For the energetic that want to dance the night away! There are dance, video and kareoke bars and there is never a dull moment. The dance floor opens seven nights a week at 10:00 p.m. This club is very popular with the Gay Community.
Friday Nights at the Grand Rapids Art Museum - 155 N. Division Ave.Grand Rapids, Telephne - (616) 831- For live music every Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and a cash bar you can enjoy a drink while exploring your cultured side by attending a pastel sketching class. For more info log onto 1000.pr@gr-artmuseum.org
Crush @ the BOB - 20 Monroe Ave. NW Grand Rapids, Telephone - (616) 356-2000. A modern night club with live music, the latest equipment to keep you dancing to the music.
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Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park - 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, Telephone - (616) 957-1580, toll free number - (888) 957-1580. 125-acres of sculptures, indoor and outdoor gardens, a tropical conservatory, trails and tram rides. Their latest addition is the Children's Garden.
John Ball Zoological Gardens - 1300 W. Fulton St.Grand Rapids, Telephone - (616) 336-4301. An immense park with the John Ball Zoo with over 1,000 animals, an aquarium and a wonderful children's zoo. The chimpanzees are fun to visit. |
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Kellogg’s Cereal City - In 1894, Dr John Kellogg was Superintendent of Battle Creek Sanitarium and Health Spa in Michigan where he tried to encourage his patients to eat healthy. While producing many products, his ultimate aim was to produce a substitute for bread and in 1906 the Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Co was born, with its star product, the Kellogg’s Corn Flake. Discovery Channel has called this tour the second best factory tour for kids anywhere. They not only learn where cereal comes from, but can also follow a stimulated cereal production line. Other highlights here are the museum and breakfast with Tony Tiger. Admission charged.
Grand Rapid’s Children’s Museum - The museum aims to encourage learning by providing an inter-active, hands-on enviroment that promotes self- exploration. The arrangement of exhibits encourage choices, problem solving and discovery. Museum is closed on Mondays, with Thursday nights being Family nights with a special admission fee.
Binder Park Zoo - The zoo is home to one of the largest herd of giraffes in the States. More than 600 animals live in a lush forest surrounded by beautiful natural surroundings. From children’s parties to overnight school and family programmes, the zoo endeavours to provide quality programmes dedicated to the conserving of wildlife. Admission fee.
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