Guidebook for Grand Rapids
Drinks & Nightlife
Founders Brewing Co
235 Grandville Ave SWOne of the best and most popular breweries in Grand Rapids.
Multilevel establishment in the middle of downtown. B.O.B. (big old building)-4 levels of bars/nightclubs/restaurants including their own brewery. Judson's is on the 1st floor & is a great steakhouse.
50 locals recommend
The B.O.B.
20 Monroe Ave NWMultilevel establishment in the middle of downtown. B.O.B. (big old building)-4 levels of bars/nightclubs/restaurants including their own brewery. Judson's is on the 1st floor & is a great steakhouse.
Bar & restaurant downtown - I've heard they have excellent sushi (I don't eat the stuff) & fun, funky drinks.
36 locals recommend
Rockwell Republic
45 Division Ave SBar & restaurant downtown - I've heard they have excellent sushi (I don't eat the stuff) & fun, funky drinks.
100+ beers on tap from around the world & amazing crack fries - need I say more?
65 locals recommend
HopCat
25 Ionia Ave SW100+ beers on tap from around the world & amazing crack fries - need I say more?
The Green Well
924 Cherry Street SoutheastGood food/burgers. Good booze.
Everything Else
John Ball Zoo
1300 Fulton St WPenguins!
Right outside the zoo. Great playground for kiddos (or adults like me who still like to play on the swings every now & then). Picnic areas & shade trees too!
John Ball Park
Right outside the zoo. Great playground for kiddos (or adults like me who still like to play on the swings every now & then). Picnic areas & shade trees too!
AMAZING hot yoga studio. They have multiples classes daily including beginner, power, slow flow and, my personal favorite, 'Shake Your Asana' which is set to a different, super fun playlist each week!
10 locals recommend
Funky Buddha Yoga Hothouse
1331 Lake Dr SEAMAZING hot yoga studio. They have multiples classes daily including beginner, power, slow flow and, my personal favorite, 'Shake Your Asana' which is set to a different, super fun playlist each week!
Essentials
Nice variety of foods from local farms. Usually some artsy vendors in the mix also.
56 locals recommend
Fulton Street Farmers Market
1145 Fulton St ENice variety of foods from local farms. Usually some artsy vendors in the mix also.
Arts & Culture
Great venue for concerts - usually of the rock or electronic genre - with 2 stages inside the building. The sound is usually pretty great & the drink prices aren't the worst as far as a venue goes.
23 locals recommend
The Intersection
133 Grandville Ave SWGreat venue for concerts - usually of the rock or electronic genre - with 2 stages inside the building. The sound is usually pretty great & the drink prices aren't the worst as far as a venue goes.
Sightseeing
BEAUTIFUL gardens! They usually have some kid specific exhibits too! In the summer they have a great venue for their outdoor concert series & bring in some pretty big names.
200 locals recommend
Frederik Meijer Gardens
1000 E Beltline Ave NEBEAUTIFUL gardens! They usually have some kid specific exhibits too! In the summer they have a great venue for their outdoor concert series & bring in some pretty big names.
A great example of a true Michigan beach town. Be prepared for some traffic but it's worth it!
10 locals recommend
Grand Haven Skatepark
16 Sherman AveA great example of a true Michigan beach town. Be prepared for some traffic but it's worth it!
Small but neat museum - the exhibits change from time to time too.
91 locals recommend
Grand Rapids Public Museum
272 Pearl St NWSmall but neat museum - the exhibits change from time to time too.
Grand Rapids Children's Museum
11 Sheldon Ave NEPretty good art museum with a cool gift shop.
Shopping
The biggest mall in Grand Rapids! Great stores & a big movie theater too. The main road in front of the mall is lined with chain restaurants like Applebee's, Olive Garden, Bob Evans, etc.
29 locals recommend
RiverTown Crossings
3700 Rivertown PkwyThe biggest mall in Grand Rapids! Great stores & a big movie theater too. The main road in front of the mall is lined with chain restaurants like Applebee's, Olive Garden, Bob Evans, etc.
Tons & Tons of books on the main floor and the basement is super stocked as well. If you're buying multiple books, you just might get a deal!
Redux Books
1349 Lake Dr SETons & Tons of books on the main floor and the basement is super stocked as well. If you're buying multiple books, you just might get a deal!
Food Scene
A fabulous tapas restaurant downtown. Really awesome for groups. They make their own sangria too! Yum!
65 locals recommend
San Chez A Tapas Bistro
38 Fulton St WA fabulous tapas restaurant downtown. Really awesome for groups. They make their own sangria too! Yum!
If you make the trip out to the beach you should definitely stop in at The Kirby house for some food & maybe a drink or 2. I don't like bloody marys & I flippin LOVE their bloody mary!
65 locals recommend
The Kirby House
2 Washington AveIf you make the trip out to the beach you should definitely stop in at The Kirby house for some food & maybe a drink or 2. I don't like bloody marys & I flippin LOVE their bloody mary!
If you want a complete Grand Rapids experience, you must eat at Yesterdog in Eastown. Plus, it was featured in the movie American Pie!
41 locals recommend
Yesterdog
1505 Wealthy St SEIf you want a complete Grand Rapids experience, you must eat at Yesterdog in Eastown. Plus, it was featured in the movie American Pie!
Best breakfast place in the city! The portions are large so if you're in the mood to share (or have leftovers) this place is perfect.
45 locals recommend
Wolfgang's Restaurant
1530 Wealthy St SEBest breakfast place in the city! The portions are large so if you're in the mood to share (or have leftovers) this place is perfect.