The 40 best sights in Grand Rapids

Absolutely beautiful. We are here for the autumn night on Tuesday, but have spent the day here too. We took the tram into the sculpture park area, not worth the price you pay for 1/2 hr ride when you can't see most of the sculptures! If you are here to see these amazing sculptures then skip the expensive tram ride. Plan on spending the day here, there is so much to see. If we lived in the area we would definitely get a membership. Looking forward to this evening. Music, lights and more. I'll add more pics later if I can. We were blessed with a beautiful fall day and evening. Beautiful evening, perfect weather.

We have been to several different gardens in different states and this place is in the top 3. It was very easy to get too. Had no problems with traffic getting to this location. The parking lot was easy to enter and plenty of spots near the main entrance. They have a kiosk or front desk to buy tickets. No line at either. We only pay for the tickets not parking or maybe the parking is included in the ticket price but I feel it was a great price. This place is extremely large and there is lots of ground to cover. You could easily spend the whole day here. They have a gift shop inside. They have a very large amount of unique sculptures. The gardens are absolutely beautiful and very well maintained. I cant say enough good things about this place. You have to see it for yourself. Highly recommend!

Spectacular! Stunning collection of sculptures! Incredible gallery space! Be sure and see the documentary film before you tour the garden. Great place for anyone!! So beautiful and the staff are the friendliest and best!! We were fortunate to see some wonderful special exhibits! Loved our lunch in the dining room! Great gift shop! So thrilled we got to see this amazing property! Thanks to David for a very informative tram ride around the property!

A well-maintained incredibly beautiful and relaxing 158-acre botanical garden, art museum, and outdoor sculpture park with walking trails throughout. Visiting is an adventure, similar to going to Disneyland, except more relaxing because you are surrounded my nature. There is also plenty of parking and you can easily spend a few hours exploring. Be sure also to see the gift shop before leaving.

These gardens absolutely deserve a 5 star rating. Incredibly friendly and knowledgeable docents are located throughout the area. Great displays, sculptures and tours offered. The grounds are immaculate! We thoroughly enjoyed and will return!!

A Must-See Summer Destination! Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is nothing short of spectacular — especially in the summer. This place is a true gem in the Grand Rapids area and far exceeded all expectations. The gardens are incredibly well-designed, with something new and beautiful around every corner. From vibrant perennial displays to peaceful water features, it’s a sensory experience in every direction. The Japanese Garden, in particular, is a stunning oasis of calm — perfectly manicured and thoughtfully laid out, with traditional bridges, stone lanterns, and serene ponds that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a different world. But it’s not just about plants — the sculpture collection is world-class. You’ll find massive, dramatic pieces and delicate, contemplative works, all beautifully integrated into the landscape. There’s something really powerful about seeing modern art set against a natural backdrop. It makes you pause, think, and appreciate both the art and the environment it sits in. Whether you’re strolling through the butterfly house, wandering the trails, or sitting on a bench soaking in the views, you can easily spend an entire day here. It’s equally great for families, solo travelers, and art or nature lovers alike. If you’re anywhere near Grand Rapids — or even just passing through Michigan — this place is 100% worth a visit. Truly one of the most unique and inspiring gardens in the country.

This place really knocked our socks off! Every detail is carefully planned out, from the Autumn decorations on display as you enter, to the gorgeous flower arrangements throughout the welcome center, to the delicious food and drink at the cafe. We loved the sculptures and the garden displays that flank them.

The exhibits at the GR Public Museum seem to change fairly frequently, but there are a wide assortment of topics covered. Sharks made one of the main exhibits during my last visit, and the full scale models of some species were impressive. If you’re interested in the history of Grand Rapids there is plenty of information on that, and the scale model of the streets of a century ago is pretty cool. This museum can probably be comfortably explored in a couple of hours, but there’s a lot for kids to explore and enjoy here. It’s definitely a good option for families, but there’s probably a little something for everyone here.

Absolutely fabulous museum. Great variety of knowledge shared and lots of Michigan specific information. Sharks exhibit is really well done. I learned a lot. Three stories of fascinating artifacts displayed in a memorable and meaningful way. It's not a children museum but set up to be visually and physically engaging. Several child play areas. My favorite was the Grand Rapids main street. The best. Also enjoyed the old school way they exhibited flora, fauna, animals and habitats of Michigan. Wished I'd had family, especially my grandchildren with me. They would have loved this. I spend 2 hours, but probably needed 3. I'm a reader. Nice gift shop too.

Always a favorite with my family! We went this past Saturday and were pleasantly surprised with all the booths in the main lobby. My son had a blast doing the science activities at the booths as well as the scavenger hunt through out the museum! We initially went to see the Shark exhibit but we always end up going through the whole museum. It was worth it, my son loves sharks so it was so cool to see his face light up when we got to the exhibit and seen all the sharks waiting to be looked at and explored! Thank you for such a fun family day!

We saw the David Hockney exhibit and it was fabulous. Really well done and so colorful. We found convenient on-street parking near the entrance and a cute coffee house across the street. We enjoyed our visit.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is a fantastic place to spend an afternoon! It offers a wide variety of exhibits covering everything from the history of Grand Rapids to science, culture, and ecology. One of the standout features is the Old Grand Rapids exhibit — it's a recreated steet from old Grand Rapids, and easily one of the highlights of the museum. What really sets this museum apart is the level of interactivity. Many of the exhibits are hands-on, making it a great spot for kids and adults alike to engage and explore. Whether you're a local or just visiting, this museum is definitely worth checking out.

Such a fun museum! Lots to look at and do. It was $14 a person and definitely worth the price. I would recommend pre purchasing your tickets

There are lots of cool exhibits and a planetarium inside. I think my favorite part today is the Streets of Old Grand Rapids exhibit, with reproductions of typical businesses, complete with a volunteer typesetter and printer in the print shop, who gave great demos. They welcome reciprocal membership visitors, so check your museum memberships against their list!

I'm not into modern art, but it's a great building, the temporary exhibit was interesting, the 3rd floor had a variety of wonderful pieces, but my favorite part of this visit was that I came during some free evening hours and Caitlin Cusack? was performing in the building and her voices and that building was just magical.

Art in bloom here was awesome! They did a great set and was very neat to see! Great stop for a weekend! Whole museum had lots of great things to see.

Thursday night music and art was awesome to stumble across. The band was good with food trucks outside and great art inside. I was able to walk the art museum for free. Three floors of all types of art. I was impressed with the 1700 oil paintings that look like they were painted yesterday.

By far one of my favorite places to go in Michigan. It is so peaceful and beautiful in there. I would definitely visit again

I went here for the first time on Tuesday and it was free. I loved the special exhibit by David Honey and was so impressed with the numerous books he illustrated and published that were all on display in the activity room. I also took the time to create a design with the supplied materials on the second floor. The docent (Meagan and Sheila) were very informative about some of the objectives of His work to show different angles and perceptions. Very impressed with how old some of the art pieces were. Such a beautiful building

We enjoyed this museum and learned the names of many lesser-known artists. They did not seem to own any of the very well known artists’ pieces, though I am no real connoisseur. One of the floors was entirely closed down, so we only needed about an hour or so.

A nice gallery right in the downtown area. The permanent collection was somewhat limited but they did have a 2 floor gallery for David Hockney when we went which was cool.

This is a great museum, looking back at history through the lens of today sheds new light on quite a bit of the history presented here. You come away with a new found respect for president Ford, but at the same time you realize who the notorious players were in that same era. Worth a visit and it is a beautiful museum that is extremely well maintained.

Gerald Ford was President for only 895 days (2.45 years), so I didn't expect his Presidential museum to be as nearly as impressive as it is. First of all, it's located in a beautiful area of downtown Grand Rapids right off the Grand River. The building architecture and grounds are beautiful and well kept. The museum is well laid out with thousands of artifacts well displayed. It also contains a mockup of President Ford's Oval Office, as well as his Cabinet Room. This visit opened my eyes on what challenging times the Ford Administration had to operate in and all he had to deal with as leader of the free world.

This was our first presidential museum that we have ever visited and we were pleasantly surprised by how much we'd enjoyed it. Highly recommended if you're in the area to spend the time to tour this museum and learn a little bit about American history.

I traveled to Grand Rapids for the specific purpose of visiting the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. The Museum is located on the banks of the Grand River in Downtown Grand Rapids. The parking lot adjacent to the museum is free for Museum Visitors. As visitors approach the museum you are greeted by a very nice statue of First Lady Betty Ford. There is also a statue of President Ford at the entrance to the Museum. Once I purchased my ticket for the self-guided tour, I made my way up to the exhibit area which documents the life of the man who served as both Vice President and President and was never elected to either office. The first exhibits that I encounter documents the early life of President From his birth in Omaha, Nebraska to his football day at the University of Michigan. Moving though the museum I found the exhibits on his long career as a member of the United States House of Representatives. A part of the House Exhibit that I found particularly interesting was President Ford’s service as a Member of the Warren Commission that investigated the Assassination of President John Kennedy. The museum deals extensively and quite accurately with the corruption of the Nixon-Agnew Administration. After completing my tour of the museum, I made the short walk along the paved path to the crypt where both President and Mrs. Ford are resting. The walk from the Museum to the Gravesite affords visitors a very nice view of downtown Grand Rapids. During my 2025 visit to the Ford Museum was open Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from Noon until 5 p.m. It has a very reasonable admission price of $13. Seniors’ admission is $11. All total I spent a little less than 4 hours at the museum. This is a very well-done museum and I would highly recommend visiting if you are in the Grand Rapids Area.

We only had a short time to spend here, maybe a couple hours, but it was enough. As opposed to all other presidential libraries, it was separate from the museum. This wasn’t made clear on the website(s). One was open on Saturday and the other was not. And there was a 2-hr drive separating them. Interesting museum, but not spectacular, compared to others we have visited.

Very nice place. For the roughly 2.5 years of presidential service, this is a very nice honor. The ability to bring the country together was his amazing character.

Aside from the red winged blackbird that attacked me on the sidewalk at departure, or the sheer volume of dog poop scattered across the grass between the president's grave and the river, I found this museum to be both illuminating and humbling. Having just read "Write It When I'm Gone," my impression of Ford was a four letter misfire: dull. I had the impression, based on his much later years, that President Ford lacked insight on his own life and experience, that his view of the world and the nation was incredibly superficial. And maybe it was, near the end, but this museum took me through a different--albeit understandably biased--point of view, letting me see Ford as a regular boy, a regular man, going through regular things, and yet excelling and serving for the benefit of other regular people, like himself. I've now been to 25 presidential graves and countless homes/museums/libraries, which means that a lot of them start to feel, for me, rehearsed and predictable. But in Ford's museum, I got a little choked up at my own arrogance, admitting, necessarily, that Ford wasn't dull at all. He was a hard-working man who fell into the presidency, never really wanting to be more than a legislator, a representative of the people for which the presidency offered him a new platform to serve. The only question that I never got answered, a question that someone might be able to answer here, is why Ford settled in California during his post-presidency, nudged between Nixon and Reagan, when he clearly loved his Michigan home.

It’s good especially for kids with loads of interactive stuff for them to do within the park and plenty of animals for them to see. As others have suggested I would also recommend taking the funicular on the right hand side as you enter and going to the highest point of the zoo and working your way back down. Entrance fee was good value and I even got an over 62 discount! We also ate within the park as we spent most of the day there. The experience loses a star as a lot of the animals looked to be quite sad and bored, I appreciate the work of the zoo for the animals but some of the pens are not all that big and clearly not enough to keep them occupied in their surroundings.

We got to see a wide variety of different animals and it seemed that all of them were out and enjoying the beautiful day with us. The staff there is super friendly and always trying to accommodate and inform and educate you about their animal friends. The new enclosures were really nice, I know a lot of the staff puts their own sweat and tears into them. A special thanks to Madison for showing us all around the zoo and sharing her love and passion for each and every creature. ♥️

Went for the Zoo Boo event. "Immerse yourself in otherworldly entertainment like magicians, fire performers, jugglers, villains and more! A wickedly fun family tradition. Thirteen twisted treat stations will be scattered throughout the zoo featuring a variety of Halloween treats." This was our first time there, and we really enjoyed it. The zoo had great Halloween decorations throughout and the candy stations were very generous. Most of the animals were napping. There was something to see between each exhibit which is nice. It's is however a lot of uphill walking, feel the burn, so if you went with a limited mobility walking, rent a scooter. We were there for three hours and still didn't see all the animals. There's a small playground outside of the zoo and one in the zoo, which was good for the kids, if they didn't get all that energy from doing all that walking. Would definitely recommend. It's a 2.5 hour drive, but it's worth it.

I absolutely love John Ball Zoo!! 💞 I've gone here since I can remember and now as a tradition every year when my daughter and granddaughter come home from Florida, both of my daughters, my granddaughter, both of my grandsons and I always make sure to go!! It's an amazing tradition and Zoo!! Thank you John Ball for the priceless memories made here!! I would 💯 % recommend!! ❤️🦘🦓🦒🦛🦔🦍🐐🦎🐸🐅🐃🐒🦏❤️

there are some really cool exhibits that you don't see in many other zoos around. the hippos were very cool, the penguins had a cool spot, and a lot of the animals had enclosures that you could see them without a huge sheet of glass like a lot if zoos. very cool zoo with some very cool viewing areas

Came to volunteer at Zoo Goes Boo and had the opportunity to walk around and see some of the animals. I loved the owls and red pandas! I can't wait until the new baby pygmy hippo (Hugo!) is out, but I did get to see papa Jahari swimming around the pool. I had a great time volunteering and walking around the zoo, can't wait to come back!

The staff was very helpful, friendly and informative. The albino leopard was our favorite. Hippos and monkeys are always a lot of fun and so were the lions. Our food service was very good. The aquarium was pathetic. You need some fish to go in with the sea anomies in the only salt water display. We came from Traverse City in Hillsdale and hope to make another trip this season.

We had a fantastic experience touring the Meyer May House! The home itself is a beautifully preserved example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie-style architecture, and it was fascinating to see the thoughtful details and restoration work that went into it. Our guide, Stewart (Stew), was excellent—warm, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the history and design of the house. He struck the perfect balance between sharing detailed information and keeping the tour engaging. He answered questions thoughtfully and added a personal touch that made the experience even more enjoyable. Highly recommend this tour if you’re interested in architecture, design, or simply want to see a piece of history brought to life.

A beautifully restored Prairie-style home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1908–09. The architecture is stunning — clean horizontal lines, leaded glass windows, and an incredible attention to detail throughout. The interior feels like a work of art, with original and reproduced Wright furnishings and a peaceful connection to the gardens outside. Free tours include a short film and expert insight into Wright’s vision. An absolute must-visit for architecture lovers or anyone exploring Grand Rapids!

I had a wonderful experience visiting the Meyer May House. The restoration is absolutely stunning and really brings Frank Lloyd Wright’s vision to life. The guided tour was very informative, and the staff were knowledgeable and welcoming. It’s incredible to see such attention to detail in both the architecture and the furnishings. Definitely a must-visit if you are in Grand Rapids!

Definitely recommend this tour! Especially because it’s free. The house is really beautiful inside, especially the first floor. The video before the tour is informative and interesting even though it’s from the late 80s, and the docents clearly love this house!

What a great house and tour. The staff and docents were absolutely wonderful. The web says it closes at 1:00 pm but that’s when the last tour starts. The staff was very accommodating and helpful and Steelcase is an excellent sponsor making this a no cost excursion. A gem in the heart of Grand Rapids historic district.

Great presentation of American art and history. It was a fantastic experience to walk through the well guided tour of an American Icon. The attention to detail on the restoration will leave you speechless.

Absolutely gorgeous house and the restoration it took to get it back to this pristine of a condition is absolutely amazing and left me speechless. The tour is free! It starts with a 35 min video on the restoration that Steelcase did to the house after purchasing it and than after, it’s followed by a 45min led tour around the inside and outside of the home. 10/10 would recommend if you can, absolutely worth the time.

We had such a fantastic time visiting. The staff were so friendly & knowledgeable about EVERYTHING! My FAVORITE part of the museum was the bubble cage and the bubble area! There are just so many fun things to do! I could spend all day there. Our last 3 hours of the museum being open wasn't enough time! Thanks, Children's Museum, for such a wonderful time!

My son had a blast here! There was lots to do and plenty of stuff for everyone to share. His favorite (and mine) was the meijer market! We thought the bee habitat was really cool too! I wish there was a gate at the entrance and top of the stairs. Of course us parents are supposed to accompany our little one's but it would be a nice safety feature for runners.🏃‍♂️ I saw a baby almost step down the top stair before his mom grabbed him. I also had to constantly block the stairs entrance. I would also love to know if this facility is regularly cleaned and sanitized.

Many fun things to do, both for kiddos and the adults attending with them. Lots of interactive play and they even had a clay workshop today! Would definitely recommend visiting here!

A fun place to be for the kids. They really seem to enjoy it. However, I was expecting more of the math science education world rather than play with food, but it was still really good.

First impression... Homeless people smoking weed and yelling at each other in the grassy park across the street. That made me uncomfortable, almost just turned around and left. But we drove 45 minutes, already parked and walked 3 blocks, and have been wanting to visit for years. We have a 3.5 year old and almost 2 year old. The museum is more like a play area. I guess the word museum made me expect a bit more. I talked up the bubble thing so my daughter was really excited to be inside a bubble... but it wouldn't hold. Maybe not enough bubble solution, but I saw 3 other families also trying and failing. The open painting was fun. The train track toys entertained my son for a few minutes. Coolest thing was the bee hive that leads outside. Just as we were leaving we realized a large area was boxes to play in. We both separately thought it was an area under construction. I wish the weather area was more interactive. It seemed to not function maybe. But it would be cooler if the sun button made everything very bright, or the wind button turned on fans... That's what I feel would be more like a museum. Overall, not terrible. Nice place to have if you want to occupy a toddler. With a WIC card it was just a few bucks to get in.

This is a nice museum, geared towards younger children. There are a lot of play areas and cool things to see, two levels of floors. They also have a restroom on each level, and a gift shop. They have a nice activity room that's open at certain times with extra activities and crafts. Staff was very nice. It was very crowded and loud there. It's a smaller museum than other ones so you will have that issue. My 5-year-old loved it. My 10 and 12 year old felt a little too old though for it. So definitely geared towards younger children in general. There was paid parking on the street around the museum. We parked in a public parking garage a couple blocks away, it was probably a 3-minute walk or so. It looks like they have a few options for parking like that. The price was a lot higher at this museum. We went to the public museum in Grand Rapids after this and our price was half of that to get in there and we are not even from the area. So it was a bit expensive for us to go there for 2 to 3 hours. But we still enjoyed it and would recommend it.

Love taking the littles here. They have all sorts of things to do. And it's super cheap.

We had a wonderful time at Blandford Nature Center! My wife and I brought our two young kids, and it was a great experience for the whole family. There was so much to see, with plenty of trails to explore. We used strollers and got around just fine. The atmosphere was peaceful, and we even spotted a few deer and turtles along the way. If you’re looking for a beautiful, easy-to-reach nature spot near Grand Rapids, Blandford is a fantastic choice!

Great place for animal seeing and hiking. Well kept trails, rescue animals and informative areas. Staff were friendly, indoor bathrooms also at the main campus were clean. Water fountains inside, bring water containers. Many trails most of them easy walking, not all are wheelchair/stroller able. Saw many animals, including deer. $5 to get in unless you’re a member of the museum group which is part of many places.

Highly recommend for little ones. Our toddler loved the child nature nook! We saw a deer only a few feet from the parking lot and received a very warm welcome.

Beautiful place, old buildings are in working order, trails to walk the dog, cool place on a hot day.

Paid 5 dollars to get in, did not get tickets in advance. Wonderful nature trail, I also liked seeing the rehab animals.

We love this expanded trail area in the Highlands! We cannot wait for the construction to be done with new playscapes! It’s wonderful to have this space in the city on days we don’t have the time to do a drive to the countryside!

We’ve visited here before but wanted to share the beautiful tranquility you will feel when walking on the trails. We went on a Wednesday later in the day and there wasn’t a wait to enter. Plenty of parking. The newer and much bigger building was built in 2015. They have souvenirs, logo shirts, maple syrup and many other things for purchase. The entry is $3 per person. You will also see several rescued animals on display. Once outside, you will see several trails that you can follow. Be sure to wear your walking shoes because the trails go for miles. There are other buildings of interest that are pretty nice to see up close. Be sure to visit soon!!

Took our 2 boys to their first concert! Van Andel was the perfect venue to go to! Staff was all very helpful and kind. Seating was great. Kids had an amazing time. We watched: Periphery, Mastadon and Coheed and Cambria

Always a great time! The arena hosts a wide variety of shows, concerts, sports events, comedy specials and the circus. Lots of options for food and drinks. Bar carts and concessions are located all around the concourse. Professional medical staff is present for attendees and performers at each event. You might not see them, but they are available.

Beautiful venue with great acoustics but the seats are horrible. I'm 5'9", 170 lbs, and I barely fit in my chair. Zero leg room. Forearms sore from rubbing on the built-in cup holders on the tiny armrests. Big guy next to me spilling over into my seat. Would have been more comfortable standing for 3 hrs.

Took my oldest son to see Lincoln Park on 5/2 we had tickets on the floor and had an amazing time. Not a huge fan of everything being card only, but understand the concept with so many people packed in. We did have an issue with our tickets scanning and had to hit the box office to get scannable tickets. All in all pretty good show.

I have been to several events here over the years, but I came here to see Billy Strings recently and had an overall great experience. I was impressed with the ease of entry from the skywalk, the workers are helpful with getting to your seat and with a friendly demeanor, the sound was mixed perfectly… not too quiet or too loud, getting out was easy on the last song. One bad thing, the seats are too small if you are a full bodied American like me and some of those around me. I’m not really fat, just a big guy. The seats are like airline seats, but shrunk 25%. I barely, barely fit. A guy with a few more beers in his belly directly ahead of me didn’t fit at all, making us have to stand most of the show anyway. And you are going to be close buddies with whoever is next to you, for better or for worse. Even standing, there is barely room. Everyone around us was spilling drinks and food because of this. It’s rather annoying and a major con. Buuut, I like this place. And I keep coming back.

Van Andel Arena, is always fantastic. No matter if you're in the nosebleed seats or front row you'll have a clear view of the show! All the attendants are very helpful and greet you with a smile

Saw Shane Gillis. He was hilarious, fantastic show. All time favorite comedian. Reminds me of a young Norm McDonald. Both the Sam’s were hilarious as well with Sam Morrell being the runner up for 2nd most funny tonight.

I went off season (no outdoor activities involved) and was so impressed by this little gem in Grand Rapids. The donuts were beautifully soft and so satisfying. Additionally, everyone at the wine cellar was so friendly and so helpful. Though very sweet, I loved their recommendations, and I’m so glad I bought bottles to share of their peach Spumante. They did offer a discount if you buy 4+ bottles. Also, loved hearing that their wines support local MI farmers as all the fruit used for the fruit wines comes from MI farms.

Robinette’s never disappoints! The apples are always crisp and fresh, the cider is the best around, and the warm homemade donuts are worth the trip alone. I also love stopping for a wine tasting,it’s such a fun and cozy experience. The employees here are truly wonderful. On my last visit, I couldn’t find a specific apple variety, and one of the staff not only walked me right to them but also took the time to explain the differences between a few others I might like. That kind of thoughtful service makes you feel so welcomed.♥️♥️♥️♥️

Mid-sized apple orchard. They have a few children’s activities but not as much as some of the others in the area. We did the horse drawn wagon ride and that was very nice. The petting zoo was just a few animals in individual pens. The donuts line was way too long. It seems they could have a better process for it. No other lines outside of that. They only had one type of apples for U-pick and it was $25 per bag. We couldn’t bring the children in with us for the wine tasting. There was a small slide and a jumping pillow. The jumping pillow was for children over 3 so we didn’t participate as one of our little ones was only 2. It seems like a great place to spend an afternoon if you live in the area however, not exciting enough for our annual fall weekend trip.

Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery was the perfect weekend spot for my family. The staff were friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere felt open, clean, and well cared for. We brought our dog along and were pleasantly surprised that he was allowed to join us outside. The outdoor seating area was beautiful — surrounded by trees and open space, it made for a peaceful, relaxing meal. Our food arrived quickly and was delicious, though a bit on the salty side for our taste. Still, the flavors were fresh and satisfying. The combination of great service, scenic surroundings, and family-friendly policies made this a memorable visit. Overall, we had a wonderful experience and would definitely recommend Robinette’s to other families (especially those with dogs) looking for a relaxing place to enjoy good food, local wine, and a beautiful outdoor setting.

Honestly a little disappointed. Just seems your whole business is a little dishonest. Your pies packed in your boxes are just GFS pies and your coffee here, while good, is marked with a wonderful from Michigan sticker making it seem local. It’s from Wisconsin. Again, great coffee but the negative review is more so with how you’re marketing yourself with less than honesty and it seems a bit shady.

It’s so fun to be in the city and drive about 10 min and be at an apple orchard. This place is busy busy on weekends but that’s how it goes. If you don’t like crowds, don’t come on the weekends. They have the best tasting donuts and cider and yummy chocolate wine! We go cherry picking in the summer and their nectarines are to die for! The ROBINETTES are so friendly and will answer any question you might have. They’ve been around since 1911 and hope they will be around for another 100 years. Love you guys

What a way for the Family to enjoy that special Michigan Sunny Fall ! Best Apple Cider.. Corn Field Maze, Cider n Donuts, & Winery & Camerons' Football Game for the Grand Rapids Hawks! Go Hawks

We were disappointed this morning that both Bridges were close so we could not go to the Ford Museum. Usually the Ford Museum has very interesting art. There was was some fantastic art on the other side of the river..

ART PRIZE GR: In my opinion they have spread out the art too much, a normal person will never come close to seeing it all. I liked it so much better when it was concentrated downtown. It is so sparce downtown. The Ford museum is the best. parked beyond the ymca, they also changed the route for the dash bus no runs on pearl street which is the main walk from $3 lot. Should be making it easier not harder.

The blowup "house" by the river was way over priced for what it was, just a pretty blowup house. There was so much great artwork we didn't even get to see even half of it. We'll definitely have to go back this weekend.

Lots of interesting pieces, and reading the artist thoughts was nice to add perspective to them. Devos Center was very busy and there wasn't a map or anything to find where all the Artprize pieces were (that I found anyway) but was still quite enjoyable.

Big letdown. Drove an hour to downtown Grand Rapids on Sunday at 4 PM—perfect weather—but the museums were all closed. Really?! The one Sunday this special annual event happens, and they can’t stay open a little longer? Street “activities” were almost nonexistent: a Kilms painting exhibit ruined by a political argument and the smell of marijuana, plus two small exhibits at the Amway Hotel. Sunny day aside, this trip was not worth it.

The only reason I decided to make this trip to grand rapids was to see the artwork of @tailsjekel_art. While the glass tapestry won ARTPRIZE, it does take a special skill to make an incredible beautiful piece of art by skill. IMO, @tailsjekel_art was a painted masterpiece of beautiful art and story of true life put on canvas. Just a true masterpiece!

Biophilia Gallery, 975 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids – – during ArtPrize! Many exhibits! All beautiful, thought provoking, and bring joy!

It had trash on the ground and smelled due to people smoking stuff. Otherwise it was a nice view of the water, buildings surrounding, and the bridge(s). There also was some sort of trash pile of wood and blue drums on the water bank near the boat launch but it could have been an abandoned raft as well, hard to tell.

Fish Ladder Park's Fish Ladder was completed back in 1976 to aid fish spawning upstream while allowing the public to see them on their journey. It's a very short walk from the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and worth a visit. It's also a popular spot for fishing.

This place was pretty cool to see. If I'm correct they are working on funding to improve the place. The restroom facilities are not the greatest, but are there. There was a fish cleaning station which I thought was cool. It was neat to see the ladder and watch people fish. The water isn't very deep, but the undercurrent right at the dam seemed to be very dangerous.

Very cool place! Check it out if you're in the area. The fish weren't using the ladder when were were there but you're still able to fish and see all sorts of fish just swimming beneath the lookout areas.

Fish Ladder Park is a unique and peaceful spot in downtown Grand Rapids. The river views are relaxing, and it’s a great place for a quick walk, photos, or just taking a break by the water. Not a huge park, but definitely worth a visit — especially during fish migration in spring or fall.

This is one of my and my husband's favorite places to come and take walks and enjoy the beautiful scenery. We also love to go fishing near here! Just remember that there is no fishing allowed in the Fish Ladder itself!!!! We just came today and walked around a little bit south of the Fish Ladder and found a lot of usable and fixable lures, and also some very pretty shells. If you haven't visited Fish Ladder Park yet, I highly recommend it! If you have been here before, I also highly recommend you come back again soon! This place is so beautiful, and relaxing.

I like the fish ladder. I came here with a friend and she had never been here before, just had been mentioning about it from her dad. 10/10 is a lot better when it's warmer towards the evening. A lot of bugs though, stay protected.

Breweries are not my go to thing but I tagged along because my husband and dad wanted to go. Everything got the “I want to return” ratings… the beers, the food (looks simple but flavorful) , the service, and the atmosphere. Highly recommend, especially if it’s your first day in the city visiting.

WOW this is an amazing brewery. They do all the brewing on site. The outdoors seating is so nice with great views. If you like sports they have plenty of televisions to watch your favorite team. You definitely have to make a trip here to see how beautiful this place is. The brussel sprouts were amazing. We had a great time and a great server.

Most breweries can make a good beer. A lot of breweries can make one great beer. Very few can make several really great beers. In my rankings, Founders is #1. This location is first-class all the way! I was a little surprised - you're not gonna drink on the cheap, but really the prices aren't bad for quality of beer and environment that you're getting. I very much wish I lived closer. One question: My receipt and Google Maps do not agree on the street name. When did the street get renamed, and why?

Stopped in while out of town to visit as a bucket list item. Great place! Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, great food, kind and efficient staff, and of course excellent beer! If we lived in the area we would be here a lot!

This is one of the best Brew Pubs I have visited. The Dirty Bastard Scottish Ale is excellent. The building is huge and has a wide selection of seating indoors and outdoors. There are 3 bars. I enjoyed the fried cheese curds.

When in Grand Rapids it is a must to go to Founders. This is large restaurant with good service and beer. Lots of merchandise if you want to buy something. Parking is a little weird with having to drive by the place and down another street. I really liked the beer flights to try all of different beers.

Very nice place, it is a little higher in price, but it is all craft beers so it's to be expected!! The people were very kind and even offered a sample of what I was looking at to drink before I actually ordered it so that was really nice!! You can sit inside or outside, but can still be out of the direct sunlight which was super nice!! The place is done up very nicely!! I look forward to going back and would definitely recommend it to others!!

I have been here twice now. Good amount of space on the beach. It tends to be pretty busy, but the size makes it so its not too crowded. I did the kayaking, $8 for an hour, per person. It was really enjoyable. The water is not the cleanest, it smells a little like being in a pond, is really my only complaint. It offers some pretty views, and is a peaceful space.

My wife and i go here all the time to ride bikes, so cool to see it being transformed back into nature. We absolutely love this place! They have paved trails for bikes, boards or walking. They also have pavilions that are always being rented out for weddings and events. There is a beautiful beach area and lots to explore!

I cycled here from Hudsonville, there are loads of trails with good asphalt surfaces you can bike on. I was here early in the morning and it was very quiet. The beach park was still closed. You could certainly park up here in a car and ride for a good number of miles without going on a busy road.

An all-season gem for the Grand Rapids area. There are lots of well-marked hiking and biking trails. Clean, well-maintained restrooms and facilities. One of my favorite things to do is to bike there, rent a canoe or kayak for a while, then bike back home.

What a beautiful and well maintained park! Lots of trails and play equipment for kids. Paths are paved and accessible. There are kayaks/paddleboards/canoes for rent—I’ll have to go kayaking next time! We saw so much wildlife on our walk—a deer even crossed the trail right in front of us 😊

This is a great park with all kinds of walking trails, paved, dirt trails, off-road trails, biking trails. You can get lost in all these trails through the backwoods and over the creeks. There are beginner, intermediate and advanced walking/ hiking/biking trails.

Very cool park. Lots of room, paths, some nature, you name it. I heard there's a beach and splash pad that are worth the $$$. We just hung out on the playgrounds. 1 for little kids, one better for 7 or 8 and up, and an obstacle course "ninja warrior" rope and climbing playground, too. I saw bathrooms but didn't use them. There are several water fountains and they have the dog bowl and water bottle fill up feature. Highly recommended if you're in the area.

I attended a Hans Zimmer tribute concert and they didn’t play Time. That would be like covering Tchaikovsky and not playing the 1812 Overture or going to a Queen cover show and they skip Bohemian Rhapsody. Additionally, the organ synth used for Interstellar sounded small and was hidden in the mix and then they added a marching hi-hat towards the end of Lion King score. Took me right out of the moment. I left feeling disappointed and wondered if whoever chose the line up and the arrangements had any love for the source material. Was the performance just an attempt to capitalize on the success of the recent Hans Zimmer arena tours? The musicians of this symphony are amazing, no complaint about them, but in my opinion they weren’t the given support needed to be spectacular tonight.

Saw them play the How to Train your Dragon show. 5 out of 5 stars. The music was flawless. The conductor, Duo Shen, was wonderful to watch. The orchestra was incredible. What a special experience to have. Kids and adults loved it!

What an amazing night! We got to see the GRSO perform music from my favorite movie of all time. This is definitely a night that I will cherish 💕

Super friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful agents. So nice these days to have such a professional experience when planning and scheduling a night out. Thank you!!

My family and I were invited to a private event during the dress rehearsal for the Holiday Pops show. So much pure talent!! This was so enjoyable, the candid nature of the event was beyond entertaining.

The Grand Rapids Symphony gives great performances. Music Director Marcelo Lehninger brings tremendous energy to the performance both on the podium and when he addresses the audience. The orchestra explores many different types of the classical repertoire and never fails to impress.

I love all of the series: classical, pops, etc. It is amazing to have this caliber of music in our community. Conductor Marcelo brings in recognized leaders in the music industry as soloists and showcases the best of our local musicians and talent! I took our kids to one of the events where the symphony was playing a movie and the musicians were playing the soundtrack underneath and the kids absolutely LOVED it! My husband and I enjoy unwinding and a date night with season tickets to the classical series. What an amazing gem in our city!

If you’re in Grand Rapids, especially downtown, you should definitely visit GRAAMA. It’s an incredible archival museum focused on the African American diaspora. The owner and founder is amazing—so knowledgeable and passionate. No matter your background, it’s a place worth experiencing!

A small location now but with so much passion for local history and preserving the stories of African Americans in West Michigan. GRAAMA does so much important work for the community. The included pictures are of the current location but I’m so excited for the larger building and all the new opportunities and exhibits that will go along with it!

But it's going to be get much better when they can move into their new space, I'm sure! Right now it's very small and hard to miss. Even with Google I sent a full circle passing it once from my parking garage :P But there is a lot of heart and care about information here and research here! If you are in the area and have a moment you should go. He did not tell me who he read but the man working there seemed a great person and very easy to talk to. I'm only giving 3 starts because it is small and easy to miss, but I think it will be amazing in its new digs! They are still ironing things out so it will be awhile before this happens, but I wish them the best!

We visited on a Friday afternoon and we were the only ones besides the workers which I loved because we had a chance to browse at our own pace. Museum is small, not very interactive. Everything has a page for you to read about but it would've been nice if there were actual recordings for some of the items like the MLK speech, etc. There wasn't much but what we did view we loved and appreciated the history. It was free but donations are accepted which we sent via PayPal buy they accept other forms as well. This small place has so much potential all it needs is a little more love.

I was so honored to meet the owner and have him talk to me and my friend about the establishment and about some of the pieces. Everyone was so informative and helpful i hope they can expand soon and show more of our history!

Curator was pleasant and informative when asked about Idle Wilde. Unless you read everything. You can spend about 30 min to an hour here.

Very enjoyable, very informative. You will not be disappointed

The venue was pretty cool, the bands playing were great, the light shows were put together well, and the sound was good as well. Not too loud so all you heard was static the whole time, but loud enough to feel being at a rock concert. Outside was around 68 degrees, inside was around 90-95 if I had to guess, also very humid, and I wore shorts and a tee shirt to the show. There were a few times we felt cooler air coming though, but they could easily have had the ventilation turned up more to pull some of that hot humid air out to make the concert more enjoyable. Overall it was pretty good though, clean building, and the bar set up is pretty decent.

Went to see Poppy a couple weeks ago!!! One of the best venues in Grand rapids. Only thing I don't like is how there are no bathrooms downstairs by the pit. Other then that one of the best venues in GR hands down. Was waiting outside in line and this wonderful lady came around that worked for the venue and asked if we wants to buy fast lane passes. They were only 17$ a person, so of course I said yes.we got to go in 15 minutes before everyone else in the main line. And we got to the front row in the pit because of this wonderful lady (totally missed her name). And was thrown a guitar pik from dying wish and the setlist from poppys show!! EVERYTIME I GO TO THIS VENUE I GET THE BEST VIEWS AND PICTURES. THANKS FOR ANOTHER WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE!!!!!❤️❤️

Got to see one of the best performers I have ever seen and have had the pleasure of seeing multiple times. Prof he is a great entertainer and he always brings along great musicians with. Great place. It was almost sold out for him.

I love the atmosphere and the easy access bar. I especially love that they serve non-alcoholic beer! What I don’t love is the fact that the concert I attended tonight had several people vaping throughout the show and no one stopped them. No smoking should mean no vaping. The food was also nothing special. The tater tots were giving school cafeteria haha. But it’s really the vaping that brought down my experience :/ Not all of us are trying to get cancer and lead exposure just because we’re at a rock concert. I do really enjoy most things at this venue though :)

Great venue! Cool stage and bars close to the stage. Staff were super nice to us.

Nice venue. It was smaller but much more intimate. It was nice to be able to really see the comedians.

Security was extremely rude. Allowed people to lay on the floor in front of the stage saying that they were saving spots for other people. Its general admission, so i walk up to the front and other concert goers start yelling at me saying i cant be there. I say its general admission and that i can stand there too. This guy calls for security and they threaten to throw me out. I say its general admission and that im allowed to be upfront like everyone else. When i heard the one concert goer calling security by his first name i realized what was going on. Friends and family of the security are allowed to be upfront but when an outsider shows up they yell and threaten you and when you say that you can be there they have you removed. Literally i walked passed 3 or 4 girls laid out on the floor like they were making snow angels and said that they were saving spots. Audio was trash, drinks way too expensive and security helping friends and family get a better spot. My first concert was in 1997 and ive been to many shows and i have never been to a worst place to see a show. Never been to a worse place

Had a hard time finding parking for this place and I had my 1&2 year old with me to get their birth certificates. Had to walk far with 2 toddlers, pay for parking and my 2 year old had to use the bathroom and they rudely told me there's no bathroom and they don't know where the closest one is. Horrible experience and no one was helpful to someone not from the area.

It’s a giant red sculpture… it is what it is. The surrounding area could use a clean up, but in the end it’s just a giant red sculpture.

The sculpture was awesome, and we were disappointed to see workers all around this tourist spot. it was messy. There was a parking lot beside it and it was pay parking. ( Pictures have been edited to remove the structures and workers around it )

Great public art in the plaza. Nice to photograph during the blue hour on a summer evening. Don't miss the Tire Swing sculpture in the corner of the plaza as well.

Very accessible for all. Nice spacing. Festival was a breath of fresh air, to see so many people.

Beautiful place to go when the temperature go up a little, this day was really cold and windy

A great spot for pictures and relaxing, a well known sculpture of downtown grand rapids.

I absolutely LOVE rosa parks circle, i have been going here since i was a baby and it’s been a local gem for a long time. It’s great to go get some food or froyo and walk around, but it’s even better when demonstrations are held in support of our constitution, freedom, and democracy! 🙏 it’s great to see the city get together to spread some love and good trouble.

Had a great time at Rosa Parks Circle. There was a great gathering of locals in the area for the free concert being held. Everyone was super friendly. After finding a spot to sit down, so many locals came by and started providing me with free local second-hand herb. People sure know how to kick it here and relax.

Amazing place to visit and gather in all of Grand Rapids, MI. Centrally located to any and everywhere you'd like to visit. Day or night.

Kind of the central hub of Artprize. They had a stage set up with a DJ. Vendors were selling art and dogs were standing around, waiting for affection. The main drag for restaurants, fine candy and ice cream. No restrooms, unless you buy something from the surrounding businesses. Highly Recommended

The food trucks and entertainment is nice every summer but the prices charged by the food trucks aee ridiculously! Cost too much for the food portions and quality of taste that they provide! It's crazy that they are charging double the amount for food that have low quality taste, sorry not sorry! Go try it for yourself then come back to this post and tell me what your experience was like.

Great park right in the center of downtown Grand Rapids. 1 block from the river, 2 blocks from 2 great museums and plenty of stores to visit and bars within walking distance.

The Park is Located in the Center of Downtown and host a venue of concerts and events. If you are visiting and love to sit out in the sounds and sites of the City, then Rosa Parks is the perfect place.

Took the grandsons to see guys fishing

Nice place for fishing, walking etc. Great for photo ops👍😎

Decent trails

Calvin Ecosystem Preserve & Native Garden has an interesting location off Beltline, of course adjacent to the university campus. While clearly audible, the sounds of traffic do not drown out the birds. Nice visitors center that is adjacent to a pleasant meadow. The numerous trails go through much of the property. The trails are mostly wood chipped with some pea gravel. One of the large ponds is picturesque while smaller ones choked with algae. Nice oasis of nature but not a destination compared to the other numerous parks in the Grand Rapids area

A very nice place off the beaten path near Calvin College. A very nice slice of nature Grand Rapids area. They have a little Stations of the Cross through Easter. The staff is great!

We always have a beautiful time. My girlfriend and I saw the whole forest. Painter turtles and common snapping turtles in the pond. We saw deer, an owl, a great blue heron, different birds, a frog, a spider, and a ground hog.

Why are my reviews

I had a nice little hike with my daughter and granddaughter. It's an easy little hike with woodchip paths. There is also a lot of informative information for kids and adults about wildlife.

Incredible and very beautiful outdoor sanctuary that goes on for what seems like forever! Well maintained walkways, footpaths, bridges and interspersed decks that allow for vantage points into the wild areas. You'll be greeted by an endless array of scenic areas, wildflowers, wildlife and areas to explore. Signage with useful info, and fun tips augment the experience but don't detract from your enjoyment.

An extraordinarily large statue of a horse. It's especially impressive when you consider that there are only two of these in the world and the other one is in Italy. There are actually three statues, identical except in size: the largest one, of course; a smaller one that represents what the big one would look like if sized like a real horse; and a third, smaller one designed so that visually impaired visitors can get a sense of the shape of the statue.

I'm the Frederick Meijer Sculpture Garden. Huge sculpture and the highlight of the sculpture area to me.

Just the tip of the sculptural ice berg at this place. But it would likely sink the Titanic if they collided.

That's a big horse. Actually there are 3 statues of the same horse.

It's a nice bronze horse 10/10 Braille horse available for visually impaired and kiddies

The “American Horse” connects the Italian Renaissance and today’s world in an unexpected place. The horse is big and powerful. It exhudes optimism and majesty. It has classic linesNot surprising since it is based on a plan originally laid out by Michelangelo but never executed in his lifetime. It invites kids and the young at heart to play under its gigantic hooves, legs and belly. Nice place for a family to pause.

This was a memorable visit. The story and history behind the creation of this statue is humbling and transcends history and our times. It’s definitely worth a visit. It’s also beautiful in the winter, stranding splendidly in the pristine snow.

Good place with family and friends. Serves very fresh beers. Kids friendly, Best part is they are serving preety good mac n cheese which was freshly made. They don’t serve ready to eat kraft dry mac n cheese. My kid just loved that.

I had a great time there. The beer was good along with the pinwheel pizza a appetizers. We sat in the back and enjoyed being outside.

First time visiting. Had family in from Seattle and wanted to try a brewery with food. We were all very happy with the choice, great food, service and of course very tasty beer. That Dragons Milk is deliciously dangerous. Would gladly go back again

Great place for good food and craft beers. Always get good service and have a great time enjoying their beer flights and the food menu is unique and quite tasty. We have come in many times and always feel welcomed and their establishment is very clean and well maintained. The bartenders are very knowledgeable of the beers and menu. It's also a great place to watch sports and enjoy a nice, relaxing experience. Highly recommend New Holland Brewing for a great night out with your significant other, family or friends. Great place for Special occasions too!

Wow, just wow! This is a stunning brewery with a lot of space for meeting with groups and even is family friendly. The food and beer were amazing. There’s even a great store for merchandise and take-home beers

I don't remember the servers name, I wish I did so I could mention him because he was absolutely phenomenal, but i do know he has a mario shine sprite tattoo. the food was terrific, the drinks were amazing, the desserts were wonderful. all in all a 10/10 experience and would definitely recommend

The service was wonderful, Barbie was great ! food is amazing, especially the pretzels are out of this world ! Soft and warm. Dry run wings are also sweet and spicy, very good 👍🏾 , little disappointed with no tequila and no alcohol from other brands.

The entertainment is always great. It's been about a decade since I have been there until tonight. Came for my 40th bday. I was just not impressed there wasn't any food. Like nothing not even appetizers. So our group of 16 had to go elsewhere. I have never been to a bar they didn't serve food. All the waiters bartenders were great and friendly.

This is a review for the second floor. The first floor is decent if that is your vibe. But no food is a big negative. Plus this last weekend first round of drinks the male bartender on first floor charges me for doubles. Which I did not order and I literally watched him make and they were light singles. A 2 second poor max. I even said to my wife wow that was a light poor. Then charges us $29. The second floor is supposed to be more of a dance club. But the last few years they leave it very bright up there. The vibe is all wrong for dancing. People want it dark and play recent music. I just visited this last weekend because I seen they are bringing in new DJ’s. I was hopeful that would help the music but I was very disappointed. The playlist was more like a rave. Every song was mixed and not in a good way. Plus super bright white floodlights on.If you don’t turn the lights down the best DJ in Michigan will not fill that place. If this is the new example of talent coming in things are not looking good. 10 years ago it was packed every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Now it’s dead every weekend and not even open Wednesdays. It’s not only the DJ it’s more about the ambience. It’s great you are trying to improve I hope it gets back to how it use to be. It could with good talent and proper lighting.

It was a Friday night and we arrived a minute before 9pm and got in for free. Bouncer even commented that we JUST made it in, because cover charge begins at 9pm. We thoroughly, enjoyed the musical talents that evening. We had already eaten dinner elsewhere and had drinks elsewhere, so it was just nice to enjoy the music with other patrons. We would enjoy going back if ever in the area again!

Edit: also when they take someone’s ID and say it’s fake, and you call non emergency on them (they tell you it’s the only way to get it back) they BAN YOU. God this bar sucks. The workers suck, the drinks are midpack and expensive. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve seen security go on a power trip. One of the big problems I’ve seen is that the security doesn’t understand new Michigan licenses let alone out of state licenses. When Michigan started with the new IDs, everyone in this bar thought they were fakes, they took peoples licenses and IDs and those same people had to call the police to get it back. Absolutely inane behavior, just avoid this place.

Got absolutely scammed by the male bartender on the main floor this past Saturday night. Charged me and my buddy $29 for TWO redbull vodkas. I almost couldn't believe it & asked if they were doubles and he assured to us they were single pours. Then my buddy tried seeing if there was a price difference upstairs and it ended up being $8.50 for one. How is this possible? Super scammy practices and I won't be coming back. Place was also dead as a doornail at 11pm as well. You wonder why...

This place is an absolute blast! Highly recommend anyone visiting the area, check this place out. The staff are laid back and friendly, the musicians are very talented and really know how to work the crowd, everyone was having a blast. We spent like 5 hours there hanging out, left for another bar next door and had one drink and went back haha there's a night club upstairs, but unless you're under 25 years old, you should probably just stay downstairs and give the piano man $20 to play some piano man.

Easy enough to reserve a table. When we arrived, we were carded (as expected, I'm 21 but look 19) and the host at the front took my ID and started at me for a good minute, looking at me like I was trying to get in with a fake ID or something. It may have had to do with my recent weight loss and hair color change, but I doubt it. Male staff and bouncers were incredibly rude and standoffish, refused to talk to us when we had questions, we had to look for one of the female wait staff in order to figure out what was going on. It was our first night club scene and we were confused as to how things worked. Waitress was very helpful and polite, food was fantastic and relatively inexpensive, around the tune of $10 for an entree. I highly recommend their Margherita flat bread pizza. Mozzarella sticks left more to be desired but I've definitely had a lot worse. Live music was fantastic, they played a lot of '60-'70's classic rock but they did play some Fall Out Boy and they do take requests. Mixed drinks/cocktails tasted cheap and watered down, but the shots were pretty good. Bartenders were nice but a little unprofessional, talking about/making fun of what I assume to be other employees. My friends and I went to go dancing and the upstairs didn't open until 9pm. We went upstairs and there is a small dance floor and a DJ whose music was so overpowered by techno-beats that you could scarcely make out what song was being played. We were honestly a little disappointed with the dance floor but all in all we had a good time. Ended up leaving at 10pm to walk around GR in the rain because it got boring. Probably won't be going back, except for maybe the pizza and the pianos. Definitely won't buy any mix drinks/cocktails again.

Small venue and I loved it. The music sounded fantastic and the bar service was great. Parking was close by, and the staff was all very kind. Would love to come back for another show.

Saw a pink floyd tribute band here. Comfy, spacious venue. Clean, bar service and overall nice experience.

Got to reserve a seat for Highdeas, Grieves,Trodelic & Artikal Sound System concert but Totally worth it! Good metal bar seat & table for drinks! And they have a designated server to bring you drinks. It's totally worth the splurge, 3 seats to the bar top tables. Drinks aren't terribly expensive $15 for 1 White Claw & 1 Miller Lite. Nice Venue. 2 minute walk from Canopy hotel which is super nice.

Saw Tropidelic and it was fantastic! Great size venue, great ticket prices, great sound system 🤘

Love this venue. I have yet to see a bad show here.

I love going to shows here its always a good time

I enjoyed my time at The Intersection. I saw Citizen Soldier with some pre-show supporting bands. The staff did a good job of taking care of the crowd. It got hot inside throughout the night, but there were a lot of people present so that is understandable. I would recommend The Intersection!

A stunning cathedral near the downtown. This church has amazing stained glass.

Old but still very pretty. The staff was friendly and accommodating. The neighborhood is awful. We saw a man urinating, fully exposed at 12pm on a Sunday on the property next door. Also I was confronted by multiple, aggressive drug users demanding money. The building old and not maintained to a standard scene at other local Catholic Churches. At least not to the visible eye. Overall: old but pretty. Not that great, but certainly not the worst. A very solid 3 star church. I will not be returning anytime soon 🙂

Cathedral of Saint Andrew Also here, happy having played the organ!

if you're looking for a place to have your catholic wedding, this is the place to do it. super gorgeous but more importantly, you'll have Lynnae fearlessly coordinating your wedding. i was in the wedding party and man... i would follow Lynnae to the ends of the earth - that woman has your back.

Stopping by this beautiful site was a real treat. While I initially visited for the history and architecture, I found the historical information scattered throughout the area to be quite captivating. It inspired me to read more about it online to gain further insight.

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to go inside but still got to relax in the gardens and take in the architecture from outside.

Best mass in Latin I’ve ever attended. All masses celebrated here are great and brings the community to holiness. The parish is very close and faithful. ✝️🙏❤️

GREAT BEER The beer was excellent. The husbands LOVED the beers. The atmosphere here is so comfortable. I could hang out here all day. Nice place. Great space to have a team building or friends trip. Open, bright and comfortable

Whoah?! This is AMAZING! Grandma’s Sour House. $8.25 for the full pour, I can taste the art in this crafted sour. Hands down my new favorite Sour.

Great beer. Great food just down the street at The Candied Yam

Best beer in Beer City! Glad we found this brewery while traveling. Unfortunately, apparently per city policy, not dog friendly.

Arvon’s is a great place bring your own food and snacks and games and hang out all day drinking delicious beer. They have a few snacks for sale and occasionally a food truck outside. There is also a Domino’s across the street for emergency foods need. They have a great selection of beers and you can even get half pours so you could try them all! Their kettle sour beers are fantastic and almost taste like fruit smoothies, they are an absolutely must have.

Really nice selection of beers and all were done well. Space was clean. The kettle sours are exceptional. Tried a couple of their big ABV stouts as well and those were great as well:

I've had plenty of Arvon's sours at our local favorite pub, but this was the 1st time I've been to their place in Grand Rapids. Wonderful staff, nice setup, & fantastic beer as always! Try Grandma's Sour House & Sonoma Sunrise, you'll be happy you did. 🍻🥰

It’s good especially for kids with loads of interactive stuff for them to do within the park and plenty of animals for them to see. As others have suggested I would also recommend taking the funicular on the right hand side as you enter and going to the highest point of the zoo and working your way back down. Entrance fee was good value and I even got an over 62 discount! We also ate within the park as we spent most of the day there. The experience loses a star as a lot of the animals looked to be quite sad and bored, I appreciate the work of the zoo for the animals but some of the pens are not all that big and clearly not enough to keep them occupied in their surroundings.

I absolutely love John Ball Zoo!! 💞 I've gone here since I can remember and now as a tradition every year when my daughter and granddaughter come home from Florida, both of my daughters, my granddaughter, both of my grandsons and I always make sure to go!! It's an amazing tradition and Zoo!! Thank you John Ball for the priceless memories made here!! I would 💯 % recommend!! ❤️🦘🦓🦒🦛🦔🦍🐐🦎🐸🐅🐃🐒🦏❤️

We got to see a wide variety of different animals and it seemed that all of them were out and enjoying the beautiful day with us. The staff there is super friendly and always trying to accommodate and inform and educate you about their animal friends. The new enclosures were really nice, I know a lot of the staff puts their own sweat and tears into them. A special thanks to Madison for showing us all around the zoo and sharing her love and passion for each and every creature. ♥️

there are some really cool exhibits that you don't see in many other zoos around. the hippos were very cool, the penguins had a cool spot, and a lot of the animals had enclosures that you could see them without a huge sheet of glass like a lot if zoos. very cool zoo with some very cool viewing areas

Came to volunteer at Zoo Goes Boo and had the opportunity to walk around and see some of the animals. I loved the owls and red pandas! I can't wait until the new baby pygmy hippo (Hugo!) is out, but I did get to see papa Jahari swimming around the pool. I had a great time volunteering and walking around the zoo, can't wait to come back!

A Magical Evening at John Ball Zoo’s Lantern Exhibit I had an absolutely amazing time at the Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo! The exhibit was truly magical — each lantern was more breathtaking than the last. The attention to detail and vibrant colors brought the zoo to life in a whole new way after dark. It felt like walking through a glowing, enchanted garden. The layout was well thought out, making it easy to stroll through the displays at a relaxed pace. The mix of animal lanterns and cultural scenes added an extra layer of wonder, and the atmosphere was family-friendly yet perfect for a date night, too. Staff were friendly and organized, and even though it was a popular event, everything flowed smoothly. I also appreciated the food and drink options available — a nice bonus to enjoy during the walk. Highly recommend this exhibit to anyone in the Grand Rapids area or visiting. It’s a unique, uplifting experience you don’t want to miss!

This zoo has always had and continues to have a good reputation. My favorite thing is the Lantern Festival. They do such a great job with creating a magical efficient journey for my kids (and me too). Foot traffic has good flow, restroom areas clearly marked. Refreshments available in a couple different areas along the way. Smaller animals exhibited on the path. As someone with physical disabilities, it’s really great to see how many of those in wheelchairs are able to participate. This location is handicap accessible! Parking can be a little iffy depending on what’s happening. There was a carnival going on nextdoor this time. Good time for everyone regardless. Advance tickets are recommended, but we got in quickly as a random walk in. Likely bringing my son back for his birthday to focus more on the animals during the day.

All seats were great to see the stage. We saw dancing with the stars. The staff were also very nice and helpful. The concession wasn't too expensive either.

Been here a few times over the years for classical/instrumental performances and the sound and sightlines are impeccable. Every seat is great. GRSO put on a great supporting performance my last visit.

Attended the Charlie Brown Christmas play. Actors and Actresses are as always, superb. Their ability to sing as they do is breath taking. I have been to several shows so far this year and several more planned. Other than the price of concessions and parking, I really don't have any complaints

Great venue for comedy. The parking garage is right across the street. I have been to a few shows here and always have a great time. Staff are friendly and helpful

Great view & right downtown. Attended for boxing matches. But the drinks offered were very expensive, even tho somebody has to make money but no need to rob paying customers who already paid $50 for 2 people to attend a boxing match. Anyway, the event place was beautiful, clean & great outdoor views as well as inside large skylight. Bathrooms very clean & surrounding areas as well.

I went here to see the band Brit Floyd!! This is a nice concert venue, with good acoustics for music. The staff that night was friendly and helpful for helping find your proper seating. The bathrooms were clean and well maintained, especially given the fact it was a rock music concert. Sometimes, those things can get messy. The prices on alcohol and snacks were about what you would expect to pay at any venue of this type.

Enjoyed a performance by Toast honoring the band Bread. Good sound and lighting. Enjoyed the night. They did also have drinks to buy.

What an enormous park! Constantly getting maintenance, though not intrusively. It's peaceful. It's popular, and very busy at times, but not without space to spare when it is. They have a lot of parking within, as well as parallel parking on the roadside outside of the gates. Boaters seem to never be congested, bathrooms (prison style toilets but clean and stalls to separate the toilets in the women's . Multiple playgrounds, disc golf courses, ball fields, picnic tables and grills (some with cover). My favorite part of this park is the bird population. Lots of geese (and goslings right now!). Ducks, robins and small birds too. I've seen blue herons, hawks, and a Balde Eagle. If I could change one thing, I would loooove to have an enclosed/fenced area for off-leash dogs to run, play, and get the stimulation they need. I bring my dog each time. Lots of people walking their dogs, as well.

This large, local, and historic park in Grand Rapids that extends along the banks of the Grand River has a lot to offer. Beautiful old trees, sports fields, picnic areas, fishing, a walking / bike riding path with both shade and sunny sections, frisbee golf, boat launch, etc. Different events are held there throughout the year like the recent autumn Octoberfest we attended.

This nicely-shaded park runs along a stretch of the river and features a few ponds opposite the flowing water, so it's beautiful all year! Watch out for geese "evidence" in the summer months, but other than that, it really is a safe, clean park for the whole family to enjoy! A great asset to the Grand Rapids community!

Best local park. White pine trail picks up here.....great little bike ride to Rockford. Foodtruck fridays are really fun here!

Massive park by the grand river. Century old trees. People used to walk, run and fish in this park. A picnic shed there too. But the restroom is terrible and a bit weird design.

One of the most beautiful parks in GR. Absolutely love

Good spot for either relaxing and reading a book or taking the kids to play. I myself enjoy going here to try and fish. But I've also taken the kids here and it's an all in one. We fish, I fish, we're all having fun! If they want to play the can at the playground, if they need to use the bathroom they have one too! All you need is some snack and an hour or two!

We came here specifically for the pinball. They have some recently released machines. While the machines were in good condition, some of the glass was very dirty and we also thought the machines were a bit pricey (used to more 2$ for 3 games rather than $1 a game which seemed to be a lot of the machines). Staff also did not seem very knowledgeable about the machines either so didn’t feel like a true pinball bar. Staff also came off kind of rude, like they are too good to serve you???!!

The Pyramid Scheme easily rivals as one of my favorite venues in downtown Grand Rapids. I have seen several shows here. The most recent was the Death is Little More tour with Boundaries, Stick to your Guns, Gates to Hell and Psycho-frame. Shows always run in a timely manner, with lines moving fluidly, pinball machines singing and drinks flowing from the bar. Highly recommend catching a show that suits your tastes, here!

Great bar in front with booths and pinball machines. Great draft selection. The venue area in the back is fantastic. Great place for medium sized gigs with bathrooms and another bar.

I like the Pyramid Scheme venue mostly because for its size it offers just as much as the larger venues but without the congestion and prices. I have had the opportunity to see smaller acts like Mother Mother, Good Terms, Have Mercy to larger acts like Emery, Living Color, and Baroness. Before the show you can get a drink, play some pinball, and if you're lucky meet the bands in the lot. If you have some time to burn Stella's across the street has some great food so sit back and enjoy the show and ambiance. Always a great time.

Are you disappointed because the tickets to see the band whose song is on repeat at 5 different radio stations, from 400 yards away in the stadium stands, costs 2 whole paychecks (I hate Ticketmaster), well then look no further. There’s not a better place this side of the Atlantic Ocean to see an artist who actually wrote the songs perform them than at the bar named after the great 3D triangular shape. If you invite 2 friends, and each of them invite 2 friends and so on, the fun only multiplies for everybody. You can’t go wrong, and you don’t even have to report your enjoyment on your taxes next April. I’ve attended an incalculable number of shows here (maybe 10) and I’m never let down. Rates are fair, and the staff is kind. Play some pinball while you await the front row to true art in the best form.

Pictures don't do it justice! It was fun and the vibes were great. I came from Canada to see a show and it was worth the drive.

I didn't have any drinks here, but I was pleasantly surprised by this "hole in the wall" venue I have never been too. I saw still remains here and it was a awesome little venue. I'll be keeping an eye on upcoming shows for sure.

I love the iconic Blue Bridge and so does my granddaughter, she wants to walk on it anytime we are walking downtown. If I'm not on vacation somewhere for the Fourth of July I like to go watch the fireworks from the bridge. I always check it out during Artprize and other events.

I have shot a couple of weddings here and have always thought the location was super pretty. There are plenty of places nearby to take photos, with a range of scenery from more of a urban look, to more of a secluded garden look, to some close views of the river. I would highly recommend it. =)

My friend and I drove five hours from Wisconsin on a Tuesday to dance on The Blue Bridge. It was in the 90s, sunny, and humid, but it was beautiful, peaceful, exciting, and everything we needed to recharge and smile. It's a Walk bridge so it's nice and wide for everyone to enjoy. Structurally beautiful and strong. A great place for pictures. Senior pictures, artsy, every day pictures. If you can, check out The Blue Bridge.

Blue Bridge is an awesome location, if you're in the Grand Rapids area I highly recommend at least walking by. There are no stairs or steps, so no worries if you have difficulty with mobility. The bridge is about as wide as a road, and I've see bikes, scooters, and skate boards. Highly recommend, great view. If you have time and would like to get closer to the river, there are a few stair ways that lead closer to the river.

The Blue Bridge is both classic and iconic. I visit here time and time again. Any trip downtown usually will include for me a walk on this bridge. It always feels very safe and clean. Also, with the picturesque views you can't go wrong.

It’s blue. And a bridge. 10/10 on the description. Great place to hang out with like minded people

The history of this bridge spans… lol…. All the way back to 1868. Originally a railroad bridge crossing, this incarnation was built in 1892 following its destruction from the great log jam of 1883. After the railroad stopped it was fixed up, painted it’s lovely hue and turned from rail to foot traffic. It’s a bridge, it’s blue, and after I checked it out I feel fairly comfortable saying it will hold you. Nice to see a functional way of keeping the past alive and preserving local history. Also, if only that I got to learn about the great log jam of 1883 I’m glad they kept this thing around.

We had a private group of 8 which included two adults and six 7th graders for a birthday party. The host Valeria was great! She gave us clues as needed and that really helped at the end so we could "escape" with 52 seconds left. It meant a lot to the young teens to achieve victory and Valeria knew exactly how to pace them with her hints so they could achieve that. I think with a group of adults maybe we wouldn't have needed as much help, but it was great that she did with this group! We all really enjoyed it! The fact that we solved it added to the kid's excitement for the birthday party. Thank you to The Ruse!

I went to The Ruse with some friends for my first escape room experience and it definitely didn't disappoint! We all had a great time. I can't wait to try the other rooms!

We’ve been to several escape rooms across the state and this one was absolutely amazing! Every employee was welcoming and the background before entering the room made it so immersive from the very first minute. The puzzles were clever, challenging, and used techniques I have not seen in any other rooms. 10/10 would recommend! We will be back next time we’re in GR to try another room at The Ruse!!!

The investors guild is by far one of the best escape rooms I have been to. The outdoor escape room was also a great time, what a wonderful way to see the town, although it was more than 3 hours.

Things started off a little rocky since the lobby was locked with no one to greet us immediately, but they soon got much better as our gracious host Solomon laid our game out for us after some prep. Before you even step into your room, the captivatingly anachronistic interior of The Ruse leaves a lasting impression; you immediately feel as if you've entered a space where magic and adventure are afoot. I played The Inventor's Room in a group of two. The puzzles were challenging and exciting but not too difficult. The narrative and world-building were also enjoyable. I'd recommend a group of 4 to work a little faster. Very funny experience getting tripped up at the end by puzzles that required a sense of smell (my teammate and I still haven't regained our olfaction after recovering from COVID). Didn't finish this time, but would definitely play again. I highly recommend The Ruse to anyone looking for an exquisitely crafted escape room experience. The complimentary matches offered at souvenirs are a nice touch.

My group and I had an amazing time with the escape room! It was so much fun and the puzzles we had to complete really showcased each member of the parties different abilities. Everyone was able to participate and there was a really fun story along with the room that made everything so much better. While my group was working in the escape room, I also had a medical reason that I needed to step out of the room for. The guy who was helping us with our room checked in with me and helped me out, which was going above and beyond. He was very kind and made my experience much better. I feel very safe there, especially knowing they have great employees like him! Overall, a wonderful experience and I am defiantly going back again!

We love escape rooms, and enjoyed this company’s room very much. Very interesting/authentic props, puzzles were not too hard, but not too easy; just right...intuitive. The puzzles had good variety. The gamemaster was great. There was a good flow that kept us moving in the inventor’s room. Super fun room for a two people that are into escape rooms.

Grand Rapids Ballet put on a great performance. A friend invited us and we very much enjoyed the show. The theater is fairly compact, so everyone is close to the action. The dancers appeared to be enjoying themselves immensely and lots of expression to engage the audience. Parking can be a bit tricky, so plan arrival accordingly. All the staff and volunteers very helpful in getting to seats on time. Will definitely consider coming to a future performance.

My granddaughter and I attended the Nutcracker on Dec 10. First we ordered tickets and were sent the wrong evenings tickets. So we needed to get tickets that evening. We ended up in the balcony. That was not good. The noise of the toe shoes on the floor was horrible. The gentleman dancing with Sugar Plumb Fairy fell three times. With others also. We drive over an hour to see this and have been coming for about 13 years. We always sit in the orchestra section and dress up for this. We take this production very seriously. So now it looks like I might be out over $200.00 for the tickets sent for the wrong night and a very disappointing performance.

Grand Rapids Ballet School is a wonderful place. The teachers understand the value of high level classical ballet training. I appreciate knowing my child is encouraged, she is spoken to in uplifting kind ways. Corrections are given in a positive, professional way that promote growth, not only in technique, but also keeping in mind to take good care of the mind and heart of the child. This style of teaching fosters an environment where the student feels safe and is able to grow in their best way with confidence. The confidence and quality of technique that I see in the dancers shines through in the performance opportunities, and is so inspiring. GRBS is a place that I trust has the best interest for the students, and desires to make a difference in each child's life. It's also such a lively, enriching environment during class, with live piano music, that enhances the experience for the students. It's a joy to be part of this classical ballet family. My child is thriving beyond my expectations and I'm so grateful for this opportunity.

Me and my family went to go see “ballet + broadway” we did watch the first two parts, but then our whole family agreed to bounce because we were uninterested and hungry. The ballet was great, though I feel like the ballet should be put in one big performance instead of individual parts.

Left halfway through jumpstart. Besides the 2nd set the rest were pretty weird. Shoes on the floor were really loud. Don’t think the tickets were worth 50$…

This is a wonderful dance company, and they get better every year. People who don't go to the ballet have no idea what they're missing. Go see it, and bring a friend!

Prefer the old choreography and miss Mother Ginger

I applied for a loan for a house a month ago, and also applied for a program that cover down payments, I had everything ready and suddenly my application stopped and didn’t go through, I had to switch to a better bank where I had the best time, LMCU, was fast and easy. I had a hard time understanding why they didn’t move forward with my application if I had everything ready, someone named Dan was the one who made it extremely impossible to continue, and also didn’t show any signs of professionalism. I know that this doesn’t happen to everyone but I am not going to recommend this bank for a house loan!

I have been a customer with Old National Bank since the transition from Founders Bank & Trust. I was worried about the changes that might happen when the transaction was taking place because I loved Founders Bank & Trust. I am glad to say that I have been 100% happy with my downtown branch. I am happy with all the banking services but most importantly I am happy that "my people" are still there. I get the best customer service from Ryan, Barb, Ace (and now Emily). Thank you OId National for recognizing how important they are.

I have been a customer of Founders and now Old National for over 15 years. I was concerned that the transition to a larger bank would jeopardize the great customer service I have received historically. I am very happy with the service I am receiving with Old National. Barb O'Connor especially went out of her way to make sure that my personal transition to Old National was very smooth. I look forward to continuing my banking relationship with Old National!

We opened up business accounts with Old National Bank this last summer. We were hesitant to make a switch after being with a competitor for a number of years, but the entire branch, including Barb and Ace, were able to help us through the transition. Not only did they help during the transition, but were also very helpful and easy to work with after everything was set up. Thank you for the great customer service. Keep up the great work! Look forward to many years of continued business together!

I use the branch on Monroe for my banking needs. I currently handle 4 accounts through Old National. They are personal and business. Ace, Barb, Ryan and Emily are great to work with. They really get to know their customers and make sure they are taken care of. I would not do my banking anywhere but the Monroe Branch. Customer service at its BEST!

I would like to extend my gratitude to Mr. Ace Marasigan, Retail Center Manger at GR downtown branch, who lent an excellent hand in taking care of my mortgage account's amortization process. From beginning of the process until its wrap-up, Ace ran extra miles to accommodate my busy schedules and make sure that I am updated with all progress. His professionalism, efficiency and respect for clients is greatly appreciated! I highly recommend Ace's effective and efficient services as well as his level of professional knowledge.

I'm in town from Philly and I needed to exchange a $100 bill for two $50 bills as late high school / college graduation gifts. I tried PNC Bank first, but they were unable to assist me because "I'm not their customer." The teller directed me to Old National Bank, which was just a few doors down. When I walked in I was immediately greeted by Ryan, who was happy to help me with my request ... even though I'm not a customer! I was so impressed with Ryan's friendliness, genuine warmth, and eagerness to assist an out-of-towner. Now THAT'S how customer service should be. Thank you, Ryan, and thank you Old National Bank!

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